--- title: "Susannah West Interior Design — Interior Designers & Decorators | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/susannah-west-interior-design-pfvwus-pf~1921047350 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1921047350.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Susannah West Interior Design" category: ["Interior Designers & Decorators"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/0f539c620fb30a4f_3647-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "Cary, North Carolina 27513, United States" latitude: 35.7956 longitude: -78.7941 phone: "" website: http://www.swestdesign.com rating: 5 review_count: 12 best_of_houzz_awards: 6 followers: 86 last_updated: 2026-09-29 --- # Susannah West Interior Design Original Houzz profile: [Susannah West Interior Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/susannah-west-interior-design-pfvwus-pf~1921047350) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Interior Designers & Decorators - **Location:** Cary, NC - **Serves:** Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Morrisville, Green Level, New Hill, North Hills - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (12 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 6 awards (2014–2018), for Service, Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves Susannah West has been practicing design for over 25 years. She offers a complete range of design services, from new construction to updating existing spaces. She is a perfectionist and an artist, and starts each project with "in a perfect world...", and then explores practical ways to get there. In either traditional or modern spaces, her design aesthetic is clean and uncluttered, and she partners with you to discover your own favorite aspects of design. ### Services Provided - Interior Design - Kitchen Design - Bathroom Design - Color Consulting - Space Planning - Kids Bedroom Design - Custom Cabinets - Custom Kitchen Cabinets - Custom Built-ins - Floor Plans - Playroom Design - Custom Bathroom Vanities - Custom Blinds & Shades - Universal Design - Custom Bookcases - Custom Rugs - Custom Entertainment Centers - Custom Fireplace Mantels - Custom Shelving - Downsizing - Drafting - Decluttering - Kitchen Remodeling ### Areas Served - Raleigh - Durham - Cary - Apex - Holly Springs - Morrisville - Green Level - New Hill - North Hills ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Susannah West Interior Design | | Address | Cary, North Carolina 27513, United States | | Website | http://www.swestdesign.com | | Followers on Houzz | 86 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Susannah West Interior Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/susannah-west-interior-design-pfvwus-pf~1921047350) - **Website:** http://www.swestdesign.com ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Professional Member ASID, NCIDQ certifiedAward winning window designerBest of Houzz 2014Published in Living in Style, Ava Living - **Best of Houzz:** 6 awards (2014–2018), for Service, Design. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 12 reviews** ### All 12 reviews **★★★★★ — Cathryn Anderson, Dec. 2017** > I made a move across the country and purchased a newly constructed home. Susannah has worked with me to harmonize the colors and spaces in the home with my existing furniture and also, recommended furniture craftsmen when an additional piece was needed. Finding the right place and grouping for my paintings was a large accomplishment, which she did with patience and accuracy. They enhance the beauty and warmth of my home. We are now working together on purchasing rugs. Her expertise and experience in interior design have been invaluable to me. I am learning from Susannah of the high quality manufacturers and businesses in my area and on-line. There are a lot of decisions to be made in creating a home to reflect your individuality, while maintaining the practical and beautiful qualities. I would highly recommend Susannah West to family, friends, and neighbors. **★★★★★ — Betsy Smith, Dec. 2016** > Susannah is the ultimate professional. She tuned in immediately to our mindset and helped us put our ideas into reality. She was adventurous while keeping our budget in mind. She nailed every deadline with the highest quality. I wanted stunning - and I got stunning! **★★★★★ — nbean, Sept. 2015** > Susannah first helped me in 1984, when she decorated the master bedroom and one of our daughter's bedrooms in our home. The colors and window treatment in our daughter's bedroom reflected her personality and the furniture she selected was clean and accommodating for a ten year old. Moving out of her sister's room became exciting for her knowing her new room was so special. > The master was decorated with perfection using the furniture we already had. The wall color was peaceful and the draperies reflected happiness. She arranged the furniture to maximize the size of the room while making it more comfortable. It turned out to be just what we wanted. > I called Susannah in May, 2015, when we decided to sell our home so that we could downsize. > Our home was built in 1959, has been redecorated from time to time, but is definitely dated. Susannah was able to work with me from long distance and selected new exterior colors as well as interior colors for our kitchen. She provided me with the information and choices I needed quickly. We followed all of her suggestions and the house actually sold before it was ever listed. > Susannah is artistic