Experienced Interior Designer for Virtual New-Construction Collaboration

Common Thread Interiors is a busy residential and commercial interior design studio and showroom based in Chestertown, Maryland. We are looking for an experienced interior designer to collaborate with us virtually on new-construction and large-scale renovation projects. You will work directly with me, the owner and lead designer of the studio, rather than being passed between multiple team members. I will remain the primary client-facing designer and handle most in-person meetings, site visits, field measurements, and local contractor coordination. Your role will be to work closely with me behind the scenes—and occasionally join virtual meetings when helpful—to develop the design, documentation, and details needed to carry each project successfully through construction. Our work is rooted in Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where architecture and regional history matter. We are looking for someone who is comfortable working within a traditional design language and has a strong understanding of millwork influenced by Maryland’s Colonial architecture. We do not need a historian or someone committed to strict period reproduction, but we do need a designer who understands traditional proportions, profiles, detailing, and architectural character—and knows how to interpret those elements for the way people live today. This is not a rendering-only or drafting-only position. We need a designer who understands how a house actually comes together—from reviewing architectural plans and developing room layouts to selecting finishes, detailing cabinetry and millwork, creating schedules, and catching the small but important decisions that can easily get missed during construction. The right person will have strong design instincts, solid residential construction knowledge, and the ability to take a project from a big-picture design concept into clear, organized, buildable documentation. Depending on the project, the work may include: * Reviewing architectural and construction plans * Developing furniture plans and interior elevations * Designing and detailing traditional millwork, cabinetry, built-ins, fireplace surrounds, paneling, trim, and other architectural elements * Assisting with kitchen and bathroom design * Selecting and documenting plumbing, lighting, hardware, tile, flooring, paint, and other finishes * Creating finish, fixture, and paint schedules * Sourcing furnishings and materials * Preparing client presentation materials * Reviewing drawings and specifications for inconsistencies or missing information * Tracking design decisions, revisions, and outstanding selections * Coordinating virtually with me as projects move through design and construction I will provide plans, dimensions, photographs, field information, and project updates so that you can work effectively as an extension of the studio from wherever you are located. Because this is our first time building a fully virtual design collaboration, we are looking for someone who is comfortable helping establish a smart and efficient workflow. You should be organized, communicative, responsive, and willing to speak up when you see a problem or a better way to approach something. Design experience is the prerequisite. Beyond that, we value someone who is hardworking, collaborative, curious, humble enough to keep learning, and able to laugh through the occasional “well…shit, that wasn’t in the plans” moment. We take our work seriously, but not ourselves. The ideal candidate will have: * At least 3–5 years of professional interior design experience * Meaningful experience with residential new construction or extensive renovations * A strong understanding of traditional design, proportion, and architectural detailing * Experience developing millwork, cabinetry, built-ins, paneling, trim, and fireplace details * The ability to respect the architectural history of a house without making it feel like a museum * A strong understanding of space planning, lighting, finishes, and construction documentation * Proficiency in at least one professional drafting or modeling program * The ability to read and interpret architectural plans * Strong written communication and organizational skills * Excellent attention to detail * A portfolio demonstrating both design ability and technical experience A design degree is welcome but not required. Relevant experience, judgment, communication, and the quality of your work matter more to us than a specific educational path. This will begin on a part-time, hourly basis, with the potential to develop into an ongoing relationship as we determine what works best for both sides. Availability during at least some Eastern Time business hours will be important for communication and project coordination. To apply, please include: 1. A brief introduction describing your interior design and new-construction experience 2. A portfolio with examples of relevant residential and traditionally influenced work 3. Samples of technical drawings, elevations, millwork details, schedules, or construction documents you personally created 4. The design and drafting programs you use 5. Your typical availability and time zone 6. Your hourly rate 7. A short explanation of how you have successfully collaborated with another designer or design firm remotely Please be specific about which portions of the portfolio and documentation were completed by you. We are looking for a genuine collaborative partner with both strong design instincts and the technical ability to help turn good ideas into well-executed homes.