Our Designers
Susan Hoffman, ASID
Interior Designer / Owner
Our studio owner and lead designer is an honors graduate of Iowa State University with a B.S. degree in interior design. In 1978, Susan passed the rigorous NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) exam to become a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). She became an active member of ASID, sitting on numerous committees and offices, ultimately serving as regional president from 1998-1999.
Susan is well recognized as an established designer of high acclaim. Her varied repertoire of projects crosses the United States from California to New York as well as the Caribbean. Her projects have often been photographed for publication and her opinions sought by others in the design industry.
New home construction has become a focus for Susan's work as more and more clients appreciate the value of bringing an interior designer into a building project early. Building a new home is exciting, but Susan also thrills at the challenge of giving a new face to that which is old. Susan defines home remodeling and renovation as "seeing possibilities where others see problems." She and her staff have teamed with many different homebuilders to create unique and interesting homes personalized to the client's needs and desires. Home building, remodeling and renovation are highly detailed and complicated endeavors requiring patience and experience. To accommodate these specialized needs, DESIGNS! has established a studio resource library to streamline the building selection and specifying process. The DESIGNS! staff understands the need for timely decisions and "speak the language" of your builder and subcontractors.
Susan served on the interior design advisory board for 3 years at Iowa State, and on the Advancement Council for the College of Design for 13 years. The college consists of architecture, landscape architecture, graphic design, industrial design, urban planning, art and design, and interior design.
Leah Fasching, ASID
Interior Designer / Project Manager
Leah Fasching is an interior designer and project manager with over 30 years of experience delivering high-end residential interiors. Known for her refined sensibility and disciplined project leadership, Leah partners with clients, architects, and builders from the earliest conceptual stages through final installation, shaping spaces where her creative vision and the client’s aspirations come together to form cohesive, timeless results. Her work is defined by interiors that are artistically beautiful, highly functional, and thoughtfully tailored to the way clients live.
Her portfolio includes numerous multi-million-dollar projects, as well as thoughtfully executed single-room and specialty design commissions. Leah brings the same level of creativity, insight, and attention to detail to a kitchen, primary suite, or living space as she does to full-scale renovations and new construction. Based in Minnesota, she has guided clients locally and across the country, including projects in Montana, Florida, and California, and is known for managing projects of all sizes with clarity, confidence, and precision.
Leah earned a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from the University of Minnesota and passed the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) in 2001. A long-standing professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), she has served in leadership roles including Secretary of the ASID Board and has contributed to multiple committees supporting the profession.
Leah approaches each project with confidence, enthusiasm, and a collaborative mindset—qualities that have earned long-standing relationships with clients and industry partners.
View selected projects and works in progress on Instagram: @leahfaschingdesigns
About ASID
ASID identifies the interior designer as having met the highest professional standards achieved in the profession. ASID members have met stringent requirements with a combination of education and experience and must pass a rigorous NCIDQ two-day exam. These qualifications far exceed what you might expect from a “decorator” or from someone who has “decorating flair” into the arena of a highly-qualified professional interior designer.