A smiling woman with blonde wavy hair wearing a beige blazer and jeans, sitting on a beige couch in a well-lit living room decorated with plants, flowers, and artwork.

Meet Jessica

A graduate of the Charleston School of Interior Design, Jessica Strimpfel combines technical education with over a decade of on site experience. Her work has been recognized on a national stage, most recently as a 2025 IDS National Award Winner in the luxury kitchen category. Jessica is a deeply involved leader within the design community, currently serving as the Membership Chair for IDS Charleston and maintaining active professional memberships with the NKBA, Charleston Home Builders Association, and the Charleston Palmetto Women Builders. Following a personal journey with long-term illness, Jessica became a passionate advocate for wellness focused design, prioritizing clean, sustainable, and non-toxic materials whenever possible. This commitment to a healthier home environment, combined with her volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity, defines her holistic approach to quality and compassion. Her style is a refined approach that is built on the belief that a home should be as restorative as it is beautiful, ensuring every project is executed with the highest standard of architectural integrity and environmental mindfulness.

A woman wearing a white shirt is working on a large flat surface, possibly in a workshop or studio. She is focused on her task, with her right hand holding an object or tool. Behind her, there is plastic sheeting and several black storage containers with yellow lids stacked on a shelf.

From the Shop Floor to the Drafting Table

The Foundation of an Investor

At twenty-one, I didn’t just buy a house; I bought an education in equity. After successfully flipping multiple properties into custom builds, I learned that design is the most powerful lever for a home’s value. I realized then that a home’s bones are its most important asset.

Floor plan of a house showing a primary bedroom, primary bath, kitchen, living area, closet, and powder room with various measurements.

A Builder-Literate Perspective

My design philosophy was forged in 2013 when I moved from the conceptual to the structural. Partnering with my husband-a master carpenter and Licensed Residential Builder-I spent years in the cabinet shop and on active job sites. I learned to read blueprints and implement plans from the perspective of the person holding the hammer. This era taught me that a designer must understand how a home is built before they can decide how it should look.

A woman is smiling while working on the installation of a cabinet in a room under renovation, surrounded by plastic sheeting and construction materials.

The Consultant’s Calling

Consulting By Design was born from a recurring need: homeowners and builders seeking an advocate who could solve technical hurdles before they became expensive mistakes. Today, I use that decade of mastery to curate enduring homes that prioritize feeling over trends and longevity over the temporary.

Kitchen countertop with wooden cabinets, green tile backsplash, small lamp, round cutting board, two artichokes on a wooden tray, and salt and pepper shakers, adjacent to a stove and a gold faucet.

Our Philosphy

We steer our clients through the complexities of construction to curate spaces that feel earned, intentional, and timeless. We believe a home should not reflect a trend, but a unique enduring vision that stands the test of time.