Phase 1
BIG PICTURE CLARITY
We start by understanding how you'll actually use this home. Hosting 20 people at Thanksgiving? Managing it as a luxury rental? Making daily life easier in your permanent residence?
Laurin maps out the architectural foundation—layouts, flow, proportion. Beth begins understanding your aesthetic beyond vague style labels—what you respond to, what you want to avoid, how this home should feel different from everything else you've seen.
You're not guessing what happens next or when decisions are needed. You understand the full process before we start, which means fewer surprises and less stress as we go.
Phase 2
Architectural Design & Space Planning
Laurin develops detailed drawings—CAD and Revit sets showing exactly what gets built. She maps out space planning, millwork details, lighting placement (including where every switch lands), and specifies finishes for everything permanent.
This phase is where architectural training makes the difference. When drawing sets need completing, or started, Laurin handles it. When builders have questions about clearances or construction methods, she answers them in their language. When details could go wrong, she catches them before they become expensive problems.
Your builder has clear direction without waiting for answers. You're not fielding technical questions you don't understand. The architectural foundation is solid before anything permanent gets installed.
Phase 3
Interior Design & Furnishings
Beth develops furnishing plans, sources materials, and creates the layers that make your house feel personal instead of generic. She handles fabric selections, furniture specifications, and all the details that turn architecture into a home.
For clients managing remotely, we cluster decisions strategically. When you visit the site, samples are ready and we make every minute count. Between visits, you review documentation from wherever you are—no need to be physically present for every decision.
No endless scrolling through options online. We present curated selections based on your taste, your budget, and how you'll actually use the space—saving you hours of research and decision fatigue.
Phase 4
Vendor Coordination & Project Management
This is where most projects fall apart—and where we're most valuable.
Laurin attends vendor meetings for countertops, tile, flooring, and all permanent finishes. She walks sites with contractors to verify installation against drawings. She keeps detailed finish packages so nothing gets missed or installed incorrectly.
Beth manages furniture orders, tracks deliveries, coordinates with vendors, and ensures pieces arrive by installation day. She files claims when things arrive damaged, manages replacements, and keeps the schedule moving without you chasing tracking numbers.
Together, they're in ongoing meetings with your builder, answering questions before they cause delays, catching problems before they become expensive mistakes.
Phase 5
Installation & Final Styling
Installation day isn't just furniture delivery. We oversee placement, style every surface, hang every piece of art at the right height, and make sure details feel intentional from every angle.
You walk into a finished home, not a construction site with boxes stacked in corners. Your investment is properly documented for rental marketing, resale, or simply your own records.
HOW WE GET
you THERE
…equal parts hard and soft
…equal parts art and order
…equal parts
THE MYTHS
Too many decisions, too little time.
You signed on to be the client but somehow you’ve become the project manager. The builder needs quick decisions, the subcontractors are wondering when they can install, and every choice triggers five more. Suddenly you’re expected to know grout sizes and cabinet clearances when what you pictured was hosting your people around the table not engaging in a late-night ChatGPT exchange to explain construction drawings.
"JUST WORK WITH THE BUILDER"
People will tell you: “Skip the designer, your builder can handle it.” But the thing is, builders build. They don’t coordinate 200+ finishes, track budgets, or make sure the light switches land in the right place. Without a design & architectural manager, you end up in the middle: fielding questions you don’t have the vocabulary to answer when what you pictured was walking into a finished space that simply worked.
BUDGET CREEP IS REAL
Everyone starts with a number in mind. But one wrong order, one delay, or one overlooked detail and the costs pile up fast. Suddenly you’re paying more to fix mistakes than you planned to spend in the first place. You thought your investment would give you peace of mind but instead it’s a constant second-guessing game about whether you’re overspending.
YOU'RE IN THE
right place IF...
YOU WANT A CREATIVE PARTNER
You’re searching for a designer who actually gets you — not someone who pushes their style on your house.
YOU'RE OVERWHELMED
You’re scared of ending up knee-deep in options: fixtures, finishes, fabrics… and somehow the list keeps getting longer instead of clearer.
