About Us

Claire Counts grew up just down the road in Greenville, South Carolina, and earned her degree in Interior Design in 2001. Over the past 25+ years, she has had the opportunity to work across nearly every commercial sector, including corporate offices, healthcare, senior living, hospitality, retail, restaurants, biotech facilities, multifamily and mixed-use developments, and even cruise ships.
 

What sets Claire apart is her experience on both sides of the construction process. She has spent years behind the desk as a designer and project manager, as well as in the field working directly with installers, tradespeople, and contractors. This combination is rare in the commercial construction industry and gives her a unique perspective on how projects succeed—or fail.
 

Traditional construction is often a linear process, with designers, contractors, and suppliers operating independently. This can lead to miscommunication, costly rework, scheduling delays, and budget overruns. Claire's experience in design, procurement, installation, and construction management allows her to bridge these gaps, creating a more collaborative and efficient project experience from concept to completion.
 

As Founder and Principal of Rhythm Design & Construction, Claire has built a team that streamlines the entire interior construction process. She believes great design is about much more than selecting finishes—it's about understanding how every detail impacts budget, constructability, scheduling, and the client experience.

Claire's approach is heavily influenced by her experience managing fast-paced cruise ship renovations, where projects had to be completed in as little as ten days while maintaining strict budgets and schedules. Those lessons in planning, coordination, and execution continue to shape Rhythm's commitment to delivering efficient, high-quality projects for every client.
 

In addition to her work with Rhythm, Claire founded asheBUILT in 2018 to create a collaborative community for professionals in the building industry. Through monthly gatherings and networking events, asheBUILT brings together architects, designers, contractors, suppliers, and tradespeople to strengthen relationships and support the growth of Western North Carolina's construction community.