Redesigning More Than Spaces: How Liz Toombs Is Transforming Sorority Housing Across America

What began as a residential design firm in Lexington, Kentucky, sixteen years ago has evolved into something far more impactful: a mission to create environments where young women can truly thrive. Liz Toombs, founder of PDR Interiors, has become the go-to expert for sorority house design, completing over 100 projects across 25 states. But her work goes far beyond selecting furniture and paint colors. Toombs has pioneered a thoughtful approach to Greek housing that prioritizes mental health, community connection, and personal growth—transforming outdated phone booths into private wellness spaces, designing study lounges that actually support focus, and creating gathering areas where lifelong friendships are forged over late-night reality TV marathons.

Operating from Martin, Tennessee, Toombs leads a fully remote team that has mastered the art of delivering personalized, high-quality design across the country. Her unique perspective as both a sorority woman and a female entrepreneur in the male-dominated construction industry has shaped her approach to leadership, collaboration, and client relationships. Through her podcast “Sorority Chat,” she’s extended her influence beyond physical spaces, creating a platform for meaningful conversations with national Greek leaders and sorority members nationwide. Her journey from a 25-year-old wearing glasses to look older in client meetings to a confident thought leader who embraces the mantra “I no longer chase, I attract” offers valuable lessons for any woman building expertise in her field.

We had the honor of speaking with Toombs, and she shared the pivotal moment that led her to specialize in sorority housing, the systems that allowed her small team to manage projects nationwide, and how she’s redefined what Greek housing can be for this generation of students. She discusses navigating gender bias in the construction world, building a business through authentic networking, and why those cozy movie-night gatherings represent the true measure of her success.

Check out our full interview with Liz Toombs below.

Liz Toombs, founder of PDR Interiors

What inspired you to transition from launching PDR Interiors in Lexington, Kentucky 16 years ago to becoming the go-to expert for sorority house design across 25 states? What pivotal moment made you realize this niche was your calling?

Liz Toombs: When I first launched PDR Interiors, I assumed my path would center around residential design and creating beautiful homes for families. Then I took on my first Greek project, which happened to be a men’s fraternity house. I loved collaborating with their board and seeing how design could impact the daily life and pride of a chapter.

That project led to a referral to a women’s organization on the same campus, and soon I was being asked to travel to other chapters across the country. Somewhere in those early projects, it clicked that this was where I was meant to be. I realized my background as a sorority woman gave me a unique understanding of what these spaces need, how they serve as both a home and a hub for sisterhood, tradition, and growth.

What started as one opportunity became a calling. Designing sorority houses allows me to blend my love for interiors with my passion for empowering women. It’s about more than furniture and finishes; it’s about creating environments that help young women thrive, connect, and feel proud of where they belong.

As a female entrepreneur in the design industry, what were the biggest challenges you faced breaking into the traditionally male-dominated construction and renovation space, and how did you overcome them?

Liz Toombs: When I launched my business at 25, I constantly felt like I had to prove myself. I was young, female, and working in a space that’s traditionally dominated by men: construction, renovations, and facilities management. There were times I’d throw on glasses just to look a little older and “wiser” walking into meetings. Looking back, I’m not sure I’d make that same choice today, but at the time, it felt necessary to be taken seriously.

In those early years, I also assumed I was the least experienced person in the room, so I led with caution instead of confidence. Over time, I realized that wasn’t always true. The niche I’ve built-sorority housing design-is highly specialized, and I’ve spent the past sixteen years learning every detail about how these properties function.

The biggest shift came when I started trusting my expertise and using my voice. I no longer try to fit a mold of what a designer “should” look or sound like in this industry. I show up as myself, authentic, prepared, and confident in what I know, and that’s when people started to really listen.

You’ve completed over 100 projects across the country – how do you manage the logistics of running a business while traveling extensively? What systems have you put in place to maintain work-life balance?

Liz Toombs: Running a business that has projects spanning across the country definitely requires structure, and a great team. PDR Interiors has been fully remote since long before it was trendy, so we’ve had years to refine how we work together from different places. We’re a small, nimble team, which allows us to stay responsive and hands-on with our clients. Every client has direct access to us, which builds trust and keeps communication smooth, no matter where the project is located.

Behind the scenes, we rely on several cloud-based platforms to track progress, share visuals, and manage budgets. We’ve built, dismantled, and rebuilt our systems more than once to make sure they truly support both our workflow and our clients’ needs. Weekly team meetings keep us aligned on priorities and deadlines, even when we’re spread across time zones.

