After two decades in finance, I ended up going back to school to study Interior Design. It had always been a passionate hobby, but I was ready to make it my career. Furthermore, I wanted to help others avoid the disappointing experience I previously had with that design firm.

Since my transition into interior design, I have gained valuable experience in this industry. Having worked at a design-build firm, I have developed thorough knowledge of construction costs in the Bay Area. My finance background has also proven to be extremely beneficial, contributing to my design approach: “designing to budget”. Some designers will design to the client’s wish list, but I have found this approach to be problematic. Clients often have a substantial wish list, and later (sometimes too late) they discover that their preferred budget does not coincide with their project scope. To avoid this disheartening situation, I work with my clients to prioritize their wish list and help them understand the high-level construction costs upfront as we explore different design ideas. My goal is to ensure that my design concepts, proposed finish materials, and custom detailing, are all aligned with the client’s budget.

Fun Fact: I did eventually build a beautiful dream home that I designed within my budget!