design faq-s
Yes she does. The NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) certification has been the standard for interior designers for over 40 years. It signals that a designer has the knowledge, skills, and professionalism clients can trust.
The exam covers a wide range of design topics—from creating functional, safe spaces to implementing innovative solutions—and is updated regularly to reflect current industry standards. Passing it gives designers an edge, showing they can handle projects of all scales with competence and confidence. https://www.cidq.org/about-cidq/what-is-interior-design/
Amy Lentz is the co-owner and lead designer at Mod + Liv with over 20 years of experience across residential, commercial, institutional, and hospitality design. She won’t say this herself, but she has a rare mix of industry depth, construction knowledge, and lived experience designing homes that actually work for families.
An NCIDQ-certified interior designer, she got her start in the multi-million dollar luxury home market in San Diego after graduating from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. She then went on to serve as a designer on major civic projects—schools, libraries, and university buildings—for an architectural firm in Colorado. She also holds a minor in construction management, which means she speaks the same language as trades and builders (and yes, sometimes that means showing up with a six-pack to get a complex tile pattern installed correctly).
As a previous design studio owner, Amy stepped into architectural design for residential projects—creating high-impact homes without the cost of full architectural services when the budget didn’t justify it. In the first year of doing this work, she won every major award in the 2019 Parade of Homes. And she designs from lived experience: no one lays out a laundry room like a mother of four.
Amy works across all budget levels—elevating modest remodels, maximizing mid-range projects, and going big when the budget allows. She leads with strong aesthetic direction, color mastery, and a deep sense of function and flow.
She has designed everything from homes to restaurants, student spaces, retail environments, and hospitality concepts, and she and Steven have completed dozens of remodels both personally and professionally. Optimizing space is second nature to her.
- Client indecision. A good designer will save you a lot of money. You have to trust them if they are the right one. They have been doing this a while and know where to get the “best bang for the buck”. Where to cut and where to spend. Tile… always spend on tile.
- Dream within parameters. If you have a $1million dollar home, it might not be best to be obsessing over a $12,000 front entry door. Being realistic up front keeps from having to revisit design selections when budget realities set in.
- There are many ways to get great design within a budget. Select things that are on par with the value, potential value of a home and the neighborhood. Sometimes on a personal level we will splurge on a special item and save some where else.
- Lean on your designer for reality with design and budgets. This is what they do every day.
Hire the right designer—and get out of their way.
A good designer notices all the things you didn’t even think about. If you don’t trust them, keep looking. Ask questions, but don’t micromanage—your project will move faster, cost less, and look way better if you let them do their thing.
What we expect from clients: Help us capture your vision in the beginning—drawings, photos, mood boards. After that, step back, relax, and watch the magic happen. Trust us: the less you try to control the details, the better the end result.
Our goal is to capture your design vision and direction. During the programming phase we use drawings, photos mood boards to create the guide rails of which all decisions are made. Once the guide rails are up and your vision is captured, step back, enjoy the process and trust your designer. You will love imaginative and final product that creative freedom will bring to your project.
Interior design is more technical than most people realize. At Mod + Liv, our process follows the industry standard phases:
- Programming – Understanding your goals, needs, and priorities.
- Conceptual/Schematic Design (SD) – Exploring ideas and early design directions.
- Design Development (DD) – Refining layouts, materials, and finishes.
- Construction Documentation (CD) – Creating detailed drawings and specifications for builders.
- Construction Administration (CA) – Supporting the project through construction to ensure the design is executed as intended.
Not every project needs exhaustive details. Sometimes a focused presentation, pricing, and a few meetings with a trusted builder are enough. For larger projects—like a hotel remodel with multiple parties and historical considerations—detailed plans are crucial to avoid miscommunication, mistakes, and unexpected costs.
We tailor the level of detail to each project, ensuring clarity without unnecessary complexity.
Decision fatigue is real—especially when there are a thousand directions you could take. That’s where a designer helps.
At Mod + Liv, we take your ideas, priorities, and vision, and narrow the options down to a manageable, thoughtful selection. You get clarity without overwhelm—and a design that actually works.
YES and for good reason. Painting a room or a whole house is a big investment, and picking the wrong color can be frustrating to live with every day. It is very nuanced.
