FOUNDER AND CEO

LAURA UMANSKY

Get To Know Me

Education: University of Texas (BA in Studio Art) and University of Houston (Master of Architecture)

Fave Type of Project: Historic homes, and second homes- both call for bold decision making in design.

I Love What I Do Because: I love making people happy! Working with other creatives to make something real that was once merely a spark of an idea is truly incredible.

My Design Approach: Collaborative, bold, intuitive and thoughtful.

Where You Can Find Me Outside of The Studio: Hiking, exploring the world, or taking a course on pretty much anything.

My Claim To Fame: My vintage black and while vernacular photography collection. It’s very odd and its a commitment.

My Design Icon: Carlo Scarpa

How I Feel When There’s No Coffee: Frantic. There has to be coffee. That’s it.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

MELISSA GROVE

Get To Know Me

Education: Indiana University – English & Media Communications

Fave Type of Project: Not being a designer, this is so hard to answer but if I had to choose, I love high-rise condo design and anything kitchen-related.

I Love What I Do Because: Being a part of what our team can do is an absolute honor. Our openness to new ideas, our ability to listen to clients and to each other, and to collaborate creatively… Every one on our team is a creative and we appreciate the impact that individuality has on the client experience as a whole.

Where You Can Find Me Outside of the Studio: Date nights with my husband (although I prefer a weekend getaway!), cooking (but rarely baking), doing something fun with the kiddos, reading, and playing video games.

My Design Icon: Louis Millet

DIRECTOR OF INTERIOR DESIGN

SHANNON SMITH

Get To Know Me

Education: Texas State University (Interior Design, Summa Cum Laude); Texas Tech University (International Business & Marketing); Universidad de Granada (Spanish); Insitut catholique de Paris (Art History)

Fave Type of Project: I’m best known for modern & glamorous, but I love that we work on a diverse range of styles dependent on our client. A formal living or dining room is my favorite room to design!

My Design Approach: Informed by my love of modern & contemporary art, fashion, and travel.

DIRECTOR OF RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

MEGAN STRASBURG

Get To Know Me

Education: Texas A&M, Bachelors of Environmental Design

Fave Type of Project: Historic renovation – I love to see the character and story of the home come back to life!

I Love What I Do Because: I love home. I love the feelings that a beautiful space provides when it truly reflects those who live in it and can be enjoyed with loved ones.

Where You Can Find Me Outside of The Studio: Baking in my kitchen, on my yoga mat, or playing trains with my son.

My Design Icon: Michael Hsu

How I Feel When There’s No Coffee: Let’s find a solution because that’s unacceptable.

Associate Designer II

Megan Thomson

Get To Know Me

Education: Major: Interior Architecture, Minors: Film Studies and Art History 

My Fave Design Style: Japandi, blended/eclectic styles, and mid-century modern

My Design Approach: Thoughtfully functional, and personalized narrative-based design

Where You Can Find Me Outside of the Studio: Toiling away in my garden, serving up tiki drinks, cooking delicious food, and loving on my cats!

My Design Icons: Alvar Aalto, Lina Bo Bardi, Verner Panton, Louis Kahn

How I Feel When There’s No Coffee: Time to switch to tea!

Designer

LISA SHEPPARD

Get To Know Me

Education: Texas State University, Interior Design

My Fave Design Style: Gosh, I love them all! Favorites are Scandinavian, California Casual, Coastal, Bohemian, and French Country.

I Love What I Do Because: Every project is so unique and I love getting to work with so many different design styles! My personal style is very open and always changing so I love that I get to express a new, different style with each project.

My Design Approach: Lighthearted, fun – always trying to picture the client enjoying their space with family and friends!

Where You Can Find Me Outside of the Studio: Camping with my dogs and husband! Exploring the outdoors and being on the water. 

My Design Icon: Frank Lloyd Wright

How I Feel When There’s No Coffee: Like my day hasn’t officially started yet!

ASSOCIATE DESIGNER

ALYSSA WEEKLEY

Get To Know Me

Education: Sam Houston State University | Interior Design

I Love What I Do Because: Interior Design provides solutions to make everyday living effortless. When you have a home that functions like how your mind works, you have more time to focus on things that bring you the most joy in life.

Where We Can Find You Outside Of The Studio: Most likely working towards another adventure! Sometimes that’s traveling, growing as an entrepreneur or catching bugs with my kiddos.

My Claim To Fame Is: Knowing my way around power tools.

Design Icon: Dorothy Draper

One Thing My Co-Workers Don’t Know About Me: I have too many hobbies for my own good. If you need someone to lay tile, sew a new dress or build a new website–I’m your girl.

Office Manager

Susie Ciccone

Get To Know Me

Education: Sam Houston State University – Human Resources Management

Fave Design Style: Contemporary & modern with LOTS of color

Where You Can Find Me Outside of the Studio: Trying out new recipes, reading, and planning my next vacation! 

My Claim To Fame: I’m the karaoke Queen.

My Design Icon: Martyn Lawrence Bullard

How I Feel When There’s No Coffee: Impossible, there is ALWAYS coffee (Thanks Costco!)

Marketing Manager

Michelle Naik

Get To Know Me

Education: University of Houston, Marketing and Retail & Consumer Sciences

My Fave Design Style: Mid-century modern or Japandi

I Love What I Do Because: I get to see the process of a project from start to finish, and I get to photograph all of the stunning homes we design!

Where You Can Find Me Outside of the Studio: Learning a new dance, pilates class, shopping and trying out new restaurants all over town.

My Design Icons: Kelly Wearstler and Luis Barragan

How I Feel When There’s No Coffee: Not a coffee person, but if I don’t have my daily dose of Chai… don’t bother talking to me.

Purchasing & Logistics Coordinator

Raquel Calvillo

Get To Know Me

Education: University of Mississippi, Business & University of Houston, Retailing and Consumer Science

Fave Type of Project: Out of town projects! I love the logistics of working with new vendors, workrooms, and warehouses, and installing furnishings in the most beautiful locations.

I Love What I Do Because: I get to see every aspect of the company from business operations, behind-the-scenes logistics and accounting, to seeing the design team’s initial concept to final install with our clients. It’s such a fun and everchanging industry!

Where You Can Find Me Outside of The Studio: At home organizing and making lists (95% of the time.) When I’m not organizing, I’m having a glass of wine and watching terrible reality tv, or going out to try new restaurants and bars in the area with friends and family.

My Design Icons: Kelly Wearstler, Tatiana Bilbao & Ricardo Bofill

JUNIOR DESIGNER

MELISSA GARCIA

Get To Know Me

Education: Stephen F. Austin State University, Bachelor of Science in Interior Design

Fave Kind Of Project/Room Style: Kitchens, libraries, and any specialty space that incorporates a high level of thoughtful detail and functionality. I love millwork!

My Design Approach: My approach involves getting to know the client, their needs, and vision to design functional and aesthetically pleasing rooms.

Where You Can Find Me Outside Of The Studio: Any of Houston’s plethora of museums, shopping for overpriced candles, snuggling with my pups or traveling with my partner.

My Design Icon: Marion Mahoney Griffin, Patricia Urquiola, Kelly Behun, and Laura Gonzales.

How I Feel When There’s No Coffee: System Error: Coffee not found! Contact nearest coffee shop immediately!