YOU DON'T WANT TO MANAGE THE MOVING PARTS
You know the builder will need answers, the subcontractors will be waiting in the wings, and you’ll end up stuck playing referee instead of client.
These are the exact problems we solve. Our role is to take the pressure off your plate, connect the dots, and turn this maze of decisions into a home that feels intentional, cohesive, and better than you imagined.
as seen in
PRESS
PRESS
PRESS
decades OF ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN EXPERTISE under one roof
Laurin manages the details that stick:
As a trained architect with 25 years of experience—hospitality, boutique retail, high-end residential, Laurin's the one who understands how drawings translate to construction, who can hand over a complete interior drawing set to the contractor on schedule, who knows why moving that wall 18 inches gives you 40% more storage. She's walked hundreds of job sites and knows what questions contractors will ask before they ask them.
Beth manages the details that move:
Beth has spent 30+ years in interior design and furnishings. She's the one who can make any budget feel luxurious, who knows which fabrics will survive four kids and three cats, who can coordinate 47 furniture deliveries across six months without a single piece arriving at the wrong time. She's the reason clients say "I never knew it could come together as well as it did."
Together, we've designed homes across Charleston, Kiawah, Daniel Island, and James Island—projects ranging from 5,500 square foot new builds to complex renovations managed entirely remotely.
WHAT SETS US apart
Architectural and interior design expertise rarely exist in the same firm, and principals rarely stay personally involved once contracts are signed. That leaves you coordinating between professionals or working with associates instead of the experts you hired.
HERE'S WHAT WE DO INSTEAD:
we do not hand you off to associates
You're getting both founding partners who will personally attend your vendor meetings, answer your questions, and see your project through from discovery to installation.
WE DO NOT CHASE TRENDS
We won’t fill your house with what’s hot this season only to have it feel dated in five years. Instead, we create layered, personal homes with details that stand the test of time — the kind you’re proud to keep in your family.
we do not design room by room
Your home deserves more than a collection of pretty spaces. We design holistically so the flow feels effortless — finishes, furnishings, and details working together, not competing.
We do not nickel-and-dime.
You won't find monthly reimbursable invoices here. We structure a personal plan that we review on day one so that you know you are maximizing your investment.
we do not play contractor
We stay in our lane and deliver your decisions to the builder so that they can perform best for you and achieve your vision.
we do not leave projects half-baked
A house isn’t finished when the furniture is in place. It’s finished when the art is hung, the accessories are styled, and the details feel intentional from every angle. We stay with you until the home looks complete: no unfinished corners, no “we’ll get to that later,” or “we’ll figure it out.”...both phrases on our design-verbiage-blacklist!
about MALATICH COCHRAN
We met in 2018 at a Kiawah home tour: Laurin representing an architect’s work, Beth representing an interior design firm. We quickly realized our skills fit together like two wings of the same house: Laurin with 25 years of architectural design experience in hospitality, boutique retail, and high-end residential, and Beth with 30+ years of expertise in interiors and furnishings.
We joined forces because clients at your level deserve both: the architectural precision that makes a house function flawlessly, and the layered furnishings that make it feel collected and personal. Together, we’ve built a team that can manage the details, anticipate the pitfalls, and deliver homes that reflect you at every level.
It matters because your project doesn’t need two separate hires to handle what sticks (interior architecture) and what moves (furnishings, fabrics, installations). With us, you get both perspectives working in lockstep and that’s what makes a house feel complete.
YOUR CREATIVE PARTNERS
We keep the project moving
Builders and architects each have their lane and our role is to bridge the two, filling in the gaps and making sure decisions are made before they bottleneck the schedule. The more questions we answer upfront, the smoother the work flows on site.
WE SPEAK THE LANGUAGE
Laurin’s background in architecture means she understands how drawings translate to construction, and she’s there to make sure the details are right the first time. Builders get clear direction and quick answers.
