Hiring a designer brings expertise, creativity, and a thoughtful, strategic approach to your project. We take your ideas—whether fully formed or just a feeling—and expand them into a creative, functional design that reflects your lifestyle. Our process saves you time, helps avoid costly mistakes, and maximizes your budget by sourcing quality materials and furnishings tailored to your needs. Additionally, we collaborate with contractors and trades to streamline the process and bring your project to life. Whether you’re remodeling, building new, or refreshing your space with new furnishings, working with a designer ensures a polished, functional, and beautifully curated result. Our expertise ensures that every detail, from foundational changes to the final styling touches, comes together cohesively to create a home that is both beautiful and deeply personal.

What makes our studio unique is the depth of experience and expertise we bring to every project. With backgrounds in both interior design and architecture, we offer a multidisciplinary approach that ensures a seamless and cohesive design experience from concept to completion. Whether it’s space planning, custom millwork, or material selection, we think holistically about how every element works together to create a home that is both beautiful and functional.

We are meticulous about the details—from the overall layout and flow to the finishing touches that make a space feel intentional and complete. Our commitment to craftsmanship and quality means we collaborate closely with skilled artisans and tradespeople to create bespoke elements that bring authenticity and character to your home.

More than anything, we believe great design is about the people who live in the spaces we create. We take a highly personalized, client-centric approach, viewing every project as a collaboration between us, our clients, and the extended project team. We understand how personal designing a home can be, and we feel privileged to be entrusted with that process. Trust and transparency are at the core of how we work, ensuring a smooth, enjoyable experience from start to finish.

The best service for you depends on the scope of your project, your level of involvement, and how much guidance you’d like from our team. We offer three tiers of design services to fit different needs:

Full-Service Design is ideal for those looking for a start-to-finish experience, whether for a new build, a full-home renovation, or a smaller remodel. We handle everything—from concept development and technical drawings to sourcing, procurement, and construction oversight—ensuring a seamless, well-executed design. If you want a comprehensive approach with us guiding every step, this is the best option.

Partial-Service Design is great for clients who want professional expertise in developing their design but feel comfortable taking on the final execution. We’ll create a fully fleshed-out design plan, including space planning, finishes, and material selections, while you (or your contractor) handle purchasing, project management, and installation. This is a collaborative approach for those who want a designer’s vision but prefer to manage logistics independently.

Consultations are perfect for those looking for targeted guidance or a professional opinion on specific design questions. Whether you need help brainstorming ideas, refining selections, or navigating the remodeling process, our one-hour consultation provides actionable insights to help you move forward with confidence. It’s also the first step in our Full-Service and Partial-Service Design process.

If you’re unsure which service is right for you, we’d be happy to discuss your project and help determine the best fit. Reach out, and let’s chat!

We primarily focus on residential projects, including both remodels and new construction. Our expertise lies in creating cohesive, thoughtful interiors that enhance the way our clients live in their homes. While our work is predominantly residential, we are open to select commercial projects that align with our design approach and values. 

Client compatibility

The ideal project involves clients who appreciate and align with our aesthetic sensibilities, values, and design philosophy. Clients who are open to collaboration, communication, and trust in the expertise of our team contribute to a positive working relationship and successful project outcome.

Creative Freedom

The project allows us the creative freedom to explore design concepts, materials, and solutions in order to create a unique living experience for the clients in their home. We appreciate opportunities to think outside of the box with unique architectural elements, bespoke furnishings, and custom finishes.

Customization

The project offers opportunities for personalization and customization to tailor the design to the specific needs, preferences, and lifestyle of the clients. Designing spaces and pieces that reflect the clients' personalities, passions, and aspirations fosters a deeper connection between the residents and their home environment.

Quality Materials & Finishes

We have the opportunity to work with high-quality, sustainably-focused materials, finishes, and furnishings that elevate a space while creating uniqueness and longevity. We value premium materials, such as locally sourced wood, natural stone, artisanal textiles, and custom hardware.

Architectural Integrity

The ideal project involves integrating interior design seamlessly with the architectural framework of the residence. Opportunities to enhance and compliment the architectural features of the space contribute to a cohesive design that honors the original structure and its surroundings.

Collaborative Team

We believe that great design is the result of collaboration, not just between designers and clients, but also between contractors, craftsman and other creative professionals who share our same dedication to quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail. By fostering an environment of collaboration, creativity and mutual respect, we are able to realize the full potential of a project.

We charge hourly for our design services and provide a detailed proposal based on the project scope following our initial consultation. Once both parties have signed the contract, we collect a non-refundable retainer, with half applied at the beginning of the project and the other half at the end. Throughout the project, we bill for design hours monthly, sending an invoice at the beginning of each month for the previous month’s work. This structure allows for transparency and flexibility as we tailor our design process to your specific needs.

