Stacy McCarthy Design

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Stacy McCarthy Design

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Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer & Certified Interior Designer, providing design solutions.

Stacy McCarthy is a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer, Certified Interior Designer providing design solutions for busy lives. With a background in architecture and disaster restoration, Stacy and the team understand the complexity a chaotic situation holds and bring compassion and decisive skills and design documents to settle the soul. Stacy is also the National Kitchen and Bath Association President for the South Florida Chapter, a national speaker, Brand Ambassador, Philanthropist and an accredited CEU Provider. The team works nationwide remotely and in person in South Florida.

10/08/2026

We entered this profession because we love design.

We love the transformation, the materials, the problem solving and the moment when all the individual decisions finally come together. But somewhere between the beautiful concept and the finished project, there is another side of the profession that we cannot afford to ignore: the business.

Understanding profitability, contracts, purchasing, project timelines, cash flow and the true cost of our time may not be the most exciting part of being a designer, but it determines whether we can continue doing the work we love.

One of the things I wish more designers understood is that being good at design and being good at running a design business are two different skill sets.

You can be extraordinarily talented and still undercharge. You can have a full project schedule and still not be profitable. You can be busy every day and still be building a business that is not sustainable.

None of that means you are not a good designer. It means there are parts of the business you still need to learn.

The good news is that business skills can be developed. You don't need to become an accountant or a financial expert. However, you do need to understand your numbers well enough to know what your time is worth, what your projects actually cost and whether the decisions you are making today are helping you build the practice you want tomorrow.

Creativity may be what brings people to your door. A healthy business is what allows you to keep opening it.

If you are a designer, what is one business skill you wish you had learned earlier in your career?

Share it in the comments. You may help another designer who is learning the same lesson right now 💙✨

10/07/2026

How do you keep your own voice as a designer without making every project look like you?

It is a question I think many experienced designers eventually face. We spend years developing our eye and building a recognizable point of view, but our clients don't hire us to recreate our portfolio. They hire us to help them create a home that reflects their lives.

The challenge is finding the space between those two things: bringing our expertise, perspective and creative conviction to the project while leaving enough room for the client to recognize themselves in the finished design.

I explored that balance in my latest article, "Designing in Your Own Voice Without Drowning Out Your Client’s”( You can check it out here 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-mccarthy/ )

Your signature doesn't have to be a particular aesthetic. It can be the way you listen, the questions you ask, the problems you anticipate and the way you turn a client's needs into possibilities.

Sometimes, the best design is the one where your influence is felt without being the loudest voice in the room.

Read the full article and let me know: How do you protect your design voice while making space for your client's?

09/30/2026

When the insurance check arrives after a major loss, flood, or fire, it feels like the end of a long journey. But as many homeowners quickly realize, the real decisions are just beginning.

Trying to pick out flooring, kitchen layouts, lighting placement, and cabinetry while dealing with displacement can feel completely overwhelming.

Rebuilding does not have to mean recreating what was there before. It can be a rare opportunity to rethink how your home functions for your family's daily life right now.

We help bring clarity to the selection process, turning a mountain of choices into a clear, thoughtful master plan.

Read our latest article on navigating post-loss decisions and moving from basic restoration to feeling at home again.

👉🏻 www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-mccarthy

09/25/2026

This Friday, September 25th, marks 15 years since my dad passed.

It is still hard to believe, but the memories of this beautiful, funny man only grow stronger with time. I used to call him "Popsicle" because he was the ultimate cool dad! 😂💙

The pain of loss changes over the years, but the love never fades. Recently, while handling some of his belongings, I caught his scent and completely lost it. But a moment later, while driving, thinking of him brought a sudden burst of laughter and joy.

It reminded me that it is not about the physical items. It is his legacy living through us, along with my grandmother’s wit and love. I see their features when I look in the mirror, and I see their humor and love shining through my children.

We never truly lose the people we love. We carry them with us, honor them in our daily lives, and keep their legacy alive in our homes.

For anyone out there who is currently walking through loss or carrying a heavy heart: I see you, and I am sending you so much warmth. Grief has no timeline, and I hope you can give yourself grace today.

Love you always, Popsicle! 🕊️✨

09/24/2026

Sometimes, the dream life does not look like having everything figured out.

It looks like laughing until your cheeks hurt, filling your calendar with things you love, finding new projects that light you up, and having the health to enjoy it all. It looks like being surrounded by good people, making memories, and enjoying a little magic along the way ✨

While looking for an old picture recently, I found this one of myself standing by an English phone booth (is it really English if it was at ? 😂), and it really made me stop and think. There was a time when we were not constantly reachable. We could step away from the noise and have a real conversation without distractions.

Being present actually meant being present!

In my work as The Emergency Designer, I help people navigate life’s unexpected turns, loss, and major changes. I know firsthand that the path takes twists we never planned for. But happiness does not ask for perfection. It just asks us to notice what is good while we are living it.

Wherever you are reading this today, I hope you take a moment to pause, look around, and take a breath.

What is one thing you are grateful for right now? 💙✨

09/22/2026

When looking through old photos, it is surprising to see how early the seeds of a career were planted 📸✨ Seeing that picture of my 18 year old self on a pageant stage in Rocklin, shy and terrified, I was reminded of how I had already declared my dream to become an architectural interior designer 📐🛋️

Looking back now, that moment was the starting point of a path that evolved into something much bigger than traditional kitchen and bath layouts.

