--- title: "Nystrom Design — Interior Designers & Decorators | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/nystrom-design-pfvwus-pf~1795332526 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1795332526.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Nystrom Design" category: ["Interior Designers & Decorators"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/46c37b77052c22a6_5034-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "San Francisco, California 94112, United States" latitude: 37.7195 longitude: -122.4411 phone: "(415) 606-8410" website: http://ellennystromdesign.com/ rating: 5 review_count: 34 best_of_houzz_awards: 12 followers: 189 last_updated: 2026-09-05 --- # Nystrom Design Original Houzz profile: [Nystrom Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/nystrom-design-pfvwus-pf~1795332526) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Interior Designers & Decorators - **Location:** San Francisco, CA - **Serves:** San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Mateo, Daly City, Alameda, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Pacifica, Burlingame, San Carlos, Millbrae, Mill Valley, Emeryville, Tiburon, Sausalito, Woodside, Brisbane, Broadmoor, Colma, Muir Beach, Lafayettte - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (34 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 12 awards (2016–2026), for Service, Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - 5 Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 25,000 Ideabook Saves - Houzz Research - Insider Nystrom Design is a boutique interior design firm dedicated to inspiring our clients with our unique ability to envision the hidden potential of a physical space, and to design and execute ‘Forever Homes’ that will nurture and delight you. We transform your home to tell a story that is unique to you and your family. We see your home as a vessel to hold your old and new treasured possessions, and the backdrop for your life experiences. To learn more about our services, or to book a Discovery Call with Ellen, head over to the Services page of our website. ### Services Provided - Kitchen Design - Bathroom Design - Color Consulting - Space Planning - Kids Bedroom Design - Custom Cabinets - Custom Kitchen Cabinets - Custom Built-ins - Floor Plans - Playroom Design - Custom Furniture - Custom Bathroom Vanities - Nursery Design - Custom Blinds & Shades - Custom Bookcases - Custom Walk-in Closets - Custom Rugs - Custom Fireplace Mantels - Custom Shelving - Kitchen Remodeling ### Areas Served - San Francisco - Oakland - Berkeley - San Mateo - Daly City - Alameda - South San Francisco - San Bruno - Pacifica - Burlingame - San Carlos - Millbrae - Mill Valley - Emeryville - Tiburon - Sausalito - Woodside - Brisbane - Broadmoor - Colma - Muir Beach - Lafayettte ### Typical Job Cost $25,000 - 1.5 million We bill for our time on an hourly basis, and work on projects with construction costs of $25,000 and up. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Nystrom Design | | Address | San Francisco, California 94112, United States | | Phone | (415) 606-8410 | | Website | http://ellennystromdesign.com/ | | Followers on Houzz | 189 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/ellennystromdesign/ - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-nystrom-a261a813/ - Blog — http://www.ellennystromdesign.com/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Nystrom Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/nystrom-design-pfvwus-pf~1795332526) - **Website:** http://ellennystromdesign.com/ - **Phone:** (415) 606-8410 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 12 awards (2016–2026), for Service, Design. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 34 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 48.0 - Value: 48.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Gabriel Brenner, Oct. 2025** > Ellen's interior design expertise transformed our space beyond what we thought possible. Her exceptional ability to listen and translate our vision into reality resulted in a home that perfectly reflects our aesthetic while maximizing functionality. > > The thoughtful attention to detail—from ensuring bedside table heights complement the bed to creating clever furniture arrangements that define spaces within our open-concept living and dining areas—demonstrates her meticulous planning and visualization skills. What impressed us most was how she managed to incorporate more elements than we imagined possible without creating a cluttered feel. > > Ellen's brilliant solution to the challenge of placing a TV in a room with expansive views is just one example of her innovative problem-solving. She skillfully balanced investment art pieces with budget-friendly options, including a digital print that became one of our favorite art pieces. > > Throughout the process, Ellen was responsive, transparent with billing, and delivered precisely on budget and on schedule. The end result speaks for itself—a beautiful, functional space that exceeds all expectations. We wholeheartedly recommend Ellen to anyone seeking an interior designer who truly understands how to bring their vision to life. **Comment from Nystrom Design:** > It was our pleasure to work with both of you to design and furnish this beautiful space! Many thanks for the opportunity and best wishes for many years of enjoyment! **★★★★★ — rotteju, July 2023** > Nystrom Design helped