Interior design

It's not just about design. It's about space planning, layout, function, feel, and comfort with style. It's about intelligence and ease of living. It's about individuality. And my job is to help make these things happen. This is where the ideas you have in your head come to life through designs I put onto paper. We work together to accomplish the look and feel you desire paired with the functionality to keep the space what I call a "working cover shot". This is where we mesh good looks with everyday use, and all on a reasonable budget. Since this is the passion that started Compass to begin with, you can read more on the philosophy of the company when it comes to design in the “Why Design Matters” section. But for this synopsis just know that designing is just as much about knowing how to listen as it is about drawing, colors, materials, layouts, etc. In the end, all that matters is that the client has felt heard and that the design reflects that.

Organization

So you have read Marie Kondo’s book, perused countless Home & Garden articles on the “20 Best Methods To Declutter”, and still you are left staring at the mounds of clothes, stacks of paper, and what seems like a never-ending accumulation of cords.

Sometimes all we need is a person there to motivate and rejuvenate, or sometimes we need guidance. A lot of guidance. A fresh set of eyes is a good start, but the real trick is learning how to utilize storage that will actually be helpful and easy to access, as well as making it easier to recycle items when they are no longer useful to us. Understanding how a space should function and then how to set it up for success is what makes this service so helpful.

consultation

No matter the project, the first step is always finding the right professional to help you be successful. And as passionate as I am about helping people and spaces reach their potential, the fact is I may not always be the right fit. What is most important about the consultation is not only understanding the project, but also making sure that the client’s needs and wants will be fulfilled. An honest assessment of one’s budget, time, and abilities is key to the success of any partnership, and this is the only way I know how to do business. I chose to follow my passion because it brings me so much happiness, but that is only possible when the client is also happy. So before we start any project I use the consultation to make sure that we not only have the same goals, but the same expectations and a process that will benefit each other.

inspiration

This is ever-changing. I love to travel, and as many do, pull tons of inspiration from beauty and cleverness from those travels. I also love art, science, history, nature, and music and am constantly getting ideas from any one or many of these together. But my true inspiration comes from the art of smart design. I love when things we make and use also make our lives easier. I crave items and esthetic in my home, work, and designs that work for me, seamlessly and almost in the background. Things that exist around you that you may not even realize are making you feel comforted, relaxed, or at ease, but do this precisely because that is what they were designed to do. Like a well written song, a room, a piece of furniture, even a blender makes you happy when it is designed well. These things that I crave…I also feel passionate about them being in everyone’s life; making us all feel a little more comforted, relaxed, and at ease.

exterior design

I love the outdoors. I love gardens. And I love enjoying them. It is my absolute pleasure to help you design your exterior space, from patios and porches, to garden paths and hidden fountains. Not to mention curb appeal! Because who doesn’t love enjoying the outdoors in their own yard.

And just as lovely are those outdoor Business spaces. Gathering areas, welcoming entrances, and patio dining…all are exciting and fun opportunities to surprise and delight.  

Real estate staging

Staging has not always had the benefit of television shows proving how useful it is, but those in the trade have known about its value for a long time. When humans search for new a new place to call home most rely on a “good feeling” from the space, but all too often that ability to envision a life in a house, apartment, or any space relies on them seeing past what is already there. Helping the imagination and the dream is where the art of staging comes in. Whether you are the home owner trying to sell or the agent looking to help maximize the profit and minimize the time on the market, Staging can help immensely.

Our company does not offer a huge warehouse full of items to put into an empty house, however, I currently partner with another staging company located in South San Jose to fill that role. I work with them exclusively because they have a very large inventory, professional staff, and a fantastic work ethic. But if you have a listing where the client is still living in the home, or you are a homeowner selling your own home yourself, Compass can help.

We work with the client/homeowner still living in the home to declutter, depersonalize, and refresh the look of the home for the market. We help with the layout, feel, problem areas, and strengths of the property to showcase the benefits and maximize the potential. 