A huge part of our success also comes from the network we’ve built: vendors, installers, and craftsmen across the country who understand the sorority housing world as well as we do. That network allows us to deliver the same level of quality whether a project is in Michigan, Texas, or Georgia.

As for balance, I’ve learned to protect my downtime and structure my weeks intentionally. We pour a lot of energy into our projects, so I make sure there’s space to rest, create, and simply enjoy life outside of work. It’s that balance that keeps me energized and inspired for the next design challenge.

Tell us about your approach to repurposing old phone booth spaces into private mental health areas. What sparked this idea, and how have you seen it impact the women living in these houses?

Liz Toombs: It’s so funny you asked about this, as the phone booth transformation came up just this week at a site visit. The original idea actually came from collaboration with our clients. Many of these older chapter houses still have traditional phone booths- beautiful woodwork, but completely outdated for today’s needs. Instead of removing them entirely, we started asking, “How could these little spaces serve this generation of students?”

What we found is that privacy has become a luxury in a busy sorority house. So, we reimagined those booths as small mental health and quiet zones. Now, they’re being used for telehealth appointments, video job interviews, online tests, or simply a private moment to decompress or call home.

Our role is to make those spaces both functional and comforting- places that feel like a retreat within a bustling chapter home. We layer in soft lighting, warm finishes, and thoughtful details that make them feel inviting instead of forgotten.

The impact has been incredible. These areas support students’ mental wellness in a very real way, and they send an important message: that the chapter cares about both connection and personal well-being. It’s been one of my favorite small-but-mighty design evolutions in recent years.

Can you share a specific story about how one of your redesigned spaces positively impacted a young woman’s college experience or mental well-being?

Liz Toombs: One of my favorite parts of this work is hearing from our clients after move-in. We often get photos and messages showing the chapter piled into their new TV room for movie nights or reality TV watch parties- girls sitting on every piece of furniture, wrapped in blankets, laughing together.

What might look like “just a room” from the outside is really a space for connection. When the environment is thoughtfully designed- comfortable seating, inviting colors, good lighting- it naturally draws people in. Those shared moments create the kind of core memories that stick long after graduation.

To me, that’s the real impact of design. When a space helps someone feel like they belong, decompress after a long day, or connect with others who lift them up, that’s when I know we’ve done our job well. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating environments that quietly support mental well-being and build community in the process.

Hosting the “Sorority Chat” podcast while running a successful design firm requires significant time management skills. How do you prioritize and balance content creation with client work?

Liz Toombs: Honestly, balancing the podcast with client work comes pretty naturally because it’s all interconnected. Sorority Chat isn’t something separate from what I do. It’s an extension of it. The show gives me a platform to connect with the same people I collaborate with every day: clients, vendors, and incredible sorority women I meet through projects or online.

I’m a bit obsessive, in a good way, about time management. I live by my calendar and plan my weeks carefully so I can give full attention to both design projects and creative work. Having an amazing podcast producer helps a ton, too. Shoutout to Collier Landry- he keeps everything on track behind the scenes so I can focus on the conversations and storytelling.

At the end of the day, Sorority Chat doesn’t take away from my design work- it fuels it. The conversations I have there constantly inspire how I think about the spaces we create and the women we design for.

What leadership lessons have you learned from working with sorority chapter leaders and national organizations that apply to business leadership in general?

Liz Toombs: Working with sorority leaders and national housing organizations over the years has shaped so much of how I lead my own business.

First, I’ve learned that collaboration is everything. Every project brings together people with different perspectives- students, alumnae, contractors, designers- and that’s actually a gift. When you embrace those differing viewpoints instead of resisting them, the end result is always stronger.

Second, I’ve learned the power of education and of setting expectations. I live and breathe sorority housing design, but most of the women on these project committees are experiencing this process for the first time. Taking time to explain what’s happening, why decisions matter, and what comes next builds trust and keeps the project running smoothly.

And finally, I’ve learned it’s okay to ask questions. No one has all the answers, and curiosity is one of the best tools for connection and growth. Whether it’s in business or in a sorority house boardroom, leading with curiosity and respect opens the door for better understanding, and ultimately, better outcomes.

How do you position yourself as a thought leader in this specialized niche, and what advice would you give to other women looking to become experts in their fields?