me refresh the first floor of my SF home. Ellen and her team listened to my vision, and solved both my functional and design challenges. Ellen took the design to the next level, and delivered a beautiful, cohesive design that not only gave me a functional office, but made all the rooms on the main floor come together to look both intentionally connected from a design perspective, but also give each a distinct flair. The process was very professional and collaborative, where Ellen presented clear options and direction that made decisions easy! Ellen and Amy were incredibly responsive, and attentive to detail, and once we agreed on a plan and a budget, executed seamlessly to give me a beautiful new space. The team provided regular updates, and were always easy to reach. I knew what to expect at every step of the way. It was a great experience, and I would work with the team again in the future! **Comment from Nystrom Design:** > Thanks so much for your review. We loved the way everything came together, and we're so happy that you are happy with it too! **★★★★★ — akparish, Dec. 2022** > When deciding to update the main living areas of our house, I feel fortunate to have found Ellen Nystrom for our project. She had the vision to revamp our living room, dining room, kitchen and family room to allow for more light, more seating, and more storage. The goal was to repurpose some of our old furniture and blend in newer more contemporary pieces. Ellen has a great eye for color, lighting, carpeting and furniture. She clearly communicated with us from the beginning and kept us fully updated along the way. I always appreciated her responsiveness to any of my concerns and her execution of the overall project was very professional. I highly recommend Nystrom Design and I hope to have the opportunity to work together again. **Comment from Nystrom Design:** > Thank you for sharing your experience with Nystrom Design! It was such a pleasure to work with you on your home. **★★★★★ — HU-626566568, May 2022** > Ellen and her team did an amazing job on our home. We wanted to redo the kitchen area and our bathrooms and were looking for someone with fresh ideas who wasn't afraid to suggest something completely different and she didn't disappoint. Thanks to her we dared a lot more than we would have otherwise, she really understood what we wanted and pushed us just enough so that the result was absolutely perfect. Ellen didn't only redesign the general layout of our rooms, she also took care of finding and acquiring the right materials and furniture/appliances to make it look awesome and had brilliant ideas when it came to color schemes, tiling design and decorational objects, always making sure she'd go along with what we were envisioning. We love our new home and can only recommend Nystrom Design! **Comment from Nystrom Design:** > I'm so happy that you we were able to create something daring but right for you! It was a pleasure to work together and I hope you enjoy your kitchen and bathrooms for many years! **★★★★★ — HU-737381232, Oct. 2021** > I would 100% recommend Nystrom Design! Ellen and her team are fantastic! We worked with Nystrom Design for our master bathroom remodel. Throughout every step of the process - from drafting plans through picking finishes - I felt Ellen and her team really focused on > incorporating my style and making my vision a reality. They created a functional and thoughtful design for my master bathroom and helped me pick out amazing finishes. Ellen and her team were professional and friendly and always prompt in deadlines/ turning around plans/ etc, and efficient! Ellen has great attention to detail, and was incredibly helpful on site during the construction process. I would definitely hire Nystrom design again! **Comment from Nystrom Design:** > Thank you for the review, and I'm so happy that you love your new bathroom - we love it too, and it was great to work with you! **★★★★★ — Shannon Arens, Oct. 2021** > I had never worked with a designer before so I was very excited to get started with Ellen for our new home. We worked with Ellen for our living room renovation and for small decorating projects in our primary bedroom, dining room, and outdoor patio. Throughout the process Ellen considered all of our specific requests and factored in where my taste might differ from my husband's to find a common ground. It was a long process due to some contractor delays and inventory delays, but Ellen and her team were very communicative through it all and worked hard to resolve any challenges. Would definitely recommend! **Comment from Nystrom Design:** > It was a pleasure to work with both of you, and I'm glad we were able to deliver a design for your new home that both of you enjoy. And thank you for your patience with the various pandemic-related delays! **★★★★ — marylynngarrett, May 2021** > Ellen came in and immediately got to work. She understood the main needs I had and together with her assistant got a sense of how to guide me and put forth some lovely options. I needed help refreshing my living room and changing some outdated fixtures throughout the house. The process they supported me through helped me to zero in on good selections and get things moving. They set me up with a clear shopping list so that I could move forward confidently. The living room is on its way to looking great and I could not have done it without Nystrom Design. **★★★★★ — Joanne Hagopian, May 2020** > Ellen