Designing your house to remodel it into a spot that displays your true identification is good for making it really feel like dwelling. Luxurious inside designer Elyssa Contardo lives by this philosophy, remodeling areas into ones that really replicate those that inhabit them. As a luxurious inside designer for the previous 15 years, Elyssa is thought for crafting areas that resonate together with her shoppers.
Elyssa shouldn’t be tied down to at least one type; from modern magnificence to timeless classics, her designs radiate magnificence and luxury. Her eponymous agency, Elyssa Contardo Designs, has two areas, one in Palm Desert, CA, and the opposite in Park Metropolis, UT. And in August 2025, the creative inside designer will launch a brand new paint stain line referred to as Tinted—keep tuned!
We had the pleasure of connecting with Elyssa Contardo for this version of Love Occurs’ Design Questionnaire. Learn on!
Lh Design Questionnaire with Elyssa Contardo of Elyssa Contardo Designs
What’s your thought of excellent happiness?
My thought of excellent happiness revolves round significant connections, private achievement, and moments of peace. It contains time spent with family members, participating in actions I’m captivated with, and embracing nature. It’s about discovering steadiness, connection, and contentment within the on a regular basis moments that make life particular. A quiet morning routine, touring with pals, or having fun with a mellow night, it’s these little moments that carry me pleasure and contentment.
What do you take into account your best achievement?
I usually discover myself reflecting on my journey and realizing that I haven’t but reached my best achievement. Whereas I’ve completed many issues that I’m happy with, there’s a lingering sense that my potential remains to be ready to be totally realized. I crave experiences that problem me and push my boundaries, whether or not that’s in my private life or profession. It seems like I’m on the cusp of one thing higher, and I’m motivated to hunt out alternatives that can assist me develop and evolve. Every step I take is part of this ongoing journey, and I’m excited for what’s nonetheless to come back.
What occupation does your alter ego have?
As an Inside Designer to the skin world, nobody sees the 1000s of things we juggle. From emails, texts, broken product, lacking product, and an offended sub. How a lot paperwork goes into writing up one {custom} sectional? From the {custom} drawings to the yardage quantity, seat top, arm top, seat depth, cloth amount, cloth materials, and many others. In a single {custom} sectional, I may most likely spend 20 hours or so on it. I all the time inform folks we’re like your main Physician, we all know just a little about quite a bit, however I’m not a tile installer, I’m not an electrician. However by realizing just a little about each subject, we’re in a position to execute a complete home from the within out.
The venture you’ll always remember.
The venture I’ll always remember was after I first began Inside Design. It was my first venture at a design agency I labored for after I completed college in 2008. It was a couple of 15 million greenback dwelling for the proprietor of the Bighorn Improvement in Palm Desert. It’s a really high-end, unique golf membership. I bear in mind after we put in, the spouse needed a Eating Room rug for her 16-foot lengthy Eating Desk, and he or she wanted it in 3 weeks for an intimate charity occasion they have been internet hosting at their dwelling, and every plate was $300,000.00. However, it needed to be Native American styled and Turquoise. So, after all, we had no time to have a custom-made one, and my boss made it my job to seek out one.
I informed myself there needed to be one rug in the entire United States that may work for this, and I simply needed to monitor it down. So I did, I discovered it just a few days later. There was some drama with me getting a pattern, getting it accepted, and getting the Rug expedited there on time, but it surely all labored out. We put in the Space Rug earlier than the occasion, and it was gorgeous. After that, my boss all the time made me supply and take care of all these actually enjoyable inconceivable duties, haha.
Your favourite enterprise device or useful resource.
My favourite device is an electrical measurer. I like utilizing this. I’m actually fast with a tape measure, I’ll say,
however for lengthy partitions and excessive ceilings, as a result of I’m brief, I actually like my electrical tape measure. I additionally like
the app firm Cam that my crew and I exploit. This app lets us add images to every job, and they’re
organized in folders that my complete crew has entry to. This has helped us a lot.
Essentially the most timeless design.
Essentially the most timeless design usually combines simplicity, performance, and magnificence, transcending tendencies
whereas remaining related throughout eras. Traditional parts like impartial colour palettes, pure supplies (assume
wooden, stone, and leather-based), and clear traces create a harmonious and alluring house. Finally, a timeless
design feels each recent and acquainted, inviting folks in whereas permitting for private expression. It’s about
creating areas which might be as lovely as they’re livable, adaptable to vary with out dropping their essence.
The largest design fake pas.
I’ve just a few design fake pas, together with over-styled cabinets. Space rugs which might be too small. Artwork that
is hung too excessive, or too low, and likewise if the dimensions is simply too small. An enormous one within the bogs for the Main
is overhead lighting. You all the time need aspect lighting in a toilet due to the direct shadows it casts in your face you probably have overhead lighting. An enormous one for me is ugly fake crops. Additionally, any accents which might be too tacky actually can cheapen your house. Typically I’m introduced in by realtors within the Golf Golf equipment out right here in Palm Desert, and so they ask my crew and me to type the homes to get them in the marketplace. Half of what we do is take out extreme equipment and dated houseplants.
Your design motto.
A motto that I stay by for my shoppers is ‘The place magnificence meets consolation’. And likewise for me, ‘Design with objective, stay with pleasure’.
Our writer, KOKET, sells assertion décor. Should you have been to design a room round considered one of their items, which wouldn’t it be, and why?
I like the Neurotica Sculpture sconces!
Love Occurs when…
When two souls join deeply, embracing one another’s flaws and strengths, making a protected house for vulnerability and development. It thrives in shared moments, laughter, and the quiet understanding that it doesn’t matter what, you select one another day by day.
Discover extra work by the fabulous Elyssa Contardo at elyssacontardo.com.
All Images Courtesy of Elyssa Contardo Designs
Extra to Love!
The Structure & Inside Design Archives
