She Makes A Hard Hat Look Good: Meet DC Designer All-Star Erica Burns

Behind the Drapery

This week we continue in our series that I affectionately call The DC Designers All-Star Tour. Where you get to meet the most in-demand talent and hear their untold stories from behind the scenes with some of the best designers I know in our nation’s capital.

Today we welcome interior designer, Erica Burns.

Erica is uniquely positioned as a designer who rose from the ranks in commercial and residential construction.

Originally from the Southeast, Erica graduated from the University of Florida’s College of Design, Construction & Planning. She began her career in the construction industry, eventually finding her niche in residential design. Drawing on her strong understanding of the construction process, Erica is well-equipped to guide clients in selecting every detail, from plumbing fixtures and door hardware to furniture and window treatments. Her involvement throughout design and construction brings efficiency to the process and ensures that the interior elements are seamlessly integrated with the home's architecture.

We chatted about her personal career path that led to the founding of her eponymous design firm, Erica Burns Interiors.

With over a decade of experience turning visions into reality, Erica Burns Interiors has quickly become one of Washington, DC’s leading residential design firms.

Through attention to detail and thoughtful editing, Erica and her team create homes that are timeless and classic, with a touch of the unexpected.

Today we dive into how her early experience in renovation and construction allowed for mutually beneficial partnerships and opportunities with DC’s top architectural firms. A dynamic relationship that exponentially benefits both the design team and the homeowner.

We dish on lingering client projects, the beauty of learning by doing and how she built her 7 person (and growing!) design team.

I’m excited for you to meet Erica, and get inspired as we talk about launching and growing her firm and what she sees for business 5 years ahead.

Mentioned in the episode:

• Couture Drapery | Hardware | Furniture - Gretchen Everett
• Thomson & Cooke Architects – Custom Residential Architecture Firm in Washington DC
• Erica Burns Interiors

Welcome to another episode of Behind the Drapery.