WE MANAGE THE LOGISTICS
Since Beth oversees everything that moves (furnishings, fabrics, deliveries, installations) she is a master coordinator. With subcontractors, schedules and vendors, she and her team manage details so the right pieces show up at the right time. That means no surprises and no scrambling on install day (or at any point!).
WE ARE TRUE COLLABORATORS
Every contractor has their own style: easygoing, meticulous, tough as nails. Our job isn’t to change that; it’s to adapt. We deliver information clearly and in a way that makes their job easier. That’s why the best teams call us back again and again.
CASE STUDIES
ease FOR A FAMILY on the go
At her kickoff meeting, our client sat down and said four words: “Make my life easier.” With four kids, three cats, and homes across the country, she wanted her Lowcountry vacation home to feel like a true retreat, not another thing to manage.
So we obsessed over ease. Pedestal washers and dryers so laundry wasn’t a chore. A cut-out in the island countertop so kids could toss trash without fuss. Fabrics that could handle spills, finishes that felt calm and clean instead of fussy.
Now when she arrives, she doesn’t walk into a house that needs tending. She walks into a place where her family can actually relax.
CASE STUDIES
DESIGNING FOR joy
Another client came to us with one request: “I want my home to feel like joy.” She held up a painting filled with bright colors and life, and asked us to capture that feeling.
We used it as our North Star. Pops of color in every room. Patterns that felt lively but not loud. Spaces that honored her family’s personality: two boys, lots of energy, a house full of movement.
Now, each time she visits her vacation home, she reaches out to tell us the same thing: her home feels like joy, just as she had asked.
CASE STUDIES
TURNING A property INTO A business
A client came to us with a brand new build meant to become a luxury rental. Four primary bedrooms, a bunk room, three living spaces: endless potential, but only if it could be both indulgent and durable.
We reviewed every single detail with “luxury and lasting” in mind. Flooring strong enough for constant turnover. Furniture elevated enough to feel special and durable enough to survive guests. Finishes that looked high-end and handmade but wouldn’t show wear.
The result? A rental that delivers five-star experiences, books solid, and has become a steady, lucrative business for its owners.
FAQ
YOUR TOUGHEST QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
We design holistically, not room by room. Laurin leads the interior architecture — layouts, millwork, finishes — while Beth layers in furnishings, fabrics, accessories and art. The result is a home that feels personal, layered, and heirloom-worthy, not a copy of your neighbor’s.
By getting ahead of problems. We build finish schedules, create detailed binders, and walk sites with contractors before anything is installed. As one client said: “Not to have Laurin & Beth would have just made it almost impossible.”
Yes — but only after we understand your scope, your contractor’s schedule, and your decision-making style. We use our project process template to estimate hours, but they also depend on materials availability, client approvals, and overall team communication.
We review this upfront, before a contract is signed. Designer time can include design, drawings/CAD, research, project management, furniture tracking, and travel. We’re equally clear about what is not charged, so you know exactly where your money is going.
Not always — many of our clients don’t live locally — but key in-person meetings are essential. We recommend at least three during the design phase. They create faster approvals, clearer understanding, and ultimately fewer hours billed.
We map out how you’ll actually use the home — two people on a quiet night versus twenty around the table. Every layout and furnishing choice is made with those scenarios in mind, so hosting feels effortless.
We don’t chase trends. We create homes that feel layered, collected, and deeply personal — houses that clients proudly keep in the family. As one put it: “Our house would not be what it is without them… I never knew it could come together as well as it did.”
Both partners. Laurin handles the details that stick — drawings, layouts, architectural finishes. Beth manages everything that moves — furnishings, fabrics, deliveries, installations. Supported by project managers and procurement, they cover every angle so nothing slips through.
LIFE AND LEGACY
We design for how you’ll really use the space. A vacation home or a full-time residence may require equal design parameters to align with your lifestyle. For vacation homes that are also rental properties, that often means durable finishes and furnishings that can handle guests. For permanent residences, it’s about layering in the details that make everyday living easier — like a countertop cutout for the kids’ trash or laundry machines raised for comfort.
