---
title: "Renovation Design — Interior Designers & Decorators | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/renovation-design-pfvwus-pf~1132584898
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1132584898.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Renovation Design"
category: ["Interior Designers & Decorators"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/c803eef80f0b4640_8944-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "446 Ruthven Avenue, Palo Alto, California 94301, United States"
latitude: 37.4443
longitude: -122.1497
phone: "(650) 867-3354"
website: http://www.renovation-design.com
rating: 4.4
review_count: 7
best_of_houzz_awards: 2
followers: 75
last_updated: 2026-09-12
---

# Renovation Design

Original Houzz profile: [Renovation Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/renovation-design-pfvwus-pf~1132584898)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Interior Designers & Decorators
- **Location:** Palo Alto, CA
- **Houzz rating:** 4.4 out of 5 (7 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2012–2017), for Service.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Recommended on Houzz
- 10,000 Ideabook Saves

Full service remodeling and interior design.

### Services Provided

- Interior Design
- Kitchen Design
- Bathroom Design
- Kids Bedroom Design
- Lighting Design
- Floor Plans
- House Plans
- 3D Rendering
- Drafting
- Historic Building Conservation
- Kitchen Remodeling

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Renovation Design |
| Address | 446 Ruthven Avenue, Palo Alto, California 94301, United States |
| Phone | (650) 867-3354 |
| Website | http://www.renovation-design.com |
| Followers on Houzz | 75 |

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Renovation Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/renovation-design-pfvwus-pf~1132584898)
- **Website:** http://www.renovation-design.com
- **Phone:** (650) 867-3354

## Credentials

- **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2012–2017), for Service.

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 4.4 out of 5 — 7 reviews**

### All 7 reviews

**★ — Melanie C., March 2017**

> I regret to say that we had a very disappointing and frustrating experience with Elizabeth.  She makes a good impression initially, but that certainly changed when—after six months and thousands of dollars of expenditures for a small project—we ended up having gotten virtually no value from having hired her.  She is extremely disorganized and inefficient and her ideas were impractical and betrayed a fundamental lack of knowledge of construction and ignorance of vendors and options for materials.  I would say anyone who wants to work with her should agree on a binding estimate ahead of time because she regards projects as a blank check to research things at $160 that as a professional she should already know!  She never asks the client to authorize large expenditures of time—you will know only when you get the bill and see all the padding (our small project included 9 hours of “reviewing emails”—mainly emails from us complaining about the quality of the work!)  She is clearly counting on working with wealthy clientele who don’t look too closely at their bills. Clients who complain about the padded bills are threatened with legal action (putting clients in the situation where they have to decide if it’s really worth the expenditure of time to take the bills to court).  She is not chagrined by her lack of knowledge—the feeling we got was that she believes that the longer the project takes, the fatter the bill and the better it is for her.  I had to hire another designer to redo some of her work and I brought multiple designers to the house, all of whom expressed astonishment that the job had been done by a professional because it didn’t fulfill any of the aesthetic criteria we had agreed upon at the outset.   I note she has some positive reviews so perhaps she has some areas of competence, but our project certainly didn't draw on them and she was not honest at the outset about her expertise when we hired her.

**★★★★★ — Jim Reichert, Sept. 2016**

> I hired Renovation Design for my kitchen remodel.  In the end, they also helped with my bathroom and living room, suggesting new fixtures for the bathroom and new pillows for the living room.  I am entirely satisfied with their work.  Elizabeth Nordlinger, the head designer, had great taste and was very knowledgeable about local suppliers.  She worked amicably with my contractor, which helped make the whole process go more smoothly.  And best of all, at least for me, she wasn't too aggressive in pushing her own design aesthetic.  She offered suggestions, but was willing to work with my vision for the remodel.  In the end, she helped me realize what I was trying to achieve. What more can you ask?
> Working with Elizabeth and her team was an entirely positive experience, which is saying something for a kitchen remodel.  I would recommend her with the utmost enthusiasm.

**★★★★★ — ycphoto, April 2016**

> Elizabeth is such a pleasure to work with on a daily basis -- funny, easy going, positive and professional -- and her ideas are uniquely her own. She's not sterile in her approach and our home interior reflects a unique take with our style that only Elizabeth's Renovation Design team could create. It's as though she lives in every home she creates because each one is a personal endeavor, each one her child.

