FIRM PROFILE
Design Vim is an Interior Design consulting firm founded by Hailie Thomas and Katy Hoxsey in 2013. The word Vim is defined as robust energy and enthusiasm, which is the perfect description of Hailie and Katy as individuals and as a team. Our firm is a Female-Veteran Owned company located in Boise, ID, offering a diverse range of services for a variety of residential and commercial projects. We deliver real results for collaborative and well-rounded design solutions with the client's goals and satisfaction always in the forefront.
OUR VALUES
We simply think differently.
We pride ourselves on being adaptable and will always find a way to achieve your goals. We're passionate about what we do and are passionate in our own lives. We care more and this shows in our quality. We are the experts in what we do and are optimistic about building trusting relationships with our clients. We work hard to create a unique and customized experience that will leave them with a positive end result that exceeds their expectations.HOW WE WORK
THE DESIGN PROCESS: As your Interior Design Professionals, we will work through every phase of your project to ensure that the final result exceeds your expectations and ensures the health, safety and welfare of all who may use or occupy the space. We can also assist in assembling the other members of the project team, such as: the architect, general contractor, and various other consultants such as lighting, commercial equipment, acoustics, and many other valuable trades.
The following is an outline we provide our clients at each phase of the design process:ABOUT US
Megan Cosdon is a creative who believes in the power of beautiful interiors to transform daily life. She brings a vivacious energy to Design Vim and prides herself designing spaces to reflect the personal style of its dwellers as well as promote their overall well-being.
Soon after graduating from the University of Idaho with her Interior Design degree, Megan moved to Portland and worked at a large architecture firm where she specialized in multi-unit and commercial projects. While there, she developed an interest in the psychology of our cities and public spaces. While she is newer professional, she brings a fresh perspective to Design Vim and enjoys the creative flexibility of an ever-changing industry. Continuing her design education, she is preparing to take the WELL AP exam in the spring, a credential denoting commitment to advancing human health and wellness in buildings and communities around the world.
Outside of design, Megan is always on the lookout for her next adventure. She’s procured her motorcycle endorsement and on the weekends, you can find her hitting the highway, popping up into the foothills for a run, or backpacking into remote alpine lakes. As a Meridian native, she has a strong connection to Idaho and the greater community. She is a conscientious bicyclist and regularly involves herself in sustainable urban planning initiatives. Megan bonds with her city’s urban landscape and applies her professional eye to ensure a vibrant and beautiful community for all its residents.
As a natural born analyst and full-time adventurer, Joelle Friesen serves as our resident Jill-of-All-Trades, a.k.a. Operations Director. With over ten years of experience in project management, artistic direction, event planning, and program coordination, she can roll with the best of them. Before joining Design Vim, Joelle served as a Program Strategist in the field of international humanitarian aid where she fell head-over-heels for commercial and spatial planning. She has an eye for the sweet, softer touches of design and takes great joy pinch-hitting as an accessories connoisseur for the geniuses of Design Vim.
Joelle happily suffers from a severe case of wanderlust, an ailment forged during her wildwood Montanan upbringing. Though originally a horseback kind of gal, Joelle has embraced mountain bicycle touring as her second love. Always up for building the plane while she flies, riding solo across Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands as a volunteer photojournalist to cover human interest stories is one of her life’s crown jewels. She is currently accepting recommendations for her next destination - European or otherwise!
With a personal mantra of “let’s get after it”, Joelle finds her deepest purpose in supporting the gifted hard-working women in her life and co-building a workplace culture rooted in excellence and enterprise. She’s our very own “Woman Behind the Curtain” and, quite frankly, could not be happier about it. With indefatigability and creativity as superpowers, Joelle is here to roll up her sleeves and do her part to lift our studio’s strategic operations to new heights!
Katy Hoxsey, our resident globe trotter and cultural connoisseur, never fails to warm a room with her smile and let’s-get-after-it zeal. With industriousness and a sharp eye for detail, she naturally flexes with the opportunity of the moment. Katy throws herself into her work with commitment, grit, and outside the box creativity.
