Curious about who’s influencing the world of interior design through the written word? From trend forecasters to investigative storytellers, the top interior design journalists are shaping the way we think about home decor. In this article, we’re highlighting the voices you need to know in the design world.
1. Amy Astley
Introducing one of the most influential reporting powerhouses in interior design: Amy Astley is the US Editor-in-Chief of Architectural Digest (AD) and the Global Editorial Director of the legendary interior design bible used by millions of people worldwide. Since 2016, Astley has turned the “Sleeping Beauty” publication into a cultural leader with collectible print editions and a star-studded YouTube series. Reflecting her ability to connect with modern audiences, her efforts have increased AD’s social media presence on Instagram and TikTok by 900%.
And her influential success doesn’t stop there; Amy also introduced the AD PRO Directory and AD PRO membership resource, which has given design professionals unmatched access to industry insights and a well-chosen list of AD-approved experts. If you’re keen to learn about design evolution over the past century from a voice of authority, Astley also penned a best-selling book, AD at 100: A Century of Style.
Pro Tip: Reading articles about different design styles can help you discover what resonates with you. If you’re still unsure of your style, take our Free Interior Design Style Quiz to find your perfect match today!
2. Anna Fixsen
As the Deputy Digital Editor of Elle Decor, Anna Fixsen is a major player among interior design journalists through editorial leadership and perceptive reporting. Fixsen has her finger on the pulse of everything interior design. When she’s not developing digital strategies or editing stories, she’s writing about the world’s most beautiful homes and stylish products, as well as the latest and hottest design and architecture trends.
Fixsen’s editorial record in architecture and interior design serves as proof of her status as a future-shaping industry voice. She’s previously worked in editorial roles at renowned companies like AD and contributed to famous publications like The New York Times Her rich background has given her a thorough awareness of design evolution, which helps her to spot and highlight newly emerging trends.
Fixsen’s articles, such as ‘Here Are the 2025 Academy Award Nominees for Best Production Design,’ draw connections between movie interiors and real-life home design, with Fixsen empowering readers to take inspiration from unexpected places. It explains how production design in film shapes the collective design consciousness, helping to forecast and influence trends through cultural storytelling.
3. Blair Donovan
Through her coverage of new styles, professional decorating advice, and highlighting of must-see home products and brands,
Small/Cool, Donovan’s design of a dorm room-themed venue for Apartment Therapy’s annual New York-based pop-up event in 2023 emphasized her creative approach to small-space living solutions.
4. Shivani Vyas
Shivani Vyas has secured her position among the elite interior design journalists influencing trends through her multifaceted career as both a practicing designer and a respected writer.
Vyas provides millions of readers with authoritative insights on design, decorating, and home improvement as an interior design specialist for Better Homes & Gardens, one of America’s most reputable home publications. As if that wasn’t enough, she also writes for several esteemed magazines, including People, Southern Living, Living Etc, and The Spruce, where she handles technical design concerns from space planning to renovation techniques.
Yet what truly distinguishes Vyas is her active role as senior interior designer and operations lead at The Selective Design, the boutique interior design studio she co-operates with Meredith McKenzie in Macon, Georgia. This hands-on design experience gives her journalism an authenticity and practical wisdom that’s unmatched and likely one of the reasons she’s been named among the Top 123 Interior Design Experts by Fixr for three consecutive years (2023-2025).
Vyas’ is also pursuing a residential interior design certification through the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, where she’s gaining advanced technical expertise in areas like AutoCAD, kitchen and bath systems, and lighting design.
5. Kate McGregor
As the Digital Editor at House Beautiful,
McGregor is also well-versed in creating commerce and search-optimized content and has done so for prestigious magazines like AD, Real Simple, and Domino for over half a decade. Before that, McGregor was tasked with finding the best brands and products in the market and speaking with up-and-coming designers about the latest developments as Assistant Market Editor at ELLE Decor.
McGregor’s bridges hospitality design with home inspiration in her piece “All of the Best Interior Design Is Happening in Restaurants Right Now.” She encourages readers to borrow bold ideas from dining spaces and demonstrates how residential aesthetics are influenced by commercial design.
