Design Philosophy
At Hentz Inspired Living, we specialize in crafting stylish architectural designs that perfectly combine practicality with a touch of creativity. We invite you to explore how our expertise can transform your unique ideas into spaces that truly reflect your vision! As a female-owned design + build, architectural & interior design firm, consider this your official invitation: come in and take rest under our wings, join us, and become part of our HIL family.
Three Core Principles:
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Function first, always. If a space doesn’t support daily life, it doesn’t matter how beautiful it is.
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Process creates freedom. Clear planning and documentation allow creativity to thrive without chaos.
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Homes should serve people—not the other way around. Design must respond to bodies, habits, seasons of life, and change.
Her aesthetic sensibility leans warm, timeless, and grounded—often blending architectural clarity with layered, human-scaled interiors.dea to final build.
Our Story
Every home tells a story.
Not just through its architecture, but through the people who gather there, the memories created within its walls, and the life it quietly supports every day.
Hentz Inspired Living was founded on a simple belief: exceptional design begins by listening.
In an industry that often moves too fast, we choose a different approach. We believe homeowners deserve an advocate—someone who takes the time to understand how they live, what matters most, and where they hope life will lead. Before a single line is drawn, we seek to understand your family's routines, dreams, challenges, and vision for the future. Because great homes are never designed around trends.
They're designed around people.
Our work blends residential architecture, interior design, and thoughtful planning into one seamless experience. Every space is carefully considered to create a home that is functional, timeless, and deeply personal. We believe beautiful design should also be practical, buildable, financially responsible, and prepared to serve your family for decades to come. Our role extends beyond creating floor plans.
We educate
We simplify complex decisions.
We bridge the gap between homeowners, builders, consultants, and craftsmen.
We transform uncertainty into confidence through thoughtful planning, clear communication, and visual design tools that help clients make informed decisions before construction begins. We believe every successful project is much like a symphony. Homeowners, designers, builders, engineers, and skilled trades each bring unique expertise, but the most beautiful results happen when everyone works together toward a shared vision. Whether we're designing a custom home, reimagining an existing residence, planning an addition, or creating spaces that support aging in place, our purpose remains the same—to create homes that inspire the way you live.
Why Hentz Inspired Living Was Created
Hentz Inspired Living was founded on a simple belief:
Homes should support real life.
Not just how a home photographs.
Not just what is trending.
Not just what looks impressive on paper.
A home should support how you actually live, gather, rest, work, heal, age, and grow.
We created Hentz Inspired Living to bridge the gap between beautiful design and practical living — helping homeowners make smarter, more confident decisions during one of the biggest investments of their lives.
Because building or remodeling a home should feel exciting, empowering, and intentional — not overwhelming.
Our approach blends residential design, interior planning, functionality, education, and thoughtful long-term thinking so homeowners can move forward with clarity and confidence.
We believe great design should not only look beautiful.
It should function beautifully, too.
We prioritize functionality and beauty in every aspect of your home, from well-designed kitchens and bathrooms to clever storage solutions. Our carefully vetted team of skilled contractors shares our dedication to quality craftsmanship and ethical practices, giving you peace of mind throughout the process.
Our mission, oh, that's simple: we want to become your guide, a trusted resource meant to be your guide, providing that safety net through every step of the design process by committing to being fully present, transparent in our business practices, educating our clients, pulling advice and wisdom from over the 20 years of professional practice acquired, and engaging in genuine collective equal partnership with fellow practitioners, vendors, and skilled contractors coming together working towards bringing a set of architectural plans and drawings to life.
Our mission is to create homes that reflect the unique stories of the families who inhabit them. We approach each project with a "family first" mentality, guiding our clients through the design journey with warmth, education, and transparency. Our commitment to understanding your needs ensures that your home serves you, enhancing your daily life through thoughtful design and unexpected details that bring joy and personality to every space.
Our Mission
About Page In Progress, Check back Soon!
