--- title: "Design Matters — Interior Designers & Decorators | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/design-matters-pfvwus-pf~25524395 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~25524395.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Design Matters" category: ["Interior Designers & Decorators"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/85530f5c00cf87b9_9877-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "Los Gatos, California 95030, United States" phone: "(408) 767-6763" website: http://www.designmatters.design rating: 4.7 review_count: 83 years_in_business: 26 best_of_houzz_awards: 13 followers: 713 last_updated: 2026-08-16 --- # Design Matters > Los Gatos Award-Winning Innovative Interior+Kitchen+Bath Designer Original Houzz profile: [Design Matters](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/design-matters-pfvwus-pf~25524395) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Interior Designers & Decorators - **Location:** Los Gatos, CA - **Serves:** San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Redwood City, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Campbell, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Saratoga, Burlingame, San Carlos, Belmont, Hillsborough, Pebble Beach, Los Altos Hills, Atherton, Woodside, Portola Valley, Carmel Valley, Cambrian Park, Monte Sereno, Bozeman MT, Breckenridge CO, Carmel CA, Driggs ID, Emerald Hills, Heber Valley UT, Idaho Falls ID, Jackson WY, Morgan Hill CA, Napa CA, New Almaden, Park City UT, Sonoma County, South Park WY, St. George UT, Vail CO, Whitefish MT, Wilson WY, Wine Country, Yountville CA - **Houzz rating:** 4.7 out of 5 (83 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 13 awards (2014–2026), for Service, Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Pro Software User - Star Houzzer - 5 Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 25,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Woman owned - 26 years in business - Verified Hires - Provides 3D Visualization ### Business highlights - Best of Houzz winner - 26 years in business - Woman owned - Provides 3D Visualization - 166 Verified Hires GORGEOUS Full-Service Showroom Studio Locations servicing Greater Areas of California, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and Colorado. Licensed & Certified Professional Interior Design Firm CAD Residential Permit Construction Drawings, Whole house Interior Design, Kitchen & Bath Design, Furnishings and Curation, Ground Up New Home Design, Cabinetry Design, Detailing, and Procurement service for all Interior Design Products We are PASSIONATE about DESIGN! Providing comprehensive, detailed, thoughtful, beautiful interior designs for all types of interior projects! We are inspired by architecture, nature, and textures that surround our every day lives! By creating an exciting and enjoyable process and by listening and responding to our clients needs, we are able to thread together comprehensive designs down to the last threaded detail DESIGN MATTERS 455 North Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95030 DESIGN MATTERS -HEBER/PARK CITY 494 S. Main Street, suite 120, Heber City, UT 84032 DESIGN MATTERS -MENLO PARK 888 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025 DESIGN MATTERS AT THE GRANARY 17520 Depot Street, Suite 200, Morgan Hill, CA 95037 DESIGN MATTERS -JACKSON HOLE 50 S. King St., Suite 103, Jackson, WY 83001 DESIGN MATTERS -ST. GEORGE 1575 S. River Road, St. George, UT 84790 DESIGN MATTERS SONOMA 72 Bosuns Reach Sea Ranch, CA 95497 ### Services Provided - Interior Design - Kitchen Design - Bathroom Design - Living Room Design - Bedroom Design - Color Consulting - Space Planning - Furniture Selection - Kids Bedroom Design - Dining Room Design - Custom Cabinets - Lighting Design - Custom Kitchen Cabinets - Custom Built-ins - Design Consultation - Floor Plans - Project Management - Entry Design - Custom Bathroom Vanities - Custom Furniture - Laundry Room Design - Mudroom Design - Custom Blinds & Shades - House Plans - Custom Home Bars - Closet Design - 3D Rendering - Outdoor Kitchen Design - Custom Bookcases - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Custom Walk-in Closets - Custom Entertainment Centers - Custom Rugs - Custom Fireplace Mantels - Wine Cellar Design - Sustainable Design - Custom Shelving - Custom Pantries - Drafting - Green Building - Custom Storage - Historic Building Conservation - Kitchen Remodeling - Home Office Design - Remodeling - Residential Permit Documentation ### Areas Served - San Jose - Sunnyvale - Santa Clara - Redwood City - Palo Alto - Cupertino - Campbell - Los Gatos - Los Altos - Saratoga - Burlingame - San Carlos - Belmont - Hillsborough - Pebble Beach - Los Altos Hills - Atherton - Woodside - Portola Valley - Carmel Valley - Cambrian Park - Monte Sereno - Bozeman MT - Breckenridge CO - Carmel CA - Driggs ID - Emerald Hills - Heber Valley UT - Idaho Falls ID - Jackson WY - Morgan Hill CA - Napa CA - New Almaden - Park City UT - Sonoma County - South Park WY - St. George UT - Vail CO - Whitefish MT - Wilson WY - Wine Country - Yountville CA ### Typical Job Cost $100,000 - 1 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Design Matters | | Address | Los Gatos, California 95030, United States | | Phone | (408) 767-6763 | | Website | http://www.designmatters.design | | License Number | CID 5922 | | Years in business | 26 | | Followers on Houzz | 713 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/pages/Design-Matters/263252917032798 - X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/DesignMattersLG - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-cavanaugh-23314a4/ - Blog — https://www.instagram.com/designmatters.design/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Design Matters](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/design-matters-pfvwus-pf~25524395) - **Website:** http://www.designmatters.design - **Phone:** (408) 767-6763 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - ASID Kitchen Award of Excellence - ASID Special Recognition Award - ASID Silver Honor Award - ASID Designer Showcase Home Award - BEST OF HOUZZ - Professional Member ASID since 2001 - Certified Interior Designer \#5922 since 2002 - **Best of Houzz:** 13 awards (2014–2026), for Service, Design. **Affiliations** - [American Society of Interior Designers](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/american-society-of-interior-designers-pfvwus-pf~1510192642) - [CCIDC, Inc.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/ccidc-inc-pfvwus-pf~1385158534) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.7 out of 5 — 83 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 48.0 - Communication: 47.0 - Value: 46.0 ### Featured Review **★★★★★ — D, Oct. 2020** > My wife and I selected Design Matters for the interior design of our home we purchased in the fall of 2019. It was a complete interior renovation, including the relocation of some interior walls. Julie and Beverly were great to work with. From the initial space planning, the layout of tile and cabinetry, selection of all the finish materials, colors, fixtures and hardware, they are very professional to work with. Details matter to us, and their attention to detail is apparent in our finished home. They have a great design process and were there every step of the way from start to finish. We recommend Design Matters wholeheartedly. **Comment from Design Matters:** > Thank you so much for your kind words and for allowing us to be a part of your design journey! It was such a pleasure to work with you and your family. We would welcome the opportunity to work with you again on any future project. Enjoy your stunning home! ### All 83 reviews **★★★★★ — Barb Protsch, Aug. 2026** > My husband and I purchased a home in Red Ledges, Heber Valley, Utah in January 2026. With a few exceptions, the home was unfurnished. > I began working with Julie remotely to expedite the process before we arrived in April. Julie guided me in establishing goals, a budget and realistic time frames. Julie was instrumental in helping select a paint color that blended with existing wall decor and gave a warmth to the home. > Julie and her team presented furniture boards with options. They definitely listened to our lifestyle preferences and helped us incorporate items that made the move. Their selections were unique and tasteful. > Tayler, Heber Showroom Manager and Interior Designer came to our house several times and did an excellent job of guiding us with final furniture selections. > Julie and Tayler responded to all inquiries in an efficient manner. They made the project fun and exciting. > We are very happy with the quality of rugs and furniture selected and would highly recommend Design Matters. **★★★★ — M and A in Mhill, Aug. 2026** > I wanted to give 4.5 stars but not possible. Julie helped us update our kitchen and other design elements in our living space. Julie has a strong eye for aesthetics and toed the line well with what we wanted and what should be edited. She was highly responsive in communication which was important for my type A personality. Her experience is palpable. The only negative points were that her first assistant lacked some communication skills which she moved and gave us a different assistant midway through. Lastly, all in budget was hard to understand until we were into the construction phase so budget needs to be flexible. **★★★★★ — sirisha2, March 2026** > We are very pleased with the results of our home remodel. > I really wanted a very unique design look for our space, Julie and her team did a fantastic job coming up with one of a kind designs and material choices for us. The selection of colors, cabinets and stone has truly transformed the house into a beautiful and functional home. Thank you for your professionalism and for making the design process such a positive experience. I would be happy to recommend your services to others looking for a talented interior designer team **Comment from Design Matters:** > We are so grateful to have worked alongside you on this project! Your home is absolutely stunning and we hope you enjoy it for many years to come. Thank you for the kind words and the trust in our team. We hope to work with you again in the future. **★★★★★ — Hbb, Feb. 2026** > I contacted Design Matters for a custom home I was building in Teton Valley. It was a stressful situation as I felt some of our finishes weren't quite coming together correctly. Julie was kind enough to step in, and I am SO GLAD she did. She was able to suggest some changes for us to make in the home, and she pushed us in the right direction for the rest of our finish decisions. The outcome was significantly better than anything I would have been able to do myself. My biggest regret is that I didn't contact her sooner! I highly recommend contacting Design Matters if you are about to embark on building a custom home. We have a beautiful home now and I am eternally grateful for Julie's help. **Comment from Design Matters:** > Thank you so much for these kind words and for putting your trust in our team! It was a pleasure working with you. We are so grateful for clients like you and we hope that you enjoy your space for many years to come! **★ — Kanika Thapar, Nov. 2025** > Extremely disappointing experience with Design Matters > Our experience with Design Matters was frustrating from start to finish. Julie was quick to respond and eager to engage before the contract was signed, but communication dropped off sharply afterward. Emails went unanswered for days or weeks, and she was rarely available for site visits—often sending junior designers instead, who lacked context and experience. > Whenever I asked for faster progress or more design options, the tone became passive-aggressive rather than collaborative. The firm also required us to complete extensive paperwork and pre-prepare floor plans and mood boards before work could begin—something that should have been part of their service. Ironically, they then billed us heavily for the very same planning work they insisted we complete. > To make matters worse, most of their product recommendations had extremely long shipping times or exorbitant delivery fees (often over $1,000). We ended up not purchasing a single item they suggested. > Overall, this was an expensive and unprofessional experience. I would not recommend Design Matters to anyone looking for a responsive, creative, or client-focused design partner. **Comment from Design Matters:** > We take client feedback seriously; however, we are unable to reconcile the statements in this review with the documented facts of this engagement. The characterization presented contains multiple inaccuracies regarding both the scope of services provided and the professional conduct of our firm. Design Matters maintains detailed records of all project communications, deliverables, timelines, and work product. Should a public clarification be required, we are prepared to provide a complete and accurate account of the engagement to ensure the record reflects the facts. > > (Length of total engagement contract to completion was September 12- October 24. 