12 Design and Remodeling Pros Look Back on a Decade of Houzz
For Houzz’s 10th anniversary, some of the home professionals who joined at the start reminisce about the early days
Houzz turns 10 this October. To celebrate the milestone, we chatted with some of our earliest adopters, the design and construction pros who’ve been with Houzz from the start. For a decade, these pros have inspired our community of home design enthusiasts. Like many of you, they’ve uploaded photos of their work and shared their professional expertise in comments, articles and discussions. And they’ve connected on Houzz with homeowners who sought pros to hire for their projects and have worked in partnership with them to complete these renovations.
We asked these pros about their 10-year journeys on Houzz. They described their earliest memories of the site, the projects that Houzz users have loved the most (sometimes to their surprise), the things they appreciate about Houzz users and the ways they see design changing in the next decade. Keep reading as they share their thoughts (lightly edited for length).
We asked these pros about their 10-year journeys on Houzz. They described their earliest memories of the site, the projects that Houzz users have loved the most (sometimes to their surprise), the things they appreciate about Houzz users and the ways they see design changing in the next decade. Keep reading as they share their thoughts (lightly edited for length).
Memories From the Early Days
We asked the pros to describe favorite moments from the early days of Houzz.
Maureen Stevens of Maureen Stevens Design in New Orleans: “I remember being so thrilled when I got questions on my work. My very first ‘real’ client (meaning I was paid) was through Houzz.”
Mark English of Mark English Architects in San Francisco: “I remember the very first versions, the development of the logo and everything. I was the first architect interviewed for a video to help spread the word.”
Architect Klopf: “The first time one of our clients sent us a Houzz link was in March of 2011, and the link was about kitty litter boxes that had been integrated into cabinetry. I thought to myself that this was a great resource for clients and would be the only place at that time a client would be able to find design ideas for an enclosed kitty litter box.”
Henry of Gaspar’s Construction: “I remember how fun it was to scroll through photos while drinking my morning coffee.”
We asked the pros to describe favorite moments from the early days of Houzz.
Maureen Stevens of Maureen Stevens Design in New Orleans: “I remember being so thrilled when I got questions on my work. My very first ‘real’ client (meaning I was paid) was through Houzz.”
Mark English of Mark English Architects in San Francisco: “I remember the very first versions, the development of the logo and everything. I was the first architect interviewed for a video to help spread the word.”
Architect Klopf: “The first time one of our clients sent us a Houzz link was in March of 2011, and the link was about kitty litter boxes that had been integrated into cabinetry. I thought to myself that this was a great resource for clients and would be the only place at that time a client would be able to find design ideas for an enclosed kitty litter box.”
Henry of Gaspar’s Construction: “I remember how fun it was to scroll through photos while drinking my morning coffee.”
Need a pro for your home remodeling project?
Let Houzz find the best pros for you
Let Houzz find the best pros for you
How Houzz Changed Their Business
We asked the pros how joining Houzz has changed the way they interact with clients and do business.
Interior designer Stevens: “Houzz has made part of our marketing automatic. Just like any service business, time is our greatest commodity.”
Dave Giulietti of Giulietti Schouten Architects in Portland, Oregon: “We use Houzz with each client during the predesign and programming phases to gather and share images with them. We also devote a fair amount of time with Houzz as an online marketing tool. It is easier to work with than our website and it generates more potential work than our website these days.”
Adam Prince of ZeroEnergy Design in Boston: “Houzz has empowered our clients with a platform to share reference images and comments efficiently, boosting the speed of the design process.”
We asked the pros how joining Houzz has changed the way they interact with clients and do business.
Interior designer Stevens: “Houzz has made part of our marketing automatic. Just like any service business, time is our greatest commodity.”
Dave Giulietti of Giulietti Schouten Architects in Portland, Oregon: “We use Houzz with each client during the predesign and programming phases to gather and share images with them. We also devote a fair amount of time with Houzz as an online marketing tool. It is easier to work with than our website and it generates more potential work than our website these days.”
Adam Prince of ZeroEnergy Design in Boston: “Houzz has empowered our clients with a platform to share reference images and comments efficiently, boosting the speed of the design process.”
Exciting Projects and Clients From Houzz
Houzz connects design and construction professionals with homeowners across the country and around the world. Here, the pros describe some of the most exciting projects they’ve gotten by being a part of Houzz’s global community, including their first clients and their farthest-reaching designs.
