True Design, L.L.C.

What True Design, L.L.C. does

True Design, L.L.C. is a privately held residential interior design firm founded in October 2017 by Liz Scisco and headquartered in the Chapel Hill/Durham, North Carolina market. The firm provides end-to-end design services for homeowners undertaking renovations, remodels, and custom home projects, structured around four core service lines: Plan Design & Layout (concept drawings, 2D floor plans, elevations, furniture layouts), Finish Consulting (permanent material selection across cabinetry, tile, countertops, flooring, plumbing, lighting, and exterior finishes), Furnishings & Decor (custom trade furniture, built-ins, and curated retail selections), and Project Management (schedule, budget, and contractor coordination). The firm also runs a Trade Services program serving general contractors, architects, and home builders who need design assistance with finish selections or specialty projects.

The business operates on a project-based professional services model. Client engagement begins with a free initial consultation to assess scope, design needs, and budget compatibility; qualified prospects then receive a custom proposal with fee structure, deposit requirement, and estimated design time, followed by a signed contract before work begins. Hourly billing is available for add-on services or permitted work beyond the contracted scope. The underlying technology footprint is minimal: a Squarespace-hosted portfolio website serves as the primary marketing and lead-capture surface, supplemented by an active Instagram presence (@truedesignnc). A proprietary "Design Goals Schedule" system is referenced as a codified process for tracking selections and design decisions through construction.

The firm is founder-led and bootstrapped, with no external investment, acquisitions, or parent company. The current team consists of three people — Liz Scisco (Principal Designer and Business Owner), Jordan McLeod (Junior Designer, joined May 2022), and Mary Schweitzer (Design Assistant/Intern) — with an open Design Assistant posting as of the most recent data. Customer base is overwhelmingly individual residential homeowners, with one documented small commercial engagement (Nutritional Perspectives, a teaching kitchen). The firm has earned three consecutive Best of Durham awards (2022–2024) and recurring features in Durham Magazine, Chapel Hill Magazine, and Houzz.

Name

True Design, L.L.C.

Legal name

True Design, L.L.C.

Website

https://truedesignnc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

True Design, L.L.C. is a privately held residential interior design firm in the Chapel Hill/Durham, NC market, providing plan design, finish consulting, furnishings, and project management services to homeowners undertaking renovations, remodels, and custom home builds.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Interior Design Services

NAICS

Interior Design Services (54141), Interior Design Services (541410)

SIC

Construction - Special Trade Contractors (1700)

akta.pro primary industry

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Luxury Whole-Home Renovation (High-End Finishes & Custom Build) (HSAPAEAI), Specialty Finishes & Decorative Installations (Plaster, Stone Veneer, Feature Walls) (IMAFANAM), Built-In Shelving, Niches & Custom Interior Features (HSAPAFAG)

Keywords

• Residential interior design
• Home renovation design
• Finish selection consulting
• Kitchen and bath design
• Custom home design

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Residential Design Services: Project-based design fees with initial proposal outlining scope, fee structure, deposit requirement, and total estimated design time. Additional hourly billing available for permitted work or add-on services.
2. Trade/Contractor Services: Design assistance services offered to general contractors and architects, including finish selection consultations and specialty project support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

True Design, L.L.C. is a residential interior design firm providing Plan Design & Layout, Finish Consulting, Furnishings & Decor, and Project Management services for homeowners undertaking renovations, custom homes, and remodels in the Chapel Hill/Durham, North Carolina market. The firm also offers dedicated trade services for general contractors and architects needing finish selection or specialty project support.

Product overview

True Design, L.L.C. is a residential interior design firm offering a comprehensive suite of services including Plan Design & Layout, Finish Consulting, Furnishings & Decor, and Project Management. The company serves homeowners throughout the design-build process for renovations, custom homes, and remodels. Their services range from initial concept drawings and floor plans through finish material selection, furniture procurement, and construction oversight. The firm also offers trade services for contractors and architects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Plan Design & Layout Comprehensive design planning services including concept drawings, 2D floor plans, elevations, plan consultations, and furniture layouts for renovations, custom homes, and small commercial spaces, delivered to homeowners in the Chapel Hill/Durham NC market.
• Finish Consulting Expert guidance on permanent material selections for residential projects, covering cabinetry, tile, countertops, flooring, plumbing fixtures, lighting, bath hardware, siding, roofing, masonry, decking, and paint.
• Furnishings & Decor Furniture and accessory selection services including custom trade furniture, built-ins, and designer-guided retail selections covering sofas, chairs, sectionals, tables, desks, artwork, mirrors, and window treatments for residential clients.
• Project Management Construction project management services providing schedule and budget oversight, contractor coordination, pricing estimation, and feasibility analysis for residential renovations, remodels, and custom homes. Also offered as a dedicated Trade Services program to general contractors and architects needing design assistance with finish selections or specialty projects.

