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Conversations with Eline Dilley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eline Dilley.

Hi Eline, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Ever since I was young, I dreamed of becoming an interior designer with my own firm. That passion made it easy for me to choose my educational path. I was born and raised in the Netherlands, where I started at a technical school in Rotterdam. From there, I pursued my bachelor’s degree in Belgium and continued my studies at design and architecture universities in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Texas, granting me a unique style as well as experience.

During my senior year, I did an exchange program at the University of North Texas which turned out to be life-changing in more ways than one. I met my husband there, and over the next few years, I found myself traveling back and forth between Belgium and Texas, all while starting my first design firm in the Netherlands in the middle of the pandemic.

Eventually, I made the decision to immigrate to the U.S., and not long after receiving my work visa, I launched my second LLC: Lemoire Design. It’s been an exciting journey, full of challenges and growth.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been a challenge but I think that’s part of what makes the journey meaningful. One of the biggest challenges was starting and growing my business while living between two countries during the pandemic. At one point, I was managing projects in the Netherlands while also trying to build a life and future in the U.S., which came with a lot of uncertainty.

Immigration itself was another challenge. Navigating the legal process, adjusting to a new culture, and starting a business from scratch in a new country all required a lot of patience and resilience. There were moments of doubt, especially when things didn’t go as planned or moved slower than I hoped. But each setback pushed me to be more resourceful and flexible.

In the end, those tough moments helped me grow not just as a designer, but also as a business owner and person. They taught me to trust the process and stay focused on the bigger picture.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What sets me apart is the time and care I take to truly understand my clients, not just their space, but how they live and work in it. Whether it’s a residential or commercial project, I take the time to learn about daily routines, how the space is used, and what might be missing. That thoughtful approach, combined with my professional expertise, allows me to create designs that are not only beautiful but genuinely tailored to each client.

I specialize in residential interior design, with a strong focus on blending European elegance with modern functionality something that naturally comes from my multicultural background and education. I’m proud of the fact that each project I take on is different, because each client brings their own story and vision to the table. That collaboration is what makes the work so rewarding.

I don’t believe in rinse-and-repeat design. Every project is a fresh opportunity, approached with new vision and clear intention. I work with a wide range of design brands from both Europe and America, and in my personal time, I actively network with local and international artists and artisans. This helps me bring in truly unique pieces and custom touches creating interiors that no one else has, and that truly reflect the people or businesses behind them.

Whether designing a family home or a commercial space, I always aim to create something original, functional, and deeply personal.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding a mentor and building a strong professional network has been essential to my growth as a designer. I was privileged to work closely with a highly experienced mentor who has decades of expertise in the field. Over the course of more than a year, I learned immensely from her guidance and insight. Her mentorship helped me understand that the principles of design and professionalism I was trained in apply equally well in the U.S., which greatly reduced any uncertainty I had about working in a new environment.

Additionally, during my education, I completed over six internships, which were invaluable in shaping my understanding of different project types, work cultures, and client relations. These experiences allowed me to identify the environments and practices that best align with my approach.

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