5 weeks engagement.) > > Outline of Supporting Documentation on Record > 1\. Project Deliverables & Client Materials > •In-person presentation of floor plans and option documents provided on 10/1/25 (12 pages) > •Design materials shared with project stakeholders via secure drive on 10/10/25 in advance of a scheduled in-person meeting (19 pages) > •Design, option, and proposal documents provided via email on 10/24/25 (17 pages) > •Additional option and proposal documents provided via email on 10/27/25 (5 pages) > 2\. Communication Record > •73 documented email communications between Design Matters and the client spanning 9/16/25–11/3/25 > •Communications reflect clear directives, completed requests, ongoing coordination, and multiple client acknowledgements of delayed response times > 3\. Billing & Contractual Record > •Signed agreement outlining scope, fees, and billing terms > •Documentation of over twelve (12) hours of professional services performed but not invoiced as a courtesy, and fully collectible under contract if reconciled > 4\. Legal & Compliance File > •Full project record provided to legal counsel for independent review, including communications, timelines, and work product **★★★★★ — HU-960045128, Sept. 2025** > Working with Julie and her team at Design Matters was an absolute pleasure. They brought creativity, professionalism, and a keen eye for detail to our home in Western Wyoming. From the beginning, Julie listened carefully to our vision and translated it into a warm, inviting design that perfectly fits our lifestyle and the natural surroundings. Her thoughtful recommendations on finishes, furniture, and layout elevated every room, blending comfort with timeless style. The process was seamless, communication was clear, and the results exceeded our expectations. We couldn’t be happier and wholeheartedly recommend Design Matters for any interior design project. **Comment from Design Matters:** > Thank you so much! What an absolute dream of a project for our team! We are so grateful to have gone on this design journey with your family. Your home is a true showstopper! We hope your family enjoys the spaces for generations to come. **★★★★★ — dethbakin, Sept. 2025** > We have been working with Julie and the amazing team at Design Matters to redesign the primary bedroom in our home. We have lived in our beautiful house for 8 years, but never in that time figured out how to make the primary bedroom as nice as the rest of the home or worthy of the excellent view. Though we enjoy decorating and designing other rooms on our own, we just couldn't figure out how to make the best use of the space, and we were not devoting enough time to the project. So, we wanted to work with a designer! We've worked with 2 different designers in the past. One was a positive experience, but that person isn't in the business anymore. The other experience was more challenging, but we did end up with a room that we love. So first we had to find someone new. Julie stood out because she was excited to take on a smaller project like this. Many other firms we reached out to would only take on a kitchen, bathroom, outdoor space, or whole home renovation. Things only improved from there. Julie is amazing! She toured our home virtually and in person (multiple times) to make sure she understood the space and our taste. I'll never forget the meeting we had at the Design Matters studio where she presented 7 thoroughly designed concepts for the primary bedroom, with many samples on hand, and an eagerness to mix and match. I was floored by the amount of work she put into it. I was also thrilled by the possibilities, and all of the ideas were stunning. We took home some of the samples to see them in our space, and eventually settled on a design. Of course that ushered in a new phase of the project to acquire the items and work with a contractor to install things. Julie continued to be a trusted advisor, even recommending alternatives to the light fixture she originally chose because she realized that the original was ridiculously expensive. And when challenges with installation arose, such as custom cabinetry that didn't account for a crooked floor, and uncertainty over crown moulding, Julie was there every step of the way to help figure out a way through the problem. We're basically done now -- just finalizing the bedding. It's been a joy, and we are already dreaming up what to work on next with the team at Design Matters. **Comment from Design Matters:** > Thank you! What a pleasure to work with you...We hope to work with you again soon! Thank you so much for entrusting our team on your home design journey. **★★★★★ — Michelle Moran, Sept. 2025** > Design Matters brings an extraordinary sense of beauty and purpose to every project. Their eye for detail, refined aesthetic, and thoughtful approach create spaces that are not only functional but truly inspiring. The team is collaborative, intuitive, and deeply committed to bringing your vision to life with elegance and clarity. If you value design that elevates everyday living, Design Matters is a rare and trusted partner **★★★★★ — natallias, July 2025** > We had an incredible experience working with Julie Cavanaugh and Design Matters team on our kitchen renovation. From the very beginning, Julie took the time to truly listen to our needs and vision. She designed a space that not only looks amazing but also functions beautifully for our lifestyle. > > What impressed us most was how seamlessly the new kitchen blends with the rest of our home and even extends the design flow to our outdoor space. Julie brought together a thoughtful mix of modern and classic elements, with a level of craftsmanship that’s hard to find. Every detail feels intentional and cohesive. > > We couldn’t be happier with the results - Julie is a true talent and a joy to work with. Highly recommend Design Matters for anyone looking to elevate their space with style and purpose! **Comment from Design Matters:** > It was such a pleasure working with you and your family! We are thrilled that you love your space and hope you enjoy many wonderful years in your beautiful home.. **★★★★★ — Dana Frohwein, Dec. 2024** > Julie redesigned our kitchen in 2023. She and her team were extremely professional and easy to work with throughout the project. Julie created both an aesthetically beautiful kitchen while also making sure it is functional. We highly recommend Julie and her team. **★★★★★ — kmcnelly, Dec. 2024** > Design Matters did an outstanding job assisting with our home remodel. They had great attention to detail and were always patient and understanding with last minute construction issues which impacted design. Will definitely use them again. **★★★★★ — Kathy Aronson, Dec. 2024** > I have worked with Julie and her staff at Design Matters for 9 years. Julie designed my first home remodel in 2016. We completely re-did three bathrooms and the entire kitchen from top to bottom and it was a great experience. Julie knows my style and works within what I like. My second remodel in 2022 involved the kitchen, living room, and entry. Why a remodel so soon after the first one? Well, there was a large load-bearing wall between the kitchen and living room and at that time I couldn't afford what would be involved to remove that wall. After removing this wall the entire space opened up. Julie's ability to analyze the situation and come up with brilliant ideas is amazing...she might be tiny, but what she can think of is incredible! Every detail we discussed came to fruition thanks to Julie's keen eye for detail. I couldn't be happier with the project. Despite my expectations, the project exceeded them. **★★★★★ — HU-829604911, July 2024** > Brilliant Interior Design by Julie Cavanaugh and the Design Matters team. Now working with Julie on our THIRD remodel project! > Julie is excellent in the early phase spacial planning, often recommending small changes that yield big benefits in the flow and efficiency of the house. > She has an unparalleled design aesthetic that creates rooms and color palettes that are unique and beautiful. Uses a variety of materials and textures, and great cabinetry design. > Very distinctive work that always gets a "WOW" from guests. And to top it off, she and the team are very fun to work with! **★★★★★ — HU-4217144373848, March 2024** > Julie is an absolute pro in every aspect of interior design. From conceptualization to execution, she handled every detail flawlessly. Our project encompassed construction design, custom interior finishes, and interior design, including the meticulous selection of custom materials > > What truly sets Julie apart is her ability to capture her clients' goals and transform spaces into visions beyond expectation. Despite my strong preferences and attention to detail, Julie and the Design Matters team exceeded my every expectation. The transformation of our space was nothing short of remarkable. > > I cannot recommend Julie Cavanaugh and Design Matters highly enough. If you're looking for an interior designer who will surpass your expectations, deliver impeccable results, and make the design process an absolute pleasure, Julie is the one to call. Trust me; you won't be disappointed. > > Thank you, Julie, and the Design Matters team, for an incredible experience and for bringing our vision to life in such a spectacular way! **Comment from Design Matters:** > Thank you so much for your kind words and for allowing us to be a part of your design journey! It was such a pleasure to work with you and your family. Enjoy your stunning home! **★★★★★ — Abby Shah, Feb. 2024** > Julie and Design Matters did such a gorgeous job with our remodel. We redid our kitchen and main living area, as well as our primary bathroom, and added a new office, pantry, and mudroom. Julie and her team elevated the project every step of the way - from recommending we open up our entire living area to redoing floors and walls throughout the home. The layouts the team created have been so functional - even after living in the home for four months, there's not a thing we'd change. Her selection of materials was unparalleled - all of the finishes appear luxury and unique, and the house just feels like "us." **Comment from Design Matters:** > Thank you so much for your kind words! It was an absolute pleasure to be a part of your design journey! We are so happy that you are pleased with the outcome and that it truly feels like a space uniquely tailored to you and your family. **★★★★★ — Charlie E, Dec. 2023** > Julie and her team were instrumental in planning and guiding my home remodel project from start to finish. The entire interior of the house was updated and every design detail was meticulously planned. The results were transformational. I highly recommend Julie and her Design Matters team! **Comment from Design Matters:** > Thank you so much for your kind words and for allowing us to be a part of your design journey! **★★★★ — Samuel Worden, Dec. 2023** > Since 2022, we have remodeled three bathrooms with Design Matters acting as either the designer (with a third party acting as the architect) or as the single-source architect/designer. All three new bathrooms are wonderful. For the two projects where Design Matters functioned as the architect/designer, they created really amazing, highly functional bathrooms given some significant site plan challenges. The materials and finishes in all three bathrooms are just great. Thanks for everything!! **★★★★★ — HU-856021374, Dec. 2023** > We worked with DM on a large inside-and-out remodel of a 1960s ranch-style home. We love the vision they brought to our project, a true challenge — retain the original feel, while updating it for modern times, but keeping the house congruent with the surrounding neighborhood. We love the end result. **★★★★★ — Natalie Cooper, Dec. 2023** > Julie is an amazing designer to work with. She has the vision and the ability to execute on a plan. She has so many contacts in the construction / manufacturing world, and knows where to pull from to make my vision a reality. She is also very quick to respond and will move as quickly as I need to get the job done. This is my second major remodel working with her in 8 years. She has only gotten better with time. Highly recommend and have been completely satisfied with her. **Comment from Design Matters:** > Thank you for trusting us over and again! We love our repeat clients and love building relationships with people as amazing as you! Enjoy your beautiful spaces! **★ — Amit Narayan, Aug. 2023** > I would have given 0 stars if that was an option! Had to terminate contract midway after minimal progress and spending 10s of thousands of dollars. > > 1\. Extremely disorganized and haphazard about communication, no project management whatsoever, no visibility into what's ahead > 2\. Unwilling to take feedback. Does work without any input from client. Whenever we ask for a follow-up, gets very defensive and aggressive > 3\. Invoicing without providing breakdown or visibility. Invoices have no relation to SOW and no details on where the hours are going. > 4\. Behind schedule and over-budget. Always asking for the next retainer before completing the previous work **Comment from Design Matters:** > Amit and Ritu Narayan's San Carlos project was not only on target for the clients desired timing after being pushed to "work faster, work harder, make our project happen now", our team went above and beyond to try to meet this client's demands. Not only do we have a signed approved Scope of Work outlining every step of the process and an estimate for each phase of work deliverable, we have 147 documented emails and over 65 texts, communicating wiht the clients constantly, answering questions and 100% transparently getting clients approvals at each step of the progress. > > These clients are disingenuous, and were unavailable to attend to their project needs despite an incredible amount of effort by our design staff. They constantly canceled in-person and Zoom review meetings ,scheduled weeks in advance at their request within their personal schedule demands, > > In addition, the homeowner's threats in writing, and attempted blackmail toward our entire staff attempting to have continued work completed, without making their outstanding $15,000 past due payment, which was well within the signed and approved Scope of work estimate, has resulted in Design Matters being forced to take legal action. > > Such high-powered high-wealth clients behaving so disingenuously, using toxic tactics to manipulate the narrative with public libel, leaving small business owners to do everything in their power to defend the truth and reputation. > It's unfortunate when former clients attempt to use poor reviews when they themselves are to blame, for their massive issues with the project completion. We expect full payment resolution within the Civil action filed by our council, in addition to a cease and desist the use of copyrighted unpaid work product produced. > > Despite these unfortunate types of clients and their unflattering and unwarranted reviews, Design Matters will continue to provide outstanding design, services, and exemplary communication for all client projects! > HAPPY and provide internal documentation debunking this client's lies and to discuss this client's behavior at length with all current and prospective clients. We WELCOME your inquiry. **★★★★★ — Tania B, Nov. 2022** > We recently completed our home remodel which was essentially a near total rebuild. Having