as well as meticulous which are wonderful characteristics in an Interior Designer. She has a kind disposition and truly listens with her heart so that she can truly learn about her client. She is extremely bright and understanding of what other people enjoy, even if not in her own personal style. She works in a wide range of styles and always with perfection taking into consideration of the lifestyle of her client. > I will continue to use Susannah and give her the highest of recommendations. **★★★★★ — jenny\_gomatos, March 2014** > Working with Susannah West on my homes has been the most rewarding experience! Susannah is a design genius who is meticulous in her quest to meet her client’s needs. She has never failed to take my design challenges, which always include a limited budget, and deliver a solution that surpasses my wildest dreams and expectations! > > I first began working with Susannah in 2004. We were doing a renovation because we had some water damage, and I decided it was time to get professional interior design help. I knew what I liked but didn’t know where to begin! There were so many details to coordinate. We had a sunroom that we never used because the floor plan was not right. And we needed all new furniture for the family room. Susannah came up with a brilliant plan that solved all those issues. She provided beautiful custom furniture, fabrics, pillows, lamps, plants, accessories, and rugs for the whole downstairs. She coordinated the paint colors and the re-framing of my art. She also found gorgeous wallpaper for my husband’s study, and the perfect wool carpet for the stairs and second floor. We were thrilled with our new space!! > > In 2008 I called Susannah again to design my son’s bedroom. The room was an extremely small space making it a huge design challenge, particularly since my son needed an upgrade from a single to a double bed. He also needed a functional space to play his video games. Susannah came to the rescue yet again, creating the perfect space with a media wall, colorful storage bins, and a new flat screen TV. She worked with my son to select the right bedspread, pillows, and rug from Pottery Barn Teen. She even found a reclining gaming chair and mini-frig to hold his soft drinks. The result was a room that had the “cool factor” my son was looking for and the functionality that I needed for that room. > > In 2010 we relocated to a new custom townhouse. Susannah assisted me with all the materials selections prior to moving in, and designed a custom backsplash for our kitchen that was featured on Best of Ava Living! Her original selections of furnishings for our previous home were completely compatible with our new space, so all we needed to complete this space was a masterful space plan to re-arrange the furniture, and a few custom accessories, which she found for us. > > I contacted Susannah again in 2012 to help me find my dream dining room table. She had recommended something in the past that I was in love with, and she was able to locate that table for us. It is the perfect complement to my antique family storage piece. We are so pleased with everything that she has done!! > > We recently bought a new home in Cary, and I can’t wait to get together with Susannah to turn this into my dream house all over again!!! **★★★★★ — ilovetea, Dec. 2013** > I have known Susannah West since high school, and have seen her interior design work on several occasions over the years. Susannah is an artist, highly creative and talented. As an interior designer, she is both inspired and inspiring. When I began the kitchen remodel of my 1910 Craftsman bungalow in Berkeley, CA, I contacted her for professional help. She reviewed my plans for the kitchen and offered invaluable feedback on the layout, especially the placement of the sink and location of the pantry cabinets. My husband and I were not sure which options would best meet our needs, and Susannah provided clarity. > > She has done numerous kitchen remodels and knew exactly what the effects would be for the various options. While brilliantly integrating the old kitchen with the expanded new kitchen annex area (after removal of a load-bearing wall and bedroom conversion), she also provided an inspired solution for the placement and viewing of the large TV my husband insisted on--tricky business with little wall space in a Craftsman setting. > > In addition, I consulted with her about choices for the stove, range hood, and countertops. Remodeling and updating my bungalow over the years I have made several design decisions that I regret. I knew I needed the expertise of a design professional to insure no costly errors, especially given the huge expense of remodeling a 100-year-old kitchen. Susannah is a joy to work with. I love the way her mind works to resolve an issue or solve a problem that others find confounding. She does not rest until she lights upon a perfect solution for her clients’ design challenges at every stage of the undertaking. I remember the two years she took to find the perfect lamp for a client’s waiting room, and the walled-sized painting that pulled together everything in a living room, unifying color, texture, and form. There are countless examples in her portfolio of perfect execution of artful design, formal and informal, functional and decorative. It is no exaggeration to say I revel in the elegant beauty and easy functionalism of my new kitchen every day. > > I highly, highly recommend her! **★★★★★ — eratliff, Dec. 2013** > Let me say up-front