**★★★★★ — labjbg, March 2016**

> We remodeled our entire home, working closely with Elizabeth at Renovation Design -- kitchen, bathrooms, fireplace, tile work, windows, hardware, fixtures, color choices (inside and outside).  Working with her was the best part of our project.  She's very experienced and provided thoughtful and extremely helpful recommendations, as well as needed advice/support when we encountered problems with our contractors and subcontractors.  We are completely (100%) happy with all of her recommendations.  The results of her work are beautiful.  Projects like ours can also be very stressful for homeowners and most of all we appreciate the friendship, concern and guidance that Elizabeth provided.

**★★★★★ — dianawalsh11, Feb. 2016**

> Elizabeth and her team have worked with me on and off for the last few years. She is wonderful in picking fabrics and colors and is very cost conscious and thoughtful. I love EVERYTHING she has done to my house. I am not the best at making decisions and she has been very patient with me and not tried to push me into anything she thinks I am not completely sold on. She is also extremely efficient and is good at keeping a job on track and making sure items arrive in a timely manner. Mostly, however, she is an absolute pleasure to work with. I did not know her before I hired her and now consider her to be a dear friend. I recommend her without reservation.

**★★★★★ — susananded, Feb. 2016**

> Elizabeth was a pleasure to work with. She kept our budget in mind and didn't push for the most expensive option - often working with pieces we already had. Her professional recommendations, like her upholsterer and art framer, were excellent too.

**★★★★★ — Ro, Feb. 2012**

> Elizabeth Nordlinger, owner of Renovation Design worked on a major house remodel for us an did an amazing job!!!  Attentive, creative, thoughtful and detail oriented only begins to describe her talents!  I would not work with anyone else moving forward!

## Selected projects

- [Palo Alto Cottage Transformation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-cottage-transformation-pj-vj~1310665)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 7
- [Silicon Valley Contemporary Ranch](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/silicon-valley-contemporary-ranch-pj-vj~1310436)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 8
- [Russian Hill Victorian](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/russian-hill-victorian-pj-vj~1305431)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5
  - Description: With city views of the San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz, this pied-a-terre in the heart of magnificent Russian Hill was glamorized with new furnishings and drapery, cozied-up with a marble fireplace surround, and updated with built-in custom cabinetry throughout.
- [Rustic Meets Elegant](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rustic-meets-elegant-pj-vj~120919)
  - Location: Los Altos, CA
  - Photos: 14
  - Description: We wanted to bring touches of the rustic atmosphere of the client's much-loved Tahoe home to the redesign of their residence, while maintaining the home's timeless elegance. The redesign included a full remodel of the kitchen, family room, living room, dining room, master bedroom, home office, kids' bathrooms and laundry room.
- [Ranch House Redux](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ranch-house-redux-pj-vj~120940)
  - Location: Sunnyvale, CA
  - Photos: 12
  - Description: These clients needed more space for their growing family, but didn't want to leave their much-loved house and neighborhood. Working with the original layout, we completely redesigned and remodeled the kitchen and bathrooms, updated finishes throughout the house, and incorporated features that would improve the usability and flow of the different rooms.
- [Luxurious Contemporary Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/luxurious-contemporary-home-pj-vj~120926)
  - Location: Palo Alto, CA
  - Photos: 12
  - Description: Using a palette of periwinkle, turquoise, white and gray, we indulged color and texture in every detail from textiles, marble surrounds, shag rugs, glass pendant lights, and mirrored tables. All of the client's original furniture was recovered and repurposed in luscious fabrics and trim.
- [Beach Inspired Pool House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beach-inspired-pool-house-pj-vj~121048)
  - Location: Los Altos, CA
  - Photos: 6
  - Description: A sea glass palette guided paint, tile and floor finish choices in this large pool house used for family entertaining. Floor tile that mimics driftwood is perfect for wet feet. Pebble tile and sea glass finish off the look. The space included a bath/shower area, fully-functional kitchen and large entertaining space.
- [1890's Bungalow](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/1890-s-bungalow-pj-vj~115728)
  - Location: Palo Alto, CA
  - Photos: 12
  - Description: Remodeling included renovation and expansion of the kitchen, master bedroom, all baths, re-landscaping the yard, addition of a saltwater pool, a traditional rose garden, a new patio and deck. Attention was paid to authentic details and the use of materials in keeping with the vintage glamour and age of the home.
- [Spanish Colonial](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/spanish-colonial-pj-vj~120963)
  - Location: Palo Alto, CA
  - Photos: 14
  - Description: The client's timeless furnishings and eclectic art, along with her playful sense of style, guided our choice of finish and palette. The home's original dark beams and woodwork were lightened throughout, floors were refinished and painted, and existing furniture was recovered and reused.
- [Ranch House Revisited](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ranch-house-revisited-pj-vj~120966)
  - Location: Los Altos, CA
  - Photos: 7
  - Description: This family loved their cozy ranch house and didn't want to move. Minor floor plan changes and a complete facelift gave it an updated look that sold them on staying. Simple changes like raising the ceiling in the entry hall, replacing the living room mantle and fireplace, and updating all finishes in the bathrooms made all the difference in the world.
- [Historical Mansion](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/historical-mansion-pj-vj~121071)
  - Location: Portola Valley, CA
  - Photos: 7
  - Description: This historic estate was given a facelift. The owner had a fabulous collection of eclectic decor from all over the world. We added punch with unexpected color, whimsical Roman Shades, animal print fabric, glass lighting fixtures, and tile.

