Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas began her career in the design field in 1991 after studying interior design in Miami.
Growing up in the U.S. Virgin Islands, her projects have spanned from coast to coast, including the Caribbean. Today, Rojas is the principal designer of Interiors by Design, a full service residential and commercial interior design firm serving the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
Interiors by Design is known for its thoughtful blend of color, pattern and texture, taking a boutique approach to full-service interior design projects that uniquely express the homeowner’s style with custom furnishings and curated collections. Rojas and her elite team of designers handle every aspect of the interior design process — from beginning to end, concept to launch.
“Successful design projects and satisfied customers are our best calling cards and advertisements,” she says. “Working with a designer in your home is an intimate experience, and I want my clients to feel good in their spaces. These spaces are where their lives takes place, and they should love it.”
Interiors by Design focuses heavily on connecting and collaborating with clients throughout the design stages. As a result, the process leads to one-of-a-kind interiors that reflect each client’s unique tastes and lifestyle, boasting tasteful luxury and innovation with every detail.
“Communication between clients and the designer is essential to the success of every design project,” Rojas says. “Listening to your client’s vision and their intended use of the space sets the foundation for the style and curated design process. Customer satisfaction is the cornerstone of our business.”
The Interiors by Design team works closely with each client to create a custom design that combines both the client’s needs and design desires, and the group’s signature style. According to Rojas, much of her design business is also repeat business with existing customers, second homes and customer referrals.
“As Covid-19 approached and left all of us in a state of uncertainty, I had clients that started working from their homes in a shared office,” she says. “Listening to their needs and how they work daily was vital in making a beautiful and functional space. We try to translate our client’s design ideas into reality by enhancing their everyday life through a unique and custom design.”
One element that has brought a tremendous amount of growth to Rojas’ career were the fusions of her cultures as a West Indian American, and how that is represented in her designs and diverse clientele. She says these influences helped lead to her being recognized as one of the top 20 African American designers.
“These two things together have set my work apart due to its uniqueness,” she says. “Working with young designers and helping with their growth and knowledge in this industry is a significant milestone, as well as cultivating my fantastic team, whom I couldn’t do without.”
Key elements that also define the Interiors by Design aesthetic, according to Rojas, are “functional, timeless, transitional, sophisticated and sustainable.” Her commitment to customer service and designing homes in line with the client’s lifestyle and vision is unwavering.
Incorporating elements such as open meeting spaces and modern technology can also enhance functionality while promoting teamwork and efficiency.
“When it comes to 3D design play, clients don’t always see the big picture; that is where a 3D rendering really changes the game. It allows the client to understand the entire project in a digestible way.”
As for the future of Interiors by Design, Rojas is enthusiastic about a new partnership with a builder and the fruitful projects of 2024. Her journey of evolution and innovation is far from over, and the world of interior design can expect more designs and client-focused excellence in the years to come.
“Evolution is a process that takes time,” she says. “Over the years, I have worked to stay true to my clients and be thoughtful about the longevity of pieces. Tastes change and grow, and I am still evolving, too.”
