Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Binetti.
Hi Katie , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my interior design business somewhat unexpectedly—from a duplex I purchased right out of college. I renovated one of the units, designed it from top to bottom, and turned it into an Airbnb. My goal was simply to create a beautiful, welcoming space for guests, but the response became the first indication that design could be much more than an interest for me. Guests loved the apartment, and I continually heard the same thing: You have a talent for this.
Around that same time, I met an up-and-coming real estate developer who saw the rental and asked if I would help design one of his homes. I took the opportunity, and the project was a success. One home quickly turned into two, then three, then five—and eventually, I was designing all of his projects. Through that relationship, I was introduced to his brother, which opened the door to even more opportunities and allowed me to continue building my experience and portfolio.
At the time, however, interior design was not yet my full-time career. I was still working as a server while doing everything I could to get the business off the ground. Then the pandemic hit.
When everything shut down, I found myself at a crossroads. Instead of waiting for things to return to normal, I decided to take a chance on the business and pursue interior design full time.
I immersed myself in learning. I invested in rendering software, taught myself how to professionally present design concepts, spent countless hours watching tutorials, built my website, and created a presence on Houzz. I knew that if I wanted people to trust me with their homes, I needed to build not only my design skills but also the systems and presentation necessary to operate as a professional design business.
Slowly, homeowner clients began to find me. The projects started small, primarily with furnishing and decorating, but each opportunity led to something bigger. Furnishing projects became kitchens and bathrooms. Kitchens and bathrooms became full-home renovations. Eventually, those renovations led to new construction and entire homes designed from the ground up.
Today, I manage approximately 15 projects at any given time, ranging from furnishing and e-design to new construction and full-home renovations. And I am continuing to think beyond traditional interior design services. I am building the business to eventually offer cabinetry, furnishings, home décor, and online design programs—creating new ways for clients to access our designs, products, and expertise.
Looking back, I realize just how important timing—and relationships—were to the beginning of my career. Purchasing that first duplex gave me a space to demonstrate what I could do, and meeting that developer gave me an opportunity to turn that talent into real-world experience. In many ways, we were both building something at the same time. We needed each other to grow, and we learned an incredible amount from one another along the way.
My journey was not built from one perfectly mapped-out plan. It was built by recognizing opportunities, saying yes before I had everything figured out, being willing to teach myself what I didn’t know, and continuing to build on each experience.
If there is one lesson I have carried with me, it is this: never take an opportunity for granted. The project, introduction, or experience that seems small today may ultimately be the one that changes the trajectory of your career.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No—not at all. Building this company has honestly felt like an uphill battle at times. In the beginning, I constantly felt like I had something to prove: that I was good enough, that my eye for design was worth paying for, and that I actually knew what I was doing. When you’re building something from the ground up, you’re trying to find your footing while also convincing everyone else to trust you.
Then there are the inherent challenges of the construction industry itself. Things go wrong. Things get delayed. Budgets change, timelines move, products don’t arrive, and there are so many variables outside of your control. Add COVID and the housing market that followed, and the last seven years have been a roller coaster. I’ve had to learn how to build a business while the industry around me was constantly changing.
There have absolutely been days when I’ve wanted to quit. I’ve asked myself, Why am I pushing this hard? Why am I putting this much pressure on myself? Is this even worth it? There is a tremendous amount of responsibility that comes with this work. Clients are trusting you with their homes, and investors can have significant amounts of money on the line. You feel the weight of that.
I also think there is a unique emotional side to running a creative business. Design is personal. You’re putting your taste, ideas, and creative expression in front of someone and asking them to believe in it. When someone doesn’t like your work, it’s hard not to internalize that. When something goes wrong or gets delayed, you question yourself. Especially in the beginning, it can feel like you’re never quite enough—all while everyone around you expects the end result to be perfect.
You’re learning who you are as a designer at the same time you’re learning how to run a company. You’re figuring out your strengths, your limitations, your voice, your processes, and what you’re capable of. That takes time.
After seven years, I finally feel like I’ve reached a place where I genuinely trust myself. I trust my eye, I trust my experience, and I know how to navigate the challenges of my business without allowing every setback to make me question whether I belong here. It hasn’t necessarily gotten easier—I’ve just become much more confident in my ability to handle whatever comes next.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m the founder and Creative Strategist behind Katie Binetti Designs, a full-service interior design and interior architecture firm specializing in residential renovations, new construction, investment properties, and development projects. My work goes beyond creating beautiful spaces—I approach design strategically, considering how layout, materials, construction decisions, and overall design can improve the way a property functions while also increasing its long-term value.
Over the past eight years, I’ve worked across more than 100 projects, ranging from individual kitchens and bathrooms to full-home renovations, new construction, luxury residences, and multi-unit developments. I’m especially known for transforming properties through thoughtful space planning, architectural detailing, material selections, cabinetry, and construction management. I love finding opportunities within a property that others may overlook and creating a design that feels elevated and intentional while still making sense financially.
What sets me apart is the combination of creativity, technical knowledge, business strategy, and real-world construction experience I bring to a project. I understand design from both the homeowner’s and investor’s perspective. Having personally invested in real estate and worked extensively with developers, builders, and homeowners, I’m constantly thinking about the relationship between design decisions, construction costs, marketability, and return on investment. I don’t believe great design should simply make a property look better—it should make the property work harder and become more valuable.
I’m most proud of the trust clients have placed in me to guide projects from the earliest idea through completion. I’ve managed the entire process—from developing the design and construction plans to budgeting, permitting, contractor coordination, procurement, and final installation. I’m also proud that my work has been recognized within the design industry, including receiving Gold recognition from Kitchen & Bath Design News.
Ultimately, I want my work to demonstrate that strong design is both creative and strategic. My goal is to preserve what gives a property character, improve what isn’t working, and create spaces that feel timeless, distinctive, and valuable for the people who live in them.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Honestly, in today’s world, simply sharing my page, website, or projects means so much. Word of mouth has been one of the biggest drivers of my business, and I’ve found so many incredible clients through referrals from past clients, friends, contractors, and people who have simply come across my work and shared it with someone else.
Fun fact: I barely advertise, and my social media game is definitely not as strong as it could be! I’ve been fortunate enough to stay so busy through referrals that sometimes I don’t even know where I would find the time to market the business properly. It’s something I’m working on as the company continues to grow.
For anyone interested in working together—whether it’s an interior design project, new construction, renovation, e-design, or a potential collaboration—the best way to connect with me is through Instagram or Facebook at @bybinetti, by email at katie@bybinetti.com, or through my website at bybinetti.com.
And for anyone who simply wants to support the business, follow along and share a project that inspires you. You never know who might see it. Some of my best opportunities have come from one person simply telling another person about my work, and I’m incredibly grateful for every referral.
Pricing:
- E-designs: 10k for entire home construction documents and design
- Kitchen design + cabinet ordering : $1000
- Bathroom Design+ cabinet ordering: $1000
- Full service design + Project Management : 20% of the entire construction budget
- Inquire to see what we can make work for you. All jobs are different so I can try and accomodate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bybinetti.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bybinetti
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bybinetti
- Other: bybinetti google business page
