Emily Unkle Studio in Chattanooga: Residential Interior Design with an Emphasis on Custom Millwork
Emily Unkle Studio is a residential interior design firm specializing in full-home renovations and custom millwork design, operating as a solo practice from Chattanooga. The studio handles projects ranging from single-room updates to complete home overhauls, with a particular focus on built-in cabinetry, shelving systems, and architectural details that define a space.
What Emily Unkle Studio Actually Is
Emily Unkle operates as an independent designer rather than a large firm or showroom. The practice centers on residential interiors, with millwork—custom cabinetry, built-ins, and architectural woodwork—as a defining service. Projects typically involve new construction, gut renovations, or staged refreshes of existing homes. The studio works with homeowners directly and coordinates with contractors, carpenters, and tradespeople throughout the design and execution process. This is not a furniture retail or quick-turnaround staging service; it is design consultation and project management tied to construction.
Design Services and Project Fees
Emily Unkle Studio charges for design services separately from construction or material costs. Initial consultations are available to discuss scope and feasibility. Typical project fees run on a percentage-of-construction basis (generally 10 to 20 percent of the total project budget) or as a flat fee for defined scopes like a single room or a millwork package. Full-home renovations often command higher fees due to coordination complexity. Exact pricing depends on the project size, travel distance within the Chattanooga area, and the detail level required. Prospective clients should request a proposal after an initial conversation; costs vary significantly between a $15,000 kitchen refresh and a $200,000+ whole-home renovation.
Material and construction costs sit outside design fees and depend on selections, contractor bids, and the specificity of millwork. A built-in bookcase system with custom shelving, for example, costs more than stock shelving but less than a full kitchen remodel.
How Emily Unkle Studio Compares to Other Chattanooga Interior Design Options
Chattanooga has a handful of residential interior design practices operating at different price points and service levels. Firms like Studio M Design and High Yall Design serve the local market but tend toward broader service offerings (color consultation, furnishing, staging) rather than custom millwork focus. Emily Unkle Studio's strength lies in the integration of structural design and built-in elements; if your project centers on adding custom storage, refining architectural details, or planning a renovation from the studs up, this studio's millwork expertise is a differentiator. Choose Emily Unkle if you want a designer who understands construction coordination and can specify custom cabinetry alongside aesthetic choices. Choose a generalist design firm if you need furniture selection, temporary staging, or styling for resale without renovation work.
Many homeowners also work directly with contractors or carpenters without a designer, which cuts design fees but means no professional guidance on flow, material selection, or long-term functionality. Emily Unkle's involvement adds cost but ensures design intent drives decisions rather than builder defaults.
Who This Studio Suits and Who It Does Not
This studio is best suited to homeowners planning substantial renovations, new construction, or projects where custom millwork is central to the outcome. It works well for clients who value built-in storage, architectural cohesion, and the integration of function with design. It also suits people willing to manage a longer timeline (renovation projects take months, not weeks) and to invest in design consultation upfront.
Emily Unkle Studio is not the right fit for quick cosmetic updates, temporary styling, or projects where stock furnishings and paint alone will solve the problem. It is not a furniture store or a quick-service design consultation. It is also less suited to clients with fixed, very tight budgets who cannot accommodate the percentage-fee model or who need a large team with multiple designers on staff.
What the First Engagement Involves
Initial contact typically begins with a phone call or email describing the project scope, location, and general vision. Emily Unkle may request photos of the existing space and a preliminary budget range to assess fit. If both parties see alignment, an in-person consultation follows, usually at the client's home. During this visit, the designer walks through the space, discusses challenges and goals, and begins to understand the client's aesthetic preferences and functional needs.
After the initial meeting, Emily Unkle prepares a proposal outlining the design fee, project phases, and deliverables (which might include floor plans, millwork drawings, material boards, and site visits). Once the agreement is signed, work proceeds in phases: conceptual design, detailed drawings and specifications, contractor coordination, and project oversight.
Hours, Location, and Logistics
Emily Unkle Studio operates by appointment and does not maintain a retail showroom or walk-in hours. The studio is based in Chattanooga but serves clients throughout the greater area. Most work happens on-site at the client's home or the renovation location. Confirm availability and scheduling directly; project timelines and designer availability shift seasonally and based on current commitments.
Emily Unkle Studio fills a clear niche in Chattanooga's design landscape for homeowners serious about renovation and committed to the custom millwork that elevates a space from functional to intentional.
