Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Simpson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always been drawn to the way thoughtful design can transform how people live and experience their homes. I earned my undergraduate degree in Interior Design from San Francisco State University and began my career working for several large design firms, where I gained experience across a wide range of project types and learned the importance of balancing creativity with functionality.
After years in the industry, my husband Adam and I founded Palmetto Interiors & Renovations with the goal of creating a more personal, full-service design experience. What started as a small studio has grown into a full-service interior design and renovation firm serving the Austin area, specializing in everything from furnishings and finish selections to large-scale home renovations.
Throughout the journey, our focus has remained the same: creating homes that feel elevated, intentional, and deeply personal to the families living in them. We believe great design should not only look beautiful, but also improve the way people gather, function, and live every day.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a perfectly smooth road, and I think that’s true for most creative entrepreneurs. One of the biggest challenges has been building a business in a new market after relocating to Texas in a very volatile economy. We had to establish new relationships, earn trust within the industry, and grow our client base from the ground up. That process required a lot of persistence and patience.
The industry itself has also changed significantly over the years, especially with supply chain disruptions, shifting costs, and increased client expectations around timelines and communication. We’ve had to continuously adapt and refine our processes while still maintaining a high level of service and attention to detail.
At the same time, those challenges have helped shape who we are as a company. They’ve pushed us to become more organized, more intentional, and even more client-focused. Every obstacle has ultimately strengthened our experience and our ability to guide clients through complex projects with confidence.
As you know, we’re big fans of Palmetto Interiors & Renovations. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Palmetto Interiors & Renovations is a full-service interior design firm based in the Austin area. We specialize in creating highly personalized homes through a combination of thoughtful interior design, detailed planning, and hands-on project guidance. Our work ranges from furnishings and finish selections, spec homes, custom homes and full-scale renovations involving kitchens, bathrooms, whole-home remodels, and custom detailing.
What sets us apart is the level of involvement and care we bring to every project. We don’t just focus on making a space look beautiful, we put heavy emphasis on how it functions for the people living in it every day and personal preferences. We guide our clients through the entire process, helping bridge the gap between design vision and real-world execution. Because renovations can feel overwhelming, we are huge on communication, transparency, and making the experience feel collaborative and approachable. We have built a custom portal to ensure we capture all information in a single source of truth for efficiency and a more seamless client experience.
Stylistically, our work is known for being layered, timeless, and highly tailored to each client rather than driven by trends. We love creating homes that feel elevated and polished while still being warm, livable, and personal.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the trust we’ve built with our clients and industry partners over the years. A large portion of our business comes from referrals and repeat clients, which means a lot to us because these projects are deeply personal investments for homeowners.
More than anything, I want readers to know that we truly care about the client experience just as much as the final outcome. Our goal is to create homes that not only look beautiful in photographs, but genuinely improve the way our clients live, gather, and feel in their spaces every day.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Absolutely. Building a business like this is never something you do alone, and I’m incredibly grateful for the people who have supported us along the way.
First and foremost, my husband Adam has played a huge role in the growth of Palmetto. While I lead the creative and design side of the business, he brings an incredible operations and business mindset that has helped us build strong systems, processes, and client experiences. Having someone who truly understands both the vision and the day-to-day realities of running a business has been invaluable.
I’ve also been fortunate to learn from talented mentors and colleagues throughout my career, especially during my time working at larger design firms early on. Those experiences gave me exposure to different project types, client relationships, and ways of approaching design and project management that still influence how I work today.
My mom has been the biggest influence on me from a creative perspective. She taught me very early how to make a career out of something you love in the art world. I grew up smelling wallpaper and never looked back.
Our builders, trades, vendors, and industry partners deserve a tremendous amount of credit as well. Renovation projects are deeply collaborative, and we’ve been fortunate to build relationships with people who genuinely care about craftsmanship and quality. Having a strong team of trusted professionals behind the scenes makes all the difference.
Most importantly, our clients have been one of the biggest reasons for our success. Many of our projects come from referrals and repeat clients, which means the world to us. Inviting someone into your home and trusting them with such a personal investment is a huge responsibility, and we never take that trust for granted. Their support, encouragement, and willingness to recommend us to friends and family have helped Palmetto grow organically over the years.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://palmettoatx.com
- Instagram: @palmettoatx
