What Is Luxury Interior Design? Can AI Achieve It Instead of an Interior Designer?
When searching for interior designers in Mammoth Lakes, “Luxury Interior Design” often appears as a descriptor for Brown Design Group. So, it seems only right that I define what it truly means—at least to me.
Luxury is a differentiator. BDG is not the cost-conscious budget choice, though delivering exceptional value is at the heart of what we do. But the typical definitions—the ones that populate online searches—can feel repetitive, like a script: premium materials, bespoke furnishings, fine details, absolute comfort, extravagance, stunning and impactful designs. Yes, these elements matter, but they don’t fully capture the essence of luxury.
“Sometimes, the simplest thing is the most luxurious of all. The real magic lies in discovering what that is—for each person.”
Luxury is:
Having someone truly listen and understand what your soul craves.
Having someone do for you what you deeply desire, yet cannot do for yourself.
Receiving something that fulfills a need you never knew you had.
Experiencing these carefully crafted indulgences—and living in the effortless grace of a space made just for you.
Yes, it’s lofty. But when I read What Our Clients Say That Matters, I know this isn’t just an ideal—it’s a standard. And it’s one BDG will always strive to meet.
But can AI truly replace the depth of understanding, intuition, and human connection that bring luxury spaces to life?
I had an interesting conversation with an aspiring interior designer last night, who was grappling with this very question—wondering whether AI would make our profession obsolete. While there are certainly challenges in the industry, AI isn’t my biggest concern. In fact, at BDG, we’ve been actively exploring its possibilities—taking courses, testing applications, and learning how new tools can enhance our process.
What we've found is that AI facilitates our designs rather than creates them. We’ve seen inspiring AI-generated concepts, some of which are wildly imaginative. But when it comes to translating those ideas into real, livable spaces—when we need to find not just the concept of a bed or a sofa, but the exact piece that exists and fits the client’s vision—it still requires human expertise to bring everything together.
Someday, AI may be able to source and place tangible items seamlessly, and yes, that could replace certain aspects of design. But the real decision-maker—whether it’s the client themselves or a guiding expert—must still have the ability to understand what is truly desired, even what isn't yet known. AI can assist and inspire, but the final decisions—the ones that make a space feel right—still require intuition, empathy, and experience. That’s what ensures clients move forward confidently, without the weight of indecision or undue FOMO.