never done something like this before, we had a lot of starts and stops and let me just say....."mistakes were made!" The first of which was not hiring a designer at the start of the process! We thought we could work through most of it ourselves and hit some construction roadblocks early on. We found Julie through Houzz and called her in a bit of a panic looking for help. Julie and team were instrumental in getting things on track for us and helping to deal with some major layout / framing problems we had run into. While it meant some rework even our contractor acknowledged the improvements Julie suggested and stressed that she really knows her stuff (as he put it). > > From there we used Julie and her team to design other areas of the home we were having trouble with. I am the first to admit that we are probably considered very difficult clients - we are very particular, crazy indecisive, opinionated, know what we don't like, yet couldn't quite articulate what we DO like and were figuring it out along the way. I mean....I wouldn't want to work with us! But Julie was awesome, patient, direct and fun to work with. When I needed to just see endless options - she'd help me with that. When I just needed her to just help me decide - she would do that too. We were super stuck on what to do for the kitchen and the design she came up with was incredible. It's been amazing to see our kitchen come to life and REALLY looks just like the renderings. Two learnings I can offer......hire Julie EARLY and leverage her partnership with contractors such as the cabinetmaker. We ended up going with a different cabinet maker primarily because we wanted someone local to work with directly. Save yourself the headaches! It took far too much work on our part to get what we wanted and being stuck in between contractors when problems arise is far too stressful. Had we gone with Julie's contact I believe she would have facilitated that process and mitigated any issues that came up. We are still dealing with some of that fallout - having nothing to do with design element. It just made the process very stressful for us. So hire early and leverage her expertise fully. Also, her team members -specifically, Beverly, was also fantastic to work with! **★★★★★ — Heeral Kota, Nov. 2022** > I have been working with Julie and the Design Matters team for about a year now on my remodeling project. I can't say enough about the talent Julie and her team have. They brought my dream home to life! Julie has extremely great taste and a great work ethic. > > Julie not only created our dream kitchen but she designed the living room, bathroom, perfect lighting to go with the space, furniture, and my dream prayer room! She put a lot of thought into the custom cabinet design, making sure all of my requirements were met. > > From the moment you meet her, you can tell she is passionate about what she does and you know you are in great hands! I highly recommend them! **Comment from Design Matters:** > We are truly grateful for your kind words and thankful to be a part of your design journey. Enjoy your beautiful dream home! **★★★★★ — HU-10204624, July 2022** > Beautiful design ideas. Absolutely impressed and overjoyed with the outcome. This was money well spent. I would work with again. **★★★★★ — HU-5596549, May 2022** > Last June we awoke to a dishwasher flood that ruined our kitchen floors. In the midst of water remediation and insurance claims, we decided to remodel, since much demo had already been done. We contacted Julie Cavanaugh because she was recommended by a friend, and she came right over to view the space and listen to our needs and wants. We were absolutely amazed by her design- we never would have thought to turn the entire space 90 degrees. This was a brilliant inspiration, and things continued from there. The space itself was unchanged except moving a door, a big saving. And she and her team responded to our need for more reachable storage and better lighting as we age. She respected our suggestions about changes to materials and layout. Her firm did all the detailed plans for the permits, assisting with appliance orders, and communicating with our contractor. Julie always answered emails promptly, even on weekends. Design Matters is definitely worth the cost, and we are really thrilled with our kitchen. **★★★★★ — HU-954803017, Nov. 2021** > Simply the best. If you are looking to remodel your home, you need Design Matters. Julie and her team are wonderful. From the moment Julie steps into your home she starts envisioning the best remodel for your house. She redesigned our whole first floor and we loved it so much we had her do the same for our second home! Her work ethic is unbeatable. She does it all, from blueprints, appliance selection, materials, and permit documentation. I had no idea what I wanted and Julie kept working with me to design rooms I absolutely loved. **Comment from Design Matters:** > It has been such a pleasure working with you over the years! We love our repeat clients and value your continued trust and support. Thank you so much for allowing us to be part of your design journey. **★★★★★ — Tania Gai, Oct. 2021** > We want to start off by saying, the ladies at Design Matters are absolutely amazing! We started our home project with nothing more than a rough idea of what things were important to us. Julie and Nicole have a wealth of knowledge in space planning and this was the first step in turning our dreams into reality. These ladies asked all the right questions and listened to what we wanted in our dream home. When the final day came to review their design, we were almost in tears with how well the vision was understood. They thought of every little detail and didn't overlook any aspect of the project that we felt was important. The level of detail and thoroughness when it came to how the space was laid out really showed their level of expertise. We immediately knew that this team had our dreams, vision, and best interest in mind. We look forward to the next stages of our project. Look no further this is the A-team! We are super fortunate to have met them and been able to have our dreams come to life. **Comment from Design Matters:** > Thank you so much for allowing us to be part of your design journey! It has been such a pleasure working with you to help make your home dreams come to life! **★ — HU-112903041, Oct. 2021** > I first used Design Matters in 2020 for a kitchen remodel. I really liked the designer's suggestions and knowledge of materials and suppliers. However, there were several problems along the way including mis-measuring the size of the sink (causing me additional return fees and time), not enough tile ordered for the backsplash (causing a week delay during construction), and not ordering the correct number of door knobs/drawer pulls (causing further delay in the completion of the project). > > When I started to plan for a bathroom remodel earlier this year my first thought was to select the materials on my own without the help of a designer. After visiting a few tile stores, I was overwhelmed and decided to use Design Matters again. Although the issues with the kitchen remodel were frustrating, I gave them the benefit of the doubt as that was during a heightened Covid period and the designer did not visit my kitchen to determine the details as often as they probably would have otherwise. > > I met with the designer at the Los Gatos showroom in the end of June to discuss materials, colors, and tile layout. I was not able to find a new vanity by that time, so the designer said she would look into one and get back to me with a suggestion. She did place the orders for the tile. However, after over two months, and with the contractor starting in two weeks, I had not received any follow up on the vanity, design plans, paint colors, etc. I emailed the designer and received a response that she was out of the office and after several back-and-forth emails, over a week later I finally received the design information that was overdue. However, Design Matters completely dropped the ball on the new vanity and at that point there was no time to order one before the contactor started. No apology, suggestions, or alternatives were ever offered. > > Most frustrating was the lack of follow-through on the tile order. Design Matters had ordered tile from Porcelanosa in early July that was to take 8-12 weeks to arrive. Porcelanosa informed Design Matters of a two to three month shipping delay. Without any communication with me, with Design Matters told Porcelanosa it would not be an issue, even though they were aware of my construction start date. Not only did Design Matters not inform me of this delay, they offered absolutely no assistance or suggestions on how to solve the issue. Luckily for me, the staff at Porcelanosa was wonderful and were able to rush a new order for the tile with expedited shipping. Of course, I had to pay significant amount of money for the additional order and expedited shipping; again, without any remedy or assistance from Design Matters. > > I did like the design suggestions provided by Design Matters; however, the lack of follow up, accurate material ordering, or follow-through on the ordering caused me significant additional costs and time. I would not recommend Design Matters and will certainly not use their services in the future. **Comment from Design Matters:** > Thank you for reaching out as we always aim to create ongoing and constructive relationships with our past, present, and future clients. However, this is not an accurate representation of what occurred between Design Matters and this client. Her review is misguided and misrepresents the actual timeline and work product provided by DM which begs the question of her true motive of her review. We will always take time to respond with the truth and facts and protect the business we have built for over 25 years with so many satisfied customers, positive reviews, and long lasting repeat project clients. > > In 2020, DM’s involvement on the client’s kitchen project was minimal. We were solely asked to handle materials selection for tile, countertops, and hardware. The scope of DM’s involvement did not include cabinet design or anything else. The sink was clearly not part of the scope and, therefore, was not supplied or selected by DM. As we do with most customers, DM assisted in areas outside of the scope so as to be a resource to the client. We verbally provided a rough dimension on sinks to consider and suggested the client should send us the specifications of the selected sink for us to check against the provided inside cabinet dimensions. Possibly due to budgeting constraints, the client did not take advantage of this suggestion and did not check with her installer as was recommended by DM. Regarding the issue with the tile for the backsplash, DM was never notified by the client that they were short on tile. Issues like this are commonplace and easily resolved. We would have quickly rush ordered additional tile to rectify that situation. The only area that was a mistake that was 100% under the control of DM, was the correct amount of hardware on the initial order. Though the client did sign off on the count, it still was a mistake that DM should have prevented. Once we realized the miscalculation, we quickly ordered the additional hardware to rectify the situation with no consequence to the project or project timing. > > Our contract for the 2021 bathroom project was solely to supply her tile. The client shopped on her own for a vanity and did not pursue any of the custom options offered through DM. The tile portion of the project had many moving parts and we kept the client aware throughout the entire process. The majority of the tile was ready for pick-up at the end of July. However, there was a custom tile from Porcelanosa that had a longer lead time than the rest of the tile. This was clearly communicated to the client and was even acknowledged by the client in your written sign-off of the order. It is possible that the lead time may have slipped due to supply chain constraints throughout the world. This was out of our hands, yet we informed her every step of the way. Frustrated with the freight delay, this client attempted to breach her signed contract with DM and order product directly through Porcelanosa, at one point even personally going around us, obtaining proprietary information, and asking Porcelanosa to cancel the order from DM, which was immediately reported to us by our representative at the first and all subsequent contact the company received from the client. Thankfully, Porcelanosa values our longstanding relationship and made us aware of the situation. I believe the client realized she was crossing the line with respect to the contract she had signed. Therefore, she decided to order additional material at the huge cost of air shipping to make up for her poor planning based on the information provided by DM. > > It is a balancing act for a full-service design firm like DM to work alongside a client that second guesses at every turn and is always looking for ways to minimize the project scope by taking shortcuts on her own. This being said, DM continued to support her requests with repeated visits to tile vendors, free of charge design work, and remedies to previous issues that were never brought to DM’s attention. **★★★★★ — D&G, July 2021** > Julie has an incredible vision and attention to detail. Her eye on identifying, pairing, and aligning materials is incredible. Our kitchen remodel design is a masterpiece. We loved so much, we ended up designing most of the house. I highly recommend Design Matters. **Comment from Design Matters:** > Thank you so much for allowing us to be part of your design journey! We have thoroughly enjoyed working with you and can't wait to see it all come together! **★★★★★ — User, April 2021** > Julie and her team at Design Matters are wonderful. We hired Design Matters to remodel our kitchen in our first home in 2014 and again in our second home in 2020 but for a much larger remodel/addition and were beyond pleased with the process and end result. Julie is an absolute pro and she helped to make the remodel a seamless and stress free experience from start to finish. She referred excellent contractors and suggested the best, high end and quality finishes and materials. Most