--- title: "Whelan Design House — Interior Designers & Decorators | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/whelan-design-house-pfvwus-pf~2082070521 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~2082070521.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Whelan Design House" category: ["Interior Designers & Decorators"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/d5d3cc7505944525_2983-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "486 E 18th Street, Costa Mesa, California 92627, United States" latitude: 33.6483 longitude: -117.9155 phone: "(949) 413-2542" website: http://www.whelandesignhouse.com rating: 5 review_count: 15 best_of_houzz_awards: 4 followers: 95 last_updated: 2026-08-14 --- # Whelan Design House > Greater Costa Mesa's Boutique Interior Design Firm Original Houzz profile: [Whelan Design House](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/whelan-design-house-pfvwus-pf~2082070521) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Interior Designers & Decorators - **Location:** Costa Mesa, CA - **Serves:** Los Angeles, Bel Air, Santa Ana, Irvine, Venice, Huntington Beach, Glendale, Garden Grove, Fullerton, Orange, Pasadena, Costa Mesa, Santa Monica, Westminster, Newport Beach, Tustin, Brentwood, Fountain Valley, Sherman Oaks, Aliso Viejo, Studio City, West Hollywood, San Juan Capistrano, Beverly Hills, North Tustin, Seal Beach, Laguna Beach, Laguna Woods, Corona del Mar, San Marino, Rossmoor, Midway City, San Joaquin Hills, Sunset Beach, Eagle Rock, East Irvine, Highland Park, Los Angeles County, Newport Coast, Surfside - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (15 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2019–2025), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Recommended on Houzz - 500 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Family owned - 15 years in business Whelan Design House is a full-service boutique interior design firm specializing in high end projects. Our dynamic team is headed by Donna Whelan and Caitlin Whelan. We were founded in 2008 and have been featured in several local and national publications. We are based in Southern California but are available to travel for projects. We were formerly known as Relics Design Studio. ### Services Provided - Interior Design ### Areas Served - Los Angeles - Bel Air - Santa Ana - Irvine - Venice - Huntington Beach - Glendale - Garden Grove - Fullerton - Orange - Pasadena - Costa Mesa - Santa Monica - Westminster - Newport Beach - Tustin - Brentwood - Fountain Valley - Sherman Oaks - Aliso Viejo - Studio City - West Hollywood - San Juan Capistrano - Beverly Hills - North Tustin - Seal Beach - Laguna Beach - Laguna Woods - Corona del Mar - San Marino - Rossmoor - Midway City - San Joaquin Hills - Sunset Beach - Eagle Rock - East Irvine - Highland Park - Los Angeles County - Newport Coast - Surfside ### Typical Job Cost $30,000 - 10 million $30,000 - 10 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Whelan Design House | | Address | 486 E 18th Street, Costa Mesa, California 92627, United States | | Phone | (949) 413-2542 | | Website | http://www.whelandesignhouse.com | | License Number | SREA 101207137 | | Followers on Houzz | 95 | **Social profiles:** - Tiktok — https://www.tiktok.com/@whelandesignhouse - Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/whelandesignhouse/?hl=en ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Whelan Design House](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/whelan-design-house-pfvwus-pf~2082070521) - **Website:** http://www.whelandesignhouse.com - **Phone:** (949) 413-2542 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2019–2025), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 15 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Lesley Young-Pavia, Dec. 2024** > Even though we live on the opposite coast, Donna and Caitlin from Whelan Design House were able to decorate our house remotely. They noticed the smallest details during our zoom calls to go over what the painters, electriciansh had done for the day. When the furniture, rugs and art work arrived they were able to instruct the installers where everything needed to be placed. Not only did they make our home into a showstopper, they also turned our home into a smart home. **★★★★★ — Johanna, Oct. 2024** > We hired Donna and Caitlin from Whelan Design House to redesign our living space - this included tearing down a wall and turning two rooms into one great room. They had such a vision of what this space could be, my husband and I love the room so much and have really enjoyed sharing it with our friends and family. They recommended La Cantina doors, which are gorgeous, and when we open them all the way, our living room feels like an indoor/outdoor space, which is perfect for California. They designed a custom-built bar and fireplace, which are both stunning and highly functional. Hiring a brilliant design team like Donna and Caitlin is a gift that you give to yourself as there are so many minute details that most of us would never think about when remodeling. They sweat not just the big stuff, but every little detail – all in an effort to ensure that you love your home as much as we love ours. **★★★★★ — Cole Grom, Sept. 2024** > Caitlin and Donna are absolutely incredible to work with, and I highly recommend them for any design service. We purchased an old 1916 craftsman