An Idaho native, and University of Idaho Graduate of Interior Design, Katy has a deep affection for historical buildings and the simplicity of Scandinavian design. She is an established expert in the technical aspects of architectural finishes and design applications. Katy is the Army Veteran of our Female-Veteran owned business. While serving as a Full Bird Private in Iraq 2005, Katy was able to utilize her design skills during public service projects like funding women’s centers, and clean water systems. Her experience abroad compliments her work presently: regardless of one’s coordinates, building a bright, focused future requires the honed ability to listen for the beautiful details of each client’s lifestyle and culture.
While Katy loves exploring the far corners of the earth, she knows Idaho’s very own wilderness and local community are special in themselves. She’s set on showing her children the world, being outside with them as much as possible, and teaching them to make the most of life. Paddle boarding, glamping, hiking, alpine skiing (the usual Idahoan interests) and wine tasting are a few favorite activities… or add wine to any activity and she’s happy!
Hailie Thomas is the kind of designer who will not only give a project style and verve but returns as a patron to clink glasses in celebration. A project manager to the fullest, Hailie also believes that a steady, flexible hand is best for an optimal creative experience. Putting the client at the center ensures an open, imaginative process, and Hailie’s clean-cut approach never fails to deliver on that collaboration.
An interior designer in Boise for nearly two decades, Hailie’s portfolio spans a dynamic array of design genres; she specializes in modern design and has developed a particular finesse for commercial furniture and spatial planning. An Idaho native and alum of the University of Idaho, Hailie graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design. With that kind of savvy under her belt - and as a bit of a thrill-seeker - Hailie loves rolling up her sleeves on ambitious and creative projects. Combined with her dedication to perfection and hard work, close collaboration with architects has made Hailie a regular savant in keeping large-scale commercial projects on target and infusing quality interior environments with charm.
With a vigor for community building and authentic engagement with her neighbors, Hailie has served in a variety of capacities both locally and regionally. An avid runner, skier, and mountain biker (that’s basically the Pacific Northwest Triathlon right there!), Hailie loves layering her Idaho roots into private projects with equal measure to her work at Design Vim. She looks forward to meeting you, hearing your dreams, and drafting your first blueprint to make it come to life.
How we became the Dynamic Duo
While studying Interior Design at the University of Idaho, Hailie and Katy became acquainted. But it wasn't until they both went to work for an architecture firm in Boise, ID, that they became insta-friends. They shared an interest in investing time in industry organizations as board members for Interior Designers of Idaho and Interior Design Education and Legislation for Idaho. When they wanted to let their hair down, Hailie and Katy would go alpine skiing, take tennis lessons, attend sewing and cake decorating classes, and go hiking with their hyper bird dogs. They took things up a notch when Hailie talked Katy into joining the Team in Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. They both ran two full marathons, a handful of half-marathons, and each raised upwards of $10,000 toward the cause. After teaming up to pursue so many professional and extracurricular activities, the ladies realized they would make a great interior design duo. In 2013, they decided to combine their unique strengths to create Design Vim, LLC. They hit the ground running (that marathon training really came in handy ;)), and haven't looked back.PRESS
Design-Vim Awards:
- American Society of Interior Designers, Single Residence Design Award, North End Residence, 2006
- American Society of Interior Designers, Office Project Design Award, Blackfin Technology, 2006
- Interior Designers of Idaho, i2 Design Award: Best Residential Bath, Frohock Residence, 2009
- Interior Designers of Idaho, i2 Design Award: Best Residential Bath, Huang Residence, 2010
- Building Contractors Association Parade of Homes 2012, Boise Hunter Homes at Harris Ranch: 1st Place Exterior Design, 2nd Place overall Interior Design, 2nd place Master Suite
- Building Contractors Association Parade of Homes, Best Kitchen Design Award, Second Place, 2012
- Building Contractors Association Parade of Homes, Best Exterior Design Award, Third Place, 2012
- Home & Garden Television (HGTV) Show House Show Down & Tahoe Homes Fall Parade Home, 2012
- Building Contractors Association Parade of Homes 2014, Biltmore Company at Bella Terra: 3rd Place Overall Interior Design, 3rd Place Master Suite
- Building Contractors Association Parade of Homes 2015, Zach Evans Construction: 2nd Place Overall Interior Design, 2nd Place Master Suite and 1st Place Best Decorated with Echelon Fine Homes.