We can provide recommendations for contractors that we work with regularly, particularly for projects in the East Bay (Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda and Lamorinda). Over the years, we’ve built strong relationships with skilled professionals who understand our design process and deliver quality craftsmanship.

That said, if you already have a contractor you’d like to work with, we are happy to collaborate! We value clear communication and teamwork and will do our best to seamlessly integrate with your existing team to ensure a smooth and successful project.

Ideally, we like to be involved from the very beginning of your project. Early collaboration allows us to align the design vision with architectural plans, ensure cohesive material and finish selections, and create a seamless process from concept to completion.

That said, we also work with clients who bring us in after their architect has completed their portion of the work, and we’re happy to step in at that stage. No matter when we join the process, our goal is to bring clarity, creativity, and thoughtful design solutions to your project.

Getting started is simple! Here’s what to expect:

1. Fill Out Our Contact Form – You'll be prompted to complete a brief questionnaire so we can learn more about your project and determine if we’re the right fit.

2. Discovery Call – We’ll schedule a complimentary 15-minute call to discuss your project in more detail and answer any initial questions.

3. In-Person Consultation – If the project feels like a mutual fit, we’ll schedule a paid in-person consultation to dive deeper into your needs, style, and vision. This meeting helps both of us determine if we’re the right team for your project.

4. Proposal & Next Steps – After the consultation, we’ll send a detailed proposal outlining the scope of work and our fee estimate. If everything aligns, we’ll move forward with finalizing a contract and officially begin the design process!

We look forward to hearing more about your project and helping bring your vision to life.

It depends on the scope of your project. For most of our projects, we’re able to handle the architectural design in-house—Kathryn, our co-owner, is an architect by trade! We develop the design and then collaborate with a draftsperson and/or engineer if needed to produce the necessary permit documentation.

If your project requires more extensive structural changes or specialized architectural work, we’ll let you know and guide you toward the best approach. Our goal is to ensure that you have the right team in place to bring your vision to life efficiently and seamlessly.

When working with us on a renovation, the project team typically includes our Interior Design firm, a structural engineer, a draftsperson (or sometimes an architect), and a general contractor. Our role is to bridge the gap between design and construction, ensuring that every detail is thoughtfully considered and executed.

As the interior designers, we:

• Reimagine the layout and flow of the home—this can involve reworking the floor plan or footprint to create a more functional, cohesive space.

• Bring the structure to life—whether working from existing architectural plans or a blank slate, we curate materials, textures, furnishings, lighting, art, and accessories to enhance the integrity of the home.

• Design custom elements—including cabinetry, built-ins, staircases, and other architectural details that add both beauty and functionality.

• Develop a cohesive design plan—ensuring that materials, finishes, custom elements, and furnishings work harmoniously together.

• Collaborate with the entire team—from clients to architects, general contractors, and vendors, we act as a creative and logistical partner to bring the vision to life seamlessly.

Our approach ensures that every layer of the design is carefully considered, resulting in a home that feels intentional, beautiful, and tailored to your lifestyle.

While most of our projects are local, we are open to working with clients remotely if the project is the right fit. Our design process is highly collaborative, and we’ve successfully worked with clients virtually through a combination of video calls, digital presentations, and clear communication.

We also offer virtual consultations, allowing us to discuss your project, provide guidance, and determine the best path forward—no matter where you're located. If you're interested in remote design services, reach out to see if we’d be a good fit!

We do our best to accommodate a range of budgets and tailor our services to fit your project’s needs. While we prioritize sourcing high-quality materials and furnishings that align with our design values, we are always mindful of budget constraints and can help find creative solutions that balance cost and quality.

If you’re unsure whether your budget aligns with our services, we’d be happy to discuss your project and explore options that work for you.

Project timelines vary depending on the complexity and scope of work. Furnishing projects can typically take anywhere from 3-8 months from start to finish while renovations and new builds can take 1-3+ years, depending on the scope.

We do our best to keep the design process streamlined and efficient by scheduling all design meetings upfront, maintaining regular check-ins, and keeping things on track with a clear workflow. That said, timelines can also be influenced by factors such as permitting, construction schedules, and material lead times.

Additionally, client decision-making plays a role in the overall timeline—some clients prefer more time to weigh options, request additional revisions, or explore different directions, which can extend the process. We work closely with each client to balance thoughtful decision-making with forward momentum, ensuring the best possible outcome without unnecessary delays.

During our initial consultation, we’ll provide a more tailored estimate based on your project scope and discuss what to expect along the way.

We’ve outlined our full design process in detail in our Investment Guide—from initial consultation to final installation. To learn more about what to expect when working with us, please download a copy of our Investment Guide.