Architect Giulietti: “Our first client was a family relocating to Portland, Oregon, from Chicago. They had been saving photos in their own ideabook and realized that most of their kitchen and bathroom photos were our projects, so they hired us. That was when I realized this site could really work as a project generator.”
Jones of Niche Interiors: “One of the first projects we landed through Houzz was a young family looking for sustainable, nontoxic interior design services for their new home in Palo Alto. Years later, we are working on designs for a new home to accommodate their growing family.”
Houzz connects design and construction professionals with homeowners across the country and around the world. Here, the pros describe some of the most exciting projects they’ve gotten by being a part of Houzz’s global community, including their first clients and their farthest-reaching designs.
Architect Giulietti: “Our first client was a family relocating to Portland, Oregon, from Chicago. They had been saving photos in their own ideabook and realized that most of their kitchen and bathroom photos were our projects, so they hired us. That was when I realized this site could really work as a project generator.”
Jones of Niche Interiors: “One of the first projects we landed through Houzz was a young family looking for sustainable, nontoxic interior design services for their new home in Palo Alto. Years later, we are working on designs for a new home to accommodate their growing family.”
Architect English: “The first client I got directly from the Houzz website was a great client (in the tech industry and originally from Germany). She loved my orange cabinets in the Olive Tree Lane project and hired me sight unseen.”
Marie Burgos of Marie Burgos Design in New York: “My first design at the Lombardy Hotel [in New York] came from a client who lived in China and was looking for a design firm that could revamp their hotel suite unit. My second [international clients were] from Switzerland, also with hotel suite units to remodel in New York. Houzz has a great reach for people coming from abroad in need of design in the U.S.”
Interior designer Stevens: “The clients were moving from France to Austin, Texas, and they bought a home that needed a complete remodel. I started engaging with them [via videoconferencing]. The renovation is now complete, and I’m helping them with the furnishings.”
Marie Burgos of Marie Burgos Design in New York: “My first design at the Lombardy Hotel [in New York] came from a client who lived in China and was looking for a design firm that could revamp their hotel suite unit. My second [international clients were] from Switzerland, also with hotel suite units to remodel in New York. Houzz has a great reach for people coming from abroad in need of design in the U.S.”
Interior designer Stevens: “The clients were moving from France to Austin, Texas, and they bought a home that needed a complete remodel. I started engaging with them [via videoconferencing]. The renovation is now complete, and I’m helping them with the furnishings.”
Most Popular Photos — Often to Their Surprise
We asked pros about their most popular projects on Houzz. Many of them told us how surprised they were by which images garnered the biggest responses.
Phil Rossington of Rossington Architecture in Sausalito, California: “Probably one of the most popular photos was a closet that we turned into a mini office. Of the many million-dollar projects with slick details and beautiful furnishings, this was the one that more people found intriguing!”
Jones of Niche Interiors: “During the first few years of the site, we uploaded photos of a modest dining room renovation in San Francisco, featuring custom built-ins and a window seat with a fun patterned fabric. I was floored by how many users saved this photo to their ideabooks!”
Prince of ZeroEnergy Design: “We were stunned when one sharp bathroom photo achieved tens of thousands of saves — it really brought to light the reach of the Houzz platform.”
Architect Giulietti: “By far our most popular photo was of a small side yard dog run area off of the mud room of the house. Not only was it the most popular, visitors were getting into discussions and arguments with each other over details and materials.”
We asked pros about their most popular projects on Houzz. Many of them told us how surprised they were by which images garnered the biggest responses.
Phil Rossington of Rossington Architecture in Sausalito, California: “Probably one of the most popular photos was a closet that we turned into a mini office. Of the many million-dollar projects with slick details and beautiful furnishings, this was the one that more people found intriguing!”
Jones of Niche Interiors: “During the first few years of the site, we uploaded photos of a modest dining room renovation in San Francisco, featuring custom built-ins and a window seat with a fun patterned fabric. I was floored by how many users saved this photo to their ideabooks!”
Prince of ZeroEnergy Design: “We were stunned when one sharp bathroom photo achieved tens of thousands of saves — it really brought to light the reach of the Houzz platform.”
Architect Giulietti: “By far our most popular photo was of a small side yard dog run area off of the mud room of the house. Not only was it the most popular, visitors were getting into discussions and arguments with each other over details and materials.”
Architect Klopf: “For the longest time, one of our most popular photos on the site was a picture of a Japanese maple tree in an Eichler atrium. The picture was taken facing away from the main portion of the house, making the tree the one central image. I was surprised at first, but then it made sense to me that people were really beginning to embrace the concept of indoor-outdoor living and bringing nature into their lives.”