Over 25 years later, as a Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer (CMKBD) and Certified Interior Designer (CID), that early dream took a specialized, deeply meaningful turn. Today, I work as "The Emergency Designer," bridging the critical gap between disaster recovery and true home restoration 🏡💙

When a family experiences a fire, flood, or major property loss, the restoration contractor focuses on rebuilding the physical structure. But right after receiving a settlement, homeowners are suddenly buried under hundreds of overwhelming decisions regarding layouts, cabinetry, plumbing, finishes, and lighting 📋🌪️ That is where I step in.

Instead of simply restoring a house back to its previous state, my goal is to guide families through trauma informed decision making. Rebuilding presents a rare opportunity to rethink the space, turning chaos into comfort so the home functions better for the future than it ever did before ✨

Recognized as a 2025 KBDN Innovator and appointed to the NKBA Global Connect Advisors team, I work alongside public adjusters, restoration contractors, custom builders, and families navigating major life transitions 🤝🏆

Sometimes, 18-year-old dreams do come true, they just grow to serve a much greater purpose along the way.

To the public adjusters, contractors, and professionals guiding families through property recovery: how do you help your clients navigate decision fatigue during a major rebuild? 💬👇

09/18/2026

Who says an Emergency Designer only handles design emergencies? Apparently, I’m also available for pit stops! 🏎️🛠️

During my last visit to Ohio, I had the chance to change a tire on an F1 racing car. I’m not sure what was more fun: getting my hands on the tools or pretending I was part of the pit crew!

But honestly, there is something I love about being thrown into an unexpected situation and figuring it out. Maybe that is why the Emergency Designer in me was having so much fun.

And a huge thank you to my daughter for filming, cheering, and being my personal hype woman. Every good adventure is better with someone you love in your corner. ❤️

All-terrain mom mode: activated! 💁🏼‍♀️💙✨

09/17/2026

Just a little peek into an absolutely beautiful week with Schlabach Wood Design, our wonderful hosts in Amish Country. 💙

The drive into the area was stunning. Rolling hills, beautiful farms, open fields, and a landscape that felt like an invitation to slow down and really notice where you are.

From the moment I arrived at Schlabach, I was surrounded by incredible hospitality. The days that followed were full from very early mornings to late evenings, with workshops, learning, showroom tours, conversations, and so many wonderful connections.

One of the highlights for me was finally seeing the Schlabach showroom nearly completed. I had the privilege of advising on the space planning, entry, and flow of the experience, and seeing it come together was incredibly rewarding. So many people contributed to the finished space, and it was a true team effort.

And then there was the opportunity to share a traditional meal with Amish families who welcomed us so graciously into their homes. I am intentionally sharing very few photographs of our hosts out of respect for their traditions, but the experience itself is something I will remember for a very long time.

There was so much beauty in this week, not only in the surroundings, but in the generosity, craftsmanship, community, and connections we experienced.

I am incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to be part of two amazing events in just one week. It has been inspiring in ways I am still processing.

This is just a peek. I’ll be sharing more soon, including some of the thoughts this adventure has sparked for me.

Keep an eye out for my next LinkedIn article. I have a lot more to share. 💙

09/15/2026

I have to say, New Orleans was amazing.

When I attended NKBA Women to Women last year, I came as an attendee. This year, I had the incredible honor of being invited back as one of the Advisors for the fifth anniversary celebration. I knew I was walking into something special, but I don't think I could have anticipated just how extraordinary the experience would be.

From the very beginning, it was the people who made it so memorable. I had the opportunity to spend time with an incredible group of women, our speakers, the other Advisors, and the wonderful sponsors who helped make the experience possible. Ferguson Home, Maxim Lighting, Lutron Electronics, and Café Appliances were all such an important part of what made the retreat feel so generous and thoughtfully put together.

And then came the home tours.

I thought we were simply going on an architectural tour, so imagine my surprise when we had the opportunity to visit Tara Shaw's actual home. It was stunning. Then we headed to the French Quarter to visit Patrick Dunn's home, where he and his partner welcomed us with ch*****ne and opened their home to us.

What stayed with me about Patrick's home was not simply how beautiful it was. It felt deeply personal. Every detail seemed to tell a story, and every square inch felt like an expression of love. It didn't feel like we were walking through a luxury magazine. It felt like we were being welcomed into someone's life.

That feeling carried through the rest of the experience.

We came together for cocktails, reconnected with everyone at the reception, laughed our way through the walk-around photo booth, and even had our auras read by Maxim. The next day was packed with incredible speakers and conversations, including our opening keynote from my dear friend Cheryl Fimelle Dixon, who absolutely nailed it, and the Advisor panel with Patty Gonzalez from Cosentino, which I was honored to be part of.

And then New Orleans surprised us again.

We thought we were going to watch a parade.

We were the parade!

We were whisked away, dressed up, waved to, photographed, and celebrated as we made our way through the city. From there, we continued on to Antoine's for another wonderful evening, followed by a Mardi Gras experience and an incredible dinner.

By the time our closing speakers, Kate Kelly Smith and Patty Dominguez, brought the experience to a close, I was already wishing we had more time.

Because the real gift of Women to Women wasn't just everything we got to see and do. It was the opportunity to slow down enough to connect with other women in our industry, to learn from one another, celebrate one another, and be reminded of how much stronger we are when we create space for each other.

Thank you to for an unforgettable fifth anniversary Women to Women experience, and to Home, Appliances, Electronics, and Lighting for helping make it possible.

And to every woman who shared this experience with me, thank you for the conversations, the laughter, the generosity, and the inspiration.

I came home renewed, empowered, and encouraged.

And honestly, it was very hard to leave. 💙

Address

Palm Beach, FL
33480

Website

https://www.stacymccarthy.design/

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