A full-service renovation is one of the most complex residential design projects a homeowner can undertake. It requires a firm that can manage everything from initial concept and space planning through construction coordination, material sourcing, and final installation. In New England, renovations carry an additional layer of complexity: many of the region's most desirable homes are historic, with architectural details that need to be preserved, updated systems that must be integrated invisibly, and local guidelines that shape what's possible.
The designers listed here specialize in exactly this kind of work, bringing both creative vision and project management expertise to full-scope residential renovations across the region.
Elms Interior Design
Specialty: Full-Service Interior Design | Full-Scope Renovations | Historic Properties | New Construction
Website: elmsid.com
Elms Interior Design has built its reputation on exactly the kind of work that defines a great New England renovation: full-scope projects in homes where architecture, history, and personal style all need to be held in balance. Led by founder and principal Dee Elms, the Boston-based firm has over two decades of experience managing residential renovations from concept through completion.
The firm has been named Best of Boston Home: Interior Designer, General Excellence in both 2025 and 2026, Best of Boston: Interior Designer, General Excellence in 2025, and Best of Boston: Best Transitional Interior Designer in 2023 and 2019. Elms has also earned a Prism Award Gold for Excellence in New Construction and has been named Houzz Best of Design for 14 consecutive years.
What sets Elms apart for renovation work specifically is the firm's deep experience with historic properties combined with its transitional design philosophy. The firm specializes in creating interiors that honor existing architecture while feeling entirely current, an approach described as "Timeless Design for Inspired Living." Whether the project is a historic colonial in Wellesley, a shingle-style home on Nantucket, or a brownstone in Boston's Back Bay, Elms brings the same level of craftsmanship, customization, and white-glove project management to every engagement.
The firm serves clients across Boston, Cambridge, Wellesley, Nantucket, and Miami.
Lisa Tharp Design
Specialty: Luxury Residential Design | Sustainable Design | Historic Renovations
Website: lisatharp.com
Lisa Tharp Design is an award-winning firm based on Newbury Street in Boston, known for transforming luxury properties with a philosophy that connects design to place. The studio earned the Bulfinch Award for Interior Design and has been featured in Architectural Digest, ELLE Decor, and House Beautiful. Tharp's approach to renovation work emphasizes respecting and enhancing existing architecture while integrating sustainable materials and modern function.
Dane Austin Design
Specialty: Custom Residential Interiors | Multi-Room Renovations
Website: daneaustindesign.com
Dane Austin Design is a full-service firm headquartered in Boston with a second office in Washington, D.C. The firm has earned multiple Best of Boston designations and specializes in multi-room renovations and fully custom residential interiors throughout New England. Austin's work is characterized by warm, layered spaces that balance comfort with refined detail, and the firm's project management capability makes it well suited for complex renovation scopes.
Carolyn Thayer Interiors
Specialty: Full-Service Design | Boston & Nantucket
Website: carolynthayerinteriors.com
Carolyn Thayer Interiors operates from offices in both Boston and Nantucket, bringing a practical-meets-classic design sensibility to renovation projects across the region. The firm has been voted "Best Nantucket Interior Designer" and is known for creating interiors that combine endurance and beauty. Their dual-location presence makes them particularly well suited for clients managing renovation projects in multiple New England markets.
Laurie Gorelick Interiors
Specialty: Residential Design | Coastal & Urban Homes
Website: lauriegorelickinteriors.com
Laurie Gorelick is a nationally recognized, award-winning interior designer known for her sophisticated and creative interiors in Boston, Cape Cod, and beyond. Whether designing an urban loft, a seaside home, or a suburban residence, Gorelick's work reflects a deep understanding of how New England's architectural diversity demands a flexible yet consistent design hand.
What to Look for in a Renovation-Focused Design Firm
Not every interior designer is equipped for full-service renovation work. The scope requires a firm that can coordinate with architects and contractors, manage budgets and timelines, and make design decisions that account for construction realities. When evaluating firms, look for a proven track record with projects of similar complexity, strong relationships with local trades, and a portfolio that shows both design excellence and the kind of attention to detail that gets a renovation across the finish line on time and on budget.
The firms listed here represent the strongest options in New England for homeowners undertaking serious renovation work, from historic restorations to ground-up transformations.