Interior designer Burgos: “My most popular project was the Spice Warehouse, which was featured in 2012 and was my first large-scale project. It was a loft designed with a contemporary-industrial approach. It was the model unit of a loft building and became a reference for industrial designs. So many people on Houzz saved it to their ideabooks. I received Best of Houzz Service and Best of Houzz Design that year and was contracted by developers and new clients.”
Mark Brand of Mark Brand Architecture in San Francisco: “I started to get a lot of emails and messages asking about my work, especially about one specific photo from a bathroom I designed. The project is called California Cool in the Castro. Almost all of the questions were about the tile I used on the wall behind the bathtub. I was blown away by how many people saved that one image.”
Interior designer Burgos: “My most popular project was the Spice Warehouse, which was featured in 2012 and was my first large-scale project. It was a loft designed with a contemporary-industrial approach. It was the model unit of a loft building and became a reference for industrial designs. So many people on Houzz saved it to their ideabooks. I received Best of Houzz Service and Best of Houzz Design that year and was contracted by developers and new clients.”
Mark Brand of Mark Brand Architecture in San Francisco: “I started to get a lot of emails and messages asking about my work, especially about one specific photo from a bathroom I designed. The project is called California Cool in the Castro. Almost all of the questions were about the tile I used on the wall behind the bathtub. I was blown away by how many people saved that one image.”
Special Community of Design Enthusiasts
Houzz brings together millions of home professionals, homeowners and design enthusiasts from around the world in one place. We asked the pros what makes the homeowners different.
Susan Klimala of The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn in Glen Ellyn, Illinois: “Leads from Houzz are clients who are interested in design, have a desire to become educated on the process and a need to do some due diligence. They have a real project and are ready to move forward once they find the right fit.”
Architect Klopf: “Houzz users are more serious about design.”
Architect English: “Client inquiries from Houzz are self-selected and educated. They know our work even before reaching out to us, and therefore we don’t have to spend nearly as much time explaining what we do and what our philosophy is.”
Interior designer Stevens: “They are more polite and respectful, and really knowledgeable as well. Design, new builds and renovations are not as easy as TV home makeovers make them out to be. There are lots of moving parts and a million details. When Houzz users comment or ask a question, it is thoughtful.”
Architect Brand: “They tend to be more high-end and more sophisticated about design.”
Houzz brings together millions of home professionals, homeowners and design enthusiasts from around the world in one place. We asked the pros what makes the homeowners different.
Susan Klimala of The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn in Glen Ellyn, Illinois: “Leads from Houzz are clients who are interested in design, have a desire to become educated on the process and a need to do some due diligence. They have a real project and are ready to move forward once they find the right fit.”
Architect Klopf: “Houzz users are more serious about design.”
Architect English: “Client inquiries from Houzz are self-selected and educated. They know our work even before reaching out to us, and therefore we don’t have to spend nearly as much time explaining what we do and what our philosophy is.”
Interior designer Stevens: “They are more polite and respectful, and really knowledgeable as well. Design, new builds and renovations are not as easy as TV home makeovers make them out to be. There are lots of moving parts and a million details. When Houzz users comment or ask a question, it is thoughtful.”
Architect Brand: “They tend to be more high-end and more sophisticated about design.”
Praise of Their Work
Pros’ work also can be featured in Houzz editorial articles and in Houzz partnerships and projects. The pros shared their thoughts on these experiences.
Jones of Niche Interiors: “I will never forget the opportunity to collaborate with Houzz and The Ellen DeGeneres Show to redesign a home for a deserving family in Pittsburgh! It was such a rewarding experience and allowed us to share our work with a national audience.”
Architect Rossington: “I loved a comment in a story about one of my bathrooms with lush green tile. The author wrote that it must be like showering somewhere leafy and exotic.”
Prince of ZeroEnergy Design: “Our firm has consistently been impressed by the caliber of the Houzz feature stories, which delve deeper than traditional print publications and seem to reveal more of the essence of the design story. As design professionals, we appreciate this level of focus.”
Pros’ work also can be featured in Houzz editorial articles and in Houzz partnerships and projects. The pros shared their thoughts on these experiences.
Jones of Niche Interiors: “I will never forget the opportunity to collaborate with Houzz and The Ellen DeGeneres Show to redesign a home for a deserving family in Pittsburgh! It was such a rewarding experience and allowed us to share our work with a national audience.”
