--- title: "Michelle Salz-Smith, ASID, CID, NCIDQ — Interior Designers & Decorators | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/michelle-salz-smith-asid-cid-ncidq-pfvwus-pf~377582584 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~377582584.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Michelle Salz-Smith, ASID, CID, NCIDQ" category: ["Interior Designers & Decorators"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/65d34aeb0afa0926_0326-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "1011 Camino Del Mar, Suite 268, Del Mar, California 92014, United States" latitude: 32.9665 longitude: -117.249 phone: "(858) 481-4210" website: http://www.studio-surface.com rating: 5 review_count: 12 best_of_houzz_awards: 3 followers: 387 last_updated: 2026-09-22 --- # Michelle Salz-Smith, ASID, CID, NCIDQ Original Houzz profile: [Michelle Salz-Smith, ASID, CID, NCIDQ](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/michelle-salz-smith-asid-cid-ncidq-pfvwus-pf~377582584) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Interior Designers & Decorators - **Location:** Del Mar, CA - **Serves:** San Diego, Carlsbad, La Costa, Encinitas, La Jolla, Solana Beach, Cardiff By The Sea, Carmel Valley, Del Mar, Fairbanks Ranch, Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar Heights San Diego, Ranch Santa Fe - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (12 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2014–2017), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 50,000 Ideabook Saves Michelle Salz-Smith, Owner and Pricipal Interior Designer at Studio Surface, is an award winning, nationally licensed interior designer specializing in residential and commercial interior design. Founded in 2009 by Michelle Salz-Smith, Studio Surface is an interior design firm that transforms spaces throughout the West Coast and internationally with projects and clients ranging from residential home remodels to high end resort brands. Michelle and her team are known for creating balanced interiors that have a layered and collected aesthetic with an unexpected edge. They work to create modern and stylish spaces that remain timeless and refined yet have a laid-back, effortless vibe reflecting their client’s individual lifestyles. Working closely with artisans, craftspeople and clients, Studio Surface provides a customized approach when creating the visual stories and personalized experiences for each project. We are passionate about interiors, various materials and objects and are always exploring different resources as well as the processes and techniques applied to furniture, lighting, accessories, spaces, vertical and horizontal SURFACES and all the rest. All of our interiors and creations are thought up in our studio in Del Mar. Or while driving or eating. Or sleeping. ### Services Provided - Interior Design - Kitchen Design - Bathroom Design - Living Room Design - Bedroom Design - Furniture Selection - Kids Bedroom Design - Dining Room Design - Lighting Design - Floor Plans - Playroom Design - Custom Bathroom Vanities - Laundry Room Design - Mudroom Design - Art Selection - 2D Renderings - Art Curation - Construction Documents - FF&E Procurement and Installation - FF&E Purchasing - Room Renovations - Whole Home Renovations ### Areas Served - San Diego - Carlsbad - La Costa - Encinitas - La Jolla - Solana Beach - Cardiff By The Sea - Carmel Valley - Del Mar - Fairbanks Ranch - Rancho Santa Fe - Del Mar Heights San Diego - Ranch Santa Fe ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Michelle Salz-Smith, ASID, CID, NCIDQ | | Address | 1011 Camino Del Mar, Suite 268, Del Mar, California 92014, United States | | Phone | (858) 481-4210 | | Website | http://www.studio-surface.com | | License Number | NCIDQ Cert. \#023747 | | Followers on Houzz | 387 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — http://www.facebook.com/studiosurface - Blog — http://www.studio-surface.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Michelle Salz-Smith, ASID, CID, NCIDQ](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/michelle-salz-smith-asid-cid-ncidq-pfvwus-pf~377582584) - **Website:** http://www.studio-surface.com - **Phone:** (858) 481-4210 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - NCIDQ (National Council of Interior Design Qualification), CID (Certified Interior Designer in California) - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2014–2017), for Service. **Affiliations** - [American Society of Interior Designers](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/american-society-of-interior-designers-pfvwus-pf~1510192642) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 12 reviews** ### All 12 reviews **★★★★★ — toniandgary, March 2016** > We contacted Michelle when we were looking at finally remodeling our master bedroom and bath. At our first meeting she spent a lot of time getting to know us, our preferences and our decorating style -- as well as our lifestyle. She returned in just a week later with materials and designs for three different options --- each of which matched our tastes perfectly ! As we went through the process, Michelle stayed in constant contact -- not only with us but also with the construction firm which we had hired. They worked as a team, making the process seamless and less stressful for us (and our dogs!) As she suggested materials and design options, she made sure that any budget constraints were kept in mind. And she was available 24/7 to answer questions .. > We love our beautiful new bedroom and bath…Thank you, Michelle ! **★★★★★ — npandes, March 2016** > I have worked with a handful of designers over the years, but Michelle at Studio Surface is the best of the bunch! Michelle assisted me on our guest house addition. She listened and understood what design I was trying to achieve, offered some ideas I hadn't considered, and concluded the project with a design package that completely met my needs and made the design process easy! She is pleasant and prompt and practical. **★★★★★ — mikeolson1965, Oct. 2015** > We found Michelle Salz-Smith of Studio Surface on houzz, and we're so glad we did. She, and her team really listened to us. They gave us something that we love and is our style, but that we could have never done on our own. > They were timely, easy to work with, responsive, and got things done. Excellent