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Fox General ContractingminorOthersGeneral contractor partnership for Forest Drive renovation project including dormer addition, primary bedroom expansion with 2.5 baths, and American Farmhouse aesthetic updates.
• New Dimensions ConstructionminorOthersGeneral contractor for Branch Lane bathroom renovation including primary bathroom suite with soaking tub and guest bathroom transformation.
• Abacus BuildersminorOthersGeneral contractor partnership for Valley Run primary bathroom spa-like renovation including wet room creation and bedroom expansion.
• Hollow Rock ConstructionminorOthersGeneral contractor for Culbreth Chapel Hill bathroom renovation with texture-focused design and powder room updates.
• Cam HillminorOthersGeneral contractor for Ridgefield whole house renovation featuring mid-century modern design and color-forward aesthetics.
• Hollow Rock ConstructionminorOthersGeneral contractor for Culbreth project including bathroom renovation, powder room, guest bath, and lighting updates.
• Project 9 DesignsminorOthersGeneral contractor for Cedar Trail kitchen renovation involving wall removal and dusk blue cabinetry installation.
• Lumber 2 LuxuryminorOthersGeneral contractor for Stateside Drive mid-century modern to transitional design project.
• Custom Stone & MarbleminorOthersVendor partner for stone and marble materials used in Forest Drive, Cedar Trail, Village Way, and South Manor projects.
• Best TileminorOthersTile vendor partner providing materials for multiple projects including Forest Drive, Branch Lane, University Road, Valley Run, Hope Valley, Culbreth, Ridgefield, and South Manor projects.
• Wilkinson's Plumbing SupplyminorOthersPlumbing fixtures vendor for Branch Lane and Valley Run bathroom renovations.
• Cabinet CreationsminorOthersCabinetry vendor for Branch Lane bathroom renovation.
• Hillcrest CabinetsminorOthersCabinetry vendor for Forest Drive and South Manor projects.
• CE Creative Glass DesignminorOthersCustom steel railings vendor for University Road entry and carport project.
• Phillip JeffriesminorOthersWallcovering vendor for University Road midcentury exterior update project.
• Romo WallpaperminorOthersWallcovering vendor for Valley Run spa-like primary bathroom renovation.
• Rudy Parker TileminorOthersTile vendor for Forest Drive and South Manor projects.
• Reico CabinetryminorOthersCabinetry vendor for Cedar Trail and Village Way kitchen renovations.
• Traditions in TileminorOthersTile vendor for Stateside Drive, Cedar Trail, and Morehead projects.
• Smirnov CabinetryminorOthersCustom cabinetry vendor for Ridgefield whole house renovation project.
• J&K CabinetryminorOthersCabinetry vendor for Culbreth Chapel Hill bathroom renovation.
• Mrotek CarpentryminorOthersCarpentry vendor for Hope Valley fireplace and dining area addition project.
• Aguilar PaintingminorOthersPainting vendor for Hope Valley renovation project.
• Moon's FlooringminorOthersFlooring vendor for Morehead kitchen renovation project.
• Gentry Electrical ServiceminorOthersElectrical services vendor for Morehead family-friendly kitchen renovation.
• USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council)minorOthersProfessional affiliation with U.S. Green Building Council. Principal designer holds LEED AP certification demonstrating commitment to sustainable design practices.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Decorating Den Interiors: Franchised interior design network with hundreds of design consultants across the U.S. offering in-home design services and product sales; a broader incumbent competing for the same residential renovation customer segment.
• West Elm (Interior Design Services): National retailer offering free or low-cost in-home and virtual interior design services linked to its merchandise catalog; overlaps with True Design's furnishings-and-decor scope for renovation clients.
• Pottery Barn (Interior Design Services): National home furnishings retailer providing complimentary design services staffed by employed designers; a scaled, brand-backed competitor for the same residential renovation furnishings budget.

Direct peers

• House of Jade Interiors: Boutique residential design firm focused on new construction and full-home renovations, providing design concepts, finish specifications, furnishings, and project oversight — closely mirrors True Design's full-lifecycle offering for homeowners.
• Bria Hammel Interiors: Residential interior design firm offering e-design, full-service design, and furnishings procurement for renovation and new-build homeowners; comparable design-led boutique competing in the same end market as True Design.
• Studio McGee: Boutique residential interior design firm offering plan design, finish selection, furnishings, and project management for renovation and new-build homeowners — the same integrated design-build service stack True Design delivers, scaled to a national brand.
• Cloth & Kind: Southeast-based boutique residential interior design firm offering full-service design and project management for renovations and custom homes; comparable local-market, founder-led model with similar trade and homeowner client mix.
• Park & Oak Interior Design: Boutique residential interior design studio providing concept-to-completion services including floor plans, finish selections, furnishings, and construction administration — directly comparable scope and client engagement model to True Design.

Emerging players

• Havenly: Online interior design platform pairing consumers with designers for room-by-room or whole-home packages at lower price points; an alternative channel that competes for the same Triangle homeowners evaluating traditional firms like True Design.
• Modsy: Virtual interior design and 3D rendering service delivering floor plans and furniture layouts; offers a tech-enabled substitute that may absorb entry-level finish and layout work that would otherwise go to boutique firms.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/truedesignnc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/true-design-l.l.c.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about True Design, L.L.C.