Today we’d like to introduce you to Esther Ellard
Hi Esther, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve loved interior design for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I was always rearranging my bedroom just to see what felt right. But when it came time for college, I pursued a degree in Music—only to realize during my sophomore year that it wasn’t the path I wanted to follow long-term. While finishing my bachelor’s degree, I started researching my next steps, which led me straight to the design industry.
In 2020, I launched my business as a boutique home staging firm after completing online certifications. However, as I worked with clients, I quickly recognized a growing need for interior design expertise beyond staging. By 2022, I made the pivotal decision to transition into full-service interior design, allowing me to collaborate with homeowners to create beautiful, functional spaces tailored to their lifestyles.
Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to design vacation homes, update existing spaces, and help clients select finishes and furnishings that truly reflect their style. As my business continues to grow, I’m excited to focus on working with active families and their home builders to create luxurious, livable homes that keep up with their everyday routines. At the end of the day, my passion is designing spaces that elevate the way my clients live—so they can spend more time enjoying their homes with the people they love most.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like any business owner, I’ve faced my fair share of challenges along the way. One of the biggest was simply finding my way into the interior design industry. Since I didn’t take the traditional route through design school, I had to figure things out with the help of some amazing industry experts—learning through online certifications, hands-on experience, and a lot of trial and error.
Another challenge has been working with clients who may not fully understand or value the impact of interior design. There is an art to educating clients on why design is more than just aesthetics—it’s about function, flow, and how a space elevates your routine and lifestyle. Hand in hand, finding projects that align with my goals and vision has also been a learning curve. It took time to refine my brand and define the types of projects that excite me most. The design industry is also incredibly saturated, so standing out and gaining visibility has been another hurdle. I’ve had to be intentional about marketing, networking, and finding ways to showcase my unique approach to design.
And of course, making smart business decisions is an ongoing challenge. As anyone in this industry will tell you, every step requires careful thought and sometimes tough lessons. But through it all, each challenge has pushed me to grow as both a designer and a business owner.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I believe the simple things are the best things. Quiet evenings on the front porch, a soothing space to wake up to each day, and classic pieces that stand the test of time.
I specialize in very simply put — elevated family homes. Homes that work for active families and that ultimately are designed to bring that family together. They say you can’t enjoy a beautiful home and an active family at the same time. I disagree. Because a thoughtfully designed home enhances and increases precious moments with your people. From the backsplash materials to the flooring specifications to the upholstery on the sofa, EVERY choice can and will affect the way you live. Why not invest in something that’s return is measured in quality of daily living?
No more crammed cabinets, piles of shoes strewn about the entryway, or bumping into one another in the kitchen on busy mornings. We reenvision your home to work effortlessly, the way you need it to.
Again, what sets my design firm appart is that I believe simple is best and that livability equals luxury.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is defined in relationships and moments. Every award, amount of money, level of expertise means nothing if you get there on an empty road of loneliness.
I believe success is having the freedom to set time apart for the important things in life— family memories. Busyness is the enemy of success if it means that you are sacrificing moments with the ones you love most. At the end of the day, for me, success means fulfilling God’s purpose for my life — changng peoples lives trhough interior design— and doing it with the help and support of those I love. You do not have to sacrifice family for success.
Pricing:
- Book a Complimentary Discovery Call via our website to talk through your project with me and to see if we are a good fit. This is the opportunity to ask any questions you may have rageardign our process, fees, and our studio.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.effortlessdesigns.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/effortlessdesigns8/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/effortlessdesigns8
Image Credits
Rustic White Interiors, Laplanet Arts, Whitney Huyhn Photography