problem solvers. We had a concrete fire table that we needed to get up to a rooftop deck. Our contractor could not figure out a way to get it up to the deck at a reasonable price. Studio Surface was able to solve the problem at very low price. > Her fees were very reasonable, especially when you factor in the discounts she got us on many of our items. We would highly recommend Michelle and Studio Surface and would definitely use her again on any future projects. **★★★★★ — bernieroos, Oct. 2015** > MIchelle is a highly professional designer with outstanding qualifications in planning and oversight of virtually all aspects of exterior and interior design work. We are an older couple that wanted to convert our old home on Mango Drive in Del Mar into a safer and exciting place for our remaining years. After extensive set of meetings, she gave us a comprehensive design. Then, our old house was taken down to the studs with removal of the yard and fencing. She not only conceived an outstanding redesign of the entire property and selection of its furnishings, she also gave oversight to every aspect of our very extensive renovation. She conceived, produced, and delivered on schedule one of the most exciting single-level indoor-outdoor projects in Del Mar at virtually no personal stress to us. We regularly receive attention and compliments on the project from people contemplating similar renovations. Such an outstanding project could not have been realized without her design, interpersonal skills, commitment, and professionalism. We give her our sincere thanks and highest recommendations. **★★★★★ — Hasler Construction Management, Oct. 2015** > I have had the pleasure of working with Michelle and the crew at Studio Surface on a few projects now. Each project has been unique and approached with a fresh set of ideas and concepts. Her working relationship with the clients has been outstanding and her relationship with my company in the execution has been what Construction Managers hope for. She has presented her plans, specs and concepts professionally and with each clients focus. Her ability to adjust for field conditions or unexpected changes has kept our projects moving and headed to successful completion. The modern and fresh feel of her designs shows through. Clients have appreciated her working to a budget and transforming each space with unique materials and vision. I hope we work on many new projects moving forward. > John Hasler > Hasler Construction Management **★★★★★ — judymcp, Dec. 2013** > Michelle is a very intuitive and professional designer. She and her assistant, Leane, are a pleasure to work with. After an initial meeting and consultation they understood exactly what I wanted for my living room, dining room,and kitchen areas. The project had about a definite timeline and they got to work immediately. I trusted them with many decisions and they delivered! They are professional, efficient, and well organized. They went above and beyond to make my space beautiful and cozy. I highly recommend Michelle and Leane at Studio Surface. **★★★★★ — physbz, Sept. 2013** > Michelle and her assistant Leane were outstanding in their creativity. They fullfilled our needs beyond our expectations. Their charming personalities made it so easy to work with them. We highly recommend them. Lou and Joan Gross **★★★★★ — sherryswaney, Sept. 2013** > Michelle is absolutely amazing!! She really understood our overall vision of the design for our home. Her knowledge and expertise really helped us choose the perfect paint colors for our home. We really appreciated the fact that she spent time going over every detail, and answered all of our questions thoroughly. We were so pleased with her professionalism, and we are planning to use her services again in the near future. **★★★★★ — futuregotts, Sept. 2013** > I would highly recommend hiring Michelle for a home design consultation. My husband and I hired Michelle for a two-hour consultation in our home to help us with furniture ideas, layout/floorplan, and color schemes for furniture and paint. We have a small living/dining space, so we were hoping for some creative ideas that could maximize our space. > Right away, I was very happy that Michelle responded so quickly to my email request. She was also able to schedule us for a consultation quickly, which was important to us because we were excited to get started. > We could not be happier with our consultation from Michelle. She ended up coming with another designer, Leanne, who was also very helpful. We ended the consultation with very specific ideas on how we wanted to move forward, including a layout for our furniture, colors and styles to look for, retail store suggestions, and a "plan of attack" for how to get started. > I sent a few pictures of the space prior to our consultation, and Michelle and Leanne ended up coming with a few ideas already in mind based on the pictures. They printed some furniture and decoration ideas, which made it really easy for us to get started. In fact, we just purchased two of the exact pieces they originally printed as inspiration ideas. > The biggest reason I am so pleased with the help Michelle provided is that it gave us confidence and direction as we began shopping for furnishings. What had previously seemed like a very stressful task became almost enjoyable because we knew exactly what we were looking for, down to the exact size of couch that would look best in our space. > I think it really helped that we sent a list of what we were hoping to have help with ahead of time. When Michelle and Leanne arrived we were already on the same page as far as what we wanted to accomplish in our two hours. > We could not be happier with our consultation, and with the furnishings we have already purchased as a direct result of our time with Michelle. **★★★★★ — Jeff Stahl, Aug. 2013** > Studio Surface transformed our house into the dream home we always wanted. With their expertise they took a neglected short-sale home and completely changed it. Everything from flooring, paint, furniture, and decoration selections were done by Studio Surface. They were budget conscious, while still maintaining the highest standard. We get so many compliments on our house, but the most important fact is we completely enjoy being in our home. We cannot give a higher recommendation for Studio Surface and Michelle