Benjamin Moore has over 3500 paint colors...
A professional designer with years of experience can help you choose colors that work with your light, your layout, and your style—so you end up with a space you love, not one that keeps you up at night.
Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling a classic, almost anything is possible with thoughtful design.
We consider both beauty and function: How should the kitchen flow? Is a double oven practical? What’s the best layout for the work triangle? Does a counter-depth refrigerator make sense?
Good design balances style, usability, and the realities of your space. With the right guidance, you can have a home that’s both stunning and livable.
Great question.
Interior designers work on the technical, professional side of things. Their training covers architecture, space planning, building codes, and construction—some programs even call it Interior Architecture to reflect the depth of the work.
Interior decorators focus on styling, finishing touches, and staging. They’re fantastic at what they do, but they don’t handle the technical side of design.
No—interior designers don’t mind decorators, we just don’t want to be called one. We love decorators—but it’s a different skill set.
Creating a space that feels timeless is harder than it looks—especially if you haven’t spent years watching trends come and go. Many homes, offices, and hospitality spaces end up out of date within a decade, or even look dated the moment they’re finished.
The key is to work with the architectural style of your building and choose materials and finishes that are durable, cost-effective, and classic. Thoughtful selections now mean you’ll enjoy your space for years to come—without expensive or frustrating remodels.
At Mod + Liv, we guide clients through this process, helping you make decisions that stand the test of time.
Yes… kind of.
TV shows make design look instant and effortless—but real projects don’t happen in 45 minutes. Supply chain delays, unavailable materials, and long lead times mean you often have to pivot. What looks simple on screen can be complicated in real life.
The best way to avoid frustration is to ask your designer or contractor questions and set realistic expectations. Trust the process, and remember: good design takes time, planning, and flexibility.
Almost… maybe.
A few years ago, the Discovery Channel approached us about a show. During the interviews, it became clear: we just weren’t dramatic enough. And that’s okay. We don’t want to add drama to your project. Our goal is to be a stabilizing, thoughtful, and reliable guide throughout the design process.
Good interior design doesn’t involve crises or drama—it’s a lot of creativity, planning, and careful decision-making. The finished space usually looks amazing, but the process isn’t exactly TV-worthy.
flower faq-s
A better question might be: Why not?
Good taste and design are in everything Amy does. She worked in flower shops in high school and college, has always loved flowers, and has a lifelong passion for design and retail. Blending these loves into one business felt natural—and fun.
Flower longevity depends on type, conditions, and sourcing. At Mod + Liv, we keep our blooms as fresh as possible in a high-end, specialized floral cooler.
Even better, we grow a large portion of our own flowers from March through October, which allows us to harvest daily. More time in the sun and soil means healthier, longer-lasting flowers than those sitting in a cooler for days
- Change the water frequently – Every two days is ideal to remove bacteria and keep flowers hydrated.
- Add flower food (optional) – Helps extend the life of your blooms.
- Trim the stems – Cut a small amount off the bottom when changing the water to keep them absorbing properly.
Keep them cool – Place your bouquet in a cool spot, away from direct sunlight, heat, and ripening fruit. Ethylene gas from fruit can cause flowers to age faster.
Yes! We use our 5 acre property to grow as many blooms as possible, bringing you the freshest, most vibrant local flowers around. Bellingham’s climate is perfect for growing, and we love making the most of it.
Write a complete answer to the most frequent questions that your customers might have, such as important product information, shipping policies, payment issues or returns.
Yes! At Mod + Liv, we live by the credo: “a rising tide raises all ships.” We have strong relationships with other local farmers and florists, and the market Field to Floral was created when it became clear that flowers were being shipped to Seattle only to be bought and brought back to Bellingham—a huge waste.
The market now exists to meet local needs and support a thriving, sustainable floral community. You can learn more at www.fieldtofloral.com.
Life has its ebbs and flows, and for Amy, flower farming began during a low point. She’s always had a passion for flowers, and moving to Bellingham opened up endless possibilities. Over the past few years, she’s honed her skills and developed a truly unstoppable passion.
Her enthusiasm even rubbed off on her 10-year-old son, who loves to help in the fields. Last year, Amy was surprised to see a new color of hydrangea appear—and her son proudly claimed, “Oh yeah, I cross-pollinated that.”