and in capital letters: I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND SUSANNAH WEST to anyone who is looking for professional design advice! After her first project for me 8 years ago, I came back to her repeatedly because, step by step, her inspired vision is > making my house BEAUTIFUL for the first time EVER! And Susannah is pure joy to work with! > > My best friend (NOT an easy person to satisfy) recommended Susannah because she was so delighted with the work she had done in her master bedroom. I had made so many costly decorating mistakes over the years on my own that I decided to see what Susannah could do for me. I wish I had called her years sooner!! > > Our first project, in 2007, was the living room. This room didn't feel right, but I couldn't put my finger on what it needed. Susannah's gorgeous window treatments, plus her inspired pillows for sofa, chairs, and window-seat were transforming! That quickly, we went from “blah” to > “Ahhhh!!!!” and I was hooked. > > Next we tackled the dining room and adjoining music room, with Susannah guiding me in upholstery selection, the purchase of contemporary art, the design and purchase of custom area rugs, and the installation of crisp linen drapes which she designed. > > Next up: my kitchen office where we again did a custom rug, along with wainscoting, and a magnificent leaded glass window, which was Susannah's brilliant solution to what had been a weird off-center window at the end of the room. Now EVERYONE comments on this masterful > finishing touch! > > With each project, Susannah has educated me with her skills in visualization. In the master bedroom, those skills, along with Susannah's eye for scale and tile selection, helped me design and install a fireplace that is a delightfully unexpected focal point in a room where the bed usually takes center stage. Also in that room, her guidance in choosing fabric for the window treatments saved me from my “almost-perfect” choice, which would have died on the walls, and led me to choose instead, Susannah's absolutely perfect selection that just sings! > > Next I needed help choosing a paint color for my husband's upstairs office. Here is where Susannah especially shines. I would never have guessed that selecting a color for an upstairs office would begin downstairs,--but it did. In fact, it began in the dining and music rooms, and led to new carpeting on the stairs and down the hall leading into the upstairs office. Only Susannah would have known this, but she was absolutely RIGHT. There is a beautiful flow now throughout the house. Perfect. In addition, she helped us select furniture, design a window treatment, and hang pictures and awards in this office space. > > Last year's may have been my favorite project of all--our tiny (3 ½ X 4 ½ foot) downstairs powder room. Like Cinderella's pumpkin turning into a carriage fit for royalty, this beige “closet” with cracked plaster walls, wall-hung sink with flowered fabric skirt, and cheap oak veneer > over-the-toilet storage cabinet became an absolute jewel box! > > When I showed Susannah a beautiful blue and peach vessel bowl I was considering for this space, she began offering ideas immediately: > • Wainscoting with an understated tile border to add interest and simple elegance to the tiny space. > • Updated lighting, with a space on the back wall to continue our art collection > • An enormous mirror to visually double the size of the room, strengthen the natural daylight pouring through the window, and provide a better perspective to view the window as art. > • Oh, and, continue the wainscoting out the powder room door into the adjacent hallway to unify the two small spaces, making both of them feel larger. > > Susannah's design ideas were brilliant! She assembled a portfolio of pictures from Houzz so that I could visualize the final space as she saw it in her mind's eye, and we began deciding the specifics for wainscoting, tile, lights, cabinet, faucets, and mirror. She also insisted that we actually mock-up the wainscoting and tile, to be sure that the scale was perfect. Attention to details like these was crucial in such a small space where any mistake would be magnified. The final result had no mistakes--just simple, tranquil elegance. > > Working with Susannah is always fun and educational, and the beautiful results keep bringing me back for more. Currently we're working on the laundry room...! :) > > Elaine Ratliff **★★★★★ — dtrigg, Dec. 2013** > I first hired Susannah West in 2005 to help me upgrade the interiors of my North Raleigh home, and I’ve been working with her ever since. > When I moved to San Francisco in 2007, I contacted her to help me with the move. She did all the space planning for the move prior to my arrival, including the space planning of my art collection and furniture. Then we began to discuss upgrades, and in the past few years we’ve upgraded every room of my house. This includes the complete studs-down renovation of the kitchen and bathroom, and most recently, the installation of a media room, black bamboo floors, and new carpeting. > Susannah has always found creative solutions to my design challenges and has saved me money and stress at the same time. Her excellent software programs and excellentcommunication skills allowed us to complete my projects in a virtual environment from across the country, and with no hiccups. > The results of her work? …When people arrive for the first time in my apartment, they are astounded. I receive comments like, “This is