Tower Design Studio, ASID LEED AP

After consulting with several interior designers for our North Scottsdale home, we were referred to Kathleen, owner of Tower Design. Kathleen was professional, detail oriented, great vision and most of all an excellent listener. From design layout, art selection, furniture choices and color coordination, Kathleen was outstanding. We hav used numerous Interior adesigners over the years and Kathleen is the best we have ever used.

We hired Tower Design when we acquired our second residence in San Francisco (we commute between LA and SF). The house was dark and super tired, and in need of so many updates and had seen its prime, but as Kathleen said it had good bones. At our initial meeting, she layed out a plan, and literally sketched it out on the spot on a notepad. She told us at the time that it did not matter to her if we used the plan or not, she just loved getting the vision and was happy to pass it on. But after interviewing four other designers, she had our hearts. We felt that she got us and that no matter what, she understood how to make it happen. She eased our nervousness of jumping into the project, especially after bidding on so many houses. Too, of course, we wanted things done quickly, and over the course of 11 months, (she predicted at least 1 year) we moved in completely. Kathleen brought the contractor and the architect to the project even though we interviewed several others, her choices were also our top choices. Kathleen is very organized and forthright. Her team is responsive and work seamlessly making sure all details are handled. Our strictly modern design vision was tempered by her superlative ability to mix styles and it turned out to be a combination of mid-century modern and modern, mixed with small vintage touches and nods to the traditionally Mediterranean style architecture. It is clean, artsy and uniquely us. And, we wanted light and she brought it everywhere. She always gave us a choice. She also held the overall design vision and we now know what our aesthetic is as she drew that from us in ways that now seem magical. Kathleen managed a lot of the project as we were in LA for the bulk of it. She made herself available to fit our schedules, and we came to trust her in every way. Our new home is honestly, perfect. The formerly dark house is now full of light and the new architectural details that are so impressive and fun to live with. She also designed our tiny backyard into an oasis of sun and a place for outdoor dinner parties and also a small workout room that was built out of a prefab shed. Everything about the interior is perfection. The lighting, the furniture, the carpets, the art (Kathleen sourced all the art), and the comfort of the chairs and sofas are superlative. She is a master of color, and every detail is well thought out. The kitchen is so much more efficient, and so easy to work in, the baths are sleek and cool. Every door knob and heat register and plumbing fixture are all perfectly selected. The vintage details are inspired. Kathleen is also a master space planner, and every nook of the house is useful. We had our first dinner party and the compliments were peppered with wows and amazement. We are so happy with the result. Kathleen is a trustworthy leader and innovator. We are now hiring her to revamp our LA residence next year. I thank Kathleen and her Tower Design team for their commitment.

We initially hired Kathleen and her crew to help us with a primary bath and kitchen remodel. Our kitchen was quite small, and Kathleen convinced us that if we were going to make the investment of a complete gut and remodel, we may as well expand the kitchen and integrate it with an outdoor living space that included now, a small pool. She brought us a wonderful architect, and after additional conversations and design planning with Kathleen, she suggested that we include a breakfast nook, transforming a rarely used semi enclosed porch area that we also integrated that into the kitchen and outdoor design. Kathleen focuses on design in ways that are much deeper than just decor. She emphasizes livability, communication styles and family time versus private time. She works at a deeper level, analyzing work flow, life style… Needless to say, the breakfast nook has become the favorite space for our small family of four. It is so much more cozy than the dining room, and more private than eating at the kitchen island. It is a place for our kids to do their homework while we are cooking dinner, or to have intimate conversations over tea or wine with a friend. It is truly a small retreat. The kitchen is a marvel of efficiency and beauty. Kathleen’s experience as a former restaurant designer really showed up in all selections of work flow, appliances, our ability to entertain guests. And, this part of the project was just the beginning of what expanded into a room by room revamp of our entire house that slowly but surely has turned our lives from chaos into order. Each design decision left us feeling just like us, but more. She has a way of selecting goods and moods that are a reflection of who we are and who we want to be. She is direct in a gentle way, never making us wrong, and emphasizing excellent design decisions with intelligence and creativity; pushing the envelope while holding the boundaries. We could not be happier. And, we have the unexpected perk of living a much more organized and graceful life than I ever dreamed possible. Kathleen’s team of designers and trade craftspeople were very competent, savvy and efficient. Every detail was attended to. She even suggested dishes and silverware and her art selections are such an expansion of our hearts and souls. Kathleen is generous and available for quick decisions when we needed to purchase things on our own. She is a great strategist, and her spreadsheets kept the project organized in a way that helped my husband and I see where the progress and finances were coming together. All involved were hardworking, great communicators, and patient beyond what I thought was possible, as we were at times, overwhelmed by so many changes in our household. We would absolutely and have already recommended Kathleen to friends. We are grateful for the dedication and services they all provided.

