Taking on a friend or family member as a client can be both a blessing and a curse. This week, we asked 10 designers—Bianca Blanco-Jimenez, Caroline Brackett, Caroline Finnegan, Nicholas Gennari, Lindsey Herod, Vanessa Katzen, Anita Lang, Roberto Racy, Emily Tucker and Raphael Wittmann—if their system changes when they take on projects for loved ones.
Same Rules Across the Board
“As my business has grown, the way I work with friends and family has evolved alongside it. Early on, I was more flexible and informal, but I quickly realized that without structure, projects become harder to manage and the experience suffers. Today, every project follows the same process, regardless of the relationship. That structure is essential for maintaining clear timelines, decision-making and overall flow. It’s what allows my team to operate efficiently and protect the integrity of the work. I may offer a slight courtesy in pricing, but I’m transparent that their project requires the same level of time, attention and resources as any other client. Ultimately, applying the same standards allows me to show up fully as their designer, and ensures they receive the same thoughtful, elevated experience they deserve.” —Bianca Blanco-Jimenez, Bianca Blanco Design, West Orange, New Jersey
History Comes In Handy
“My initial instinct was that we wouldn’t change a process that is proven to work, but currently helping my mom downsize after my father’s passing this past year showed me how personal relationships just naturally shift the dynamic. Knowing how a friend or family member truly lives allows you to skip the professional politeness and be candid about what fits their lifestyle. This ‘history advantage’ makes the process more intimate—trading formal questionnaires for shared memories, allowing them to join you at market, and blending cherished heirlooms with high-end trade finds. Instead of a rigid schedule and a big reveal, it becomes an organic collaboration that could potentially move faster because you can get to the ‘no’ right away.” —Caroline Brackett, Caroline Brackett Design, Greenville, South Carolina
Business As Usual
“With the exception of projects I’ve done for my parents, I approach friends, family and close referrals the same way I would any other client. We charge our fees as usual and keep the process as professional and structured as possible. In these cases, care in the way we communicate and conduct the process becomes even more important, because the goal is not only to deliver a strong project, but also to preserve an existing relationship. At the same time, there are natural advantages. We often already understand how that person lives, what they value and how they express themselves in the world, which is essential in architecture. We see our work as a dialogue between people, place and memory, and that reading often comes more naturally in these situations. Meetings are still handled with the same structure, often around a coffee and something homemade, but always within a professional setting. That familiarity, however, requires clear boundaries. It’s easy for conversations to slip out of a professional context due to proximity, so I make a point of keeping decisions and communication within the same framework we use for any client. In the end, that clarity is what protects both the work and the relationship.” —Raphael Wittmann, Rawi Arquitetura + Design, São Paulo
The Right Fit
“As much as I love my family and friends, I am careful about entering into a business relationship with them around their homes. If they align with our typical client demographics, we can run their project just as we do with all of our clients—with complete integrity and a great deal of passion. Often, though, there isn’t a fit with the project parameters. Rather than accepting something that may be set up to fail, I prefer to offer broad direction and point them the right way. An exception would be my daughters, for whom I would walk to the ends of the earth. That has meant, most recently, being at Ikea selecting cabinetry for my eldest daughter’s first home.” —Anita Lang, IMI Design Studio, Scottsdale, Arizona
Set Boundaries
“Working with friends and family can be a bit more complex than a typical client relationship. There’s already a personal dynamic in place, so it takes a certain level of awareness to keep things balanced. For me, setting clear boundaries early on is essential—it helps create a structure that both sides can rely on. At the same time, there’s a real advantage in already knowing the client. You often have a deeper understanding of their lifestyle, preferences, and how they live day to day, which can make the creative process feel more natural and intuitive. But that closeness also comes with added pressure. I tend to care more, and I want the experience to feel seamless from start to finish—not just the final result, but the entire process. Because of that, I make a conscious effort to keep things professional throughout. Clear communication, defined expectations, and sticking to the same process I would use with any client are key. It helps avoid misunderstandings and prevents the relationship from becoming too informal in a way that could create tension later on. In the end, it’s really about finding the right balance—being thoughtful and flexible, but also maintaining enough structure to protect both the project and the relationship.” —Nicholas Gennari and Roberto Racy, Nar Design Studio, Miami
Already In The Know
“The process is naturally a bit shorter in the early stages, simply because I already understand their style, how they live, how their family functions, and what matters to them daily. You’re able to skip that initial ‘get to know you’ phase and move more quickly into the work itself. In regards to special treatment, when I worked on my parents’ renovation, that was pro bono. They paid for my education, so it felt like the least I could do—and a meaningful return on investment for them! It was so much fun sharing my work with them to enjoy every day. For friends and everyone else, I try to keep clients on a really even playing field. It’s important to me that the level of service stays consistent and fair across the board. Charging fairly and consistently keeps everything streamlined and equal. That said, ours is such a personal business. I tend to approach every client with the same care and familiarity, and more often than not, clients who weren’t friends at the start become friends by the end. That’s always the goal.” —Lindsey Herod, Lindsey Herod Interiors, Houston
Keep It Consistent
“We actually don’t adjust it at all. I have found that if I charge less for friends and family, I don’t do as good of a job. Billing friends and family like actual clients gives them a really good client experience. I have worked for friends with lower rates, and it’s a mess. I deprioritize their project in my mind, and it doesn’t make for a successful outcome. When they are billed and go through the same processes as our other projects, everyone on the team can give it their best effort.” —Emily Tucker, Emily Tucker Design, Boulder, Colorado
Collaborative Effort
“Working with friends and family used to feel a little delicate. I really wanted to put my all into every project, especially for those so close to me. However, sometimes I felt myself being too generous. Over time, I realized the answer wasn’t in adjusting the boundaries for friends and family, but rather in defining the process, just like anything else in the business. Now, we approach these projects through shorter but intentional, focused working sessions. We sit down together, talk through what they’re envisioning, and begin shaping it in real time. Instead of a tailored design process, we simply work together with friends and family reviewing plans, pulling samples, and bringing real ideas to life. From there, they move forward with what resonates, and we handle the details to bring it all together. We try to get everything done in a few thoughtful sessions with a defined path toward end results. No blurred lines, just a process that supports both the relationship and the work, making the experience feel seamless and genuinely enjoyable.” —Caroline Finnegan, Hendren House Interior Design, Havertown, Pennsylvania
Reinforce the Rules
“Working with friends or family requires more structure, not less. Clarity protects the relationship, especially when the client is someone you know. When I work with friends or family, I don’t change the process, I reinforce it. Scope is defined, timelines are set, and communication is structured from the start. It allows for honesty without friction and keeps the work moving. In the end, that clarity is what lets both the relationship and the project succeed.” —Vanessa Katzen, Vanessa Katzen Design, New York