- Building Contractors Association Parade of Homes 2016, Zach Evans Construction: 2nd Place Overall Interior Design, 2nd Place Master Suite, 2nd Place Exterior Design.
Hailie's Professional Affiliations:
- NCIDQ® Certificate Number 023608, 2007 *NCIDQ® (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) certification identifies the knowledge and professional practice of Interior Design protecting the health, life safety and welfare of the public.
- LEED® Accredited Professional, 2009 *LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED® provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.
- Member of IDI (Interior Designers of Idaho), 2004-current (Treasurer, 2006, President-Elect, 2007, President, 2008)
Katy's Professional Affiliations:
- NCIDQ® Certificate Number 25658, 2009 NCIDQ® (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) certification identifies the knowledge and professional practice of Interior Design protecting the health, life safety and welfare of the public.
- Member of Business Networking International, 2013-present (President 2014-2015)
- Member of IDI (Interior Designers of Idaho), 2006-current (President 2013, President-Elect 2012, Membership Liaison 2010)
- Member of PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization), 2004-present
- Veteran of Foreign War Since 2006, Deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom III 2004-2005
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Green is more than just a color.
Design Vim takes a green-minded approach to every design decision. Whether it's choosing a product based on its environmental qualities, using manufacturers with a dedication to using greener methods, or selecting a product that will outlive and out-perform the rest, Design Vim is committed to enhancing interior environments by using methods and products that help improve our planet's future.
Our LEED AP Certified Partner and a member of the US Green Building Council, Hailie Thomas, takes responsibility in protecting our natural resources and is aware of the negative impacts the building industry places on the earth. Hailie can assist in the preparation and submittal of LEED® documentation to obtain formal LEED® Certification from the USGBC.
TESTIMONIALS
From beginning to end it was a pleasure working with Design VIM. Katy, Hailie and Sam were very fun to work with and always professional. Amazing design ideas, attention to detail and follow through made the renovation of our office building a huge success. As this was our first office building renovation we were full of questions and Katy and the Team were always there with quick and informed answers. We challenged them from the beginning to come up with great design plans. We are more impressed with the outcome than we could have imagined at the beginning of the project. Budget was very important to us and we were extremely pleased with the level of quality in choices and flexibility they presented that fit into the budget. I would highly recommend Design VIM.
JJ Astorquia, Citywide Home Loans
I have had the distinct pleasure of working and collaborating with Hailie Thomas on numerous occasions and in various capacities, from commercial and residential Interior Design, to the development of marketing and branding materials. In every case, I have found Hailie to be thoughtful, enthusiastic, and creative. She brings a wide array of skills to the table, and, perhaps more importantly, an attitude of teamwork and accountability for her work. Hailie demonstrates a rare quality and a sincere passion for the successful outcome of the project and the project team. This makes Hailie a natural for any project requiring her level of skills and professionalism. I offer my highest degree of recommendation without reservation.
Ryan McCaene, AIA, Cabal Architects
As a design professional in both residential and commercial projects, I have been more than pleased to have Hailie Thomas and her creative spirit play a key role in our design team. She has brought an uplifting attitude and thorough knowledge of materials to every project, quickly transforming the client's vision into a palette of textures and color. It has truly been a pleasure working with her.
Jason Tomlinson, Tomlinson Designs
Katy Hoxsey, of Design VIM, was instrumental with the interior/exterior design of our custom built home. She provided a look and feel that matched our vision, providing various options for us to select from and discuss, to ensure we were comfortable. Katy took the time to understand our likes and dislikes, our vision, both functionally and aesthetically to us, which I'm sure was challenging for her at times; however Katy did a great job bringing it all together! Just a couple examples of her commitment to us and our custom home was the design of some unique cabinet pieces in the kitchen and master bath and the matching of the colors, materials, and textures throughout the house, interior and exterior. Katy specifically went above and beyond by developing a unique cabinet color with the supplier to meet our needs. We enjoyed working with Katy. She listened and brought energy, ideas, patience, and understanding to the process of developing our vision. I highly recommend Katy to provide options and creative solutions to meet your design vision.
Tim Simmons