importantly, Julie made sure we got everything we wanted on our checklist. From start to finish, the design process went smoothly and the meetings and discussions were fun and productive. We couldn't be happier with our Design Matters experience and have referred friends to Julie and her team. **Comment from Design Matters:** > Margo, It is always such a pleasure to work with you and I LOVE that we created meaningful floor plan changes and new spaces that support your family needs! We appreciate your kind review and wish you much health and happiness in your home~ **★★★★★ — bernsteinj, April 2021** > Julie did an amazing job on our project. He vision and use of materials created an incredibly dramatic space. She listened well and took excellent direction from us. Ultimately, the project is breathtaking. We couldn't be more pleased! **Comment from Design Matters:** > Thank you for allowing us to create such a Luxe Bathroom spaces, with all the bells and whistles that with your tech background taught us a few new amazing adaptable features we want to share with every client! We hope you and your family absolutely love you new space, thank you for allowing us to partner with you on this journey! **★★★★★ — K B, Dec. 2020** > We bought our house many, many years ago and always hoped to update it. We finally bit the bullet and ended up doing a complete rebuild of our house in 2018-2019. We quickly discovered that we didn’t have the time or skill to make all the decisions needed for an interior design. > > Enter Design Matters. Julie and Elise worked closely with us on selecting tile, counters, and cabinet design for the kitchen, 4.5 bathrooms, and other built-in cabinets. They also provided recommendations for paint, flooring, and the outside facade. Basically, they provided designs for the interior of the entire house. This removed a great weight off our shoulders, reduced our stress, and made us confident that our house would look great. > > They listened to our preferences, came up with suggestions that matched our likes as well as showing us options that we would not have considered on our own. Some interior designers try to push their will onto you, but Design Matters doesn’t do that. They sometimes offered suggestions that expanded our horizons but never forced us to pick an option that we were not comfortable with. > > We are very happy with the results. Everything looks fantastic. We finally have a grown-up house. **Comment from Design Matters:** > On behalf of the entire team at Design Matters... thank YOU for allowing us to be part of making your home absolutely beautiful and functional for your family! We are so happy that you now have your grown-up house! Enjoy! **★★★★★ — Paul Lester, Sept. 2020** > We worked with Sasha and her team in the Morgan Hill office, it was a wonderful experience. We did what I’d call an 80% remodel of a 3400sqft house, pretty much everything except drywall or major structural changes...full kitchen gut, 2 of 3 bathrooms including the master, adding a home office in the master, new flooring throughout the house, new fireplace, new baseboards and crown, wainscoting, etc, etc. > > Sasha was available and attentive. Her suggestions were always spot-on and she knew exactly which company to talk to in order to get what we wanted. > > We simply couldn’t have done this effectively without Sasha and her team. If you’re hesitant about the cost of hiring a designer or simply think it will turn out just as well if you do it yourself, I’m convinced that working with Design Matters actually saved us time and money...well worth the investment, we plan on working with her again on an addition in the future. Highly recommend you use Design Matters! **★★★★★ — DLY Homes, LLC, July 2020** > We discovered Design Matters and were impressed by the immense amount of value, knowledge, and expertise that they added to our project. We started engaging with Design Matters later in our process and wished we would have engaged much earlier with their team, ideally at the same stage as with the Architect and Builder. > > Julie and the Design Matters team reorganized the home layout for better function and flow, while guiding us on material selections. They provided industry expertise related to project oversight, project management, coordination with building professionals, detailed specification reviews, and installation support for the sub-contractors. Julie’s passion for her craft and her profession is contagious. It was a lot of work, but she did it with full charge enthusiasm and made it a worthwhile and fun process for us as well! I would recommend Design Matters without any hesitation. **★★★★★ — VANVY HOUSHOLDER, Oct. 2019** > We moved into an older house in 2002, vowing that one day we'd remodel. Then life happened - jobs, kids, and life in general - and it became like a "one day" wish. The house was so embarrassing and dated, but the task of picking out everything, coordinating subcontractors, timing, etc. was just too daunting. I was motivated and knew the design style I wanted, but I had a hard time finding someone whose design "spoke to me." And I am picky, which may also explain why it took this long. By luck, I saw a friend's house that Design Matters did and fell in love with her place. I wanted clean lines, modern yet still warm and livable, neutral & timeless. I met Julie (owner of Design Matters), and on the spot, knew she was "THE ONE." If I had a ring, I would have proposed to her (just kidding). Julie and her team (Cindy, Elise, etc) stepped up to the challenge of remodeling a whole house with a set budget limit. They did a wonderful job. Marvin Davis Construction (specifically, Charles Driscoll), our general contractor, stepped up to put the design into reality. The remodeling process is not perfect. There will always be hiccups, unplanned problems - it's a matter of finding someone who you trust to fix the problem. You want a collaborator, someone who will suggest something you never thought of, an expert in their field. At the end of the day, you will be spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to remodel - make sure it looks like a million bucks. We love our new house and will have many future memories made in a place that is even more beautiful than I imagined. Kudos and thanks to Julie and her wonderful team and Marvin Davis Construction/Charles Driscoll. **Comment from Design Matters:** > Vanvy! On behalf of the entire Team at Design Matters on your proposal of design matrimony.... we all say WE DO!!! We've loved making a beautiful home for you, Mike and your family! We wish you many years of enjoyment and happiness! xoxoxo **★★★★★ — S&K Meo, Aug. 2019** > Roberta Wilson designed our kitchen remodel. We were so happy with the progress and quality of her work that we asked her to help with the design of our living room, also. We have remodeled enough to know that what makes a remodel successful is someone who is professional, experienced, communicative, a listener, and knows how to take on the “heavy lifting”—Roberta is all these things. I recommend Roberta to family and friends. **★★★★★ — Meera Desai, Aug. 2019** > Julie and her team were fantastic throughout our entire kitchen remodel process. She will work with you and your aesthetic as well as be very cognizant of your budget and constraints. She also put us in touch with an amazing architect and a contractor that I would recommend to anyone. I have gotten so many compliments on my kitchen and am beyond pleased with how it turned out. It exceeded my wildest expectations. Julie designed the layout of the kitchen, picked out the cabinetry and hardware along with all the light fixtures. She gave me options for tile, counter-tops and paints and helped me navigate through so many choices. > She made the process extremely easy and stress-free. Highly, highly, recommend Julie and her team. **★★★★★ — Carrie Whitaker, Aug. 2019** > Julie Cavanaugh is brilliant at what she does. She is incredibly attentive to every detail while making sure that each client gets exactly what they want out of their home/design. She was able to work within our budget, and focus on getting us the most "bang for our buck". I could not recommend Julie and her team more highly! **★★★★★ — Ravacast Precast Concrete & GFRC Products, Jan. 2019** > Over the past two years, we've worked with Design Matters on two beautiful residential projects in Los Altos. Julie and her team are attentive, professional, and always a pleasure to work with. The most recent project we worked together on was detail-oriented and required a high level of custom design. Design Matters had great communication throughout and welcomed our input and ideas on how to ensure that the project was a success. We look forward to working with the Design Matters team again soon! **★★★★★ — D.swanepoel, Oct. 2018** > We have met staff members at both locations and you can not find a better group poeple. They are super friendly and so helpfull! **★★★★★ — Crystal Brush, Oct. 2018** > My husband and I were looking for a one stop shop to remodel our kitchen and bath to bring value to our home. Julie and her team at Design Matters came recommended to us from a neighbor who has used their services (I was jealous of her beautiful updated kitchen) and we couldn't be more pleased! Their showroom is modern and has fresh ideas, plus they worked within our budget, giving our home the facelift that it needs to stay competitive in this market. Would definitely recommend. **★★★★★ — HU-928735056, Oct. 2018** > I have worked with Julie at design matters on a previous project. Since I was so satisfied with her work and professionalism the first time, I decided to use her again to remodel my kitchen. Again, she has outdone herself. I appreciate how well she listens to what my vision is, yet offers some great insight on what she thinks would be good. She gets everything done in a timely matter and she is so professional and sweet, it has just been a pleasure to work with her. I will gladly use her again for more projects in the future and would highly recommend her to anyone! **★★★★★ — User, Oct. 2018** > I love Design Matters & everything about this company! The work & effort Julie puts in to her projects is outstanding! Everybody I know who has gone with DM has been extremely happy! I will continually refer Julie & Design Matters to everyone I know needing design work. **★ — David P, Oct. 2018** > We did not have a good experience with Julie and Design Matters. Julie helped with design and getting a contractor for our project. She had a difficult time managing the job, seemed overwhelmed, and did not collaborate well with others to get issues solved. Lastly, I think Julie lacks integrity. There were billing and invoice discrepancies that left us feeling taken advantage of. Just search Julie online carefully before using her.... **★★★★★ — Art Luxury Home Builder Inc., Aug. 2018** > I have worked with Design Matters on several projects and very impressed with the level of professionalism/talent/taste of Julie and her team, as are her clients. I would highly recommend her and look forward to working with her in the future. > Art Luxury Home Builder **★★★★★ — MDN Designs, Inc., June 2018** > I'm a real estate professional and help remodel kitchens and bathrooms for my clients before selling their home. However, when it came to my own personal home, I wanted the guidance of a professional to make sure no major design mistakes were made as I knew my project involved many decisions and I wanted everything to go as smoothly as possible. I started my research on Houzz and that's where I found Julie. From our initial appointment and throughout the entire process, I loved Julie's energy and her recommendations. As a busy individual, I valued that Julie took the time to understand my style and was always super efficient in our meetings and all our communications. When we met to pick materials, Julie had almost everything picked out, listened to my feedback, made a few tweaks and in the end, created a masterpiece. We love our new home and kitchen and would've had so many more headaches and restless nights if it weren't for Julie, her team and their expertise. I would not hesitate to recommend Design Matters and hope to work together with them again some day! **★★★★★ — Marvin Davis Construction, Inc., Jan. 2018** > We have been doing business with Design Matters now for many years and have had nothing but exceptional correspondence with every team member. Each member of their staff is extremely ‘hands on’ and trained professionals. We find in design that both creativity and the logistics side must be balanced if you are going to have a smooth transition for remodeling, and these designers know that balance. The overall efficiency and quality of work at Design Matters, with Julie as their lead, will alleviate your concerns, but also streamline the entire process so that you and your family may enjoy your new remodel in the quickest manner possible. Thank you, Design Matters! **★★★★★ — xanderooney, June 2017** > We engaged Julie early last year to help us finish our kitchen pantry and utility area. > > Julie immediately brought her A-game and suggested a more holistic, thoughtful design that included also revamping our kitchen island and lighting. > > Julie brought balance to our own ideas, and guided us every step of the way. This included drafting various plans for the house, selecting materials and lighting (all luxe, but very affordable), and introducing us to a range of contractors suited to our budget. > > Julie was able to squeeze every usable inch out of our space. She was also kind enough to create a range of plans for us, so we had options to choose from and could get a good feel for the layout before the project began. > > After several highly efficient meetings, we selected final materials, picked a contractor and were ready to start construction. > > Julie also has a team of fabulous designers supporting her. The hand drawn master plans the team produces are a personal favorite of ours. Her team will also work to help pick fixtures, finishings and fabrics. All the Designers work in a super professional, but courteous manner, to augment Julie's vision. A special shout out to all the ladies at Design Matters Los Gatos! > > At the same time, we also commissioned a couple of one off furniture