We map out how people will move through your home in different scenarios — whether it’s the two of you or 20 guests. From furniture layouts to lighting plans, we design for flexibility so your home feels comfortable and effortless, no matter the occasion.
By creating layered, personal spaces that stand the test of time. We don’t build disposable houses. We balance architecture and furnishings so the home feels collected, meaningful, and worth passing down. Clients often describe their finished homes as “heirloom-level” and “to this caliber”.
TEAM AND TRUST
Both partners. Laurin oversees the interior architecture and construction details. Beth manages furnishings, procurement, and installations. They work as a team on every project, supported by project managers who document progress, track finishes, and keep communication flowing.
They call us essential. “She just took a lot of that away… off our plate.” “It wouldn’t have been to this caliber home if we went with someone else.” “We never would have finished without Laurin.”
Big-Picture Alignment
Absolutely. Our goal is to balance your personality with timelessness. We begin the design with foundation - layout, proportions, materials, and then layer in the details that reflect how you live and what you love. That balance is what keeps a home feeling relevant and unmistakably yours.
Through constant and intentional communication. We work alongside your architect throughout the design and construction phases, reviewing details together and addressing questions before they become issues. This is a shared effort, all centered on delivering the home you envisioned.
Project Management & Risk
We get ahead of problems before they happen. From finish schedules and detailed binders to site walks with contractors, we answer questions upfront so builders aren’t guessing. One client put it simply: “Not to have Laurin would have just made it almost impossible.”
By speaking their language. Laurin walks sites with subs to confirm finishes before install, while Beth coordinates with vendors, manages purchase orders, and tracks deliveries. That means no one is waiting for direction — and you’re never forced into the middle.
We file claims, manage replacements, and keep the schedule moving. Our procurement process includes inspecting every delivery and documenting it against the master list, so nothing gets overlooked.
By designing with durability and longevity in mind. Beth makes sure furnishings give you the most value at your budget, while Laurin makes architectural choices that don’t require expensive fixes down the line. Clients tell us, “Beth can make you feel like you’re having the grandest house on whatever budget you bring to her.”
Proof & Expertise
Yes. Our portfolio includes large-scale custom homes on Kiawah Island and Charleston, ranging from multi-generational family retreats to luxury rentals. Each project shows how our dual focus — architectural detail plus furnishings — delivers homes that feel cohesive and personal.
MCD’s projects have appeared in regional publications Charleston Home + Design, Charleston Style + Design and Scout Charleston Vol. 11. We are also trusted partners for some of the area’s most respected builders and architects.
They appreciate that we anticipate questions and deliver clear answers. As one client put it: “Laurin had a background that wasn’t all residential… she had other tools to pull from.” That combination of architectural fluency and furnishings expertise makes us the team builders want on their side.
FAQ
YOUR TOUGHEST QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
We design holistically, not room by room. Laurin leads the interior architecture — layouts, millwork, finishes — while Beth layers in furnishings, fabrics, accessories and art. The result is a home that feels personal, layered, and heirloom-worthy, not a copy of your neighbor’s.
By getting ahead of problems. We build finish schedules, create detailed binders, and walk sites with contractors before anything is installed. As one client said: “Not to have Laurin & Beth would have just made it almost impossible.”
Yes — but only after we understand your scope, your contractor’s schedule, and your decision-making style. We use our project process template to estimate hours, but they also depend on materials availability, client approvals, and overall team communication.
We review this upfront, before a contract is signed. Designer time can include design, drawings/CAD, research, project management, furniture tracking, and travel. We’re equally clear about what is not charged, so you know exactly where your money is going.
Not always — many of our clients don’t live locally — but key in-person meetings are essential. We recommend at least three during the design phase. They create faster approvals, clearer understanding, and ultimately fewer hours billed.
We map out how you’ll actually use the home — two people on a quiet night versus twenty around the table. Every layout and furnishing choice is made with those scenarios in mind, so hosting feels effortless.