[See all 11 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/renovation-design-pfvwus-pf~1132584898)

## Ideabooks

- [Wish List](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/106145873/list/wish-list) — 2 ideas
- [Walsh bathrooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/91610809/list/walsh-bathrooms) — 1 idea
- [Norvig Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/80225754/list/norvig-kitchen) — 15 ideas
- [Sonali and Chad's house](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/79828895/list/sonali-and-chad-s-house) — 8 ideas
- [E's future home](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/80225974/list/e-s-future-home) — 12 ideas
- [Norvig downstairs bath](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/80226795/list/norvig-downstairs-bath) — 13 ideas
- [Dotzler Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/80225724/list/dotzler-kitchen) — 8 ideas
- [Ellen's writing studio sofa](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/76774790/list/ellen-s-writing-studio-sofa) — 4 ideas
- [Scheeren's powder room](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/76131467/list/scheeren-s-powder-room) — 10 ideas
- [Matt & Jen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/70176525/list/matt-jen) — 10 ideas
- [Kris Clarkson master bath](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/67111309/list/kris-clarkson-master-bath) — 6 ideas
- [3340 Kenneth Drive/Pai](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/57930777/list/3340-kenneth-drive-pai) — 4 ideas
- [Jenna's living room](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52597366/list/jenna-s-living-room) — 3 ideas
- [Mike's family room fireplace](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/51811500/list/mike-s-family-room-fireplace) — 1 idea
- [Mike's bathrooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/45629589/list/mike-s-bathrooms) — 9 ideas
- [For Bladys Greenberg kitchen & railings](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/47482282/list/for-bladys-greenberg-kitchen-railings) — 8 ideas
- [Bladys/Greenberg baths](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/46135459/list/bladys-greenberg-baths) — 10 ideas
- [innovative bathroom Storage](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/45629386/list/innovative-bathroom-storage) — 1 idea
- [Tremmel/Wachlin](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29556164/list/tremmel-wachlin) — 15 ideas
- [renovationdesignsf's ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1376793/list/renovationdesignsf-s-ideas) — 10 ideas

[See all 24 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/renovationdesignsf)

## Community Q&A

**Q: Wall color?** *(in Photo Questions)*

Beautiful room!  Please share the wall color.

A: Thank you! I'm in Ireland right now, away from my files, but I know it was a Benjamin Moore color with "fog" in the name. I can give you the specific name when I'm back in the office on May 8th.

**Q: Please tell me where I can get the doors with the chicken wire.** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: Those are regular doors we bought from a lumber yard with empty panels on the top. Then we ordered the wire mesh from Outwater Plastics Catalog (though it is metal) and had it installed into the doors. Then we put pleated fabric behind the mesh on tension rods. Elizabeth Nordlinger, Renovation Design

**Q: What is the paint color on the walls and the brand of paint, please?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: What are those cool pendant lights??

**Q: Love the doors. Where are they from? Custom made?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: Yes, I love the scallop shell image and it was carved into the mantel in this room, so I used it as the focal point, then looked at some stained glass books and found the border design to go with it. Then I commission a stain glass artist to make the glass panels which we then inserted into the doors. Elizabeth Nordlinger

**Q: Those pillows are so eye catching. Where are they from?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: We found the fabric and had them made. Sorry -- I can't remember the fabric or tim manufacturers any longer, but we designed the size and shape, and our wonderful seamstress sewed them for us. Elizabeth Nordlinger

**Q: what is the brand and model of the range and overhead draft** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: JennAir and Vent-A-Hood

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-12.*