restorations through Julie and her team, that have turned out to be statement pieces in our home. > > We can't say enough how much we've enjoyed working with Julie, and how great the upgrades to our house will be! **★★★★★ — Kajari Shah, March 2017** > Julie and the Design Matters team are talented, responsive and professional. Julie has an amazing eye for creative design and has provided us such incredible insight and help in the remodel of our kitchen and bathrooms. We are constantly given great compliments from friends and family on how our house has been transformed. Julie has a clear passion and deep knowledge of interior design and can align the needs of her clients with options and ideas with top notch execution of projects Without a doubt, we HIGHLY recommend Design Matters!! **★★★★★ — Nathalie McManamon, Dec. 2016** > I have worked with Julie and her staff at Design Matters a little over a year now and had a great experience start to finish. Consulting with her at the very start of our whole house remodel was key to creating the space we are really enjoying today. I brought Julie on at the very beginning before finalizing our floor plan and she made some key suggestions/adjustments to the layout. She didn’t stray far from what we were thinking but her suggestions really improved the overall layout and use of space. From there Julie played a major role in all the design decisions. I relied heavily on her recommendations for a combination of material/color/fixtures to create a space that I absolutely love each and every day I come home. She was also responsible for designing a kitchen that was both functional for my husband who loves to cook and absolutely beautiful. A project of this magnitude didn’t happen w/o a few hiccups along the way but Julie and her team worked diligently to make it right when it did. I will definitely recommend Julie and Design Matters to friends/family beginning a project in need of a designer. **★★★★★ — Kathy Aronson, Nov. 2016** > I was referred to Julie at Design Matters by a colleague and after our initial consultation I knew she was the right fit for my project. Julie was professional and communicated the process to me up front which helped clarify my questions and provided me with realistic expectations and a better understanding of the process. Julie was enthusiastic and took the reins in transforming my small dated kitchen into a warm and welcoming and super functional environment > > Julie understood my more traditional taste and with her exceptional vision was able to incorporate my style and love for autumn colors into a beautiful design that efficiently maximizes the space. I truly value and am thankful for Julie’s knowledge and expertise in exceeding my expectations and bringing my dream to reality. **★★★★★ — Jeff Juco, Nov. 2016** > Julie and her Design Matters team is top notch. > > Julie provided us with initial design mocks and based on our wants and needs she helped us fine tune the design to the way we wanted. She provided guidance in all aspects of of the remodel process: providing us contractor recommendations and going over various materials such as tiles, cabinets, marble and appliances. She also would go with us to the vendor stores to assist with any questions we had and how things would look when implemented into our remodel. Julie has a great eye for design/remodel as well as just the little details you wouldn't think of. We really valued her opinions and suggestions when remodeling our Kitchen and Master Bathroom. She was also available to answer questions from the contractor when issues arose. We are very happy with the finished product!! Thank you Julie and the Team at Design Matters!!! **★★★★★ — Christina Tsatalos, Nov. 2016** > very very happy customer!! > > Julie has help me redesign/renovate several rooms of my house. > > She has always been on top of everything, always responsive when I called, she understood what I was looking for, she was patient every time I changed my mind and she worked on my budget, while still taking control of the project and guiding me. > > It was a pleasure working with her, **★★★★★ — Jessica Baird, Nov. 2016** > Julie is amazingly creative and very understanding of our desires and how to make them come to life. She has great ability to communicate, listen, and deliver results in a timely manner. She's always been prompt in returning our calls and emails and when meeting on site or in her shop. Her commitment to our project has been stellar. We trust her fully and have confidence in her knowledge, which has come in handy with our project. We will be hiring Julie again as a designer for all our future projects. **★★★★★ — Alaire Orme, Feb. 2016** > We hired Julie to do our kitchen renovation after being impressed by the Design Matters showroom in Los Gatos. We thought we had a pretty good sense of how to redesign our space after living there for many years. Julie walked in, took a look, and immediately came up with an idea for the space that was so much better than anything we had considered. We decided to renovate the entire front half of our house, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. We went from having a series of cramped rooms, without much natural light, to an open space that seamlessly connects the family room, kitchen, and dining room. > > In addition to advising us on space planning, Julie designed, spec.’d, and ordered our new cabinets. She also helped us select hardware, lighting, and furniture for the space. Her architect and contractor referrals were both excellent choices. Our time constraints were pretty rigid, because I was pregnant with our second child and wanted everything to be completed before The baby's arrival. Julie helped us coordinate with the construction company to have the renovation completed in approximately 2 months. Julie was wonderful to work with and we will definitely have her do our next project. **★★★★★ — parisepak, Sept. 2015** > Design Matters is the perfect combination of consummate professionals with a sense of overall design that will take your breath away. Julie and her staff took my dated space-challenged kitchen and seldom used formal living room and transformed them into a thing of beauty. They were able to not only meet but exceed our expectations by delivering a functional space that is beautiful, warm and inviting. And…I have more storage than I know what to do with! They were able to shift the focal point of the most used area of our home to an open flowing space with clean lines and the perfect splash of color. My husband, my teenage boys and I thank Design Matters for our “nest” rejuvenation. **★★★★★ — Amy Gregor, Sept. 2015** > We hired Julie and her team to help design the layout of our master bathroom and hallway bathroom, and the master involved moving walls around and being clever about space. In addition, picking paint colors for our house and master bedroom, and picking out a hallway cabinet. > > Julie is confident and easy to like. She was very kind to us, and at the time I was very pregnant and had a 3 year old running around constantly, and she took it all in stride and made time for us when we were available. We are the type of clients that know what we don't like, but not really fashionable or know where to start with style. We knew right away when Julie showed us the materials for the bathrooms that we would love them; beautiful green glass, modern fixtures, pretty colorful backsplash for hall bath, beautiful flooring, cool funky lights... > > When I see negative reviews for her company, one thought I have is that please do not rely upon an interior designer to be your project manager. I never had any expectation that Design Matters would be working to keep our project on task, or double-checking all the coordination and modifications that have to be done when gutting a room and rebuilding; in my opinion, it is the client (us) and the contractor's responsibility to think about the bigger picture of how the design fits into reality. > > She did make a mistake with not identifying one of the vanities in the Master bathroom as a stand-alone piece, but when building the contractor simply made the shower larger to accommodate that snafu of communication. Our hallway cabinet she ordered was way too big for the space, and a weird color (that I approved out of being too lax in my own opinions). Looking back I wish for cabinets I would have just hired a local company to come out to measure and build, but Julie came right out as soon as we alerted her to the issue, and helped us buy a few parts and it was fixed immediately. My only regret was that I should have thought more critically about size and color. It was a good learning experience for us as clients. > > Our contractor and one of the sub-contractors (Eric with Tool time construction, and George with A California Home Construction) with Julie were the dream team of bathroom remodeling since the contractors had above-average skill with project-management. > > Our bathrooms were completed in October 2014, and please refer to them as the "Stuckey house bathrooms" if you would like to see photos from Julie. We did not plan for this, but we had the opportunity to buy a house in Los Gatos recently, so this year we are moving in soon, and we plan to ask Julie and her team for some design hours for some help, including picking paint colors, picking furniture for our entryway, picking rugs and window treatments, etc. My only regret is we spent so much on our bathroom remodel, that with this new house purchase we do not have a very large design budget to hire Design Matters for a lot of hours, but over the next few years we hope to include Julie in some of our design decisions for our new forever home. Thanks Julie and Team! **★★★★★ — ssudarsa, Aug. 2015** > We worked with Design Matters for our home remodel and Roberta helped us through the whole process. We remodeled our bath, kitchen as well as modified the general floorplan of the house to be more contemporary and open. > > Our experience was a pleasant one. She listened to our needs carefully and was very creative in coming up with designs and material selections as well as with all the accessories. She was in tune with our tastes and the selections she showed us were very exciting. > > We did not find the best prices on the materials through them, so we went and bought the same materials (or sometimes very similar) on our own. But Roberta will point to the right stores to check out. > > There were a few hiccups with the cabinets, nothing out of the ordinary. She was professional, on schedule and respectful of our budget considerations. > > Overall our house has turned our nice and we were glad we went with Design matters and Roberta to help us through the process. **★★★★★ — candisanne, July 2015** > Julie is the best! She redesigned my kitchen, nook area and powder room in a completely innovative way that left me with a much larger, brighter and functional kitchen, increasing storage, lighting and counter space. She listened to my requirements and gave me exactly what I wanted in a way I couldn't have imagined. And the interior design, colors, and materials are dazzling! She also took all the guesswork out of other areas of the house, with a complete interior paint palette, interior door and door hardware styles, stairwell chandelier, and exterior lighting. With a killer kitchen and powder room and a wonderful modern facelift everywhere else, I feel like I have a brand new house, and I love it! Julie is very, very good at what she does including how she works with you. So responsive, patient, and very attuned to your concerns. She gave me the confidence to make big decisions and still sleep well at night! And I could not be happier with the results. Enough said. **Comment from Design Matters:** > Candy, > I loved working with you so much! I'm so glad you are so happy. It was wonderful transforming your kitchen with you and helping with entire house paint palette~ > Julie **★★★★★ — EVERGREEN HOME SYSTEMS INC, Feb. 2015** > Julie and I have worked together on a couple of different projects, and I have to say, I love working with Julie. She's professional, fun and knows what she wants for her clients. most of all, she wants it elegant, which is what my company specializes in. Thanks Julie, I look forward to many more projects together. **★★★★★ — User, Jan. 2015** > My experience working with Julie went very smoothly. She hired me to paint a Modular Arts textured wall at an athletic center in San Jose. The time between getting the sample approved, doing the work and receiving payment was ideal. Throughout, Julie was available and easy to work with. I hope we'll work together again in the near future. **★★ — tonic888, Dec. 2014** > I have debated for awhile about writing this review. Unfortunately, I had a very disappointing experience and while I feel she will be upset at this review, I think other potential clients need to be aware of her strengths and weaknesses. > > When I met with Design Matters, I was immediately impressed and excited to work with her. I signed my contract to remodel my kitchen at the very end of January 2014. I told her that I knew that completing my project before I was to have my baby (June) would be difficult, but I wanted to have all major decisions made before my due date. She assured me that it would be possible to be well into construction and her goal was to start construction by May 1st. To understand the scope of my project I was pushing out a wall of my 2 story house and totally remodeling my kitchen (new everything). > > From signing the contract on January 30th, 2014, I found myself well into July without my design details finalized. I do not understand how a designer can allow a client to begin construction without all materials finalized and ordered. I was frequently emailing her asking for the details of my project to be finalized but I would get told those things came “later”. I eventually grew tired of asking her to work on my project and was forced to make my own decisions. In addition, to her poor project management, there were numerous mistakes that were made that caused my project to be 1.5 months delayed. I will explain in detail below. > > Here is how I would describe strengths and weaknesses. > > 1\) Project Management: Julie is not good at project management. I frequently