EMMAUS, Pa. — For her passion for aesthetics, warm energy and natural eye, an Emmaus-based interior designer has been recognized with a prestigious national award in her field.
Hilary Unger, owner of Perianth Interior Design, was chosen Designer of the Year for 2025 by the Interior Design Society, or IDS, in the category of Living Spaces Over $100,000.
The award marks both her firm’s 25th anniversary and her 30th year in the profession since she moved her design company to the Lehigh Valley from New York City.
"Good, thoughtful work that lasts, that serves people. That’s always been the priority."Interior designer Hilary Unger
Unger's winning project: a transformation of a small Upper West Side living room, where her use of layered reds and inviting architectural detailing turned an underused space into a cozy urban retreat.
“It’s lovely to have validation,” Unger said.
“But the award is really a marker of the work — good, thoughtful work that lasts, that serves people. That’s always been the priority.”
What ultimately set apart the winning space, dubbed the "Red Room Project," was Unger’s vision.
As the photos show, before its makeover, the space’s white walls and clutter were clearly calling for an updated look.
During early conversations, the client had not imagined color for the living room — certainly not a deep red.
But as Unger walked the space, she saw potential.
“I kept thinking about warmth,” she said.
“About comfort, about a room that feels enveloping. Red suddenly made perfect sense.”
'Feels like it's always been this way'
Rather than overwhelming the space, Unger said she layered textures and tones, incorporating a red grasscloth wallcovering, a red lacquer floor-to-ceiling bookcase and warm classical materials that created depth.
She said she treated red as her “new neutral,” a backdrop capable of highlighting the space's functions.
According to Unger, some of the designs' standouts include:
- A ventless, code-compliant fireplace, complete with a carved marble surround, integrated into an extended wall so it appears original to the apartment
- A red lacquer custom bookcase spanning the full height and width of the wall, and it works as both storage and a sculptural centerpiece
- A bespoke dining table with concealed apron drawers that operate equally well as a dining surface and a work desk
- Zones for reading, lounging, working, dining and entertaining — achieved within just 300 square feet.
“What I’m proudest of,” Unger said, “is how we transformed the space both architecturally and atmospherically. The room feels considered. It feels intentional.
"It feels like it’s always been this way.”
From the Big Apple to Lehigh Valley
Unger’s philosophy was shaped by decades working in New York City — where the layers of historic architecture, cultural diversity and varied housing stock trained her to adapt across styles.
Her work ranges from modern to traditional to transitional, always tailored to the client's tastes and personality.
"There’s art here, community and a sense of connection that reminds me why design matters in people’s lives.”Interior designer Hilary Unger
"When I meet the client for the first time, there's an interview process," Unger said.
"The first is the priorities and the goals of what we want to achieve, and the third question is how they want the home to feel and how they want this room to feel when you walk in?"
Unger’s gift for empathy and her ability to build trust with clients are deeply rooted in her own story.
She moved with her teenage son to Emmaus in 2021 to be closer to family, with proximity to both Manhattan and Philadelphia letting her maintain her longstanding client base while embracing the diversity in the Lehigh Valley.
"This region gives me a second anchor,” she said.
“There’s art here, community and a sense of connection that reminds me why design matters in people’s lives.”
Locally, Unger's projects include bathroom renovations to full furniture plans, custom textiles and organizational redesigns for residents.
Her firm also tackles projects as diverse as reupholstering dining chairs to reimagining floor plans for better flow, and even layering rugs and wallpaper to bring fresh, dynamic energy into a space.
The common thread, Unger said, is thoughtful craftsmanship and high-quality materials.
“What I select needs to function for 10, 20, even 25 years,” she said. “Good design should last.”
Adjusts approach based on investment
Unger said she works with a wide range of vendors — New York showrooms, custom furniture makers and high-end rug artisans.
“The client is the one who’s going to live there. My job is to interpret their goals and translate them into a beautiful, intuitive, functional whole.”Interior designer Hilary Unger
While the "Red Room Project" may seem expensive for some clients, Unger also works with companies such as Pottery Barn for mid-range budgets — adjusting her approach based on the client’s investment level.
“The client is the one who’s going to live there,” she said. “My job is to interpret their goals and translate them into a beautiful, intuitive, functional whole.”
To learn more about Hilary Unger or to request design services, visit Perianth Interior Design's website.