fantastic!” and “Your home should be in a decorating magazine”. People in my building have actually asked if they could stop by and see my home because they heard the remodel is so wonderful! > My recommendation? …I hope you will be as fortunate to work with Susannah as I’ve been. I have been very, very pleased!! **★★★★★ — lanternmaker, Dec. 2013** > In 2003 my late wife contacted Susannah West to solve a decorating problem. My wife had been looking unsuccessfully all over Raleigh for a replacement for our master bedroom draperies, which were disintegrating from years of exposure to the sun. Also, we now had a queen size bed, but the old coverlet and dust ruffle were made to fit a double. We were actually hoping to find the same fabric, since it was a classic American design, and we loved the room just the way it was. My wife had not found anything that she liked in the usual fabric stores, and was hoping that a designer could locate the original fabric, or a satisfactory replacement, from the Trade Only showrooms. > Susannah did not find the original fabric, but did find several likely candidates to work with; but my wife didn’t really LOVE any of them. So Susannah said she would go back and look again. While she was in the Trade showroom she saw a pattern that looked like ours, but a different color. She asked the manager if there were possibly different colors in the back, even though they had no samples out on the racks. The manager said “No, everything is out.” Susannah didn’t stop. She asked the manager to please call the company to see if it came in any other colors. When they checked, they found that the EXACT COLOR of our old fabric indeed had been available, but was now discontinued. They had a few yards in stock, but not enough to reproduce our bedroom the way it had been. Susannah came up with a creative solution that provided us a new queen coverlet in the loved fabric, with draperies in a coordinating different fabric, and remaking the existing dust ruffle to fit the queen bed. > My wife was ecstatic! The new room was updated and fresh, but still had our favorite classic design. My wife recommended Susannah to her friends every chance she got! And we worked with Susannah again on several other projects. **★★★★★ — gjb7, Dec. 2013** > I am a Do-It-Yourselfer, doing a complete whole house renovation, inside and outside. I call on Susannah as needed on everything that involves interior design. Susannah has provided invaluable guidance on my remodeling project over the past 5 years. > > We are currently working on my study and I need the skilled eye of a designer to keep my project on the right track. She has assisted me with selections and design of kitchen cabinets, granite, travertine flooring and backsplash, exotic wood flooring, oriental rugs, paint colors, and specialty paint finishes, including faux finish combinations, as well as exterior colors. > > Susannah has extensive experience in the construction process, and the ability to envision what the finished space will look like. She has become familiar with my style preferences, and skillfully guides me to the most appropriate choices. I highly recommend her. **★★★★★ — cynthiapowellbarnett, Dec. 2013** > I would highly recommend Susannah West as a designer. She is competent, creative, cost-conscious and completely fun to work with! > > I am a repeat customer. I first hired Susannah in 2011 to help me plan our home office. We had a hodge-podge of furniture, and we needed to create a space to serve 3 functions: 2 home office areas and a guest bed. Susannah did a beautiful and stylish plan, in which everything fit perfectly. She designed a custom desk and built-in bookcases to match the existing hanging cabinets, and then gave me step-by-step instructions on how to complete the project. I was thrilled with it! > > So when it was time to remodel the kitchen, I called her! She began by listening carefully to my woes about my old, small kitchen (the layout was so squeezed that fully half of this kitchen was never used. I never wanted anyone to help me in that kitchen---it was too forlorn.) First, Susannah helped me explore options and develop a budget. Then she came up with a functional plan: a curved window seat that wraps around two walls and provides comfy seating at the new butcher-block island. She provided scaled drawings and color renderings of this plan, so we could analyze the options before making our selections. Now we use our new kitchen every night for candlelight dinners for two, or when two other guests join us. Even better, several others can now visit with me in the kitchen because the wraparound window seat can accommodate them. Perfect! > > During the planning and construction stages, Susannah saved me money, time, and possible mistakes that I would have made naively without her guidance. She found a very affordable but luxurious tile for our backsplash, and everyone thinks its Carrera marble. (It isn’t!) She pointed me to websites where I could do the research myself and save shopping trips at the same time. > > Susannah’s high standards also saved me two possible mistakes in matching colors: her close scrutiny and good instincts told her that two color choices I would have made would not be a match for the other materials. She was right, and fortunately I listened to her! > > Susannah is prompt, cheerful, attentive and so agreeable with all contractors and vendors. She has long established relationships with many in the design and construction field, and these contacts