What We Do
IN THE STUDIOS
We believe in these values
1. Be a team player, leaving egos at the door; that is not helpful, nor is it necessary.
2. Develop creative problem-solving skills. When you feel stuck, try seeing it from a different view or perspective.
3. It's important to be responsive to our Clients & trade partners, even if you do not have an answer when asked.
4. Communication is everything, even when it's tough. Have the hard conversations, be kind.
5. Do the right thing even when no one is looking! That mirror sees you every day.
6. Effective communication is important, but not always easy; be kind.
7. Try to act in the best interest of our client; when protecting them, it's also just as important to educate them so that when I when HIL's time has concluded, they may continue to advocate for themselves.
8. It's Important to Go that Extra Mile, but also just as important to limit the mileage you're willing to walk. Important to know the limits and when it is appreciated.
We Believe Homes Should Support Real Life
Your home is more than square footage. It is where your life compounds.
Hentz Inspired Living was founded on the belief that residential design should feel personal—yet perform with the precision of a commercial build.
Led by Susan M. Hentz, an architectural and interior design specialist with over a decade of professional experience, the studio delivers custom homes, transformative renovations, and high-functioning interiors built to serve real life with elegance and durability.
Susan’s background spans:
Residential home building
Developer-driven communities
Retail, institutional, and mixed-use environments
Furniture systems, space planning, and construction documentation
That breadth means clients receive something rare:
a designer who sees both the intimate details and the full construction chessboard.
Hentz Inspired Living is where:
Beauty meets structure
Art meets engineering
And vision meets accountability
Every project is guided through a clear design roadmap, eliminating guesswork and protecting your investment from costly missteps.
The result is design that feels intentional—because it is.
Thoughtful spaces for modern living meeting timeless craftsmanship
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Whether helping a family reimagine a kitchen, navigate a remodel, plan a custom home, or prepare a space for long-term accessibility, Susan’s approach blends smart strategy with real-life function.
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The result is a process that feels calmer, clearer, and more intentional — helping homeowners move forward with confidence, avoid unnecessary regrets, and create spaces designed for everyday living.
At Hentz Inspired Living Inc., we believe that a home is more than just four walls; it’s a canvas for your life’s story, a sanctuary where memories will be created, and family recipes will be shared around the dinner table, passing on your most cherished traditions and leaving a way to make an imprint on your home that reflects your family.
When asked what makes a happy home, most of us would say happy homes are filled with warmth and love, creating a relaxed atmosphere where amazing memories are made together. Let this be your reminder to embrace the laughter, the shared meals, and the adventures that make each day memorable with our loved ones. Let’s celebrate the joy that fills our spaces and the special moments we cherish!
Who We Are
We are passionate listeners, eager to understand your vision and needs. Our goal is to ensure that your home not only serves your family's practical requirements but also enriches your everyday experiences. Thoughtful design is at the heart of what we do; we believe that the foundation of a well-crafted space lies in thoughtful programming and schematic design. Whether we’re working on your kitchen, bathroom, or that intimate nook, our focus is on harmonizing beauty and functionality, creating an environment that inspires joy and comfort. Every home has a character of its own, and we delight in uncovering the magic within those unexpected details.
Interior Design Services
Our Trade Partners
Professional Practice
Susan has worked across the residential spectrum, collaborating with:
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Custom home builders
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Trades and fabricators
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Engineers and consultants
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Homeowners navigating complex renovations
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Clients requiring ADA-conscious or future-proofed homes
Her deliverables often include feasibility studies, schematic design, construction-ready drawings, 3D models, and client education materials, all structured to reduce risk and increase clarity before construction begins.
Leadership Thoughts
Beyond client work, Susan is building a broader educational and advocacy platform within the residential design and building industry.
She is actively developing:
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Educational content for homeowners and emerging professionals
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A podcast focused on residential design, construction realities, and client education
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Speaking and panel participation for home & garden shows and industry events
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Resources supporting women in architecture, design, and building
She is known for her ability to translate industry complexity into accessible language—empowering clients and professionals alike to make better decisions. Today through Hentz Inspired Living, Susan continues to push for a more thoughtful, ethical, and human-centered approach to residential design—one where creativity is paired with accountability, and where clients feel guided, protected, and confident from first idea to final build.
