What happens when beautifully coordinated interiors collide with crooked walls, rogue sprinkler lines, and “it wasn’t in the drawings”? 

In Part 2 of their conversation with interior designer Emilie Diggs, Brian and Alex head to the job site. From soffit surprises and non-square existing walls to fire protection “no-fly zones,” foam-core mockups, and final punch lists, they unpack how interiors can either rescue a project in the field or get sidelined until it’s too late. 

If you’ve ever walked a site and thought, “This is not what we designed,” this episode is for you.

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Show Notes 

Chapter 1 – Soffits, Surprises, and Spatial Squeeze Plays 

• Existing walls that aren’t square, plumb, or level and the question of who truly owns layout control 

• When you can’t move structure and must solve problems through finishes and detailing 

• The importance and subtle details of mock-ups 

• “Silent” design drivers and clashes with design features. 

Chapter 2 – Welcome to the Waiting Room of Broken Promises 

• Invite interiors to the punch. 

• Closing out complex FF&E Packages 

• Warranty nightmares 

Key Takeaways 

• Interior designers must be involved throughout construction, not just at the end 

• Existing conditions, especially in renovations, can break a design if no one owns layout control 

• Fire protection, ceilings, and “no-fly zones” demand tight coordination with interiors 

• Mockups can prevent massive change orders and workflow failures 

• Early site visits by interiors catch issues (blocking, outlets, finishes) that are nearly impossible to fix later 

• Clear communication, documentation, and structured choices help guide owners and keep design intent intact