benefit her clients. Susannah West is a wonderful professional, and I plan to work with her on additional spaces in our home. I highly recommend her. > > > Cynthia Powell Barnett > 2004 Flagstone Place > Raleigh, NC 27612 **★★★★★ — andydog25, Dec. 2013** > I worked with Susannah West for over 2 years when my husband and I downsized to a new retirement home. She provided a variety of services including selection of floor and countertop materials prior to moving in, selection of custom sofa and chairs and wood pieces in the living area, selection of custom fabrics, trims, and pillows, window treatments, custom silk plants, breakfast area furniture, rugs, lamps and light fixtures, and wall colors. She was able to work with our existing furniture pieces that we wanted to keep and make them work with new pieces. She also helped us with furniture and accessory placement within our home. > > Susannah's attention to detail and eye for quality is amazing. This attention saved me from making mistakes. She also has the ability to understand the style that I like. As a result our home has just the fell that I was hoping for. I particularly love the fabrics and the trims the she helped me to select as well as the selection of some new accessories to complement our existing accessories. When friends come into our home, we often hear the comment that our decorating looks like a picture from a design magazine. I highly recommend Susannah. **★★★★★ — Philip West, Dec. 2013** > In 2011 I engaged Susannah West to assist me in planning and furnishing my empty apartment in San Francisco. I am working full-time in a start-up, and have neither the knowledge, time nor patience to do this project myself. I was familiar with her work and knew she had the artistry, skills and resources to successfully complete the project in the short time frame that I was expecting. > > I had some art and travel photos that I wanted to use, but I really had no idea where to begin. Susannah began with a design plan based on my needs and functionality. And then she built the space around my art and photos. She provided digital floor plans and elevations, which were invaluable in visualizing the project and carrying it through to completion. > > I'd been living in dorms, apartments, and rental houses for the last 10 years so I wasn’t sure what my “style” was, but she helped me figure out what I needed to have a comfortable place I could finally call home. She sourced all the furnishings, rugs, lighting and accessories. She gave me several nice choices for each group, and explained the pros and cons for each choice. She worked hard to get the look I wanted and still stay on budget. I couldn't have been happier with the result! > > This year I contacted Susannah again to help me finish the rest of the space. I've received so many compliments on my "beautiful apartment" that it would have been a mistake not to! I wholeheartedly recommend Susannah for any interior design work. She is talented, professional, thorough, a good listener, and most importantly a friend in the process. ## Selected projects - [Elegant Powder Room Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/elegant-powder-room-remodel-pj-vj~924156) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - Description: This project is a continuation of the Anderson Heights Renovation (located in Raleigh). The house was built in the 40s, and the powder room is one of the last spaces to be transformed. It is a tiny space: 3.5 x 4.5 feet. (I love tiny spaces! They are so much fun to work with - it's like magic when they unfold!) When the client contacted me and let me know it was time to begin this project, I knew what I envisioned to transform it: improved lighting, elegant wainscoting to relate to the rest of t… - [Anderson Heights Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/anderson-heights-renovation-pj-vj~465609) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - Description: These clients own a wonderful home in Anderson Heights in Raleigh, not far from Five Points. They have lived there for years, and love the neighborhood so much, that they decided to stay where they were and renovate. They hired an architect to do the required drawings for the city, and they added this Music Room above the old garage. When I first saw the empty Music Room, I envisioned it as an art gallery. There aren't many walls, but with proper selection of original art and custom area rugs, w… - [Teenage Girl's Bedroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/teenage-girl-s-bedroom-pj-vj~402486) - Location: Cary, NC - Photos: 15 - Description: This client contacted me to work with her and her daughter in doing a Makeover for the daughter's room. They both love contemporary design, and needed help in planning and sourcing the furnishings and colors. We considered several models for the bed, and decided on this beautiful Special Order design from Germany. I imported the design into my software to show different color options for the walls and area rug. In the end, she chose this beautiful soft gray. - [Red Ikea Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/red-ikea-kitchen-pj-vj~398786) - Location: san francisco, CA - Photos: 17 - Description: You can see from the BEFORE photos that this space has been totally transformed! I love working on a project like this. It's like magic, and I can visualize the transformation long before the first element is changed. This kitchen belongs to the same client whose photos are shown in Pacific