Interior designer · Louisville, KY · reviewed since 2019
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%95+55.8Reliability 26%96+25Value 15%83+12.6Craft & service penalty97−0.3Experts Score= 93Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.93SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#147 of 236 interior designersiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 38%
5.0★★★★★29 Google reviews
97%five-star reviews
0%1–2★, last 20 reviewsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Design Theory Interior Design and Home Decor at a glance
Google reviewers rate Design Theory Interior Design and Home Decor five stars based on twenty-nine reviews, noting the owner responded to twenty-four percent of comments. Clients describe the firm as professional, responsive, and punctual, highlighting effective communication and adherence to budgets during new construction, remodels, and staging projects. Recurring themes include the team's ability to translate client visions into finished spaces and the availability of a physical store for home decor accessories. No consistent pattern of criticism appears in the provided excerpts.
Google rating: 5.0 out of 5 from 29 reviews (97% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 29 Google reviews (25 with written comments, 3 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 24% of reviews.
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: craft & service and reliability; weakest: value.
This companyInterior Designers median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Design Theory Interior Design and Home Decor: 95/100 on this factor. Category median: 96.A
95
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Design Theory Interior Design and Home Decor: 96/100 on this factor. Category median: 95.A
96
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Design Theory Interior Design and Home Decor: 97/100 on this factor. Category median: 97.A
97
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Design Theory Interior Design and Home Decor: 83/100 on this factor. Category median: 95.A
83
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 100.–
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Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 79.–
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Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
29 Google reviews we collected
5.0of 5
5 stars2897%
4 stars13%
3 stars00%
2 stars00%
1 star00%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 25 written reviews
100%praise
Praise33100%
Complaints00%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
6topics
Would recommend1236%
Staff & attitude1133%
Speed & response412%
Honesty & trust39%
Communication26%
Quality & results13%
What customers talk about
We read 25 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Would absolutely recommend and couldn’t imagine going through this process without her.”
“During this process she is professional and our clients comment that they could not have made all the decisions without her guidence.”
“They were super responsive, were mindful of budgets, and stuck with the described aesthetic we were going for.”
“I felt like she had my back throughout the process and I just trusted her guidance which made everything easier.”
“They were very responsive, easy to communicate with, and we completed the project in a very timely manner (despite COVID-19).”
“Their upbeat attitudes and eye for design are top notch!”
People customers mention
Stage14 reviews
Karista8 reviews
Set7 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
CChristyLocal Guide · 24 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
Cannot reccomend Set the Stage team enough! Karista and Summer have been absolutely amazing to work with. Summer pays attention to all the detail and has made my new construction feel like a welcoming home. She has went above & beyond to make every single thing perfect! You all made everything from start to finish a breeze!
LLily5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
Set the Stage Crew is amazing! Josie and Summer really took the time to go over a business space to help us stage. They were super responsive, were mindful of budgets, and stuck with the described aesthetic we were going for. I am already working with them on another business space.
Ssara12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 years ago★★★★★
We have had the pleasure of working with Karista for a couple years now and she is fantastic. Her team has also helped on a special home project and they were awesome. Karista has worked with our clients as they make selections on thier new home and she has an amazing talent to take their style and preferences…
LLevi2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 years ago★★★★★
Hands down the best in the business! I use Karista w/ Set The Stage on all my New Construction homes, remodels flip houses annd my personal house. I couldn’t be happier with both the selections and customer service. Highly recommend!
JJill4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 years ago★★★★★
I worked with Karista on a new home build and am using Set the Stage furniture and accents almost exclusively in our new home. Karista has made the selection process for a new build so incredibly easy. She has a fantastic eye towards design, helped me make hard decisions, kept me on budget and ensured my visions…
TTom12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 years ago★★★★★
I have been using Set The Stage for six years now. We won 9 out of 10 awards in Homearama 2018 in Louisville, KY. Tom Waller Signature Homes would not have won these without the help of Set The Stage.