Bottom line...I could not have done my renovation or my interior design without Kathleen. She was the best asset of the entire project! Kathleen made everything about the process easier, better and more efficient. She saved me money, time and quite frankly her presence, expertise and skills saved my sanity. I will never renovate or decorate without her again and I highly recommend her to anyone that wants to live in their dream home. Kathleen makes your dreams come true!

Kathleen was unbelievable. She took the creative elements of our house far beyond what we could imagine. She worked tirelessly to ensure pieces were delivered on time (during the pandemic) and that everything fit perfectly in our home. She introduced us to brands, designers and artists that we never would have found on our own and was fantastic at pushing our creative boundaries, all while fitting to the original style / intent of our house. The furniture is durable (we have three kids), incredibly, looks incredible (we receive compliments from all of our guests) and extremely comfortable. She was on time / in budget for everything we asked. Additionally, she does it "all." She designed new rooms for us, ordered custom art, drew tile designs, ordered furniture, delivered custom blinds, picked outdoor lighting, etc. etc. etc. There's nothing she won't do to make sure that the home reaches its absolute potential. I would give her 6 starts if I could. Highly recommend.

When I first met with Tower Design my loft was a shell and I had only vague ideas of how it was going to be designed. Kathleen drew sketches of her concepts and those ideas literally became how we ended up designing the space. Her taste level is exquisite. Her abilities are expert level and she mixed both modern, mid century modern and antiques in such a masterful way that exhibits her expertise. When I showed her my very mixed art collection, she added a few pieces that tied those together. My home is more than I ever dreamed, an oasis in the middle of a busy city and my place of calm and refuge. I am grateful beyond words.

Possible review: I have had the pleasure of working with Tower Design Inc and closely with Kathleen McMullen. Her skill set as a designer throughout the construction and design/build process was superlative. She is a true professional, fun to work with, a great communicator and the project was enhanced by her guidance and presence on the job site. Projects often take years, and it is necessary to have the ability to be able to track details, make constant and myriad decisions and work well with both the builder, the architect and the subs. A great designer produces the design but also has the ability to execute the path toward an excellent end result. I am pleased to be able to say that I can wholly recommend working with Kathleen and the Tower Design team.

Kathleen and her team did an excellent job modernizing our new home. There were a lot of changes to be made within a tight timeline but Kathleen made it all happen. She made the remodeling process so much easier on us, constantly guiding us through each process and making sure we were completely satisfied with each decision made. Kathleen's expertise in design and color were tremendously valuable to us. She helped pick out all our furniture, designed our staircase, upgraded our lighting, redesigned our entire kitchen and even helped pick out art pieces for each room in the house. Kathleen was always readily available to answer any questions throughout the process and resourceful in finding solutions to any issues that came up along the way. Her flexibility and willingness to make sure everything was done to our satisfaction was greatly appreciated. Our new home looks wonderful! I highly recommend Kathleen and her team.

Tower Design worked with us on our weekend retreat in Ojai and did a masterful job. We are so pleased with both the results and our ongoing relationship with Kathleen. We were seamlessly guided through the process of design, drawings, construction, interior furnishings and lighting and the placement and purchase of art. Kathleen’s sense of design and color were spot-on throughout the entire process. As we continue to develop the project, we know that we can count on her for her wisdom, and her ability to create a truly sacred living environment for our home. Her design is unique in that she is intentional in the cultivation of a sense of peace, love, and the power of place throughout the design process. Importantly, we feel seen, heard and that our vision is expressed in a powerful way in the results so that it reflects who we are.

