Align Design LLC

Working with Shawn and Align Design through our home renovation project was key to getting it right and staying sane through the process. My spouse and I were both able to work well with Shawn. She was a great communicator and knew how to present and explain the project in ways that both of us understood. She was open to collaborating and encouraged us to give her input, ask questions, and explore options. She was pivotal in solving some of our space issues and figuring out the best way to maximize the use of our first floor renovation. Shawn is skilled at reconfiguring space as well as designing layouts, colors, and making it all feel cohesive which was exactly what we were seeking in a designer. She is relaxed but professional; up-to-date but willing to listen to what we preferred; and organized and assertive, but kind and respectful in the process. We really liked her flexibility and honesty in helping us to know how best to utilize her skills whether it was a full-service type relationship, or an “as-needed” hand-holding through difficult choices (have you seen all the tile options out there?!?) type relationship. Shawn was agile in adapting to what we needed and willing to recognize when we were good to make our own decisions. We highly recommend Shawn (Sensitive Information Hidden) and Align Design and will use her again in the future.

Shawn used a dinning area ceiling light I had purchased shortly after buying my Asheville home as inspiration to completely redesign my kitchen, remodel the fireplace surround in the living room, and refresh the bathrooms to reflect my modern and minimalist style while also significantly enhancing the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the space. She seamlessly coordinated a diverse team of experienced craftsmen and technicians to implement her vision. In additional, she was very receptive to my input and suggestions during the evolution of the project. I am extremely pleased with the final product. Should you require interior design services I would certainly recommend Shawn Merkel.

What a pleasure it is to work with Shawn! Her design sense and professionalism is top notch. I have now used Shawn several times in my home over the past 4 years: redesign of a kitchen, redesign of a master bathroom and a powder room, design of a custom walk in closet, and built in bookshelves to surround my fireplace. She really listened to me, my budget, taste and how I wanted to use each space - and added her expertise with excellent product selections, work teams and ideas. Her delivery and execution in each project has been excellent. I highly recommend Shawn ! I know I will use her again !

From our first few conversations with Shawn Merkel at Align Design we knew we had found the perfect interior designer to help guide us in creating our dream bathroom suite. When discussing our aesthetic, "a bathroom in the trees / Scandinavian minimalist / nature spa" she understood our overall design style immediately and we never looked back! Shawn was definitely critical in achieving our dream space for so many reasons; but to name a few, she kept us focused on budget, had connections and access to local artisans and contractors for beautiful custom design work, and most importantly during the brainstorming/dreaming phase she kept our design cohesive while still using various different substrates and natural elements as we hoped for (custom hickory wood vanity/laundry cabinet, custom concrete countertops throughout, stone shower flooring, custom wood encased windows throughout, oversized and beautiful travertine floors...and light fixtures that incorporated a little bit of all of the above). Overall, Shawn created a space for us that is not only beyond our wildest dreams design-wise, but maximizes storage which was our biggest need. She created stylish, elegant built-in storage solutions in every nook and cranny, and overall we couldn't be happier. When we are ready to live in a construction zone again - not any time soon! - we will absolutely call Shawn for our next projects' interior design needs.

Shawn Merkel helped me with my renovation on my home by designing a kitchen, master bathroom, guest bathroom and guest half bathroom. The design she created for my kitchen turned out beautiful by reconfiguring walls, creating a peninsula, adding a pantry and including lots of cabinets for storage. The colors throughout the kitchen are beautiful shades of gray. Both bathrooms were redesigned to include subway tile showers, beautiful vanities and cabinets for storage. Shawn is very easy to work with and answered my questions promptly and helped me make design decisions. I would highly recommend her to help with any home designs, big or small.

When we found out our second baby was coming, we knew we wanted to upgrade our three-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalow into a home with two bathrooms. Shawn helped us reimagine our home by designing a bathroom and adding a functional closet to each of the bedrooms; all of this was in a space that was previously just two rooms. Now we have a beautiful nursery and a bathroom for the grownups - and somehow our house feels bigger! We loved working with Shawn most of all because she heard what we wanted, and her design included even more than we imagined while staying true to our style. This project turned our home into one we imagine our family growing up in.

I have worked with Shawn on several of her projects for her clients and her personal home. Shawn is awesome to work with Her attention to detail is exceptional. She is always positive and upbeat. Looking forward to the next project to work on with Align Design.

Shawn did a great job designing and getting my new kitchen installed. It is now functional and beautiful and it was old and dark and gloomy! I had never used a kitchen designer before and had not been through a kitchen renovation . Shawn and her team handled it all ( custom cabinets, salvaging old beadboard, replacing ceilings, install of butcher block counters, adding new lighting and paint ) - professionally and within my budget. I now love my new kitchen and will be working again with Shawn to update more spaces in my 1947 cottage. I highly recommend Align Design !

I couldn't have completed my project without Shawn!! She walked me through every step, offering suggestions and information, resources and support. Shawn's comfort level with design quickly put me at ease. Shawn did a lot of the footwork that kept me from starting the project for so long.... finding contractors, getting estimates, and keeping track of deadlines and budgets. She was available for any question and always kept me in the loop. Shawn approaches her work with a great deal of professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail. A pleasure to work with! Thanks so much, Shawn!!

Shawn Merkel of Align Design is a true pro. She helped us with a complete reno project, tear-down to almost entire new build. Her ability to take the clients style/dreams/desires and manifest them into a visually/high functioning space, is unique. She is also a very strong project manager, and has the ability to manage builder, subs, orders, and juggle multi-dimensional project needs. A huge asset. If i did it again, I would have Shawn at our side. Thank you!

Faced with a whole house remodel we really needed help! I am so glad we found Sean online. She met with us asked a lot of questions and got to know our style, which I’m not sure we even knew! She took our ideas and created plans that work so well in our home. She was also helpful with selecting colors and kept us from making an expensive mistake in our kitchen remodel. Shawn is so easy to talk to, she is flexible and reasonable and response quickly to email. I highly recommend Shawn Merkel!

Shawn is amazing! She is easy to talk to and has a fabulous eye! I absolutely love the way she took my ideas and expanded them slightly to give me the effect I was looking for! She truly can make your space work for you! Call her! You won't be disappointed!