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

Hi Stephanie , thanks for joining us today. Can you share a customer success story with us?

I’ll never forget when a client initially reached out to me entirely out of the blue, thanks to a referral. We hadn’t met before, and she sounded frazzled on the phone. She explained she was in the middle of building a house and was at a loss with the cabinet designs produced by a cabinet company. She couldn’t stand the drawings she received from that designer and wanted to know if I could redesign everything. The house was already framed, yet several spaces needed to be planned. We were working with tight timing.

At first, it seemed like a straightforward project—nothing I hadn’t done before. The minute I met her, I instantly understood what she was asking for and knew I wanted to work with her and her family. She was a homeowner with a savvy design and clear vision, but she couldn’t entirely communicate it to her builder and cabinet professional, which happens more often than you’d think. She didn’t need an interior designer for décor; she needed someone to dig into the millwork and all those architectural details I love. I don’t generally start in the middle of projects, but I felt terrible for her, and through my experience, I learned that you never know where each project will take you, so I thought, why not embark on this project?

The designs turned out fantastic, and working with her was a joy. She was open to everything I presented, which made the whole process exciting and collaborative. She quickly became one of my favorite clients, and we created a space we both are proud of. Every time I hear from her, I smile. I loved helping design a home that truly felt like “them.” It’s projects like these that make my work so fulfilling.

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

I’m a multi-hyphenate designer and visual storyteller with over 25 years of experience in the design industry. Each step in my career has been a purposeful part of my journey to this exciting stage—the culmination of my knowledge, experience, and passion. During art school and just after, I constantly rearranged a room, painted the walls, and collected old furniture and accessories to enhance the design. Over time, this curiosity turned into my career. Creating spaces that feel good to live and work in is what I’m all about.

As the Principal Designer at Design and Style by Scher Studio, I focus on high-end residential and commercial projects, whether a new construction or a complete remodel. From the initial concepts and space planning to detailed 3D renderings, I ensure each project is about my clients and what they need from their space. I believe in building solid relationships with clients—they should love what I design because they live in it. To me, design doesn’t always have to be magazine-ready, but it should always feel perfect for my clients.

I’ve got an incredible team, and we have a great time working together. I now collaborate with a talented 3D renderer, making our spaces functional, unique, and gorgeous. We understand structure and function. We’re currently working on a home for a repeat client, which is the best compliment in my book. We’re not just about the decor—we understand how a building comes together, from the structural bones to the architectural details that make a space stand out. We also collaborate with architects to ensure every element is aligned, adding layers that respect and enhance the structure, creating a beautifully integrated feel in every project.

My approach is unique because I combine ideas and techniques from different design areas and professional experiences. I work across residential, commercial, food and prop styling, and product development, which keeps my perspective fresh and modern. I’ve been able to pull from experiences—like sourcing textiles in Europe, designing and styling restaurants, and doing window displays in NYC—allowing me to bring uniqueness to every project.

I’m most proud of how I’ve built my business to a place where I can choose projects that feel exciting. My work isn’t just about making things look beautiful—I create a sensory experience that leaves a lasting impression. Anyone who has worked with me knows I make my clients’ space something they’ll love, with exceptional style and functionality. This is a fantastic place for me to be, where I can genuinely design for fun while making each project a true reflection of my client’s vision. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Absolutely, and it’s really simple: I aim to create spaces that move people and make them feel connected to the spaces they live, work, and gather in. My mission has always been to design environments that are visually pleasing and layered with subtle textures, graphic touches, and meaningful elements that tell a story.

For me, design is all about creating spaces that feel unique and cool—not just more of the same. We need to look beyond social media trends and find inspiration in history and the work of past designers. I aim to make spaces that pull people in, using textures, natural elements, and subtle details that add depth. Whether it’s a home, a commercial space, or a creative food concept, each project brings beauty, comfort, and purpose into people’s lives in a truly personal and meaningful way.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Honestly, it wasn’t so much about unlearning a lesson as it was adjusting to a new pace and way of working. Before starting my own business, I worked at a company with a big team and many projects moving simultaneously. We had such a flow, and everything felt super synced and efficient. So when I first went out on my own, I kept up that same fast pace—only to realize quickly that it wasn’t sustainable when you’re a one-person show handling every detail!

I had to learn to slow down and set realistic expectations for myself, which wasn’t easy because I’d always worked at top speed. I have a fantastic team I can rely on, and I’ve built solid relationships with trades that are crucial to my projects. These invaluable connections allow me to deliver high-quality work without running myself into the ground.

The biggest motivator in making this shift was my family. I wanted the freedom of owning my own company to create a balance where I could fully enjoy my work and family life. It’s been a learning curve, but finding that work-life balance has made all the difference. I am still working on work-life balance today, and I hope one day soon, it will just click. I just love what I do, and my brain is always working.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sscherstudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamstephaniescher/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-scher-0547a610/

Image Credits

Jeff Herr
https://www.jeffherrphoto.com/index.html