effortlessly combined creativity, big picture vision and attention to detail to create the perfect home for us. > > We were initially a bit nervous about hiring a designer. We wanted a home that reflected our personalities rather than current design trends. When we first met Ellen, we described our design philosophy as quirky, bordering on eccentric, with a love of color (no white walls) and a need to work around our own eclectic decorative items. Ellen really listened and came to the next meeting with a samples of orange wallpaper with a turtle pattern and persimmon colored wallpaper with starbursts (for the dining room ceiling!). We gave an enthusiastic yes to both and expanded the project to include furniture design and sourcing. > > While we hired Ellen for her creative ideas, she also brought order to our project. She translated all of our decisions to the contractor and worked out the many challenges in implementation without needing to involve us. > > Hiring Ellen was the single best decision we made during our whole home remodel and we would enthusiastically recommend her for any project. **Comment from Nystrom Design:** > I love hearing that you feel this way about your home! Thank you for the opportunity - you were wonderful creative partners, and we were honored to help create the personalized home you hoped for. **★★★★★ — Dennis & Olivia Frank, May 2020** > We thoroughly enjoyed working with Ellen and her team on our kitchen and bathroom remodel. We appreciate her spatial design sense and simple but elegant color choices. The experience was well worth the investment of hiring Nystrom Design. Their charges were very reasonable. During construction Ellen was involved in reviewing material and sample submittals and made very helpful recommendations in resolving construction issues. We are very pleased with the transformation that she made to our home. We highly recommend this company. **Comment from Nystrom Design:** > Thank you for the opportunity to work with you on these updates to your home. We hope you enjoy the new spaces for many years! **★★★★★ — PROYECTO, Jan. 2020** > We worked with Ellen on a large full home remodel last year in Berkeley. Ellen is one of the most professional, well organized, and clear designers we have had the pleasure to work with. She presents a comprehensive package with incredible features like storage management plan, detailed plan sets, and finish samples. Any client or contractor would be lucky to work with her and her firm. **★★★★★ — jared9514, Jan. 2020** > Ellen helped us out with a kitchen, sitting area, master bath and powder room as part of a major renovation. We were first time renovators, so we weren’t great at articulating our needs, whether in terms of budget constraints or aesthetic preferences. On both counts, Ellen was really amazing at figuring out what we wanted through very efficient process of elimination. Very quickly it felt like we were in a groove, and our main challenge was narrowing down her choices because we loved (and could afford) them all. The best part of course are the constant compliments we get from everyone who sees our “new” house (particularly for the wallpaper in the kitchen, which was all Ellen :) **Comment from Nystrom Design:** > I'm so glad the 'new' house is a hit, and I LOVE that wallpaper in the kitchen too! Thank you for the review! **★★★★★ — Rani Spudich, Dec. 2019** > Ellen came to us 5 months into the construction portion of our whole-house remodel. We had a great architect & contractor, but found that we needed more communication and help with deciding on the many many details of the project along the way. Our contractor suggested we hire a designer, and our architect suggested Nystrom Design. It would not be too much to say that Ellen & her team saved our sanity. We worked with Nystrom Design for the final 12 months of the construction, and it could not have been more of a pleasure. Between her calm and gracious demeanor, her skill as a thoughtful listener, and her unwavering competence, Ellen helped us navigate many decisions -- some very challenging, others fun -- and greatly facilitated communication with our contractor, as well as with several of the craftspeople we worked with. A good portion of the assistance Ellen's team's gave us involved creating technical drawings and troubleshooting technical issues with the renovation which she was very knowledgable about. She and her team were all extremely attentive to detail, which was just what we needed. I honestly do not know how we would have satisfactorily resolved many of our issues without Nystrom Design on board. > > Besides Ellen's professionalism, communication skills, and technical savvy, she was a great match for us from the aesthetic standpoint as well. Her shared love of color was vital -- we wanted to incorporate color in terms of tile and paint/wallpaper in addition to furnishings, and she totally got it. She also very successfully helped us create a transition that makes sense between the relatively unchanged 1931 details in the entryway, living room, and dining room, and the new modern spaces (kitchen, stairwell, family room, bathrooms). I saved photos on Houzz of projects that had details we liked and shared them with Ellen, then she and her team created idea boards for us with possible choices for light fixtures, furniture layouts and fabrics, furniture and rugs, wallpaper, paint colors, and fixtures and finishes. The process