6. Elise Taylor
Elise Taylor has been there, seen it all, and has the resume to prove it. She’s currently working at Vogue, the holy grail of all things style, as a senior living writer, distinguishing herself as one of the very best interior design journalists through her varied coverage of modern lifestyle aesthetics, from homes and travel to food, royalty, and weddings. Before embarking on her design career at Vogue, Taylor also shared her unique perspectives and opinions, contributing to the crème de la crème of design publicity, including Vanity Fair and The New York Times Magazine.
Taylor’s article “The Interior Design Trends to Know in 2025—And What’s on Its Way Out” consulted eleven top interior designers and identified a variety of future trends, particularly honing in on the comeback of Art Deco elements and the flame stitch pattern from the 17th century. Rather than offering a singular viewpoint, she curated a collective perspective from seasoned professionals across different aesthetics, regions, and specialties, helping her understand, shape, and share future trends.
7. Holly Reaney
Holly Reaney is renowned for her attentive approach to period homes and traditional interiors, carving out her industry niche.
She first worked as a features writer and sub-editor at Period Living magazine, where she specialized in period home ownership and renovation. Reaney’s deep dive into the past, whether that’s choosing historically appropriate windows to understanding the technicalities of extending heritage properties, has propelled her growth as a specialist on traditional design.
Her influence and knowledge in the design community have been cemented by her work as a content editor for Homes & Gardens and her regular contributions to Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors magazines. Reaney is a leading authority on the country-style design aesthetic, appealing to homeowners seeking warmth and timelessness.
Reaney’s professional expertise is fueled by her passion for gardening and nature, guiding her design journalism with an understanding of how homes interact with their surroundings. Her practical knowledge of potted plants especially provides unique tips for urban dwellers looking to include natural elements in space-limited homes.
8. Haley Chouinard
As Managing Editor of Business of Home, Haley Chouinard is an integral voice among interior design journalists, with notable contributions to Galerie, House Beautiful, Bustle, Rolling Stone, and The Post & Courier.
In her article “Looking for a side hustle? We decode 7 on-demand design services,” Chouinard provides an in-depth analysis of various digital platforms offering virtual interior design services. She looks at how these platforms operate, how designers are compensated, and how this style of interior design affects the overall industry. The article helps clients seeking a substitute for conventional design services, especially for frequent travelers or for those in remote areas with limited access to in-person design services.
Another very timely piece from Chouinard is “Designing for disaster,” in which she investigates how interior designers are modifying their methods to handle the rising frequency of catastrophic weather events. She discusses how design strategies should incorporate climate resilience and emphasizes the need for sustainable materials to overcome environmental constraints.
9. Julie Sanders
Through her work as Senior Editor at Home & Design Magazine, Julie Sanders has set herself apart as a top interior design journalist influencing trends. She’s another editor walking the design walk: in 2001, Sanders earned a certificate in interior design from the New York School of Interior Design before joining the ranks of Reader’s Digest Select Editions and Bethesda Magazine.
Sanders’ writing translates high-concept design principles into practical inspiration, democratizing access to good design principles, making her voice one that both designers and homeowners can trust to navigate the ever-evolving world of interior design.
10. Samantha Benoit
Through her valued contributions to magazines, including Yahoo Life, Apartment Therapy, and Better Homes & Gardens, Samantha Benoit has become a familiar voice in interior design journalism. Her experience spans a variety of topics, from beauty and lifestyle to home décor and pets, as Assistant Editor at Better Homes & Gardens.
In “This Is the All-Time Best Paint Color for Kitchens, According to Designers,” Benoit guides readers’ attention to an otherwise overlooked color, particularly endorsing Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter as a great fit for kitchens as it perfectly combines warm and cool tones.
Benoit is a reliable source for both designers and amateurs, as she breaks down difficult design ideas into easily available and interesting material. Apartment Therapy featured another noteworthy piece from Benoit, “This Living Room Sofa Trend Is Perfect for Small Spaces.”
Inspired by the Experts?
Now that you’ve seen how top interior design journalists inspire stunning home transformations, it’s your turn to bring those ideas to life. Schedule a your Free Interior Design Consultation today and start creating the dream home you’ve always envisioned!
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