Inside a consultation session with Jake Arnold's The Expert
I paid $750 for 55 minutes of design advice from Sarah Solis
When I first considered using the design platform The Expert for renovation advice, I perused Reddit threads and lobbed questions into my Geneva chats to no avail.
Despite being a self-declared professional internet researcher, it seemed impossible to find anyone else who had consulted with a designer on the platform. Hiring a one-time Expert might be more affordable than contracting with a full-time designer, but it still costs a pretty penny. I desperately wanted to know what I could expect before I forked over my credit card. (I did appreciate that The Expert was not doling out freebie sessions to influencers, as far as I could tell.)
I decided to be the guinea pig—and scheduled a 55-minute session with designer Sarah Solis, immediately feeling broke and sweaty. In today’s letter, I’m sharing my unfiltered thoughts on the process—and all the advice I wish I’d had when I booked my consultation:
What is The Expert?
How to choose an Expert
Making the most of your Expert session
Is The Expert worth it?
A fun perk for annual paid subscribers: As my Expert Sarah said to me, “You are the most prepared of anyone I’ve talked to on here.” If you’re considering an Expert session, I’ll send you my slide deck template that you can use to guide your conversation with your designer.
Like this content but not a paid subscriber yet? Today’s letter includes a limited time reader special: 20% off annual paid subscriptions, which makes a subscription just $3.33/month. You’ll get exclusive content like this full letter, my Expert template, plus access to the full archive. Come on in—I’d love to have you!
So… what is The Expert?
Founded by AD100 designer Jake Arnold, The Expert is a platform that connects individuals to top interior designers for one-on-one video consultations. Through the website, you can book best-in-class professionals that most of us common folk can’t hire for a full-scale project.
Sessions vary in length from 25 to 115 minutes, with prices ranging from $300 to $3,000+. After selecting and booking your preferred designer, you’ll fill out a brief questionnaire and have the option to upload any docs. On the day of your consultation, you’ll hop on a Zoom call with your chosen designer, during which you can ask questions, screenshare, show your space through your laptop camera, etc.
How to choose an Expert
On the platform, you can filter by consultation length, price, availability, style, and region to identify the right designer for you. Jake’s team has curated an impressive list of the best designers worldwide—including heavy-hitters like Bridget Romanek, Amber Interiors, and Lauren Liess. I think no matter who you select, you’re getting top talent.
That said, based on the needs of your specific project, one Expert might be a better fit than another. Here are the questions consider as you look for a designer to work with:
Do our styles align? I wanted to find a designer whose aesthetic aligned with mine (my three words: warm, earthy, and textured). While I often look to DISC Interiors for slightly more contemporary inspiration for our Denver home, for our lake house vibe, I was feeling Sarah Solis’s warm, layered, and artful interiors. Some of the other designers whose aesthetic I loved were Light & Dwell, Katie Hodges, and JDP Interiors.
I used this slide to show the warm, neutral bedroom aesthetic I’m hoping to achieve. What is their area of expertise? While I’d assume all of the designers in the platform are broadly competent, some may be a better fit for addressing architectural ideas while others may be a better fit for selecting soft finishes. If you’re early on in your project, maybe you’re looking for floor plan advice; if you’re already moved in, maybe you’re in the market for styling suggestions. I’d browse their reviews and Instagrams to gauge if they have a specific area of focus.
Where are they located? When possible, I recommend picking a designer located in your region because they’ll likely have a roster of recommended local vendors, like kitchen design companies or carpet showrooms. This can save you a lot of time you might otherwise spend sourcing. This wasn’t an option for me since there weren’t any Colorado-based designers on The Expert. (There are even six in Utah but none in Colorado… WHY. Jake—please hook it up.) Someone who is more familiar with your area may also have helpful geography-specific building knowledge as well—a designer in Miami, for example, is probably not thinking about how to route my mountain plumbing in a way that my pipes won’t freeze.