had to email her to ask about the many items that still had to be selected. Things such as paint colors, lighting, cabinet hardware, pantry design, window treatments, etc. I kept sending lists of things that I thought we should make decisions on but she would never move forward on them. I was told those would come later. By the time I started construction I still did not have the whole design finalized. I eventually grew tired of asking for ideas and had to make decisions on my own because my contractor was blocked on her. She never had a checklist of items to select or a timeline. It was all on the fly and when she could fit me in. > > 2\) Quotes and time estimates: I do not think Julie has worked with many structural engineers or large scale remodeling projects. At least, that was my impression given what happened. She had told me that getting plans for my remodel would be around $2500. It ended up being almost $7000. Thats far from her estimate. The engineer also required 4 weeks, which she seemed to have no idea it would take that long. Because of her grossly underestimating the cost, I spent 2-3 weeks getting more quotes which all ended up in the same range. If she had the experience in this area and given me a more accurate estimate, a lot of time could have been saved. I realize its not her job to know the costs of everything, but don’t tell a client something if you are not sure. > > 3\) Mistakes: > > \- The biggest problem were mistakes with the cabinet order. There was a clearly a communication gap between the structural engineer and Julie. The engineer gave her the measurement for the kitchen as a smaller number than what she had used for her cabinet order so she revised it. Therefore, the cabinets all came in too narrow for the space on one side of the window. This was a huge issue as it took over 4 weeks to reorder the cabinets. To Julie’s credit she stood up for this mistake and purchased the new cabinets herself. However, I feel that she probably should have come out and remeasured herself to double check who was right and it may have prevented the 4+ week delay we had. > > \- The shelf cabinet for my microwave was too shallow and did not fit my microwave. We had discussed in email the dimensions of my microwave and the size of the cabinet. However, what was on the order was 2” too shallow. Its my fault for not catching it when we did the cabinet order, but there are a ton of measurements on the specs that you sign off on and you must trust your designer has done them correctly. To her credit, she split the cost of the fix with me. > > \- Incomplete materials: The cabinet order was missing a lot of trim and crown pieces that were necessary. I had to wait for those to be ordered and delivered. I guess it was lucky that my cabinet reorder was taking the same time. > > 4\) Lack of attention to detail: > > \- I had sent her a picture of a tile backsplash I liked. To her credit, she found some tile choices and I agreed to the tile choice, I was sent an email with the name of the tiles and grout color, but with absolutely no other direction. There was no ratio of tile colors (it was a blend of colors), a detailed drawing for layout, or grout size. This was apparently all to be figured out by the client (me) and my contractor (that exactly what the email said). I would have thought a designer would care about these details. I was very frustrated with this. > > \- I asked her where my pot filler should go (as in specific location with measurements) and she just told me to the right or left but not in the center. I had to go online and try to figure out what to tell my contractor. > > \- The hood duct could not go through my sheer wall and had to run through the cabinets. This is a detail that I would expect the engineer and designer to discuss and figure out a plan before ordering cabinets. Another example of communication failure between the two. > > \- Julie had selected a microwave shelf for my microwave. Given how custom my kitchen looked, it really was an afterthought and horrible design decision. I ended up having it switch to a more built in box and I’m much happier but this also was a delay. > > 5\) Not enough time: > > \- Julie clearly has more projects than she can handle. Getting her to respond to my calls or emails fast enough for my contractor to make forward progress was very difficult. I understand she has more than one client, but she was the only person in her office that could do anything when a crisis arose and I often would hear nothing from her and have to call again the next day. > > Julie does know her stuff in many areas. I would meet with her and be reminded of why I hired her to begin with. I think her main problem is that she has overbooked herself and doesn't have the bandwidth to focus on all her projects. I did like her layout and cabinet choices. > > I also think that I wasn’t her typical client that was happy with the standard set of designs she has. I wanted a more customized look. I expected her to talk with me more about my likes and dislikes, but I don't feel like she ever took the time to really get to know me. I also would expect to be presented with full designs instead of piecing it together was we went. > > At the end of the day, I will not be using Julie again. I have a whole house that needs help so I am really disappointed that she didn’t work out. I spent so much time in angst over this project because of her just acting like she didn't care about my project. This was my dream kitchen and I really wanted it to be everything and more. In the end, I do love it (because of many decisions I made)… but I can’t look at it without feeling sad and angry about the process. Its now been 7 months since I started construction and I still do not have light fixtures. **★★★★★ — dfeece, Nov. 2014** > We had Design Matters (Julie Cavanaugh) design our kitchen and recommend contractors that fit our needs and personality. She narrowed down the ocean of materials and designs quickly for us which allowed us to move through the process quickly. We chose Paul Burton for our contractor based on the 3 different contractors that she recommended. Paul's crew was amazing to work with and they were very respectful of our home since we lived there during the construction. The entire kitchen remodel turned out great due to Julie and her staff presenting quality materials and designs for us. Unfortunately, we had to move from our San Jose home and settle in another state. I credit Julie's fantastic design work on our kitchen for the great price and quick sale of our home when it went on the market. Thanks Julie and we wish you the best. **★★★★★ — anjnip, Nov. 2014** > Julie has been a gift to our remodeling project. Every part of our project which she "touched" is absolutely amazing; the beauty of her designs and her impeccable design sense is readily apparent from the moment you walk into our home. > Some particulars on why I love working with Julie: > -her design knowledge is deep and her design sense is inherent > -She knows color > -she knows architecture, even down to the minutiae > -she is flexible and will listen to clients' preferences and needs > When you hire a designer, you have to know that you are hiring that person's sensibilities for design; we had great success with Julie because we allowed her to guide us AND we communicated our own preferences and she listened, worked with us, helped us develop the design plan to be the best possible one. > -She has many resources and can help clients find the right people to get the job done > -She is energetic and tells you what she is thinking. Honest and clear. **★★★★★ — Cianciarulo Construction Inc., Sept. 2014** > I work with Julie every day on multiple jobs ranging from 10k to 2million. She comes up with new and interesting ideas that my clients love. I give her the reigns to make design calls on the spot keeping my job flowing and clients happy. In my business people want different / new / exciting , Julie delivers every time making me look good !! > Nico Cianciarulo > Cianciarulo Construction Inc. **★ — laurapuy, Sept. 2014** > We had a terrible experience with Design Matters. Very bad. > We asked her (Julie) to design interior window treatments, pergola drapery, kitchen dining area, and design a new fireplace in the family room. > After we signed the contract (she never returned it signed back) and after she got the job payed in full upfront as per her demands, it seemed obvious to us that she wasn't interested in the work. Actually, we believe she never finished it. (She never sent the invoice either) > What was presented was unacceptable. The work that wasn't useful to us at all. > When we complained about the job, we got lectured and mistreated. After that we asked for a refund she accused us of bullying her... Incredible. Awful experience. **★★★★★ — West Coast Building & Development, Sept. 2014** > I have worked and continue to work with Julie and her team for many years. She and her team have designed amazing projects that I have been so fortunate to complete her vision, which in fact always surprises and inspires. I look forward to seeing what she does next!!! **★ — Anurag Mishra, Aug. 2014** > my experience with Design Matters was very bad. Julie, the owner (I think), was very quick and sweet-talker at the time of contract signing but after a few days it became obvious that she wasn't interested in the work nor had time. I had shown her a few things that I needed get done in the Architectural designs (done by another Architect) for city approval. She initially told me that she can do the change and it is very easy. Later on she told me that she didn't have license to make that type of the change and she can't do it. That was the one of the main work items that I hard hired her to do. When I saw nothing good coming out of the contract, I broke the contract and asked her to give me refund of my money. I had signed a retainer agreement with her and she kept almost all of the money (for the work that wasn't useful to me at all) and only returned me 20%. She charged me for responding to 50 odd emails for my project but in fact we barely exchanged 15 emails. Also during the time we "tried" to work together, I felt like she was just bossing me around and behaved like she never cared for the work. I think she was just after making some quick cash from my project and really didn't want to do the work. Of course this is my side of the story (as the homeowner) and I am sure she has her side of the story as well but I just wanted to warn everyone out here in case you might be looking to hire her. **Comment from Design Matters:** > Being an interior designer is truly a helping profession. We strive to provide solutions and expertise in areas where an average homeowner would not have any guidance. I would welcome dialogue with any professionals considering taking on Mr. Mishra as a client, along with any Design Matters perspective clients regarding this homeowner review. > > On April 7, 2014 Mr. Mishra connected with my office. I provided a complimentary in home consultation and evaluation on April 10 yet was not engaged until May 23. > > From May 27- June 10; 11 business days, our office provided: > 1\) A revised floor plan of the master suite, with elevations, lighting layout and material selections. > 2\) A revised layout for the stairwell space and a first and second floor modified floor plan for submission to his engineer for re-permitting with the city. > 3\) Several in person consultations, phone conferences and countless emails of design question and answers. > 4\) Several project site visits > > This client was in crisis from the onset due to his own gross delays. This was a small project, in both size and revenue, for which my firm is fully capable; and being a designer for 17 years as a certified and licensed professional, I am clear as to my role and responsibilities. The project was a disaster and the homeowner was not willing to receive help and guidance, though we tried diligently. > > It wasn't until after I terminated this agreement, due to coarse dialogue with myself and staff, accompanied by unrealistic demands, that I offered to refund the unused portion of a small 15 hour non-refundable retainer, as a means of good business practice. When the relationship ceased I learned of Mr. Mishra's similar encounters with other project professionals on his job. Apparently this is common place for him. **★★★★★ — reeders777, May 2014** > We have been working with Julie since 2003 when she did a spectacular renovation on our 1985 kitchen. We're still in the same home and Julie is re-making areas one at a time. I love my office. Our family room is awesome. Lots left to do and we wouldn't work with anyone else. Her vision is incredible. Doesn't hurt that she's fun to work with. > > Before working with Julie, we went through 3 - 4 designers, one at a time. One small project then start the search again. We feel very fortunate to have found her. **★★★★★ — Matt Freeman, March 2014** > Julie and the Design Matters team are the best! Julie helped me design and build my dream orthodontic office about 2 years ago. She was an integral part of the project, from start to finish. I could not have done it with out her. Julie is incredibly detail oriented, making sure every element of the project is done to perfection. She works well with contractors, helping keep them on point and ensuring deadlines are met. She has a tremendous eye for design with boundless creativity, all keeping the clients' vision and wants in focus. I absolutely love my new office and look forward to coming to work everyday. We consistently get positive feedback from our patients on the design of our office. They always ask who we used to design our office, and we are happy to tell them about Julie and Design Matters, without reservation!!! I can't wait to work with Julie again on my next project. **★★★★★ — Cools Custom Remodeling by Jay, Inc., March 2014** > I have worked with Julie Cavanaugh on a number of projects over many years. Julie is an enthusiastic designer who is passionate about what she does. Julie has a remarkable sense for layout and impeccable design idea's. Of all the designers i have worked with, i selected Julie for my own home kitchen remodel. She made amazing modifications to what i thought was the best use of space. I would