We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Antoinette Daniels. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Antoinette below.

Antoinette, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today The first dollar you earn in a new endeavor is always special. We’d love to hear about how you got your first client that wasn’t a friend or family.

Most of the time, interior design clients come to us through relationships we’ve built. In this case, I got my first client because of the relationships I built at a furniture store selling luxury Italian furniture. This specialty store had a great reputation for having the best contemporary design in the city. Therefore, that helped tremendously with gaining their confidence, but it was a co-worker who believed in my talent that won them over. They called in looking for an interior designer who knew modern design. At that time, many people designed traditional interiors. I immediately called them and found out they wanted help on a renovation project where they needed immediate help. I put my contract together, and they signed and agreed to my fee. I was so thrilled because I’ve never been paid that much for my talent and skills that I learned in college for a single project. Honestly, that was the easy part because I quickly learned that it was not the design that was challenging; it was the battle with contractors and not knowing the business that well. However, I learned that I could operate an interior design studio with a little more business know-how, and that gave me the confidence to go forward.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My earliest memories began with me being creative and being obsessed with color. It does not sound like a likely start, but I grew up in rural Georgia, so there was really no one in my family who had a serious interest in design or decoration at all. I got into design after moving to Boston in high school, which changed my whole world. I started there at a junior college, majoring in interior design. It was there that I developed my style. I fell in love with modernist design icons like Mies van der Rohe and the Bauhaus design movement.
I started my studio because I wanted to solve problems in spatial planning and customization for clients. So, each project needs to have ideas and elements that are unexpected. Along the journey, I’ve learned more about what makes a beautiful space and how to enhance livability and comfort.
What sets me apart from other designers is that I have a clear style and aesthetic because most designers attempt to do every style. I also value collaboration because, without a client’s story or problems, the design wouldn’t work.
I’m most proud of how I stuck to my vision for my studio and also being able to elevate my craft on each project.
Every project and experience builds on the next project. However, the ultimate reward is that it transforms the way people feel and live in a space.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Right after graduation, I had to quickly shed the self-doubt I’d carried for years. Everything became real—and fast during that time. In college, I wasn’t always able to give my best, and my projects didn’t always reflect my full potential. Looking back, I wish I’d sought internships at interior design firms, as many designers do. At the time, I assumed that earning my degree would be enough to land a job.

Instead, I found myself in a sales position that left me deeply unfulfilled. That’s when I realized I needed to strike out on my own if I wanted to be a designer. In my area, firms valued internships and work experience above all else, and my résumé didn’t fit that mold. It was a hard lesson, but it pushed me to take bolder steps, embrace risk, and pursue the life I had always envisioned—without waiting for permission.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The driving force behind my studio is helping clients live more beautifully and comfortably. I love designing environments that speak to their ultimate dreams while also solving challenges and constraints within their built environments. This means crafting spatial solutions, selecting durable and timeless furnishings, and curating art that brings both comfort and character. I also believe in the restorative power of nature—integrating natural elements to ease stress, promote well-being, and create a sense of harmony that connects their spaces to the natural world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://studioadprojects.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antoinettedaniels_/

Image Credits

Image credit George Grier Photography