AI IS SHOWING UP in every corner of the design world. But while some see it as a threat to artistry, Devon Tobin, principal at Duet Design Group, sees something else entirely: creative opportunity. By integrating intelligent tools into the studio’s workflow, she’s expanding what clients can see, understand, and imagine—without losing the emotional intelligence that defines her approach. Here, she explains how AI fits into her process and why the human touch still leads.
Q: AI IS CHANGING EVERYTHING FROM HOW WE SHOP TO HOW WE SEARCH. HOW DO YOU SEE ITS ROLE IN INTERIOR DESIGN?
A: If you’ve opened the news lately, you’ve seen it: AI is everywhere. It’s in the way we search, the way we work, and even the way we shop. At Duet Design, we don’t see that as a threat to creativity — we see it as an opportunity to design smarter, serve our clients better, and continue raising the bar on what “full-service interior design” means.
Q: WHY ARE YOU EMBRACING AI INSIDE YOUR STUDIO?
A: For me, design has always been about clarity and vision. And while AI can’t (and shouldn’t) replace the human touch, it can give us sharper tools to get there. I believe in using technology where it adds value — freeing our team to focus on the craft, relationships, and decision-making that truly require human expertise.
Q: HOW DOES AI HELP YOU RESEARCH AND CURATE DESIGN OPTIONS?
A: Instead of losing hours tracking down product specifications or inspiration, AI tools allow us to sift through options quickly — so we can spend more time curating the right choices for each client.
Q: CAN AI IMPROVE HOW YOU TALK TO CLIENTS ABOUT BUDGETS?
A: We’re able to look at trends in past projects — like furnishings investment per square foot — and present that information clearly to clients at the start of a project. It takes the guesswork out of budgeting.
Q: HOW DOES AI CHANGE THE WAY CLIENTS VISUALIZE DESIGN IDEAS?
A: This is one of my favorite uses. With AI, we can take a flat, two-dimensional elevation and generate a rendering that looks almost as real as a photograph. We can apply a specific fabric to the exact furniture piece being proposed, or even take a client’s existing piece and show how it would look reimagined in their new design. It takes something that used to feel abstract and makes it instantly tangible.
Q: BEYOND TRADITIONAL INSPIRATION, HOW DOES AI INFLUENCE YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
A: In the past, design “inspiration” often came from what was already out there — images on Instagram, magazines, or the portfolios of other firms. While that has its place, I’ve never believed the best work comes from replicating someone else’s vision.
What excites me about AI is that it lets us create our own imagery. Instead of relying on someone else’s project to spark ideas, we can generate visuals that are truly unique to our clients, their homes, and our design vision. AI stretches the unimaginable into something imaginable. A bold fabric concept can be shown on the actual chair we’re proposing. A custom cabinet detail can be visualized as if it already exists. Entire rooms can be rendered in a way that feels as real as a photo — but unlike inspiration pulled from Pinterest, these images reflect our creativity and our client’s home. For me, that’s where AI becomes magical. It’s not about replacing design — it’s about expanding what’s possible, so clients can see and feel the originality of their project long before installation day.
Q: WHAT ROLE DOES AI PLAY IN PLANNING AND LOGISTICS?
A: From organizing meeting notes to mapping out schedules, AI helps us streamline logistics. That means fewer missed details and more bandwidth for design.
Q: WHAT DOES THIS INTEGRATED APPROACH MEAN FOR CLIENTS?
A: The benefit for our clients is simple: you get the best of both worlds. A team that uses the smartest tools available to work efficiently and clearly, while still designing homes that feel deeply personal, beautiful, and one-of-a-kind. AI helps us cut through the noise, visualize design in ways that feel real, and clarify complex ideas. But it’s our vision — and your story — that guide the design.
Q: ARE THERE AREAS WHERE AI WILL NEVER REPLACE HUMAN EXPERTISE?
A: AI will never replace the cornerstone tools of our trade — programs like Revit, AutoCAD, Photoshop, and InDesign. These remain the foundation of how we draft, document, and execute projects with precision.
And more importantly, AI will never replace what our clients trust us for: the emotional intelligence of design. AI can’t walk into your home and sense how you want it to feel. AI can’t read the nervous energy when a client worries about budget. AI can’t stand in a room and imagine the way light will move across the walls at different times of day. That’s our job. The artistry, restraint, and emotional intelligence that define Duet Design will always come from humans — not algorithms.
Q: WHAT’S YOUR TAKEAWAY ON AI IN INTERIOR DESIGN?
A: We’re not chasing every trend, and we’re certainly not handing over the reins to technology. But we are leaning into AI where it enhances our process, clarifies our communication, and even unlocks new ways to help our clients “see” their home before it’s built. For us, “intelligence” in design means more than just AI — it means using every tool available, human and digital, to create homes that are livable, lasting, and uniquely yours.
DUET DESIGN GROUP 720.712.2020 duetdesigngroup.com