We don’t chase trends. We create homes that feel layered, collected, and deeply personal — houses that clients proudly keep in the family. As one put it: “Our house would not be what it is without them… I never knew it could come together as well as it did.”
LIFE AND LEGACY
We design for how you’ll really use the space. A vacation home or a full-time residence may require equal design parameters to align with your lifestyle. For vacation homes that are also rental properties, that often means durable finishes and furnishings that can handle guests. For permanent residences, it’s about layering in the details that make everyday living easier — like a countertop cutout for the kids’ trash or laundry machines raised for comfort.
We map out how people will move through your home in different scenarios — whether it’s the two of you or 20 guests. From furniture layouts to lighting plans, we design for flexibility so your home feels comfortable and effortless, no matter the occasion.
By creating layered, personal spaces that stand the test of time. We don’t build disposable houses. We balance architecture and furnishings so the home feels collected, meaningful, and worth passing down. Clients often describe their finished homes as “heirloom-level” and “to this caliber”.
TEAM AND TRUST
Both partners. Laurin oversees the interior architecture and construction details. Beth manages furnishings, procurement, and installations. They work as a team on every project, supported by project managers who document progress, track finishes, and keep communication flowing.
They call us essential. “She just took a lot of that away… off our plate.” “It wouldn’t have been to this caliber home if we went with someone else.” “We never would have finished without Laurin.”
Big-Picture Alignment
Absolutely. Our goal is to balance your personality with timelessness. We begin the design with foundation - layout, proportions, materials, and then layer in the details that reflect how you live and what you love. That balance is what keeps a home feeling relevant and unmistakably yours.
Through constant and intentional communication. We work alongside your architect throughout the design and construction phases, reviewing details together and addressing questions before they become issues. This is a shared effort, all centered on delivering the home you envisioned.
Project Management & Risk
We get ahead of problems before they happen. From finish schedules and detailed binders to site walks with contractors, we answer questions upfront so builders aren’t guessing. One client put it simply: “Not to have Laurin would have just made it almost impossible.”
By speaking their language. Laurin walks sites with subs to confirm finishes before install, while Beth coordinates with vendors, manages purchase orders, and tracks deliveries. That means no one is waiting for direction — and you’re never forced into the middle.
We file claims, manage replacements, and keep the schedule moving. Our procurement process includes inspecting every delivery and documenting it against the master list, so nothing gets overlooked.
By designing with durability and longevity in mind. Beth makes sure furnishings give you the most value at your budget, while Laurin makes architectural choices that don’t require expensive fixes down the line. Clients tell us, “Beth can make you feel like you’re having the grandest house on whatever budget you bring to her.”
Proof & Expertise
Yes. Our portfolio includes large-scale custom homes on Kiawah Island and Charleston, ranging from multi-generational family retreats to luxury rentals. Each project shows how our dual focus — architectural detail plus furnishings — delivers homes that feel cohesive and personal.
MCD’s projects have appeared in regional publications Charleston Home + Design, Charleston Style + Design and Scout Charleston Vol. 11. We are also trusted partners for some of the area’s most respected builders and architects.
They appreciate that we anticipate questions and deliver clear answers. As one client put it: “Laurin had a background that wasn’t all residential… she had other tools to pull from.” That combination of architectural fluency and furnishings expertise makes us the team builders want on their side.
FAQ
Your toughest questions, answered
We design holistically, not room by room. Laurin leads the interior architecture — layouts, millwork, finishes — while Beth layers in furnishings, fabrics, accessories and art. The result is a home that feels personal, layered, and heirloom-worthy, not a copy of your neighbor’s.
By getting ahead of problems. We build finish schedules, create detailed binders, and walk sites with contractors before anything is installed. As one client said: “Not to have Laurin & Beth would have just made it almost impossible.”
Yes — but only after we understand your scope, your contractor’s schedule, and your decision-making style. We use our project process template to estimate hours, but they also depend on materials availability, client approvals, and overall team communication.
