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Samantha Karr Designs

Blending function and beauty, one space at a time.

I'm Samantha Karr, an interior designer in the Twin Cities. I work with homeowners and builders on new builds and renovations, plus furnishings and decor, planning the layout, cabinetry, and lighting alongside the finishes so every room is both beautiful and easy to live in.

For homeowners For builders
South Lane great room, with a vaulted beamed ceiling and a paneled fireplace wall with a Tudor-arched stone mantel

The decisions that are hard to change later

Most of what makes a house work is settled before the walls close. I plan these with you, then hand your builder drawings and selections the trades can work from. The finishes and furniture come after, on a house that's already right.

Outlets
Placed where the cabinets and tile allow.
Lighting
Fixtures, sconces, and under-cabinet lights, set early.
Cabinetry
Drawers, panels, and built-ins, drawn to dimension.
Countertops
Edges, seams, and overhangs, set with the cabinets.
Tile
Where it starts, stops, and turns the corner.
Plumbing
Sink and fixture locations, set with the cabinets.
South Lane foyer with arched front doors, picture-frame wall moulding, and a checkerboard tile floor

2026 Artisan Home Tour

South Lane Timeless Tudor

New construction, Mendota Heights, built by SD Custom Homes

The homeowners wanted a timeless home that felt warm and layered, with a mix of modern and traditional elements throughout the interior.

What I love most: the powder bath wallpaper paired with the soft blue millwork, and the arched double doors into the checkerboard-tiled foyer with its floor-to-ceiling wall moulding.

See the project

Building or remodeling your home

New builds and renovations, plus furnishings and decor. I work with you from the first plans through the final walkthrough, and coordinate with your builder so nothing gets decided on the fly.

How it works for homeowners

Building homes to sell

Selection schedules, lighting plans, cabinet designs, tile layouts, and elevations, delivered as PDFs your trades can build from. I can also run selections with buyers of pre-sold homes.

How it works for builders

More from the portfolio

All projects
Dodd Road office with deep green paneled walls and ceiling, seen through glass double doors, with a brass chandelier and a pair of tall windows

Dodd Contemporary Spec

Spec home, Mendota Heights
Birchpond living room with a dark fluted fireplace wall, a white oak mantel, and lit floating shelves above white oak cabinets on either side

Birchpond Organic Modern

New construction, Eagan
Kitchen with white shaker cabinetry to the ceiling, a white range hood with a brass band over a pro range, white subway tile, and a stained wood island with a white quartz top

Somerset Modern Farmhouse

Renovation, Mendota Heights
The opened-up main level, with a long navy island, gray cabinetry, globe pendants over a plank-top dining table, and a wall of windows

Shadow Creek Transitional

Renovation plus furnishings and decor, Maple Grove

Start with a 30-minute call.

Tell me about the project and where it stands. If it's a good fit, we'll set up an in-person consultation. I reply within 1–2 business days.

Start a project