IDS Member Spotlight: Autumn Pochiro of Autumn Dawn Design

From Louisiana to Mississippi, Arizona to Boston, and now Ohio, Autumn Pochiro’s journey has taken her through four distinct regions of the country, each shaping the way she approaches design. What began as “hobby design” for friends grew into Autumn Dawn Design, a full-service firm built around thoughtful process, bold creativity, and managing every detail from start to finish.

Now, as the president of IDS Columbus, Autumn is bringing that same energy to the newest IDS chapter. We caught up with her to talk about her design journey, the projects that inspire her, her love of the Gilded Age, and why she believes the IDS community is something truly special.

Q: Tell us about your journey into interior design and how living in four different regions of the U.S. has shaped the way you see and approach design.

A: Autumn Dawn Design began in 2015 after a season of impromptu "hobby design" for friends. I had spent years creating custom children's clothing and window treatments for clients in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arizona, and Boston. Then I landed in the Midwest, Ohio, for yet another home renovation that my beautiful community loved. I built a design firm around the idea of process—managing every piece of the design.

Q: What has been one of your favorite or most memorable projects to work on?

A: I gravitate toward projects that incorporate biophilic design and work-life balance. My newest love is the office lounge: work by day, drinks by four. We incorporate an area that is functional, transitional, and styled for every occasion. You spend 1/3 of your life at work. Your office should reflect your personality and make you happy; happiness is the key to success. My latest favorite lounge is the "Britts Lounge," done in a fabulous Sherwin-Williams energetic green. Share what makes this project stand out and how it reflects your design philosophy to inspire readers.

Interior design will always be an art form. There are rules, and there's taste. Some people stick to the status quo, but outstanding design is art in its rarest form. Believe it or not, most of society sticks with white rooms and white furniture and rarely steps outside of what I call catalog design, self-conscious design. I believe in unrestrained design: bold, contrasting colors and whimsical moments that envelop the senses. I am grateful to work with clients whom I admire. Clients who become like family and who trust the design process to create a new home they will adore for years to come.

Q: You recently became president of IDS Columbus, Ohio, our newest IDS chapter! What inspired you to get involved with IDS and take on a leadership role?

A: The IDS community of amazing people, from designers to vendors, can't be duplicated outside of IDS. Every time I've been in a room with this group, I've left informed, energized, inspired, and most of all, loved. After leaving the National meeting in New Orleans in fall of 25, I knew Columbus needed a chapter and began working to create a Board of Influence to bring IDS Columbus to life.

Q: When you're not designing, where can we find you?

A: ON THE TENNIS COURT! Tennis is my newest hobby; for the last three years or so, I've spent a few hours a week on the courts. Overserved has a whole new meaning.

Q: What's currently inspiring you? Whether that's a place, artist, designer, book, film, fashion, or something completely unexpected?

A: Currently, I am inspired by the history of design, particularly the Gilded Age. I find that era of design interesting: building such grandeur, only to tear it all down in less than half a century, and how our world changed from a maximalist 'more is more' era. This fascination sparks my creativity and invites others to explore new ideas in their own work.