We would highly recommend Kathleen and her team. We had done many remodels over the years but never worked with a designer before and were unsure of the process and the value of doing so. Kathleen and her team asked us a lot of questions about our lifestyle and styles. We had a very unique puzzle and needed to find both an overall design solution that worked for our household (workout space, multiple home offices and guest accommodations) and we needed to somehow combine different tastes to create a home that unified our household's varying styles. Kathleen did an awesome job of creating an overall flow and design to create a place that we all love! In addition to the design, we needed help coordinating and manage the entire project. This included purchasing and receiving, managing budgets, pulling permits, coordinating and managing the contractors, final inspection of their work and set up of the furniture. Kathleen and her team were so easy to work with, had great vision and creative ideas, paid attention to all the details, masterfully managed all the moving parts and ensured that we would love the results...and we do! Kathleen is a true professional, super creative, a great person and great to work with. I highly recommend her and her team to anyone looking for help on a renovation.

Working with Kathleen was FANTASTIC! I knew the "feeling" I wanted our master to have but I didn't know how to get there. I had previously worked with another designer who tried but kept missing the mark. Once I started working with Kathleen, I knew that she would be able to create exactly what I was looking for within the confines of our space. As part of the project, Kathleen designed a wall of built in cabinets complete with window seat and a custom bed. In addition, Kathleen was so easy to work with. I had a lot going on and Kathleen's patience and support was invaluable.

To say that Kathleen Coady of Tower Design has style is an understatement. She has an uncanny ability to blend classic and contemporary themes rendering a timeless yet modern design. Her understanding and use of color is exquisite. But, what I love most about her work is that she creates a livable space, understanding lifestyle and function AND she doesn't believe that style, beauty and gracious living has to be expensive!

I used Kathleen Coady for some fill-in items for my house. But more importantly, Kathleen designed our high end, historic, fine dining restaurant, Watermark on Main in Ventura, CA. The 3rd floor W2O 3rd Roof Top Lounge floor has a completely different style with a casual, ocean theme. Kathleen was resourceful and knowledgeable and created two one-of-a-kind, landmark environments. What I like most about Kathleen is that she listens to her clients and communicates well. She has no ego so it is comfortable to tell her you don't like an item or need to change direction. As a designer she is professional, efficient, and a visionary. As a person, Kathleen has integrity and is fun to work with! I highly recommend Kathleen for any project!

Kathleen with Tower Design Studio was awesome in helping us to really create a good design for our home. She worked with us from the time we were evaluating architectural plans to the finishing touches and there were many things she helped us see during the design process. I especially appreciate the laundry/mudroom she helped us create with great lockers for our four boys and good flow for all the movement that happens in that area of the home. Also, we have received many compliments on the solar tubes she suggested to bring in natural light and create a feeling of spaciousness in areas that would otherwise feel a little dark or closed in. Kathleen's use of color and texture really helped bring the natural world to the interior of our home and she created a stone fireplace with a natural wood mantel that is very unique and undoubtedly the heart of our home. She sourced tile, wood, stone and other materials that helped us stay within our budget, were beautiful, ecological and practical for a home with children. Also, I would also have to say she showed great skill in working with us as a couple and even though my husband and I have very different styles, she brought our vineyard home together with an organic elegance that both my husband and I love!

Kathleen is very creative, succinct, straightforward and clear. She had great ideas for our small project and understood the environment we were trying to create. She had a clear vision yet was not closed to other options. I've seen other projects she has done from beginning to end which were very impressive and also in keeping with the soul of the space. I wouldn't hesitate to call on her again.

Working with Tower Design is such a fun and enlightening process. Kathleen really understands how to make your home function and look great at the same time. She is very passionate about the environment, and which furniture, paints, and fabrics will be safe for your family, while making your home special. I love working with her! Highly recommend!