Liz Toombs: Sorority Chat has really become the heartbeat of my thought leadership journey. The podcast gives me a way to connect with others in the Greek and design communities, hear their stories, and share my own experiences in a way that feels genuine and conversational. Every episode reinforces the idea that we all have something to learn from one another, and that’s what keeps me growing as a designer, business owner, and mentor.

For women who want to become experts in their own fields, my biggest advice is simple: say yes to opportunities. The best people in any industry didn’t get there by hiding, they put themselves out there, even when it felt uncomfortable or imperfect. Confidence comes from showing up, doing the work, and learning out loud. It takes practice to reach the top of your game, but every “yes” builds momentum.

Be willing to share what you know, keep learning what you don’t, and trust that your voice has value. That’s how you build both expertise and credibility.

What’s your process for scaling a business that requires such personal, hands-on attention to each project? How do you maintain quality while growing?

Liz Toombs: Scaling a business that’s built on personal relationships and creative attention to detail is definitely a balancing act. For me, it starts with learning from others. I intentionally surround myself with people who are smarter or more experienced than I am, whether they’re in the design world or a completely different industry. Watching how they lead, problem-solve, and innovate has helped me grow both as a business owner and as a person.

I’m also very intentional about who I bring onto my team. Everyone at PDR Interiors shares the same core values: integrity, creativity, and a “Be Human First” mindset. That alignment allows me to trust my team to carry out the work with the same care and attention to detail I would give myself.

We’ve built processes that keep our quality consistent, things like clear communication, checklists, internal reviews, but at the heart of it, it’s about culture. When everyone believes in the mission and takes pride in the outcome, the quality naturally stays high, even as the business grows.

How do you price and present projects that might cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to organizations that may have budget constraints? What’s your approach to value-based selling?

Liz Toombs: When you’re working with clients who have defined budgets, it’s essential to lead with understanding and alignment. Before I ever present a design concept, I know the client’s budget range. Nothing derails a project faster than showing products that don’t meet their expectations- whether that means exceeding their price point or undershooting their quality standards.

We ask a lot of questions up front, about priorities, values, and how the chapter will use each space. That helps us deliver designs that feel customized, stay within budget, and provide lasting value. At the end of the day, value-based selling isn’t about convincing someone to spend more; it’s about proving that what they’re investing in is going to serve them well for years to come.

What role has networking played in your business growth, and how do you build relationships with decision-makers at national sorority organizations?

Liz Toombs: Networking has played a huge role in the growth of my business. It’s honestly my favorite form of marketing. Nearly every major project we’ve taken on can be traced back to a relationship, not an ad. I’ve always believed that when you show up consistently, do great work, and treat people well, opportunities naturally follow.

As PDR Interiors has expanded nationally, networking has evolved. It’s no longer just local events or word-of-mouth around my local area-it’s about finding ways to stay connected with people across 50 states. That’s where Sorority Chat has been such a game-changer. The podcast has become my new form of networking. It reconnects me with people I’ve known for years and introduces me to new leaders, vendors, and sorority members who share my passion for creating spaces where women thrive.

What I love most is that the connections are organic. It’s not about pitching, it’s about having real conversations, learning from others, and building trust. Those relationships are the heartbeat of my business, and they’ve opened doors I never could have forced open on my own.

Beyond beautiful spaces, you’re really creating environments where young women can “excel in all aspects of their lives.” How do you measure the success of that mission beyond the aesthetic outcome?

Liz Toombs: That’s such a great question…and honestly, it’s one of the hardest things to measure. Success in this work isn’t just about how a space looks when we leave, it’s about how it feels for the people living in it long after we’re gone.

I get a real sense of success when I hear directly from the women using the space- when they tell us they love gathering in the living room for movie nights, or that their study lounge finally feels calm and functional. Those stories are the best kind of feedback because they show the design is doing exactly what it was meant to do: support their daily life, friendships, and growth.

Another meaningful measure is when a client calls us back to design for them again. That repeat partnership says we delivered not just a beautiful result, but an experience they trusted and valued.

For me, success is when design quietly does its job-when it makes someone’s day just a little better, helps them feel proud of where they belong, and gives them a space that reflects who they’re becoming.

Lastly, is there a specific mantra, quote, or affirmation that you hold close to your heart (This will be for a graphic we use on social with your photo)

Liz Toombs: I no longer chase, I attract.

This mantra has continued to come up again and again this year. I attract what’s meant for me, and repel what isn’t. The right opportunities always find you when you’re showing up as your truest self. When I focus on being me and not worrying about what everybody else is doing, I am so much more fulfilled in my work and even my personal life.