For nearly 25 years, Design Matters has partnered with clients in the pursuit of great spaces. Our award-winning results are direct reflections of our clients and homeowners. Every space tells a story. We tailor our designs to your needs, and always have the natural and regional aesthetic in view. We are seasoned experts at the coast, in the hills, and in the valleys.
From stunning Northern California estates, to the unbridled landscapes of Jackson Hole, Park City, Yellowstone, and surrounding mountain towns; Your next great space awaits. 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! We discovered Design Matters and were impressed by the immense amount of value, knowledge, and expertise that they added to our project.
From stunning Northern California estates, to the unbridled landscapes of Jackson Hole, Park City, Yellowstone, and surrounding mountain towns; Your next great space awaits. 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! We discovered Design Matters and were impressed by the immense amount of value, knowledge, and expertise that they added to our project.
Services
Born in the Midwest and raised on the East Coast, Julie's exposure to multiple regional environments created an early passion for homes, architecture, and design at a young age, leading to a long and storied career in interior design. With an eye for spatial relationships and creative problem solving, Julie's interiors bring functional sensibility and flow into harmony with beautifully balanced proportions.
Our team is well-versed in designing spaces remotely, but if you'd like to meet in person, our showrooms are a great way to experience our designs and concepts firsthand. Architectural Development, CAD Drawings, 3D renderings, materials, surfaces, textures, and design elements can come alive in person and afford a hands-on appreciation for your project and what feels right.
At Design Matters, we follow a three-step process as we tailor beautiful, timeless, functional spaces. Our workflow provides a direct, clear path to interiors that are long-lasting in quality and breathtaking in appearance. We pride ourselves in providing the highest level of customer service, technical knowledge, and design expertise.
Design Matters is thrilled to be recognized by the ASID CALIFORNIA PENINSULA: DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2021. Thank you to ASID for honoring us with FOUR Design Excellence Awards! Our team had a fantastic night at the Awards Gala, sponsored by our friends at Lusso. Our award winning designs can be viewed below.
Reviews (12)
Diana P.
Oct 05, 2021
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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
When I started to plan for a bathroom remodel earlier this year my first thought was to select the materials
Shelby D.
Jul 31, 2020
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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
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
Sam B.
Feb 06, 2019
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Joe R.
Oct 14, 2018
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Julie and team certainly are very well qualified and skilled design professionals. They have impeccable skills in terms of providing the right combination of design plans. Getting them to devote the right weekly time on your calendar and accounting it can however be a challenge - it appears they are overbooked.. other than this - I came out with great respect for the integrity and skills of everyone in the design team - especially Julie and wish them all the best !
Michelle B.
Sep 11, 2018
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Kinda flaky, they appear to be busy then when you finally get on the calendar and prepare a quote they don't return your calls. I waited to give them a second chance because I like the designer when she did respond but she scheduled an in home appt then changed it to another designer in the store. I didn't care for the experience.
W. D.
Jan 16, 2018
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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 on their staff are 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 remodel, 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
Kajari S.
Mar 30, 2017
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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!!
Phyllis S.
Aug 02, 2011
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I am upset that my previous review giving Julie Cavanaugh at design 101 5 stars and describing my outstanding experience has been blocked. One of the reviews currently shown suggests that all the 5 star reviews of Julie are "suspect" and should be removed. I would be glad to supply any information requested to substantiate my remodel done with Julie. There are awards and magazine photos supporting my description of the work she did for us. To say we were thrilled to have worked with her is an understatement. I applaud your right to disagree with me. I deplore your accusation that I have
Cinnamon S.
Jun 21, 2011
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We used Julie in 2002 and did not have a good experience. She attempted to over charge us on certain items. Fortunately we caught her. In hindsight, she probably did end up overcharging us on other items. One of the contractors sent us an invoice by mistake that was intended for Julie. The "cost" on that invoice was far less than the cost that Julie represented to us. When I challenged Julie she said that that "cost" was the vendor's true cost, not her price. I believed her at the time. In hindsight, she probably did misrepresent her costs. I would not use her
Jan R.
Jun 08, 2011
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My husband and I have worked with Design 101 - specifically Julie Cavanaugh - on several home projects starting with a kitchen remodel in 2004 which exceeded our expectations. It is absolutely beautiful and includes some unique historical design elements suggested by Julie that really set it apart. Right now we are completing a home office with Julie. Early on she suggested a few things that sort of pushed our conservative boundaries style-wise...but, as usual, we love the results. Julie has wonderful design sense and exceptional vision. She has always been professional, fair and honest with us
Peter H.
Oct 27, 2009
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Perhaps they are great if you have a ton of money to spend. I went for one of their "package" solutions (the bronze package I think) & discussed what could be achieved with my designer for that amount of money. The scope of the project didn't change but the deliverables did- I got about 10% of what they promised and got hit up for the "next" $ installment. Over-promised and under-delivered. No thanks.
Michelle T.
Sep 28, 2006
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I guess the pricing is okay for their design services, but in the end, I'm not sure we really needed them for our bath and kitchen remodel. I guess we just really got the blueprints from them so we could get the permits from the city. That was pretty helpful because I'm sure I would've wasted a lot of time on that if I had to do it myself.
Their cabinetry is insanely expensive, thought I guess it's pretty nice. They are helpful and accomodating. Some design places make you buy everything through them and use their specific contractors, etc, so it can be pricey. The good
Their cabinetry is insanely expensive, thought I guess it's pretty nice. They are helpful and accomodating. Some design places make you buy everything through them and use their specific contractors, etc, so it can be pricey. The good
