Decor Advice on a Budget? Connect With a Design Pro on Instagram

In the accounts recommended to her by Instagram’s algorithm, she came across a shop called Frost Road House that fellow Brooklynite Gina Reese had launched in June, eager to turn her thrifting hobby into a lockdown side hustle. Ms. Grueskin eyed a photo of tempered glass bottles and trays, then realized it had been sold. She direct messaged Ms. Reese, who offered to create a custom bundle of bottles based on Ms. Grueskin’s specs and a photo of her bedroom. “It’s hard starting from scratch,” Ms. Grueskin admitted. “Having a relationship with someone who I know has good taste and is sourcing quality items is really helpful and cool.”

Covid-19 has inspired other Instagrammers to offer similar services. Mirrors of Magic’s Emma Rhoads, who paints custom designs on vintage mirrors, and Lucite Lust’s Jenny Ko, who sells contemporary and vintage homeware, also launched their shops in the past six months. “There’s so much space-shifting with the pandemic. I love helping people figure out who they want to be visually for this new stage in their life,” said Mx. Ko, who uses the gender-neutral honorific.

In Nashville, Ebb & Iv’s Alisa Jernigan creates mood boards for clients with pieces from her inventory. If she can’t supply an item from her crowded garage or storage unit, she’ll recommend a friend’s shop that can.

Though Ms. Reese more typically ships items at the buyer’s expense, she dropped off Ms. Grueskin’s bottles personally, along with a long-coveted plaster swirl-base lamp. Her masked client invited her in. “I wanted her to see that the things she sourced were going to a good home,” Ms. Grueskin said.