home a couple years ago, and unfortunately most of the original charm had been removed by the previous owner. So our first big project was remodeling the kitchen. Not only to open the space up (while also keeping it separate), but to re-instate some of the original details an old craftsman kitchen might have while also connecting to modern amenities. Whelan Design House helped us do just that, and the end result was even better than imagined! Caitlin and Donna opened our eyes to a vision we didn't even know was possible, and then they brought that vision to life. The blend of old and new is seamless, the color palette is soft but bold and the flow is perfect. We cannot thank Caitlin and Donna enough for their creativity, attention to detail, dedication and kindness during the entire process. We are looking forward to working with them again on any and all future projects! **★★★★★ — Jane Owen, Nov. 2023** > Two years ago, I moved from a colonial house to a mid-century modern home. I essentially had to start from scratch with the décor, nothing from my previous house quite fit into the new surroundings. Every room was white – a blank slate – and I needed help to make my new place feel like me. When I first hired Whelan Design House, Donna and Caitlin began the process by interviewing me. They wanted to know what was most important to me in my living space and what I was drawn to, especially when it came to colors and comfort. When it was time to review their first design draft, it was clear that they heard my love of nature and translated it into rooms that were comfortable, creative, and unique. > After adding their design expertise to the 2 largest rooms in my home, it now feels like a reflection of me with a nod to mid-century modern and the architecture of the home. Many people comment on the “feel” of the rooms. It’s always been important to me that my home feels peaceful, and they were able to create that feeling alongside the modern aspects of the house. > > Everything was done virtually and was completely seamless. Donna and Caitlin are experts at their craft, I can’t recommend them enough. > > Can’t wait to work with them on the master bath. **★★★★★ — Alice Chan, March 2021** > We love our renovation. :) > > Donna and Caitlin were great to work with. They're both so personable and creative. We really loved how they made me and my husband think out of the box with many of the colors and choices that they offered for our remodel. What was supposed to be a rather simple small job turned into a much more complicated and extensive project that involved renovating the fireplace and kitchen. I do wish the delivery and timing of the project was completed more efficiently but I know that wasn't always in control with the Covid impact on Delivery and production for many furniture manufacturers. Also, communication between myself and Donna was inconsistent at the beginning and that caused some frustrations but I was grateful that they were open to my input and trying to really make me happy as a customer rather then just trying to push their own style. Overall, I'm glad that they got me to get out of my comfort zone and go with some options that I wouldn't have even known about or considered before. > > I really liked how this mother and daughter team worked together to make beautiful creative spaces that mixed art with touches of our own personality. They got to know our family well and made sure that the end result reflected our individual styles and not just another typical "model home" look. We also appreciated that they went the extra mile to set up and redecorate 2 rooms that I had not plan on doing. My parents were moving in with us indefinitely towards the end of the project but Donna was able to work with our budget and with a short amount of time to create 2 lovely, peaceful and comfortable spaces for them. I would highly recommend them. **★★★★★ — HU-691962, Oct. 2020** > Donna and Caitlin are so talented!!! > They helped me update my home in Aliso Viejo and when we moved to Scottsdale nearly 4 years ago they helped me decorate my charming 1963 town home. They are amazing at mixing the old with the new and keeping it authentic to the era but also updating enough so that it doesn’t look grandma’s house. I would highly recommend them to help with your decorating projects. **★★★★★ — HU-271342938, April 2019** > Whelan Design House is by far the best experience I’ve ever had with interior designers. Their attention to detail and the clients personal taste make for a exemplary experience. Donna and Caitlin made my home renovation project a breeze. I couldn’t have envisioned how beautiful the final product would be. Can’t thank them enough for making my house my home! **★★★★★ — BV Home Design, July 2018** > Hospitality Skin Spa OC would like to thank Whelan Design House for creating a beautiful space for our clients. The compliments from our clients are outstanding. Caitlin and Donna created a fresh, clean space and more importantly, a space for relaxation and enjoyment. Our product bar is beautiful. Thank you Whelan Desing House for your warm and professional help with this project. **★★★★★ — Jim & Anna J, June 2018** > My wife and I started working with Donna and Caitlin Whelan in 2015. We started by upgrading our living room with new sofa's, table's and accessories . We liked there work so much, we decided a year later to upgrade and modernize our