When eco‐minded Iowa interior designer Alyssa moves to New York to chase a career built on reclaimed pieces, she must juggle a steady boyfriend finding his footing, a glamorous roommate with different tastes and expectations, and a new job that pressures her to push pricey new furnishings over her values, as a found‐family forms around weekly dinners, small cultural clashes, and a choice between convenience and conviction in a gentle, ensemble rom‐com.

SYNOPSIS:

As Midwesterner Alyssa Lang works to settle into her New York City work and apartment life, difficulties arise with Gianna. The ostentatious Gianna finds it challenging to adapt to her apartment mate Alyssa's views on interior decoration and lifestyle. However, drawn by the possibility of establishing a long-term relationship with Felix's good friend, Matteo, Gianna finds it necessary not only to accept Felix as Alyssa's live-in significant other, but to lean on him for support as she attempts to learn Spanish in her effort to better fit in with Matteo's Spanish-speaking family. And given Gianna's lack of kitchen skills, when Matteo offers to cook for the six who gather twice weekly in the apartment, in the effort to spend more time with Matteo, Gianna opts for lower heels, an apron, and a willingness to exhibit her lack of kitchen experience. And then there is James, the African American hotel hospitality IT, Felix's buddy at work, whom Piper finds of interest. Piper is from Ireland, and here on a student visa to study interior design. Piper would like to learn to eat American-style, and James, who can eat both Continental and American-style, offers to help her do so. Alyssa is fond of Piper, and as in Alyssa's apartment, would like Piper's design to be environmentally aware.The hitch for Alyssa comes when Sanders Design is offered a kickback from Davie Furniture for whatever its clients purchase . . . all of which is new.

• Almost by Design Feature 2025 Best Feature Script, 31st LA Sun Film Fest; Quarter Finalist, Wiki Screenplay Awards; Nominee, LA Film Fest
• Evolved from: Almost by Design Comedy Series Pilot 2025:Finalist Award Winner New York International Women Festival; Semi-finalist: Santa Barbara Screenplay Awards; Emerging Screenwriters Comedy Screenplay Competition

ALMOST BY DESIGN FEATURE