never have come up with these idea's on my own. Julie is truly top notch! **★★★★★ — pamartinshop, Feb. 2014** > I hired Julie from Design Matters to design my remodel - kitchen, 2 1/2 baths, all cabinetry and coutertops throughout the house, as well as window treatments throughout. Julie spent time getting to know me and a sense for the style I was looking for. When she presented me with my choices, I was so happy and amazed that she completely understood what I wanted, was able to give me options in different price ranges,- from 'over the top' materials, to choices that were modest but still very stylish. We chose things across the board. She also assisted with the selection of the contractor. I can honestly say at the end of my project, I still liked my contractor and would hire him again! He was communicative and professional. > > Julie is creative, professional and a ton of fun to work with. I couldn't be happier with how my remodel came together, and I'd hire her in a minute for whatever home project I may have. **Comment from Design Matters:** > I absolutely LOVED working with you and doing your house for you! The transformation is unbelievable. Thank you for trusting me and my design judgement. The best part of the job and being someone who loves what I do, is how rewarding it is to have such happy clients. I know you will be so happy in your house for years to come... and... it's just off the hook COOL!!!! **★★★★★ — Nancy P, Feb. 2014** > Julie is currently helping my wife and I design a remodel for our house. If you are doubtful about your ideas or nervous about getting a project going, she is the designer for you. Give her a rough idea of what you are thinking and her energy and creativity take over. Even with a wide range of clients she seems able to figure out your style and works within it - but she isn't scared to push you out of your comfort zone. Her huge showroom almost can't keep up with her new ideas, she has secret boxes of new tile and a scrap of wood with new colors that might be just the right fit. It's a fun process to be involved in. > > The design is awesome, she has transformed our 1948 house into a modern floorplan while keeping the original flavor of the house. We probably did 4 or 5 major revisions of the design and she kept hanging in there to get it right. She wasn't done until we were convinced it was right. Now we are finalizing our finishing materials with her (color, tile, kitchen stuff), getting close to seeing rough construction turn into a new house! I'll have to update this once we finish. > > One other important note, she has great references for architects and contractors which has turned out to be a big deal both for cost and quality. **★★★★★ — SplashWorks, Feb. 2014** > Julie and the staff are top notch! I have had the joy of working with them on two sides. Julie regularly bring business into SplashWorks to select bathroom and kitchen fixtures for her clients. The styles and designs she creates are fabulous and unique for every customer. On the personal side, we had our home office remodeled in our home and I couldn't have asked for it to turn out better. The quality of material and attention to detail were incredible. **★★★★★ — CEM Builders, Jan. 2014** > "I have worked with Julie on several projects ranging from different types of needs; interior design, i.e. drapers, pillow and fabrics as well as kitchen cabinets, layout colors and product selection. I have also worked with many others, in the past. I currently direct all my design needs to Julie. She is calm, helpful, experienced and gets it right. Her ability to get things right the first time has saved me money and time. In an age when execution is often times a premium, I have total confidence in Julie executing on my needs." **★★★★★ — Lite Line Illuminations, Inc., Jan. 2014** > My company has been working with Julie in a business relationship for over 10 years- helping with the lighting side of her designs. Overall, we're all very impressed with not only the lighting layouts she creates for clients, but with the fact that there are simply never any problems as the jobs progress. This is huge because it means no surprises or extra costs for her customers. > > On the personality side, she's always so easy to speak to and is a joy to work with. > > Whenever a customer comes in and mentions that Julie is her designer, I know that we're going to have a smooth process to look forward to. **★★★★★ — kathysc7, Oct. 2013** > We worked with Julie at Design Matters for a remodel of our home. She very quickly assessed our living style and created plans to fit it. She was great about showing us a couple options on materials. If we didn't like them, she suggested a couple more. This was helpful because we would have been completely overwhelmed if we had to look at everything. We loved the home she created for us and enjoyed working with her. **★★★★★ — lshll9, Sept. 2013** > Over a 6 month period, we worked with Julie from Design Matters on a kitchen remodel. Her vision was fantasitc and ideas fit with ours. She was flexible and went the extra mile helping us choose cabinets, countertops, backsplash, lighting, knobs and more. My husband and I would highly recommend Design Matters for any kithcen remodels! > > Lisa & Joe **★★★★★ — barriecre, Sept. 2013** > I have had a very positive experience with Julie. She is very intelligent, efficient, organized and presents her ideas and materials beautifully. She has definitely made my life easier. My home is perfect. > Thank you Julie. > > Barrie Cress **★★★★★ — Beckys, May 2013** > Julie created a space plan and kitchen design for our home. She had to undo decades of poorly executed add-on work by previous owners. Besides having a brilliant vision for our mess of a house, she helped us first-time remodelers, find beautiful materials within our budget, set priorities, hire the right people, and stay on track. She's extremely responsive. She listened to our style ideas, and incorporated them-- but always spoke up when she thought we were making a mistake-- and explained to us why. We trust her so much. Plus she's a lot of fun to work with. I think hiring Julie was one our smartest-ever decisions. **★★★★★ — Bernardo Grijalva Photography, Jan. 2013** > I’ve known Julie for some time now and have had the opportunity to work with her on several of her projects. Her varied portfolio of both contemporary as well as traditional projects is an example of her multi-faceted ability to design and provide solutions for almost anyone taste. I’ve seen her manage a large team of design professionals with good leadership and enthusiasm that makes one want to be on her team. > > Bernardo Grijalva **★★★★★ — phyl44, Dec. 2012** > We hired Julie to do a full remodel of the public spaces in our home. It meant she had to have a strong understanding of how we live and what our hopes for the final product were - as well as being able to look at the current space and envision changes that would deliver on our vision of a peaceful home with a touch of drama. Julie delivered magnificently! The design won awards, but more importantly the final product exceeded all our expectations and continues to do so. She is unbelievably creative - coming up with ideas like a backsplash that draws ooohs and aaahs from anyone who sees it. I love her creativity, her passion and excitement for what she does - and her ability to come up with original ideas that you won't see anywhere else. Most importantly, she always kept our preferences, our needs, our vision at the forefront. I never really knew what her own design esthetic is. It was all about us. I highly recommend Julie and continue to use her for projects in our home. In fact, she is working on a redo of our master bedroom and bath right now. **★★★★★ — wrcb, Dec. 2012** > How wonderful to have a decorator who does not provide cookie-cutter designs. She looked at our home, listened to who we are and what we wanted and provided us with choices. From our slate entry to our new floors to the built-ins in the family room to our granite in the kitchen and bathroom, it all ties together to provide a warm, comfortable home. We get so many compliments, I think we may have the design others want to copy. ## Selected projects - [Peninsula: Los Altos Hills, CA New Build \| A Modern Mediterranean Estate](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/peninsula-los-altos-hills-ca-new-build-a-modern-mediterranean-estate-pj-vj~6634417) - Location: Los Altos Hills, CA - Photos: 23 - Description: This 15,000 square foot home is a ground up classic Mediterranean Villa in Los Altos Hills, designed with a nod to a more elevated contemporary interior design. Our client is a High Level VC who hoped to limit time away from his young family. The scope of the project was to design a family-friendly home, while including all of the high style and high-tech amenities and conveniences expected in a Silicon Valley estate. Designing with these requirements in mind, our team created functional spaces… - [Teton County: Alta WY New Build \| The Cabin At Aspen Leaf](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/teton-county-alta-wy-new-build-the-cabin-at-aspen-leaf-pj-vj~7776162) - Location: Alta, WY - Photos: 34 - Description: Perched in the rolling landscape of Alta, Wyoming, this legacy home was thoughtfully designed to belong to the land, not dominate it. Nestled into the hillside with sweeping views of the elk migration path and the Teton Range, every decision was made with future generations in mind. Led by Julie Cavanaugh, this project reflects her passion for designing legacy homes...places that honor family history, respect the land, and are built to be passed down for generations. With roots on this property… - [Peninsula: Palo Alto Renovation \| Palo Alto Contemporary](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/peninsula-palo-alto-renovation-palo-alto-contemporary-pj-vj~6745584) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 38 - Description: A Captivating Palo Alto Contemporary Home! Our clients purchased a contemporary architectural masterpiece in the heart of downtown Palo Alto on a beautiful lot. The previous owners’ design style was “eclectic” at best and our clients wanted our designers to produce an updated, cohesive interior similar to prior projects we had completed for this couple. The old kitchen was an institutional white plastic design with white waves creating a ship-like effect, and the kitchen needed improved function… - [Southbay: Saratoga Renovation \| Quiet Grandeur](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/southbay-saratoga-renovation-quiet-grandeur-pj-vj~7564806) - Location: Saratoga, CA - Photos: 18 - Description: Quiet Grandeur: The Heart of a Saratoga Estate. Nestled in a serene cul-de-sac, this Napa-style luxury estate offers the perfect blend of exquisite craftsmanship, modern amenities, and stunning natural beauty. The heart of this home is a kitchen that exudes Quiet Grandeur, designed with elegant proportions and unparalleled attention to detail. A masterpiece of form and function, this space is tailored for both intimate family moments and grand entertaining, with features that ensure every culina… - [Sonoma: Sea Ranch \| Sea Ranch Restoration](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sonoma-sea-ranch-sea-ranch-restoration-pj-vj~7680371) - Location: Sea Ranch, CA - Photos: 26 - Description: Set in the architecturally iconic Sea Ranch, this stunning home was thoughtfully renovated as the personal residence of Founder and Principal Interior Designer Julie Cavanaugh. A frequent visitor for over 30 years and full-time resident since 2018, Julie is deeply connected to the Sea Ranch community. When she purchased the home, it had never been renovated and was in decline. Aware of the growing need for fire-conscious and sustainable design, Julie approached the renovation with a commitment t… - [South Bay: Los Gatos Renovation \| Serene Garden Sanctuary](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/south-bay-los-gatos-renovation-serene-garden-sanctuary-pj-vj~7499665) - Location: Los Gatos, CA - Photos: 20 - Description: Interior Design by Nicole Burton of Design Matters This hillside renovation transformed a dream into reality for our client, an avid gardener and empty-nester lawyer couple. They sought a serene indoor-outdoor retreat to unwind, featuring a spa-like bath with disappearing walls, a spacious freestanding tub, and abundant natural light. The layout was reconfigured for functionality, privacy, and a calm, timeless design that blends harmoniously with the home's aesthetic, creating a perfect space fo… - [Peninsula: Woodside Renovation \| Greenways Glow Up](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/peninsula-woodside-renovation-greenways-glow-up-pj-vj~7621001) - Location: Woodside, CA - Photos: 27 - Description: Our clients came to us with a standard builder-grade home that lacked personality and character, seeking a transformation that would make their space feel truly unique. They wanted a home that stood apart, reflecting their style rather than blending in with the rest. To achieve this, our designer carefully curated sophisticated wall coverings, bespoke furnishings, and thoughtful details that infused warmth, texture, and depth. The result is a home that feels richly layered and distinctly tailore… - [Peninsula: Woodside Renovation \| Gold and Glamour](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/peninsula-woodside-renovation-gold-and-glamour-pj-vj~7194518) - Location: Woodside, CA - Photos: 21 - Description: This expansive Tuxedo Kitchen with feature gold and black hood boasts ample storage throughout, beautiful tile and slab materials, shimmering lighting design over island and stunning barstools to finish off the look. The walk-in pantry provides extra space and storage. The kitchen flows seamlessly into the great room, perfect for this growing family and for entertaining guests. The Galley workstation with double taps in Brushed Gold simplifies meal prep. Our designers created this space by remov… - [South Bay: Saratoga Renovation \| Traditional Luxury](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/south-bay-saratoga-renovation-traditional-luxury-pj-vj~7296674) - Location: Saratoga, CA - Photos: 24 - Description: Stunning Traditional Luxury