Tom Waller
Cannot reccomend Set the Stage team enough! Karista and Summer have been absolutely amazing to work with. Summer pays attention to all the detail and has made my new construction feel like a welcoming home. She has went above & beyond to make every single thing perfect! You all made everything from start to finish a breeze!
Response from the owner · a year ago
Christy-we enjoyed helping you with your home and we are so happy you love everything! You and your husband were a joy to work with. Can’t wait to take pictures!
J
Jenniffer Breitenstein11 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Jenniffer has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Set the Stage Crew is amazing! Josie and Summer really took the time to go over a business space to help us stage. They were super responsive, were mindful of budgets, and stuck with the described aesthetic we were going for. I am already working with them on another business space.
Response from the owner · a year ago
Thanks so much for the positive feedback! We are so happy you are thrilled!
S
sara brown12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews sara has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We have had the pleasure of working with Karista for a couple years now and she is fantastic. Her team has also helped on a special home project and they were awesome. Karista has worked with our clients as they make selections on thier new home and she has an amazing talent to take their style and preferences and weave them in to a beautiful finished product. During this process she is professional and our clients comment that they could not have made all the decisions without her guidence. Karista and her team at Set the Stage have been a valuable partner!!
Response from the owner · a year ago
Sara, thanks so much for your kind works! I really enjoy working with you and all of your clients!
L
Levi Wooldridge2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Levi has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Hands down the best in the business! I use Karista w/ Set The Stage on all my New Construction homes, remodels flip houses annd my personal house. I couldn’t be happier with both the selections and customer service. Highly recommend!
J
Jill Soderquist4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Jill has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I worked with Karista on a new home build and am using Set the Stage furniture and accents almost exclusively in our new home. Karista has made the selection process for a new build so incredibly easy. She has a fantastic eye towards design, helped me make hard decisions, kept me on budget and ensured my visions could come to life through each little detail. I felt like she had my back throughout the process and I just trusted her guidance which made everything easier. Would absolutely recommend and couldn’t imagine going through this process without her.
Response from the owner · a year ago
Jill, we are so happy you love your new home!
T
Tom Waller12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Tom has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I have been using Set The Stage for six years now. We won 9 out of 10 awards in Homearama 2018 in Louisville, KY. Tom Waller Signature Homes would not have won these without the help of Set The Stage.
Tom Waller
B
bob holtgrave10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews bob has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We are currently building a new house and we are using Karista/Set the Stage as our interior designer. Our experience with Karista has been fantastic. She has made the process and very enjoyable. She takes the time to understand what type of decor that you want and caters all of her guidance and recommendations to ensure your satisfaction. She is very professional, pleasant, and fun. I would highly recommend Karista.
R
Rebecca Blackburn2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Rebecca has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Karista and her team are the best of the best! They are always friendly and professional. I am so grateful for Karista's talent. She has created a beautiful space in my home and both of my businesses. I highly recommend Set The Stage. ⭐️
C
Cindy KnasterLocal Guide · 13 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Cindy has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
My husband and I really enjoyed working with Karista and her team when we built our custom designed home last year. They were SO easy to work with! We had never built a new home before and I was a little nervous about the process of choosing all the various design components. During our first meeting, Karista took the time to talk through the selection process, her role and understand our vision. Her advice and assistance was invaluable and really contributed to making our dream home a beautiful reality. She was patient with us when we struggled to make decisions on some of our selections and willingly offered her guidance when asked. We really enjoy our home and are constantly amazed at how it all turned out! The interior/exterior is cohesive, warm. and welcoming. Just as we envisioned. We simply could not have accomplished it without her and her team. I continue to visit the Set the Stage shop in Norton Commons to add seasonal touches and Karista is always willing to assist when I have questions regarding any additional design selections. If you are looking to update your current home interior or looking to buy/build a new home, I highly recommend Karista and Set the Stage! Or, if you are just looking to add a few pieces to your home, I would encourage you to stop by the shop, you won't be disappointed!