Heights Art Collector's Apartment. in my Projects. (If you are interested in additional detail, be sure to view that Project also.) When the client re-located to San Francisco he chose to move into the same a… - [Pacific Heights Art Collector's Apartment](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pacific-heights-art-collector-s-apartment-pj-vj~398700) - Location: san francisco, CA - Photos: 18 - Description: This project has been one of my all-time favorites. The client and I share a passion for original art and 20th century furniture classics. I worked with him in North Carolina, when he lived here, and when he moved back to San Francisco, he asked me to coordinate his move. We started with the space planning for his mid-century modern furnishings, and the placement of his art collection. He chose to move into the same apartment building that he had lived in several years ago, because he was able t… - [Remodel - Bachelor Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/remodel-bachelor-bathroom-pj-vj~398868) - Location: san francisco, CA - Photos: 15 - Description: This is a tiny bathroom: the footprint is only 5 x 9, and this includes the tub, water closet and vanity. The actual floor space is less than half that figure. The challenge, of course, was to make it appear bigger. I did this by expanding the mirror over the sink to be the full width of the wall, and by using a reflective wall paneling on the opposite wall. Also, replacing the old medicine cabinet with a high quality cabinet the same height as the wall mirror creates a continuous corner of refl… - [Governor's Club, Chapel Hill](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/governor-s-club-chapel-hill-pj-vj~60490) - Location: Chapel Hill, NC - Photos: 10 - Description: These clients bought a lovely home in Governor's Club, and wanted to update it to suit their tastes. However, it has been necessary to perform quite a few structural renovations before we get to the fun part of completing the window treatments and area rugs! I have assisted them with consultation on carpet, custom flooring design, granite, custom paint colors and faux finishes, window treatments, and general design concept questions. I also sourced all the new carpeting. We are now working on th… - [Preston Sunroom in Cary](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/preston-sunroom-in-cary-pj-vj~60486) - Location: Cary, NC - Photos: 12 - Description: This client wanted to update her furnishings and create more ambiance in this space. She loves textures and warm, inviting colors, but didn't know how to pull it together. She likes a classic, elegant look, but needs complete livability for her family of teenagers. Although the sunroom is located right off the family room, no one ever used the space. The sunroom had several problems before the re-design: 1. Too much contrast and choppiness fractured the small space. 2. The choice of furnishings… - [Home Office](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/home-office-pj-vj~398860) - Location: Lafayette, LA - Photos: 1 - Description: This client is an art collector, and his objective is always to see his art in its best possible way, while still providing the necessary functions in his spaces. A uniquely shaped floor plan, caused by architecture designed to fit a small, irregular piece of property, required careful positioning of the furnishings. The art is center stage. The furniture selections enhance the art. - [Weston Townhouse in Cary](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/weston-townhouse-in-cary-pj-vj~397316) - Location: Cary, NC - Photos: 14 - Description: This client bought a townhouse with a fixed floor plan, and pre-selected cabinets, appliances and granite countertops. All the townhouses looked the same. Her goal was to personalize her space to reflect her individuality, as well as that of her 2 teenage sons. I selected travertine mosaic for the backsplash, and created a focal point over the range with custom glass tile accents. The main challenge in the kitchen space was to transform it from standard issue townhouse to a custom look, using on… - [Transitional Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/transitional-kitchen-pj-vj~387059) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - [Carolina Preserve Retirement Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/carolina-preserve-retirement-home-pj-vj~63047) - Location: Cary, NC - Photos: 4 - Description: This client and her husband moved to Cary to be near their daughter. They chose new construction at the Carolina Preserve Retirement Community in Amberly. I assisted them from the ground up, with space planning, materials selections, colors, rugs, lighting, window treatments and furnishings. They had some nice dining room furniture that they wanted to keep, but needed new upholstery, occasional tables, and kitchen table/chairs. They collected art, and the wife has a beautiful assortment of blue/… - [Young Bachelor Apartment](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/young-bachelor-apartment-pj-vj~315158) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 9 - Description: San Francisco Apartment for young Entrepreneur: This client is a young bachelor in the founding stages of his own start-up in San Francisco. The objective in this project was to take his empty apartment, and furnish it as quickly and inexpensively as possible, so he could get on with the business of developing his company. (For more information on