Based in San Francisco, Heather Hilliard Design is known for crafting interiors that marry classic architectural detailing with the quiet confidence of modern restraint—spaces that feel collected, thoughtful, and rooted in place. Eschewing trends in favor of work that lasts, the firm crafts interiors that prioritize longevity, intelligence, and personal narrative.
Led by Principal Heather Hilliard, the firm has built a reputation as a leader in high-end residential and commercial residential design, working on large-scale new construction and renovation projects across the United States and abroad. With a refined sensibility shaped by art history, architecture, and craftsmanship, Heather Hilliard Design delivers interiors that honor tradition while remaining unmistakably current.
A Studio Defined by Craft, Context, and Continuity
Founded more than 16 years ago, Heather Hilliard Design (HHD) is a full-service boutique interior design firm with a 17-person team of interior designers, interior architectural designers, and project managers. The studio’s portfolio spans the San Francisco Bay Area, Wine Country, Lake Tahoe, Jackson Hole, New York City, Boston, and France, reflecting a practice that is both regionally grounded and globally informed.
Each project begins with a deep consideration of context—architecture, landscape, light, and location—ensuring that every interior feels intrinsically connected to its setting. Whether designing a traditional residence or a clean, modern home, the firm approaches each space with an emphasis on scale, proportion, and material integrity.
Heather Hilliard Design is particularly adept at the ability to layer:
- Classic architectural elements
- Contemporary furnishings and materials
- Antiques and vintage pieces
- Custom designs crafted by local and international artisans
The result is interiors that feel sophisticated yet lived-in, timeless rather than time-bound.
Designing with Intention and Collaboration
Heather Hilliard personally leads every project, beginning with in-depth conversations that shape a highly tailored design experience. The studio believes that true creativity emerges once practical goals—such as budget, schedule, and scope—are clearly defined and aligned.
From there, HHD designs all interior architectural elements, including custom millwork, lighting, fixtures, finishes, furnishings, and decorative details. The firm works closely with architects, landscape architects, craftsmen, artists, and builders, viewing each project as a collaborative effort that reflects the voice of the client, the specificity of the site, and the studio’s refined design language.
Trusted relationships with furniture makers, upholsterers, seamstresses, millworkers, metalworkers, cabinetmakers, installers, and art and antique dealers around the world allow the firm to execute highly customized interiors at the highest level of craftsmanship.
While grounded in traditional design methodologies—such as AutoCAD drafting—the studio also utilizes advanced tools, including photorealistic 3D renderings, giving clients the opportunity to experience imagined spaces during the design development phase.
An Art-Driven Foundation
Heather Hilliard’s work is deeply informed by her academic and professional background in art history and contemporary art. She earned her BA in Art History and worked at both the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute of Contemporary Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art before pursuing her MFA in Interior Architecture and Design.
Her studies took her to London, where she focused on the history of modern architecture and design, and to Paris, where she studied aesthetics and the Renaissance. Additional post-baccalaureate studies at Drexel University, UC Berkeley, and Stanford University further shaped her multidisciplinary approach.
Heather founded her firm in 2008 after serving as a Senior Designer at established San Francisco and East Coast design studios. Having lived in San Francisco for more than 25 years, she continues to draw inspiration from the city’s history, culture, and creative energy.
Recognition and Industry Leadership
Heather Hilliard Design has been widely recognized by leading publications, including Architectural Digest, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Galerie, Elle Décor, Town & Country, Luxe Interiors + Design, The Local Project and more. The firm has earned Luxe Red Awards, multiple placements on the Luxe Gold List, and is a current member of the AD PRO Directory.
Heather has participated in the San Francisco Decorator Showcase across nine years and remains actively involved in major art and design institutions. She is a Patron Member of SFMOMA and the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, a Sponsor Member of the de Young Museum and Legion of Honor, and an active member of ASID, AIIA, Design Leadership Network (DLN), Vistage, and other influential organizations.
A Timeless Point of View
At its core, Heather Hilliard Design is defined by restraint, refinement, and respect for history—without nostalgia. Each interior reflects a thoughtful balance between past and present, art and architecture, beauty and function.
Art-forward. Timeless. Intentionally designed.
This measured, enduring approach has positioned Heather Hilliard Design as a leader within the national and international luxury design landscape.