It looks like even the best in the business aren't immune to a little drama! Celebrity interior designer Kelli Hoffsteder, known for her flawless taste and high-end clientele, found herself in hot water recently when a client’s best friend unexpectedly chimed in on her design process—and things got heated fast.

Sources close to the project told DMZ that Kelli was in the midst of a high-profile build-out for one of her elite clients. The project was still in the construction phase, with walls up but no fixtures or hardware installed yet. That didn’t stop the client’s best friend from making some not-so-subtle critiques about the direction things were going.

According to an insider, the best friend questioned everything from Kelli’s choice of finishes to the overall layout, reportedly saying, “I just don’t see how this is going to come together,” and “This doesn’t feel like [the client’s] vibe at all.” Ouch.

Never one to back down, Kelli clapped back, allegedly calling out the unsolicited opinions in front of the entire project team.

“Last I checked, I’m the one hired to bring this vision to life—not the person sitting on the sidelines,” Kelli reportedly snapped.

The tension quickly escalated, with Kelli’s direct response leaving the best friend stunned—and the client caught in the middle. It’s no secret that a close relationship with a client can make or break a design, but when their inner circle gets involved? It’s a recipe for disaster.

Insiders say that the showdown led to a moment of serious reconsideration for the client. Rumors began swirling that the entire project could be derailed, with some sources speculating that Kelli might walk off the job if the interference continued. With no installation in sight and the project’s future hanging in the balance, the question on everyone's mind is...

What happens next? Will Kelli push through and finish the job, or is this project destined for a dramatic—and very public—implosion? Stay tuned for the latest on this unfolding drama at DMZ.