Salz-Smith. **★★★★★ — dimtup, Aug. 2013** > I am glad I picked Michelle Salz-Smith of Studio Surface as our interior designer. Michelle is a very dedicated professional with great taste. She took the time to understand our needs and design accordingly. She was very patient durign the design process making multiple revisions. She addressed our questions and concerns promptly. > > I am very sattisfied with Michelle's work. The many compliments I recieve from friends and family on the home is a testiment to Michelle's hard work and design skills. Apart from being a great designer Michelle is a fun > person to work with. I enjoyed all the shopping trips we took together. > > I highly recommend Michelle Salz-Smith if you are looking for a great interior designer! **★★★★★ — Elizabeth, Aug. 2013** > We hired Michelle at Studio Surface for our home remodel. Michelle (owner) executed all the design and acted as a project manager from start to finish. This was a huge task as our home is 3,200 sq ft and she had to work very closely with the contractor and subcontractors to get everything done in a timely manner and within a tight budget. > > But Michelle did it all and exceeded our expectations! Michelle was able to capture the essence of our personalities and interests and transform them into a family home that is modern and classic but also kid-friendly. > > We had such a wonderful experience with Michelle and will definitely use her again in the future. We highly recommend her work! ## Selected projects - [Contemporary Solana](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-solana-pj-vj~1770387) - Location: Solana Beach, CA - Photos: 13 - [Arthur Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/arthur-residence-pj-vj~1463846) - Location: San Diego, CA - Photos: 12 - [Del Mar Coast](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/del-mar-coast-pj-vj~1386905) - Location: Del Mar, CA - Photos: 31 - [Del Mar Modern Mediterranean](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/del-mar-modern-mediterranean-pj-vj~422727) - Location: Del Mar, CA - Photos: 19 - Description: A Studio Surface Design Project. A modern Mediterranean inspired mix of classic and edge. Project installed recently in Del Mar, CA. Work by Studio Surface. Photography by Jim Brady. www.studio-surface.com - [Design Milk Guest Bedroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/design-milk-guest-bedroom-pj-vj~638950) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - Description: Modern Guest Bedroom design for Design Milk founder Jaime Derringer. - [Reposo](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/reposo-pj-vj~1770433) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - [One Santa Fe](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/one-santa-fe-pj-vj~1360104) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 16 - Description: Three modern models in the hip downtown L.A. area located at One Santa Fe Avenue. Studio Surface was contracted by APT Design Studio for these three spaces. - [Modern Bold Condo](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-bold-condo-pj-vj~254497) - Location: San Diego, CA - Photos: 6 - Description: A contemporary remodel in San Diego using dramatic charcoal walls and accented with bold colors, art, and accessories. Photo by Matt Mecaro - [Cielo](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cielo-pj-vj~8466) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [Greenwich, CT Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/greenwich-ct-residence-pj-vj~15825) - Location: Greenwich, CT - Photos: 5 - [Palacio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palacio-pj-vj~8468) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - [Union Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/union-residence-pj-vj~8467) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 [See all 12 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/michelle-salz-smith-asid-cid-ncidq-pfvwus-pf~377582584) ## Ideabooks - [Overgard](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72175773/list/overgard) — 9 ideas - [mango modern](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/17355943/list/mango-modern) — 4 ideas - [exteriors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4449930/list/exteriors) — 2 ideas - [Home Offices](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/22463/list/home-offices) — 1 idea [See all 4 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/michellesalzsmith) ## Community Q&A **Q: Where is the toilet paper holder from? Very cute.** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Hi there, I believe we got this set of accessories from Analogue Life. I'm not sure if they are still available but you can visit their online shop. Thanks! **Q: Hi, could you share where the night stands are from?** *(in Photo Questions)* Hi, could you share where the night stands are from? A: We purchased these Jonathan Adler tables from Allmodern.com. You should note that they will probably only work alongside a platform bed as they are a little too short for typical bed height. **Q: Hi, love the faucet. Can you please tell me what it is?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Hi there,We installed this project some time ago but I believe that we used Grohe faucets here in the master bath. Hope that helps! **Q: Mirror** *(in Photo Questions)* Luv it! Where is it from? A: Hi there, We purchased this mirror from one of our trade resources, Made Goods. **Q: What is the wall color?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Hi ! this wall color is Benjamin Moore Shoji White, but please remember that paint colors adjust to the size of the room, the quantity of light that goes in and the surrounding furniture, textiles and or tile if there are any. Always mock up a couple of paint choices in a decent size and make sure to look at them at different hours throughout the day to make sure you like it before you paint the entire room! good luck! **Q: Coffee table** *(in Photo Questions)* Where is it from? A: HI there, I apologize for the long delay in answering. This project was completed years ago and has long since been archived. However, I would look to Crate and Barrel who currently has similar options available, such as the "tory square". I hope that helps! --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-22.*