The terms interior designer and interior decorator are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different roles:

• Interior Designers focus on both function and aesthetics. We are involved in space planning, layout changes, custom millwork, built-ins, cabinetry, and materials selection, often working alongside architects, contractors, and engineers. Interior designers ensure that a space is not only beautiful but also functional, cohesive, and well-executed.

• Interior Decorators primarily focus on the visual styling of a space. They select furnishings, accessories, textiles, and color schemes but typically do not make structural changes or work on architectural details.

As an interior design firm, we take a holistic approach—considering both the architectural and decorative aspects of a home—to create spaces that are thoughtfully designed, cohesive, and highly functional.

Great! We love collaborating with architects and can flexibly integrate into the process based on where things stand. Our first step is to review the architect’s agreed-upon scope to ensure there’s no overlap and that our role complements their work seamlessly.

We speak the same design language, use many of the same programs, and have extensive experience working alongside architects. This allows for efficient collaboration, clear communication, and a smooth design process—ultimately leading to a well-executed, cohesive final result.

No, we are not licensed architects. However, Kathryn received her Bachelor of Architecture from Cal Poly SLO in 2007 and has over 15 years of experience working in architecture firms. Our background allows us to handle architectural design for most interior projects, but when a licensed professional is required, we bring in the right experts.

There are two main scenarios where we would involve a licensed professional:

1. For Small-Scale Projects Requiring Permits – If your project requires a permit, we would likely bring in a licensed draftsperson to prepare any additional documentation needed for the permit application.

2. For Additions or Major Structural Work – If your project involves an addition or significant structural modifications, we would bring in a licensed architect to coordinate elements such as structural and HVAC design, a property survey, Title 24 compliance, and exterior detailing.

We’ll always guide you toward the right professionals for your project’s needs while ensuring a streamlined and well-executed design process.

While we love fully reimagining a space, we also enjoy incorporating existing furniture and décor when it makes sense for the design. If you have pieces that are meaningful to you or that work well within the new vision, we’re happy to thoughtfully integrate them.

During the design process, we’ll assess your existing items to determine what fits, what might need to be refreshed or reupholstered, and where new elements can enhance the overall look and feel. Our goal is to create a cohesive, beautifully curated space that blends the old with the new in a way that feels intentional and true to your style.

Yes! We love any opportunity to design custom furniture and built-ins. Whether it’s a one-of-a-kind dining table, a tailored sofa, or bespoke cabinetry, we create pieces that are thoughtfully designed to fit your space perfectly.

Custom design allows us to maximize functionality, ensure quality craftsmanship, and bring a unique, personal touch to your home. We collaborate with skilled artisans, fabricators, and millworkers to bring these designs to life.

For full-service projects, we work closely with the contractor to ensure a smooth execution of the design. This includes regular communication, scheduled site visits, and ongoing collaboration to address any questions, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure every detail is implemented as planned.

We act as a bridge between the design vision and the construction process, helping to coordinate material orders, design details, and any adjustments needed along the way. Our goal is to keep the project moving efficiently while maintaining the integrity of the design.

We take a thoughtful and collaborative approach to understanding your style. Before we get started, we provide a detailed questionnaire to learn more about your preferences, lifestyle, and vision for your home.

We also encourage you to share inspiration of all types—not just home-related images, but anything that resonates with you, from fashion and travel to art and nature. Inspiration comes in many forms, and these insights help us craft a design that feels personal, cohesive, and reflective of your unique aesthetic.

Our portfolio will give you a sense of our overall design approach, but we don’t limit ourselves to one specific style. Instead, we focus on creating spaces that feel intentional, layered, and deeply personal to each client.

While we have a strong appreciation for timeless, well-crafted design, we remain open to a range of aesthetics, drawing inspiration from architecture, the surrounding environment, and each client’s unique vision. Our goal is to craft spaces that feel authentic, warm, and reflective of the people who live in them.

Yes! We are mindful of sustainability throughout our design process and strive to make eco-friendly choices whenever possible. We love sourcing vintage pieces and finding creative ways to repurpose or re-imagine existing elements to minimize waste while adding character to a space.

We also prioritize working with contractors, vendors, and artisans who share our commitment to sustainable practices—whether through responsible material sourcing, environmentally conscious manufacturing, or energy-efficient solutions. Our goal is to create beautifully designed spaces that are both thoughtful and environmentally responsible.

Every client is different, and we tailor our approach to match your preferred level of involvement. This is something we’ll discuss upfront to ensure the process feels comfortable and aligned with your expectations.

That said, we value a collaborative approach, as our goal is to design a home that feels deeply personal and reflective of you. Whether you prefer to be hands-on throughout the process or trust us to take the lead with periodic check-ins, we’ll find the right balance to create a seamless and enjoyable experience.