felt very collaborative, with Ellen knowing just when to listen to feedback and happily explore more options, and when to weigh in with an opinion when we were stuck. She made us feel there was no such thing as a stupid question and respected choices that mattered to us. Most of all, she is such a positive presence, supportive and encouraging and so nice. We loved working with her and the whole team and cannot recommend Nystrom Design enough! **Comment from Nystrom Design:** > Thank you for the thoughtful and descriptive review. I'm so glad that Killian O'Sullivan introduced us. It was such a pleasure to work with you, and to be a part of re-imagining your home! ## Selected projects - [Nob Hill Pied-à-Terre](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/nob-hill-pied-a-terre-pj-vj~7715494) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 17 - Description: For a condo perched atop Nob Hill, we developed a serene, atmospheric color palette that softly connects the interior spaces with sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay. For clients who were excited to take a hands-on approach to furnish their pied-a-terre, our ‘Reinvent Your Room’ service was just the right fit. We provided space planning solutions, a comprehensive shopping list, and advised on paint colors, special wall treatments, and unique artwork that the clients could purchase and implem… - [Lake Street Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-street-residence-pj-vj~7291741) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 29 - Description: photographer: John Merkl - [Glen Park Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/glen-park-residence-pj-vj~7290673) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 16 - Description: For our Glen Park Residence project, our clients chose to utilize our Reinvent Your Room service, which is a furniture-focused, flat-fee package for the hands-on client. In addition to selecting furnishings and accessories for their living room, dining room, primary bedroom, and deck, we added some custom design services to design a workhorse wall of built-in cabinetry in the living room which enables this young family to embrace their minimalist style. photographer: Vivian Johnson - [Parkside Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/parkside-residence-pj-vj~6921334) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 18 - Description: This project called for updates to the finishes and furnishings in earth colors and graphic textures. Working with architect Killian O’Sullivan and Sunset Builders, the house underwent a complete transformation that added about 750 square feet of living space, an expansive back deck, and custom built-ins. architect : killian o’sullivan builder : sunset builders photographer : liz daly stylist : melañio gomez - [Berkeley Hills Project](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/berkeley-hills-project-pj-vj~6177418) - Location: Berkeley, CA - Photos: 22 - Description: This colorful and eclectic project was driven by our clients’ desire for a highly personalized home. We worked closely with them to incorporate treasured pieces of furniture and art that includes African and Armenian artifacts, as well as a collection of paintings by the husband’s father. New custom built-in storage was designed for an extensive record and book collection, and a renovated kitchen provides a casual space for this family of five to gather. - [West Clay Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/west-clay-residence-pj-vj~5929948) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 13 - Description: We worked with the clients to balance the traditional features of their home located in the historic West Clay neighborhood of San Francisco with a desire for it to feel vibrant, uplifting and inviting. They had several sentimental pieces of furniture that were integrated into the design to create some unexpected and personalized combinations of furnishings and art that lend a modern sensibility. Photographer: Liz Daly Stylist: Melanio Gomez - [Noe Valley Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/noe-valley-residence-pj-vj~2348392) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 36 - Description: Balancing modern architectural elements with traditional Edwardian features was a key component of the complete renovation of this San Francisco residence. All new finishes were selected to brighten and enliven the spaces, and the home was filled with a mix of furnishings that convey a modern twist on traditional elements. The re-imagined layout of the home supports activities that range from a cozy family game night to al fresco entertaining. Architect: AT6 Architecture Builder: Citidev Photogr… - [Castro Kitchen Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/castro-kitchen-remodel-pj-vj~1089486) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 4 - Description: We were asked to achieve modern-day functionality and style while preserving the architectural character of this Victorian home built in 1900. We balanced a classic white cabinet style with a bold backsplash tile and an island countertop made from reclaimed high school bleacher seats. - [St. Francis Woods Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/st-francis-woods-residence-pj-vj~1177780) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 5 - Description: To update three of the bedrooms in this home, Nystrom Design used playful patterns