kitchen and build a breakfast nook. This included new counter tops which were granite, to a modern natural white marble look, including fixtures, and paint to our existing cabinetry. In the last several months, we moved to the family room touching up our fireplace and mantle, added a new modern gray Italian style sofa and small accent tables. Working together with Donna andher daughter Caitlin, we found them to be incredibly collaborative as they weaved there way through our home to give it an upgrade it desperately needed. There confident, dileberate, but calm approach to introducing there ideas was well received by my wife and I as we had our own ideas we wanted to meld with there professional experience. We are extremely happy with there work, and really enjoy working with them both. We continue this day to work with Whelan Design House as there is always an upgrade to accent painting, throw pillows, rugs, etc, to help keep our home fresh as the years go by. **★★★★★ — Laurie Adams, May 2018** > Our project timeline was from early 2016 - end of 2017. > When we decided it was time to renovate our 1970’s compartmentalized house in Laguna Niguel, California, we had no idea where to begin. We knew we had to completely gut 3/4 of our home. Fortunately, we discovered Whelan Design House. The mother-daughter team walked us through the entire process from pre-construction to the final stages. In the beginning, we needed an architect - which the WDH team assisted us with. We also obtained a contractor to begin the demo of our very cramped abode. Donna and Caitlin met with us and the contractor on a regular basis, so we were on the same page throughout this project. They also worked diligently with our architect to ensure that all the details were in the right place. As a matter of fact, there was a slight hiccup during the framing process (which Donna and Caitlin picked up on), and thankfully they were able to remedy the problem in the nick of time. > > Since we recently became empty nesters, we were ready to make a major change in our home. We wanted space, an open concept, natural lighting, and less clutter. We wanted something luxurious but casual. I am an avid cooker and baker, so I envisioned an updated farmhouse-style home where the center of the home is in the kitchen – a place where people can socialize, eat together, and relax. > > Donna and Caitlin were able to pull out of us our ‘new style,’ and they listened to our vision while also pushing us into some new territory. Thinking out of the box was a little nerve-racking for us (we’re 60+), but we thankfully managed to get through it. What Donna and Caitlin helped us achieve in the end was a mature yet hip style that was still a direct reflection of how we live day-to-day. From the unique indoor and outdoor lighting they found, to the uniquely placed Moroccan mosaic tile, our gorgeous farmhouse flooring that Donna and Caitlin sourced for us, expert paint specifications, beautiful furniture that was exactly what we wanted, fixtures, appliances, art, plants…and lastly, they remembered to personalize our home with objects that were relevant to our hobbies - music and birding became special elements in our new home. > > We are grateful to Donna and Caitlin for a home we will enjoy forever and would like to hire them for our next project... turning our bedroom into a relaxing sanctuary. Bye TV! **★★★★★ — Chase Cundiff, March 2017** > I had a small project with a medium budget, but Donna and Caitlin did so well adhering to my vision while staying within a price range that was practical for me. When I hired them, I had some idea of what I wanted – but they really helped me curate a style that resulted in an articulate, beautiful space. Even though this was a modest project, I felt that everything put into it was something that counted – from our repurposed sofa to our vintage dining chairs, the bar cart, and our credenza, etc. Donna and Caitlin are great at finding vintage and consignment pieces that gave my space a richer, broken-in/California casual look. They balanced vintage with modern pieces so my house looks simultaneously unique and updated. I will absolutely use Caitlin and Donna for my next project. I’m so happy I found them. **★★★★★ — Nicole Early, March 2017** > We started working with Donna & Caitlin as soon as we started construction on our whole house remodel, and we can't believe how helpful they have been, and how many mistakes they have prevented us from making! While we started out in a more traditional direction- Donna gently suggested a bit more modern approach that will still look current in ten years. Our house has come out fantastic- most importantly it looks like one house, and not a bunch of disjointed rooms. From slab, tile, flooring, hardware, lighting, paint, window coverings and cabinetry design- having someone who understands the benefits and drawbacks of all these different materials has been invaluable. Donna and Caitlin have been responsive, professional and helped us keep a sense of humor through this whole process. They have made suggestions that we never would have thought of on our own- and those little details have made our house cohesive. > Whelan Design has saved us a ton of money, time, headaches and family disagreements! If there was one thing we would have done differently, it would have been to have them involved in the architectural phase prior to starting