Design, Doodles, + Deadlines: A Day in the Life of a Work-from-Home Interior Designer Mom
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to run an interior design studio from home with a three-year-old in tow, let me paint the picture for you—pun absolutely intended.
The day starts early. Like, really early. Before coffee has even brewed, I’m fielding deep philosophical questions like “Why can’t I wear my Chiefs jersey again” while trying to reply to client emails and double-checking a fabric order that shipped to New York instead of Nebraska.
By 8:30 AM, my desk (read: kitchen island) is a creative mix of design samples, Cheerios, and crayons. My tiny coworker insists that his job is “helping Mommy work,” which mostly involves stacking tile samples like blocks and occasionally declaring that the “green one is scary.” He’s not wrong—Sherwin Williams’ Roycroft Bottle Green brings the drama.
Mid-morning calls are a delicate dance. I’ve mastered the art of muting myself at lightning speed when I hear the faint rustle of snack wrappers—because nothing says “professional designer” like a toddler shouting “I got it!” after opening the snack wrapper. Clients don’t need to know that my mood board background music is a steady mix of “Baby Shark” and construction paper rustling.
By nap time (on the best days!), I transform into a design superhero. Laptop open, samples spread, latte reheated for the fifth time—this is where the magic happens. Paint palettes, layout plans, and vendor quotes fly. For quick, but blissful hours, the house hums quietly with productivity. Then the monitor crackles, and just like that, my sidekick is back in action, demanding both a snack and a playmate ASAP.
By the end of the day, my inbox is (mostly) cleared, my clients are happy, and the house looks like a tiny hurricane of color swatches and Goldfish crackers. It’s not perfect—but it’s beautiful chaos.
Because at the end of the day, design—like motherhood—is all about creativity, flexibility, and finding beauty in the mess.
Cheers to all the mamas working from home with littles ones in tow. We are embarking on an elite phase of motherhood, and I am so here for it!
And that’s a wrap on another day of designing between snack negotiations and nap-time deadlines. Tomorrow’s to-do list? Same thing—just with fresh coffee.
XOXO, Megan Nelson, Nest with the Nelsons Interior Design Studio 🖤
The New Year is Coming Quick
As we round out our fall design calendar, we’re already looking ahead to 2026 (yes, really!). If a home refresh has been on your mind, now’s the perfect time to start planning. Whether it’s a single room or a whole-home transformation, we’d love to help you create a space that feels like you.
✨ Ready to chat? Book your free 15-minute design consult and let’s start dreaming up something beautiful together.
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