in a Saratoga home! Our homeowners sought to maintain the traditional Cape Cod look of the home with beautiful mullion windows and shaker siding, seeking help from our designers to elevate the home's overall aesthetic and function, allowing for a heightened experience for family and friends to enjoy large gatherings, yet maintaining intimate spaces for the two empty-nesters. Combining sophisticated materials with comfortable furnishings, our designers transformed the… - [Peninsula: Los Altos Hills Renovation \| Modern Artisan Elegance](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/peninsula-los-altos-hills-renovation-modern-artisan-elegance-pj-vj~7281589) - Location: Los Altos Hills, CA - Photos: 22 - Description: This charming Los Altos Hills family home sits atop the hillside boasting expansive views from every room. Our designers reworked the layout of the home by removing walls to create a more seamless flow between spaces. With special hand picked pieces showcasing stories of the family adventures and travels, the spaces contain natural elements and hand-made furnishings, along with unique details that work together to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Our designers worked within this style to… - [Peninsula: Emerald Hills Renovation \| All that Glitters](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/peninsula-emerald-hills-renovation-all-that-glitters-pj-vj~7202263) - Location: Redwood City, CA - Photos: 25 - Description: All that glitters! The desires of this client are the epitome of luxury living! This home boasts stunning architectural detail throughout, and our designers created such interest by infusing each space with contemporary design, furnishings, textures and materials. The end result is pure glamour, elegance, and sophistication, with glittering light fixtures throughout that will captivate as the jewelry of the home. The bathroom space shows off with such glitz, glamour and sophistication… a true sp… - [Peninsula: Los Altos Renovation \| Los Altos Modern Luxury](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/peninsula-los-altos-renovation-los-altos-modern-luxury-pj-vj~7821596) - Location: Los Altos, CA - Photos: 24 - Description: A thoughtful, full-home transformation grounded in warmth, light, and material integrity. From the marble-wrapped kitchen to reimagined fireplaces and a refined powder room, the design embraces a confident use of color, adding depth and personality while remaining timeless. The result is a home that flows effortlessly, layered in natural textures and tailored to the rhythms of everyday living. Notable details: The kitchen shines with mixed color cabinetry and modern flat paneling. The beautiful… - [South Bay: San Jose Renovation \| Transitional Glam](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/south-bay-san-jose-renovation-transitional-glam-pj-vj~7154360) - Location: San Jose, CA - Photos: 32 - Description: This stunning San Jose home renovation rings transitional with intentional moments of contemporary glam throughout; with unique and detailed touches of gold hardware, fixtures, and beautiful wall tiles elevating the look for a glamorous, sophisticated aesthetic. The kitchen features two-toned gray cabinets by Signature custom cabinetry with detailed gold hardware by Anne Artist Collective. The hood is custom in enamel, gold banding, made by Vent a Hood through Ferguson. Tile Backsplash is All Na… - [Peninsula: Menlo Park Renovation \| Menlo Park Transitional](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/peninsula-menlo-park-renovation-menlo-park-transitional-pj-vj~7692558) - Location: Menlo Park, CA - Photos: 32 - Description: When our clients set out to reimagine their traditional-leaning home in Menlo Park, they sought a transformation that would honor its classic character while embracing a fresh, modern sensibility. Our approach blended refined details with contemporary updates, resulting in spaces that feel both timeless and current. The home now embodies a quiet elegance—sophisticated yet inviting, polished yet perfectly suited to the rhythms of family life, and their beloved dog. The primary suite is envisioned… - [Peninsula: Portola Valley Ranch \| Valley View](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/peninsula-portola-valley-ranch-valley-view-pj-vj~2655004) - Location: Portola Valley, CA - Photos: 18 - Description: Stunning Portola Valley Ranch Renovation. This beauty was restored from the bones up using the best integrated systems and luxurious materials. Featuring Rutt Handcrafted Cabinetry throughout! Linear fireplace with Grgio Armani stone slab warms the space where the view speaks volumes. The home was redesigned with new room and spatial configurations allowing for a large master bath suite and wet room, new ladies wardrobe room, husband's office and wine cellar and the most gorgeous kitchen! - [Southbay: Los Gatos Kitchen Renovation \| Modern Heritage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/southbay-los-gatos-kitchen-renovation-modern-heritage-pj-vj~7662728) - Location: Los Gatos, CA - Photos: 18 - Description: When our clients set out to reimagine the kitchen in their Los Gatos home, they dreamed of a space that honored timeless design while embracing modern functionality. The result is Modern Heritage—a sun-drenched kitchen that feels equal parts classic and contemporary. Crisp white cabinetry provides a bright, clean foundation, while a richly toned walnut island anchors the room like a piece of bespoke furniture. The natural zellige tile backsplash and striking marble surfaces add layers of texture… - [South Bay: Los Gatos Renovation \| Modern Hillside Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/south-bay-los-gatos-renovation-modern-hillside-retreat-pj-vj~7278255) - Location: Los Gatos, CA - Photos: 35 - Description: A modern family home situated on a stunning Los Gatos hillside, this home was redesigned for an open concept by completely transforming the layout with the removal of walls, creating new ways of entering spaces, and bringing new life and light throughout taking advantage expansive hillside views. This family of 6 now has ample kitchen space with island seating and dining within the kitchen space. A highly functional walk-in pantry was created for extra storage and functionality. Our designers cr… - [Teton County: Jackson New Home Build \| Teton View (Coming Soon)](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/teton-county-jackson-new-home-build-teton-view-coming-soon-pj-vj~6414896) - Location: Jackson, WY - Photos: 8 - Description: Rustic Contemporary New Build in Teton County - [Peninsula: Los Altos Hills New Build \| Illuminated Design](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/peninsula-los-altos-hills-new-build-illuminated-design-pj-vj~7150324) - Location: Los Altos Hills, CA - Photos: 20 - Description: Interior Design by Roberta Wilson of Design Matters Photography by Kalen Glenn This stunning Los Altos Hills home boasts luxurious lighting throughout including Hammerton and Hudson Valley - Haddon Lantern Pendant Large Currey and Company - Glace 36-light multi-drop pendant, and Hammerton - Aalto Medium Pendant. The waterfall Island counter are beautiful Davinci marble, AKDO tiles in bathrooms, with Berenson Hardware. - [South Bay: Los Gatos ADU \| Elevated Entertaining!](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/south-bay-los-gatos-adu-elevated-entertaining-pj-vj~7002680) - Location: Los Gatos, CA - Photos: 12 - Description: This home bar is situated in a 600 square feet ADU in the back of an Historic Downtown Los Gatos home. Historic Los Gatos is idyllic and quaint, but homes and properties often lack the square footage of those in suburban and country areas. However, in this addition, every inch of space was used to perfection. The design of this space fits perfectly into the footprint of the property with a connecting patio, firepit and lounge space that brings an indoor-outdoor flow perfect for entertaining. Tak… [See all 119 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/design-matters-pfvwus-pf~25524395) ## Video - [Company video](https://player.vimeo.com/external/896280225.m3u8?s=05555342ef411ebcad26e89164423c6349557f85&oauth2_token_id=1384357804) ## Frequently Asked Questions **What types of interior design projects do you specialize in (full-home, single room, remodel support)?** We specialize in a wide range of interior design projects, from full-home designs and ground-up new constructions to single-room refreshes and comprehensive remodel support. Our end-to-end services ensure every detail is handled, creating spaces that enhance your family, home, and lifestyle. **Do you design both kitchens and bathrooms?** Yes, we specialize in both kitchen and bathroom design. Our services range from complete remodels and ground-up designs to custom cabinetry, fixture selection, and creating optimized layouts for these essential spaces. **Do you specialize in specific design styles?** Our signature style is 'Livable Luxury,' which blends form, function, and beauty. While this is our unique approach, we specialize in a variety of design styles and preferences, including modern, contemporary, traditional, and transitional, always tailoring designs to your specific needs and regional aesthetics. **Do you specialize in a particular design style or kind (modern, contemporary, luxury)?** Our distinctive approach is 'Livable Luxury,' which guides all our designs. We expertly work across various styles, including modern, contemporary, traditional, and transitional, always tailoring the aesthetic to your unique preferences and the home's architecture. **Do you provide full-service design or design-only plans?** We offer comprehensive full-service design, managing projects from initial concept through final installation and styling. We also provide design-only plans, including detailed floor plans, elevations, and residential permit documentation, depending on your project needs. *FAQ content may be generated based on the Pro's Houzz profile and website.* ## Ideabooks - [TSR Stairwell](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/164311405/list/tsr-stairwell) — 20 ideas - [Napa Valley Inspiration](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/158713109/list/napa-valley-inspiration) — 8 ideas - [Jackson Hole Wyoming Living Areas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/146927391/list/jackson-hole-wyoming-living-areas) — 12 ideas - [Jackson Hole Wyoming Bathroom Inspiration](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/146919043/list/jackson-hole-wyoming-bathroom-inspiration) — 5 ideas - [Jackson Hole Wyoming Exterior Inspiration](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/146918451/list/jackson-hole-wyoming-exterior-inspiration) — 16 ideas - [Jackson Hole Wyoming Kitchen Inspiration](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/146917843/list/jackson-hole-wyoming-kitchen-inspiration) — 8 ideas - [DMJH](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/144494075/list/dmjh) — 7 ideas - [Chef's Pantry Images](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/136532760/list/chef-s-pantry-images) — 7 ideas - [Mirror mounted vanity lighting examples](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/134219269/list/mirror-mounted-vanity-lighting-examples) — 4 ideas - [Chris and Caroline's Pantry](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/134154667/list/chris-and-caroline-s-pantry) — 4 ideas - [Corner cooking and hoods](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/119790701/list/corner-cooking-and-hoods) — 3 ideas - [Wish List](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/92309796/list/wish-list) — 5 ideas - [Great Bathrooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/46774964/list/great-bathrooms) — 100 ideas - [Stairs... leading.... where?](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/46774748/list/stairs-leading-where) — 35 ideas - [Great Kitchens](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/46774959/list/great-kitchens) — 89 ideas - [Transitional Limestone Facades](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/107401428/list/transitional-limestone-facades) — 6 ideas - [For Meera](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/106748256/list/for-meera) — 5 ideas - [Hampton Project](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/106337574/list/hampton-project) — 1 idea - [Malone Hood Looks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/105905550/list/malone-hood-looks) — 4 ideas - [\#ImpactOfDesign](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/53792402/list/impactofdesign) — 9 ideas [See all 90 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/juliedesignmatters) ## Community Q&A **Q: Beautiful Mid-Century Kitchen. Interested in the kitchen faucet.** *(in Photo Questions)* Can you tell me the brand and make of the kitchen faucet? A: I'm sorry the client purchased and I'm not sure which manufacturer it was. From looking at it, it may be Newport Brass or California Faucets. **Q: Who makes the exhaust fan?** *(in Photo Questions)* It looks great A: If I recall, all the appliances were Wolf/Sub Zero, but it's been several years so the look of what is currently available I suspect is not exactly the same. **Q: Are the white cabinets custom** *(in Photo Questions)* What is the brand of the cabinets A: These were custom cabinets. If you need assistance with your cabinetry design or procurement please contact us at: Projects@designmatters.design **Q: Tiles** *(in Photo Questions)* Are those mother of pearl style tiles? A: Hi Tatiana14, Thanks for your inquiry! This is a tile from Porcelanosa: Arabia Silver Mosaic, Product Code \#L244000511, 12" x 12" sheet. Best of luck with your home project and Happy New Year~ **Q: where is the wall art from?** *(in Photo Questions)* It is really beautiful. where can i get this wall art? A: It is really pretty! This was in our scope so I don't know where it came from, I'm sorry. **Q: brenda.chaparro@gmail.com** *(in Photo Questions)* What is the name of the tile on the bathroom walls? A: Hi Brenda, The bathroom walls are Porcelanosa Japan Marine 12 x 35 with a profile liner detail separating the tile. Best of luck with your renovation! --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-16.*