I WHOLE-HEARTEDLY recommend Kathleen and the Tower Design team. Several years ago, I moved to Mill Valley from Boston after a divorce and needed an entirely new set of everything for my first solo apartment in decades. I appreciated Kathleen's careful listening regarding my tastes and my budget, her collaborative approach to finding beautiful furniture for every room, and most of all, the final result. My condo quickly felt like MY home, and it looked terrific. Kathleen created an elegant, artistic, and completely comfortable space. You would do yourself a huge favor in working with Kathleen.

Kathleen did the interior design for my condo in Los Angeles, and I could not recommend her more highly. I love the look and feel of my home—and it really does feel like home. Kathleen got a genuine sense of who I am and what I'm about, and expressed that with grace and style in my decor. I became noticeably happier, more creative and more productive living in the space she created for me. I really enjoyed working with Kathleen. Despite the fact that I have a background in the arts, I didn't know what I didn't know about interior design until I saw her work. She is a wealth of knowledge and experience, and she has unbelievable contacts and resources. This is in addition to her incredible taste and uncanny sense of space and color. She is a master. Kathleen went above and beyond to make things right for me; she was dedicated to making me happy. She was budget-conscious, and consistently checked in with me about where I might save to counterbalance a splurge, and stay within my budget. She also made me aware of lead times, etc. so that I had realistic expectations about the timing of my project. She is professional, and it was clear that our subcontractors respected her and appreciated working with her.

When my husband and I decided to completely remodel our house, the design possibilities were overwhelming. Paint colors, tiles, granite, appliances, furniture, artwork etc. I had a style in mind and so did my husband, but we were having trouble blending our ideas. We hired Kathleen and her team at Tower Design. Kathleen really listened to us and took the time to get to know us. She brought in beautiful options for us to choose from and was very conscious of our budget mixing affordable with more expensive items where needed. she did a wonderful job blending our tastes and using some important existing pieces we had. The end result is exactly what we wanted, even though we really didn't know exactly what we wanted when we started. But what we have is a beautiful home that feels like us. Bravo Tower design!

Kathleen performed what could only be described as a series of miracles with the interior design of my San Francisco 1880s Edwardian. From floor to ceiling, living room, dining room, bedrooms and bath were transformed into exquisite environments, tasteful yet totally livable and enticing thanks to Kathleen’s keen eye for perfection. She and her organization, Tower Design Studio, are not only artfully professional but prompt, reasonably priced and efficient. I can’t recommend them highly enough! You will not regret your decision to hire these interior design experts!

In the course of our 18 month 'from the ground-up' remodel, Kathleen Coady has been our inspiration and our guide. During the early construction phase of our project she helped us work with the architect to formulate both space and multiple layers of aesthetic resonance with our site, our art and our lifestyle. As our home emerged from a vague intention for something we termed 'zen modern'; with her sensibilities and masterful sense of form and color we built a working partnership that has given us a profound sense of ownership and pride while also giving us confidence in the quality and beauty of what we created. In the later stages of the effort Kathleen's network of suppliers also opened possibilities we had not even imagined possible. Unlike so many others we've known over the years who speak of their experience of 'barely surviving' projects of this scale, we loved every moment of the journey - in large part due to Kathleen's tireless commitment to excellence and her unflagging spirit and passion for her work and for our unqualified satisfaction. She is the best and we cannot recommend her highly enough.

I have been collaborating with Kathleen on a project that consists of updating, yet preserving the beauty of a historic landmark. In this process I have learned that Kathleen is an excellent designer with an amazing amount of experience. She is a results-oriented professional who has the ability to successfully keep a project moving along, thus saving the client time and money. Time and time again she manages to create an incredible balance between aesthetics and function while also honoring the wishes of her clients. Kathleen is a true artist and I highly recommend her for any design project.

no one does it better. Kathleen is extremely gifted and working w her was a pleasure...shes fast, efficient and smart..but above all else her taste is impeccable. She designed and furnished my Beverly Hills home and its truly a work of art that expresses me. I give her my highest recommendation.