in the kids rooms and restrained doses of vibrant color in the Master Bedroom. - [Sunset Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sunset-residence-pj-vj~2840697) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: For a retired couple who traded in their Nob Hill condo for a home in the Outer Sunset, we combined a serene palette with comfortably modern furnishings to create a fresh and relaxed space for this new chapter of their lives Photographer: Vivian Johnson Photography - [North Beach Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/north-beach-residence-pj-vj~5503999) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 11 - Description: Perched atop a hill in North Beach, this project combined two flats to create a single residence that fills a wide array of social, artistic, and culinary-pursuits for this active couple. The upper flat was conceived as a bright and airy space for entertaining and family gatherings. Upon entering the lower flat, the couple wanted to feel transported to an intimate space that functions as a private library, music studio, and artistic workshop. - [Noe Valley Modern](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/noe-valley-modern-pj-vj~1042172) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 4 - Description: We designed these rugs to compliment the owner’s custom-built home and their collection of mid-century furniture. - [Lafayette Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lafayette-residence-pj-vj~1829579) - Location: Lafayette, CA - Photos: 7 - Description: When this family moved to Lafayette, the objective was to create an inviting living space that combines a relaxed lifestyle with a few sleek elements to reference their past urban life in San Francisco. The color palette was influenced by the lush garden setting and the saturated colors of a summer garden. We selected the large-scale acrylic chandelier to highlight the vaulted ceiling and play tribute to the ranch-style architecture. - [Dogpatch Victorian](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dogpatch-victorian-pj-vj~1042093) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 5 - Description: For the renovation of this Victorian home, we were tasked with expressing the owner’s lighthearted, unapologetically feminine style. - [Noe Valley Traditional](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/noe-valley-traditional-pj-vj~1042047) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 4 - Description: To strike a balance between the client’s family heirlooms, antique rugs, and an emerging interest in modern art, we developed a fresh palette and introduced contemporary furnishings. - [West Portal Home Office](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/west-portal-home-office-pj-vj~1042130) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 4 - Description: Our focus was to make great use of a garage-level space with a garden view. The design features the 75-year old redwood joists and incorporates ample storage space. - [Kitchens & Bathrooms](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kitchens-and-bathrooms-pj-vj~1042146) - Location: San Carlos, CA - Photos: 6 - Description: Kitchen and bath design must balance beauty with practicality, and we strive to maximize space and functionality without compromising on aesthetics. - [Brenner Group Office Space](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/brenner-group-office-space-pj-vj~2172549) - Location: Menlo Park, CA - Photos: 7 - [Invitae Expansion](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/invitae-expansion-pj-vj~1621798) - Location: San Francisco, CA - Photos: 7 [See all 19 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/nystrom-design-pfvwus-pf~1795332526) ## Ideabooks - [ND - Moncada](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/82917863/list/nd-moncada) — 2 ideas - [Robinhood Drive](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/79702336/list/robinhood-drive) — 45 ideas - [Northwood](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75635917/list/northwood) — 60 ideas - [Yerba Buena](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/63344887/list/yerba-buena) — 29 ideas [See all 4 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/nystromdesign) ## Community Q&A **Q: Kitchen island question** *(in Photo Questions)* Beautiful kitchen! What is the size of the island? A: Thank you! The island is 5'-6" wide x 3'-3" deep **Q: dining room wallpaper** *(in Photo Questions)* Can you tell me mfg of dining room ceiling wallpaper A: It is by Thibaut - Bahia in Metallic Gold on Coral. **Q: where is the green lamp from?** *(in Photo Questions)* love the green lamp, where can I purchase? A: It is the Gallus Table Lamp by Currey & Company :) **Q: Height of ceiling** *(in Photo Questions)* I love the small glass cabinets at the top; how high is the ceiling in this kitchen? THanks. A: Thank you! The ceiling height was around 10' **Q: Countertop info.** *(in Photo Questions)* Are they marble? I would love to know the specs. The entire design is just beautiful. 🤩 A: Thank you, the counters are a quartzite material, which is a natural stone that often looks similar to marble, but is less susceptible to etching and staining. **Q: what is the paint color on the wall** *(in Photo Questions)* Paint color A: Hi Anna! The paint color is Benjamin Moore Rocky Coast 1595 --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-05.*