construction. We are thrilled with our experience with them- and would absolutely recommend working with them to anyone in the Orange County area. ## Selected projects - [Mid City Mission Revival](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mid-city-mission-revival-pj-vj~7518850) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 39 - [Richmond](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/richmond-pj-vj~7518811) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - [Port Street](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/port-street-pj-vj~6659947) - Location: Newport Beach, CA - Photos: 20 - [Shores](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/shores-pj-vj~6775022) - Location: Newport Beach, CA - Photos: 6 - [Pasadena Showcase House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pasadena-showcase-house-pj-vj~6605469) - Location: Arcadia, CA - Photos: 12 - [Pine Bark](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pine-bark-pj-vj~5716055) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 31 - [Transitional Coastal Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/transitional-coastal-farmhouse-pj-vj~3529015) - Location: Laguna Niguel, CA - Photos: 23 - [New Classic](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/new-classic-pj-vj~1185387) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - Description: This client desired an update for her beautiful french tudor home in Newport Beach. The home had dark cabinetry and floors and small passageways that limited the natural light. To combat this, we reconfigured some walls to open up the entryways and added woodwork to mimic the woodwork already in the home. We decided to bleach the existing hardwood floors instead of replacing them. This saved us the hassle and expense of new floors while at the same time achieving the fresh and lighter look we we… - [European Bohemian](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/european-bohemian-pj-vj~1185174) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 16 - Description: This client's refined tastes for artful and organic approaches to her space led the way to complete this exquisite home. This client is a painter and is no stranger to color, so we worked with balancing bold statements of saturated color and intermingled them with soft, neutral backgrounds. The large sectional in the living room was covered in a neutral eco linen. We added blasts of blue and orange with antique hill tribe pillows and orange leather tufted stools. The unique mohair cobalt blue ch… - [Eclectic Ranch House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/eclectic-ranch-house-pj-vj~1185464) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 30 - Description: This project entailed a total remodel of a 1970s California ranch style home. We took down walls and reconfigured rooms to give this young family more usable space. Deleting the formal dining room allowed us to expand the space for a large cook's kitchen and informal farmhouse-like dining area where the family spends a lot of their time. We also added custom built-ins throughout the home giving this family the tidy storage solutions they craved. For a small, young girl's room with an attic-like… - [Outdoor Living](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/outdoor-living-pj-vj~1209420) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 [See all 11 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/whelan-design-house-pfvwus-pf~2082070521) ## Ideabooks - [Wish List](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/50939640/list/wish-list) — 22 ideas - [client early bird](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/76507947/list/client-early-bird) — 11 ideas - [interior ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73465075/list/interior-ideas) — 34 ideas - [client Laguna](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72666281/list/client-laguna) — 2 ideas - [kitchens](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/51329952/list/kitchens) — 16 ideas - [built in](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/51505692/list/built-in) — 15 ideas - [client z](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/65896096/list/client-z) — 6 ideas - [outdoor](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/51509089/list/outdoor) — 4 ideas - [bath](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/51329955/list/bath) — 7 ideas - [bedrooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/51506081/list/bedrooms) — 3 ideas - [art etc.](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/51732423/list/art-etc) — 3 ideas - [kitchen storage](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/55539656/list/kitchen-storage) — 6 ideas - [furniture](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/51506106/list/furniture) — 2 ideas - [fireplace](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/51329963/list/fireplace) — 1 idea - [whelandesignhouse's Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52477395/list/whelandesignhouse-s-ideas) — 40 ideas - [paint](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52083059/list/paint) — 1 idea - [floors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/51512304/list/floors) — 1 idea [See all 17 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/whelandesignhouse) --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-14.*