We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brooke Coe a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Brooke, appreciate you joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

Oh, definitely! Most flippers go the safe route with Home Depot cabinets, white walls, neutral everything because it’s easy and appeals to the masses. But here’s the thing: when buyers walk through ten nearly identical white-on-white homes, do they remember any of them? Probably not. Do they get emotionally attached? Even less likely.

That’s where we flip the script, literally. My husband (a realtor) and I design from a point of view. We create spaces that stand out, that make people say, “Wow, this feels different.” My design style is all about adding texture, warmth, and a distinctive touch that resonates deeply with the right buyer. It’s for those who instantly connect with a space, recognize its uniqueness, and appreciate the value of something truly special. And the best part? They do.

Brooke, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

How I Got Started

I’ve always had an eye for design, probably because I grew up surrounded by it. My mom turned our old lake house in Michigan into a mid-century modern dream on a budget. She was frugal and practical, but always made a statement. My dad? Total hands-on guy. He taught me how to build furniture, frame a house, and tackle renovations like a pro.

So naturally, I became obsessed with transformation. How do you take something outdated and make it feel fresh, stylish and maybe even a little unexpected? With my project management background, I couldn’t just make it pretty, I had to make it efficient, organized, and seamlessly executed. I approach each project with a strategic mindset, ensuring timelines stay on track, budgets are optimized without compromising quality, and every decision is intentional. From sourcing high-quality materials to managing contractors and problem-solving on the fly, I bring the structure and foresight needed to turn bold design visions into reality. Balancing creativity with efficiency? That’s my sweet spot.

My Services

I offer full-service design, whether it’s for a direct client or a flip. First, I visit the space, seeing it in person is essential to understanding its character, unique features, and untapped potential. I take measurements, study the flow, and uncover what will make it truly shine. If it’s for a client, I dive deep into their style and needs, ensuring the design reflects both their personality and the home’s inherent charm. If it’s a flip, I focus on enhancing the home’s soul refreshing and updating it in a way that makes buyers instantly fall in love (and, frankly, offer top dollar). It’s about more than just making a space look good; it’s about making it feel like home.

I use a CAD program to bring my designs to life in 3D because it’s way easier to plan when you can see how everything fits together. Plus, since I have a day job, this lets me work off-hours and still make sure everything flows perfectly.

Once the design is locked in, I source all the materials and make it easy for anyone to purchase with links, quantities, and pricing. I also run a tight ship when it comes to scheduling, making sure everything arrives on time for installation and keeping things moving smoothly with the contractor and/or owner. Basically, I make sure good design actually happens, not just stays as a pretty concept.

How I’m Different

I always start with a design theme, it’s my north star for every project. It sets the vibe, keeps everything cohesive, and ensures every design choice has a purpose. Some of my favorites? Industrial Zen, where I balanced strong, masculine structure with just the right touch of soft, feminine energy. Or MidMod Mecca, where I peeled back decades of awkward add-ons to uncover the home’s true mid-century soul. These themes aren’t just for fun (though they totally are), they guide everything from materials to finishes, so the final design feels intentional, effortless, and meant to be.

And speaking of materials, I’m all about balance. I’ll splurge on the wow-factor pieces that make an impact, then hunt down the perfect budget-friendly finds for the supporting cast. Quality, style, and budget all have to align.

What’s not on my list? Generic. Bland. Playing it safe. I’m not designing for everyone, I’m designing for someone. Because just like opinions, everyone has one. But the ones that stand out? Those are the ones that get remembered.

What To Know About My Business Model

This is where it gets exciting. My husband and I have teamed up to offer a game-changing service for sellers. Through his brokerage, Equity Union, we provide a way to upgrade homes before listing, without any upfront costs. Sellers can invest in strategic improvements that maximize their home’s value and appeal using an Equity Union line of credit. The best part? Payment is deferred until closing, ensuring a seamless, high-impact transformation that attracts a premium price.

That means sellers can make their home stand out, attract the right buyers, and get top dollar, without the stress of out-of-pocket expenses. It’s a win-win: better design, better offers, and little to no risk. Who wouldn’t want that?

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Pivoting is basically part of my job description. In home renovations, whether for a flip or a sale, design is just one leg of a very wobbly three-legged stool. The other two? Labor (aka contractors) and funding (whether from an investor or the homeowner). And trust me, all three have to work together to keep the whole thing from toppling over.

I’ve created designs that made my heart so happy only to hit a massive, budget-eating plumbing issue that forced me to rethink everything. Did it crush my soul? Absolutely. I’m a designer! But at the end of the day, it’s not just about making things pretty, it’s about creating a space that works, that someone will love, with plumbing that actually functions and a price they’re willing to pay.

Funny enough, some of my backup budget-friendly designs have turned out to be even better than my original, high-end vision. There’s something about being forced to get creative under pressure that pushes you to find unexpected solutions. And sometimes, that’s where the magic happens!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Flipping and design is my side hustle now, but it wasn’t always. The real estate market is a fickle bitch, what worked yesterday might not work today. So I have to flex, bend, and adapt. We’re not in a bull market anymore where you can throw money at a project and count on a bidding war to bail you out. Now, it’s about making smart design choices, hitting the right buyers, and doing it all within a budget the market will actually support.

But here’s the upside: I get to be picky. I take on projects that inspire me, where I know I can make a real impact. I call it my portfolio career, I’ve got different levers I can push and pull depending on the market, my interests, and what excites me. Sometimes I hit pause on one career to focus on another, then swing back when the time is right. It’s not quite the gig economy, but more like the multiple personality disorder of today’s job market. And honestly? I love it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.huhdesigns.com/
• Other: Coe Real Estate Group: https://www.coerealtor.com/

Image Credits

Michael Hawley