5 Lessons from 5 Years of Parris McKenna Design
we're reflecting on the people, relationships, and lessons that have shaped PMD.
Five years of designing homes, building a business, and figuring out what kind of studio we really want to be.
As we celebrate five years of Parris McKenna Design, we've been reflecting on how much has changed since the beginning. Not just in the homes we've designed or the projects we've taken on, but in the people we've met, the relationships we've built, and the lessons we've learned along the way.
Looking back, there are five things that have really shaped how we approach the business today.
01. The Team Matters
Over the last year especially, our team has grown into something really special. We don't take ourselves too seriously, we support one another, celebrate each other's wins, and genuinely love seeing each other succeed.
Building a culture where people enjoy coming to work and feel supported has become just as important as the work itself. It's something we're incredibly proud of and continue to prioritize as the studio grows.
02. Design the Spaces You Love
We've reached a point where we can be more intentional about the projects we take on, and that's something we don't take for granted.
We want to work with clients who trust our perspective, give us room to explore ideas, and allow us to push ourselves creatively. To create homes that feel personal, thoughtful, and ultimately, spaces we'd love to live in ourselves.
03. Relationships Make This Industry Better
One of the most valuable things we've learned is just how important relationships are in this industry.
From our builders, suppliers, and trades to our clients and fellow designers, the people we work alongside have such a significant impact on what we do.
Interior design can sometimes feel like an industry where people hold their cards close, but we've found that sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and building genuine relationships only makes the work better.
04. Don't Be Afraid to Let Your Brand Evolve
When PMD first started, our work had a strong West Coast influence. Over time, our design style has naturally shifted into something more layered, with English and Parisian influences that better reflect where our own tastes have taken us.
It's been an important reminder that you don't need to stay attached to the style or direction you started with.
As we grow and evolve as designers, it only makes sense that our work evolves alongside us.
05. Always Have Something to Work Towards
Every year, our team sits down together to set personal and professional goals.
Some are relatively small, while others are a little more ambitious, like our goal of taking on an international project.
They don't all need to happen immediately. Sometimes it's simply about having something to work towards, something that challenges us to think a little bigger and keeps us moving forward.
Here's to the Next Five
Five years in, one of the biggest lessons we've learned is that building a design studio isn't just about the homes we create.
It's about the people we build it with, the relationships we make along the way, and being open to where things might take us.
We're incredibly proud of what PMD has become, and even more grateful for everyone who's been part of it.
Here's to five years, and everything still to come.