We review this upfront, before a contract is signed. Designer time can include design, drawings/CAD, research, project management, furniture tracking, and travel. We’re equally clear about what is not charged, so you know exactly where your money is going.
Not always — many of our clients don’t live locally — but key in-person meetings are essential. We recommend at least three during the design phase. They create faster approvals, clearer understanding, and ultimately fewer hours billed.
We map out how you’ll actually use the home — two people on a quiet night versus twenty around the table. Every layout and furnishing choice is made with those scenarios in mind, so hosting feels effortless.
We don’t chase trends. We create homes that feel layered, collected, and deeply personal — houses that clients proudly keep in the family. As one put it: “Our house would not be what it is without them… I never knew it could come together as well as it did.”
Both partners. Laurin handles the details that stick — drawings, layouts, architectural finishes. Beth manages everything that moves — furnishings, fabrics, deliveries, installations. Supported by project managers and procurement, they cover every angle so nothing slips through.
Life and Legacy
We design for how you’ll really use the space. For vacation homes, that often means durable finishes and furnishings that can handle guests and rentals. For permanent residences, it’s about layering in the details that make everyday living easier — like a countertop cutout for the kids’ trash or laundry machines raised for comfort.
We map out how people will move through your home in different scenarios — whether it’s the two of you or 20 guests. From furniture layouts to lighting plans, we design for flexibility so your home feels comfortable and effortless, no matter the occasion.
By creating layered, personal spaces that stand the test of time. We don’t build disposable houses. We balance architecture and furnishings so the home feels collected, meaningful, and worth passing down. Clients often describe their finished homes as “heirloom-level” and “to this caliber”.
Team and Trust
Both partners. Laurin oversees the interior architecture and construction details. Beth manages furnishings, procurement, and installations. They work as a team on every project, supported by project managers who document progress, track finishes, and keep communication flowing.
They call us essential. “She just took a lot of that away… off our plate.” “It wouldn’t have been to this caliber home if we went with someone else.” “We never would have finished without Laurin.”
Big-Picture Alignment
We design holistically, not room by room. Laurin leads the interior architecture — layouts, millwork, finishes — while Beth layers in furnishings, fabrics, accessories and art. The result is a home that feels personal, layered, and heirloom-worthy, not a copy of your neighbor’s.
We design holistically, not room by room. Laurin leads the interior architecture — layouts, millwork, finishes — while Beth layers in furnishings, fabrics, accessories and art. The result is a home that feels personal, layered, and heirloom-worthy, not a copy of your neighbor’s.
Project Management & Risk
We get ahead of problems before they happen. From finish schedules and detailed binders to site walks with contractors, we answer questions upfront so builders aren’t guessing. One client put it simply: “Not to have Laurin would have just made it almost impossible.”
By speaking their language. Laurin walks sites with subs to confirm finishes before install, while Beth coordinates with vendors, manages purchase orders, and tracks deliveries. That means no one is waiting for direction — and you’re never forced into the middle.
We file claims, manage replacements, and keep the schedule moving. Our procurement process includes inspecting every delivery and documenting it against the master list, so nothing gets overlooked.
By designing with durability and longevity in mind. Beth makes sure furnishings give you the most value at your budget, while Laurin makes architectural choices that don’t require expensive fixes down the line. Clients tell us, “Beth can make you feel like you’re having the grandest house on whatever budget you bring to her.”
Proof & Expertise
Yes. Our portfolio includes large-scale custom homes on Kiawah Island and Charleston, ranging from multi-generational family retreats to luxury rentals. Each project shows how our dual focus — architectural detail plus furnishings — delivers homes that feel cohesive and personal.
MCD’s projects have appeared in regional and national publications (you’ll want to drop in specifics here). We’re also trusted partners for some of the area’s most respected builders and architects.
They appreciate that we anticipate questions and deliver clear answers. As one client put it: “Laurin had a background that wasn’t all residential… she had other tools to pull from.” That combination of architectural fluency and furnishings expertise makes us the team builders want on their side.