OR… perhaps you are listing an empty lot, don’t want to stage as just one use (i.e, multi-use spaces), or the home exterior or property has huge potential you would like to showcase. Displaying some examples and ideas of what could be in the space you are selling using drawings, floor plans, and design boards is a great time and cost-saver. That is where virtual staging hits a home run.

event design & staging

You know you are having an event. Maybe you booked a space dedicated to hosting, but with no rental decor or event planners to utilize. Perhaps you are having your event in your own home but don’t know how to make it special for that event. Maybe you want to go “all-in” with a special theme or just want to make the event stand out and be memorable for all who attend.

These are all the reasons to Stage an event and hire someone to help. Spending money on decor and using what you have can end up taking more time and money than you have. Using our staging supplies and experience in design helps you stay on budget and makes creating the event you imagine in your mind that much easier.

repurposing

The definition of repurposing is as follows: Repurposing is the process by which an object with one use value is transformed or redeployed as an object with an alternative use value.

Value is also an interesting word. And I believe that repurposing in design is about maximizing the value of a loved (or once loved) object, be it by you or by another, and making it a useful and functional in a space. The key here is that you are giving an object a new life by freshening up what may be wear and tear on an otherwise useful piece, or giving it a whole new purpose and creating a fun and one-of-a-kind item that makes a space happier and more unique.

However you choose to repurpose, one of the best side-effects of this is how good it can be for the environment. And Green Design is also a passion of mine.

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Initial Consultation

There is never any charge for the initial visit. I am happy to schedule a time long enough to see the space that is your focus and hear your concerns, wants, and needs. From there is an honest conversation about what the job might entail, steps in the process, and if the project is a good fit for both client and designer.

$450+...(tiered)

our package system

This service fits those clients in search of fresh ideas for a simple update or a refresh of a single space. No construction is necessary here. Just a helpful plan on how to reuse items you have, focus your style into a more cohesive look, or update completely with a detailed plan laid out for you. The different tiers of this plan include a “do-it-yourself-with-instruction” mode, a more hands-on plan with the designer, or a full service plan where the designer does the new space for you. It’s a budget friendly option for a true ReDesign that helps you enjoy your space again. See our package page for more details.

$65+...(hourly)

Interior Design Service

Every project is different, and every clients needs are different…but one thing rings true in every project; having a professional guide you through a challenge always makes it easier. Some may have experience with renovations. Some may not. But when construction is involved the only constant is that there will always be surprises. Thinking ahead to how you will utilize the space, making it work optimally for you and yours, and keeping the project within budget are all things that Interior Designers live for…myself included. Not only am I seeking a beautiful and welcoming space, but one that makes your life easier, happier, and more productive.

$850+...

staging & Virtual staging services

The rates for staging depend on the size and type of job, so call for an estimate. Not only do we stage properties for sale, but also help with those that will continue to be lived in while for sale. And we also do staging for weddings, anniversary, birthday, or other special events to make the event space more personalized and special, whatever size or theme that may be.

Walk-through’s are always complementary.

$55+...(hourly)

ReDesign ideas

Do you have a piece of furniture that you love, but it’s not necessarily loving you back? This is where ReDesign comes in. Sometimes it isn’t a whole space that needs a freshening, but just an item; be it a desk, chair, buffet… In this case there are two options. A drawing of the piece with a fresh new look, or the piece ReDesigned for you by us! It’s a great way to love your items and have them love you (and your space) too!

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outdoor design

Depending on the space and scale, these projects can vary greatly in cost as well. But budgets are always a number one consideration, and even though landscaping is an expensive endeavor, there are many levels of opportunity for cost-saving and imagination here. And as always, consultations are complimentary.

Growing up I felt as if the walls in our house should have wheels. As our family needs changed so did the needs of our house, and my parents were constantly changing the layout, look, and functionality of the small farm house they started with. It was a headache for many of my family members, but for me it was fascinating. I loved learning about the "inner workings" of the house and was excited by the idea that any house can be a fluid and flexible palette for whatever you may need it to morph into next.  I also noticed how the house seemed to mirror the moods and styles of my parents at that time, and how drastically that also changed over the years. 
 

I believe this is where I first started to fall in love with the concept of design, and how much a space can speak both to you and about you.

Many years (and a couple of careers) later, I am finally returning to my very first love. My goal is to help others see the potential of having their home speak to and about them while still maintaining a bit of it's own personality.  One that combines a mood, style, and functionality that is personal to the people and time in their lives. And perhaps even tell a beautiful story of its own.