At Poised & Plumb
your project is in good hands
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How Poised & Plumb Began
The Origin Story
We didn't start Poised & Plumb because we wanted to build something. We started it because we were tired of watching things fall apart.
As a designer, Dixie's job wasn't just about the space plans, furniture, fixtures, and finishes. She was translating between contractors and clients, untangling crossed wires, and stepping in when things started to go sideways–explaining construction realities in plain English to homeowners and turning design vision into actionable steps for the trades.
Over and over, we saw timelines get derailed, decisions get delayed, and people get frustrated when no one was holding the middle.
We've worked with hundreds of designers and seen how hard it is to juggle creativity, logistics, and communication across every part of a project. In the conversations we've had with contractors, whether on job sites or through industry peers, it's clear they feel the disconnect, too. Designers and contractors are often working from different assumptions and expecting the homeowner to fill in the blanks. That's where breakdowns happen and where the project suffers.
For homeowners? It's overwhelming. They're suddenly expected to make big decisions fast, translate jargon they don't understand, and referee between professionals who don't always see eye to eye. Most aren't equipped for that (and they shouldn't have to be).
We created Poised & Plumb to fill that gap. We bring structure, strategy, and communication to the process so designers can design, contractors can build, and homeowners aren't left holding the bag.
We build the structure that keeps everything straight, steady, and moving forward (the real meaning behind Poised & Plumb).
A Little Bit More About Dixie
I'm a fairly nerdy chick with a snarky sense of humor
My name’s Dixie Willard, and after spending 20 years traveling the world as an Air Force wife, I’ve finally landed in East Tennessee, in our forever home. It’s that sweet spot between being close to family, but not too close.
I’m detail-loving, strategy-obsessed, and deeply committed to keeping the coffee industry afloat. As an NCIDQ-certified interior designer, educator, and operations strategist, I’ve spent years helping people make sense of complex projects and create practical structure that works.
When I’m not helping clients make sense of complex projects, you can probably find me hanging out with my furry Chief Morale Officers, Buster, Blue, and Charlie, or hitting the road with my husband on our next big adventure.
WHY CERTIFICATION MATTERS
NCIDQ CERTIFIED
What does this mean for you?
First, the technical answer: It means Dixie earned a four-year degree in interior design, spent years gaining hands-on experience, and passed a rigorous, two-day, three-part exam covering building codes, systems and processes, sustainability, and more. Dixie also maintains her certification with ongoing education to keep her expertise sharp.
What does it actually mean for you?
It means we know what we're doing and we bring that knowledge to every project.
At Poised & Plumb, we work alongside designers, contractors, and homeowners, ensuring that the structure is in place so no detail is missed, no communication falls through the cracks, and no costly mistakes derail your project.
Bottom line? You get a well-run, well-structured project that results in a space that looks incredible, functions beautifully, and feels like home.
