Beth Diana Smith
Beth Diana Smith is the CEO and Principal Designer of Beth Diana Smith Interior Design, a full-service studio dedicated to creating curated homes defined by thoughtful detail and bold expression. Known for her eclectic yet intentional aesthetic, Smith approaches each project as a narrative—shaping spaces through renovation, bespoke elements, and carefully sourced pieces that reflect the individuality of her clients.
Before founding her firm, Smith spent over a decade in corporate accounting and finance at companies including Johnson & Johnson and Viacom before pursuing interior design full-time at the New York School of Interior Design. Her background in finance continues to inform her practice, bringing a strong foundation in budget management, strategic planning, and operational leadership to her creative work.
Smith has appeared on NBC and HGTV and has been featured in publications including House Beautiful, Elle Decor, Real Simple, Business of Home, and The Wall Street Journal. She is a Founding Member of the Black Artists + Designers Guild, an Associate of the American Society of Interior Designers, and a member of the Design Leadership Council. In 2025, she received the Rising Star Award from the New York School of Interior Design.
“Your home should be your oasis away from the rest of the world.”
INTERVIEW
I would define my signature style as eclectic maximalism. My work is bold and layered, but always intentional. I focus on marrying visual interest with livability and creating spaces that feel rich, collected, and expressive, yet still deeply functional.
If there’s a mantra behind my work, it’s about balance: luxurious finishes paired with thoughtful curation of art, pattern, and color, all grounded in how people actually live. Every space should feel elevated, personal, and dynamic.
My journey into interior design began almost by accident, and with a lot of hesitation. I was well into a career in finance and accounting when I decided to redesign my own home. What started as research for a personal project quickly sparked a deep curiosity and love for design.
That curiosity turned into action: I opened my company, enrolled at the New York School of Interior Design at night and on weekends, and eventually made the leap away from corporate life. What began as a side exploration became a calling and the foundation for the career I’ve built today.
One defining career moment for me was receiving the Rising Star Award in 2025 from the New York School of Interior Design. Being recognized by my alma mater was especially meaningful—it affirmed the work I’ve built, the risks I took in changing careers, and the path I’ve carved within the industry. It felt less like a milestone and more like a moment of reflection and validation, reinforcing that I was building something with lasting impact.
I think the key to successful interior design is balance. A project has to meet both functional and aesthetic goals while creating an interior environment that truly reflects how the client lives or works. When the space not only looks beautiful but also functions seamlessly, and meets or exceeds the client’s expectations, that’s when design is successful.
In business more broadly, success is measured the same way. Clear communication, thoughtful planning, and trust lead to outcomes where clients feel supported, understood, and ultimately happy with the process and the result.
favorite pieces from the Philia Collection
Every project begins with programming, which is essentially research. We take time to understand the home, the client, and the objectives—how the space needs to function, who it’s serving, and what success looks like.
From there, we develop a design concept that outlines both the functional goals and the overall aesthetic direction of the project. That concept acts as a mission statement. As the design evolves, it keeps us grounded and ensures that every decision, from layout to materials to details, stays aligned with what the space is meant to be.
The best advice I’ve received is to continuously learn. Design, business, and life are always evolving, and staying curious keeps you relevant, adaptable, and inspired. Committing to ongoing learning, whether through education, experience, or simply staying open, has shaped both my work and my growth as a business owner.
My most important design tip is to remember that your home should be your oasis away from the rest of the world. It’s the one place that should restore you, support you, and reflect who you are.
Because of that, design decisions should be made thoughtfully and with intention. When you treat your home with care and importance instead of an afterthought, the space becomes more than beautiful. It becomes meaningful.
My advice to beginner interior designers is to invest in your foundation. Learn how to think through space, function, and problem-solving—not just how to make things look good. Be patient with the process, ask questions, and don’t rush the early stages of your career.
Just as important, learn the business side early. Understand contracts, communication, and boundaries, and value your time and expertise from the start. Talent grows with experience, but longevity comes from strong systems, continuous learning, and trusting your point of view.
That saying yes to everything, or overextending to keep clients happy, isn’t sustainable. The most meaningful growth came when I learned to trust my expertise, set expectations early, and protect both the creative vision and the business behind it. That shift not only improved my work but also led to better client relationships and stronger outcomes overall.
- Iconic Home by June Reese — A celebration of timeless interiors and the stories behind them as designed by Black interior designers.
- Crafted Kinship by Malene Barnett — A beautifully curated exploration of craft, community, and cultural legacy in design.
- The Interior Design Handbook by Frida Ramstedt — Practical, thoughtful guidance on making intentional design decisions for those interested in interior design.
My work will be featured in a new book called IN THE HOUSE, Celebrating America’s Leading Black Interior Designers by Alton LaDay. It features the work of 33 amazing designers and includes interviews exploring the Black experience in interior design. It’s currently available for pre-sale via Phaidon and will be released this June.
Thank you so much Beth, for this lovely interview!
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