budget, please visit my blog.) We maximized the spectacular view of the park, and used warm textures to balance the cool tones of the reflective surfa… - [Tudor Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tudor-remodel-pj-vj~60496) - Location: Norman, OK - Photos: 5 - Description: This project involved a complete house remodel. The clients loved the neighborhood, but the house was too small for their large family. An architect was hired for the structural additions, including a second story. The client had originally intended to handle the project herself. However it proved to be much more difficult than she had imagined, so she contacted me to help straighten out the initial mistakes she had made and to coordinate all the rest of the interior details. This included revie… - [Mid Century Modern](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mid-century-modern-pj-vj~60482) - Location: Lafayette, LA - Photos: 2 - Description: These clients are the original owners of a classic 1960's contemporary home by a well-known local architect. Their desire was to update their furnishings with pieces that would complement the architecture and their Knoll Bertoia Diamond Chair. I selected a leather sofa, Barcelona chairs, and travertine tables. I designed the carved border of the custom wool area rug to follow the lines of the fireplace. Simple casement fabric frames the view. - [Carolina Preserve Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/carolina-preserve-kitchen-pj-vj~63044) - Location: Cary, NC - Photos: 3 - Description: This client and her husband moved to Cary to be near their daughter. They chose new construction at the Carolina Preserve Retirement Community in Amberly. I assisted them from the ground up, with space planning, materials selections, colors, rugs, lighting, window treatments and furnishings. They had some nice dining room furniture that they wanted to keep, but needed new upholstery, occasional tables, and kitchen table/chairs. They collected art, and the wife has a beautiful assortment of blue/… - [Contemporary Gallery Dining Room](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-gallery-dining-room-pj-vj~60808) - Location: raleigh, NC - Photos: 3 - Description: The challenge in this project was to take a small, non-descript dining room, and turn it into a space that reflected the owner's love of art. Formal dining rooms are often the least used space in a home. Our desire was to make this room a place where guests would naturally gravitate to the art collection, which expresses the originality of the collector. This space is only 11 x 14, and its only interesting architectural feature was the chair rail. We added custom wainscoting moldings to balance… [See all 17 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/susannah-west-interior-design-pfvwus-pf~1921047350) ## Ideabooks - [Trigg](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/120842191/list/trigg) — 18 ideas - [R V](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/107244569/list/r-v) — 1 idea - [bath](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/103555756/list/bath) — 1 idea - [ratliff bath](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/19555183/list/ratliff-bath) — 12 ideas - [Chancellors Ridge](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/64789717/list/chancellors-ridge) — 27 ideas - [stone FP](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/42401587/list/stone-fp) — 7 ideas - [lockhart](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/30080028/list/lockhart) — 7 ideas - [art deco window treatmts](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/26122928/list/art-deco-window-treatmts) — 14 ideas - [Bulletin Boards For Church Project](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/22439584/list/bulletin-boards-for-church-project) — 6 ideas [See all 9 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/swestdesign) ## Community Q&A **Q: Paint colour of the wall** *(in Photo Questions)* What is the paint brand and colour of the wall? Thanks. A: sorry, I don't have that info. =) **Q: sheets** *(in Photo Questions)* sheets? A: marimekko from Crate and Barrel **Q: Can you tell us where you purchased the fabrics? Love the combination** *(in Photo Questions)* A: The batik fabrics came from JoANN fabrics. You can find their patterns available on line or in a store. The rest of the fabrics (textures) came from a local mill outlet, so there is no info available for those. **Q: Could you please share the paint color, manufacturer and number?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: So sorry that info is unavailable. The client had the paint store custom mix this color. She started with a discontinued color that she had on her living room walls, and they tweaked it in the store - a little more black, a little more this/that....in the end, she cannot reproduce the color even if she wants to! Take the photo to a high quality paint store, and let them help you find something that is close.... **Q: Mosaic tile** *(in Photo Questions)* What is the name and manufacturer of the mosaic tile? A: go back to the pic on Houzz....I listed it there! **Q: Who makes this bed frame?** *(in Photo Questions)* I really like this bed frame and want to know where I can purchase it, thanks you so much for your time and for all the room inspiration I have gotten thanks to houzz. I really appreciate what you're doing. A: This is the Cradle bed by Mercatus. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-29.*