Architect Rossington: “I loved a comment in a story about one of my bathrooms with lush green tile. The author wrote that it must be like showering somewhere leafy and exotic.”
Prince of ZeroEnergy Design: “Our firm has consistently been impressed by the caliber of the Houzz feature stories, which delve deeper than traditional print publications and seem to reveal more of the essence of the design story. As design professionals, we appreciate this level of focus.”
How They Use Houzz Pro Project Management Software
This year Houzz launched Houzz Pro, an all-in-one tool for marketing, project and client management for remodeling and design pros. Many pros told us how this new software has helped to optimize their workflow.
Interior designer Stevens: “We really love Houzz’s built-in leads tool. I am also excited about the 3D floor planner and the mood board tool. It’s great to have different software and capabilities in one tool. I also want to say the trade shopping is amazing.”
Architect Rossington: “It’s great for organizing leads, and I enjoy seeing the stats of which photos do well.”
Architect Klopf: “We jumped on board with the Houzz Pro Stories feature and have enjoyed sharing our work on a more regular basis.”
Learn more about Houzz Pro
This year Houzz launched Houzz Pro, an all-in-one tool for marketing, project and client management for remodeling and design pros. Many pros told us how this new software has helped to optimize their workflow.
Interior designer Stevens: “We really love Houzz’s built-in leads tool. I am also excited about the 3D floor planner and the mood board tool. It’s great to have different software and capabilities in one tool. I also want to say the trade shopping is amazing.”
Architect Rossington: “It’s great for organizing leads, and I enjoy seeing the stats of which photos do well.”
Architect Klopf: “We jumped on board with the Houzz Pro Stories feature and have enjoyed sharing our work on a more regular basis.”
Learn more about Houzz Pro
What They See for the Next Decade of Design
We asked the pros to tell us what most excites them about the future of home design and their role in it.
Klimala of The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn: “The intersection of technology and design has provided an explosion of interest in the world of design and has made it more accessible to all people. The ability to visually share photography and to find fast and easy inspiration from the work of others has also created a sea change in how many designers work. The speed at which trends cycle is both exciting and challenging.”
Architect English: “Professionally, I’m excited that I feel that I’m finally getting really good at what I do. I’m also pleased to see the continued growth of public awareness around beautiful sustainability.”
We asked the pros to tell us what most excites them about the future of home design and their role in it.
Klimala of The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn: “The intersection of technology and design has provided an explosion of interest in the world of design and has made it more accessible to all people. The ability to visually share photography and to find fast and easy inspiration from the work of others has also created a sea change in how many designers work. The speed at which trends cycle is both exciting and challenging.”
Architect English: “Professionally, I’m excited that I feel that I’m finally getting really good at what I do. I’m also pleased to see the continued growth of public awareness around beautiful sustainability.”
Architect Klopf: “Indoor-outdoor, warm modern design is popular and getting more so! We are excited to see designs opening up so that more people can live closer to nature but in the comfort of an energy-efficient home. We’re excited to hear from people all over the country who want to build in this style. As for our business, we love helping people get the houses they want and look forward to designing many more over the next 10 years and beyond!”
Interior designer Stevens: “There was a time when I vacillated about keeping the business small, meaning a small team and only taking on what I can take; now we are looking to buy an office space. Although I can’t do everything, I realized I can definitely build the team I need without sacrificing my personal time.”
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
Interior designer Stevens: “There was a time when I vacillated about keeping the business small, meaning a small team and only taking on what I can take; now we are looking to buy an office space. Although I can’t do everything, I realized I can definitely build the team I need without sacrificing my personal time.”
More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
From the beginning, Houzz has been a place to browse and save inspiring home photos and for homeowners to make connections with design and construction professionals. We asked pros what they thought of the site when they first saw it.
Jennifer Jones of Niche Interiors in San Francisco: “I loved it! What a great way for design enthusiasts to connect, share ideas and find a professional for their home project. I was a writer in the early days of the site and found that to be a great way to share design tips and connect with other industry professionals.”
Sarah Henry of Gaspar’s Construction in Seattle: “This is so cool. What a great place for clients to get inspiration. Houzz provided a great tool — with lots of search functions — to show clients different looks.”
Maddie Millholland of Case Design/Remodeling in Bethesda, Maryland: “We knew that it had incredible potential. It definitely has taken off!”
John Klopf of Klopf Architecture in San Francisco: “I jumped on the opportunity. My perspective on the site was that it would be a clearinghouse for design that homeowners would turn to, as online presence became more important.”