44 | FEBRUARY 9 • 2023 

people see what it looks like 
before spending too much time 
and energy and money. 
“There’s a need for people 
who can take a look at a project 
and give some ideas, without 
spending a ton of money,
” 
Disner says. “I can do the work 
and create a high-quality design 
pretty quickly, and low risk. I’m 
like an insurance policy on an 
idea.
”
Working with clients around 
the country ranging from indi-
vidual homeowners to interior 
designers to architectural firms 
— including many who have 
been featured on HGTV
, in 
Architectural Digest and more 
— Disner both designs and 
presents the 3D renderings so 
that the client has a clear visu-
alization of what their project 

would look like. 
The majority of his work is 
done remotely — often a per-
son will come to him knowing 
exactly what they want and just 

need to see it on paper. Or he 
will work with a homeowner, 
for example, to get an under-
standing of what they’re looking 
for, procuring measurements 

and photos of a space, and cre-
ate a design model, “without a 
lot of finishes,
” he says, “then 
I’ll propose my initial reaction 
to the brief, the client will give 
feedback, we’ll make edits. 
They might say they want to 
see a kitchen with blue cabinets 
or black cabinets. It’s a very col-
laborative process.
” 
Once the client approves the 
final drawings, Disner then 
assists in choosing finishes and 
furnishings, providing as little 
or as much as the client desires. 
He can also take the renderings 
to a contractor or architect for 
the client — “someone who 
is licensed to work with city 
codes, can handle plumbing, 
move walls, or they can take it 
to their own architect to take it 
to the next step.
” 
On the other side of his 
business, Disner might be 
approached by an architect or 
interior designer who doesn’t 
have the skills to put ideas to 
paper to present to their client.
“I’m like the best friend 
you want to send pictures to 
when you’re shopping. Except I 
charge for it,
” Disner says. 
“I provide the reassurance 
that what we’re doing is looking 
good.
” 

continued from page 42

HOME

COURTESY OF ELLIOTT DISNER

This barn-dominium with ocean views was created for a developer in Hawaii. 

A ’90s kitchen in a Clarkston ranch was transformed into a more contemporary, updated space. 

A commercial building 
in Royal Oak was 
conceptualized to become 
a high-end home.

