Based in the Bay Area, I am a freelance designer with a focus on interiors and architecture. After receiving my BFA from the Academy of Art in San Francisco, I worked for Gensler in their Retail Studio. Since the summer of 2007, I’ve been balancing freelance work with raising my son and daughter in Oakland, California. Becoming a mother has made me very efficient with my time, a good multi-tasker, more creative and better at managing/working with “personalities.” In 2009, I was one of the first to take and pass the LEED Green Associate exam. I have let my credential lapse since I have not been working on certified jobs, but I approach every project with green design in mind. I am also open to regaining my credential if your project is looking for a LEED Green Associate.

I welcome any design work, but I would love to take on more kitchen and bath design jobs. I have also been branching out more into textile and surface design as it allows me to tap into my fine arts’ background further. I will absolutely travel for the right project.

Working Together:

Most people contact me after looking through my work samples online. They already have a sense (sort of) of my style and capabilities. The easiest first step, if you think you’d like to work with me, is to meet. Sometimes this is a phone call or video conference, but I think it’s best if the meeting is face-to-face. This is when we can discuss what you’re looking for- do you need help space planning? or with drawings? or concepts or colors or all of it? We will talk wants/needs, time frame and…

Budgeting:
My dream client doesn’t have a budget and doesn’t care about money, but that’s never (yet) been my reality. So far, I have never had two jobs that were similar, so there is no consistent method that I have developed for billing. Some projects make sense to bill hourly, some projects work well as a lump sum. I don’t like the tradition of billing by commission-it turns designers more into sales’ clerks than knowledgeable advisers. Most people are savvy shoppers, they know where and how to buy things. If you are hiring me to help select fixtures or furnishings or something that will need to be purchased for your home, I can create a spreadsheet for you with all the pertinent information needed for you to go shopping or I can do the purchasing/receiving for a fee. However we figure out the billing, everything will be transparent and straight-forward.

Lastly,
If you have any questions about working together or any of the work you’ve seen here on my website, email me. Even if I can’t help you, I’ll try my best to steer you towards someone who can. (I know some great contractors, carpenters, landscapers,etc working in the Bay Area.)

-Erin Owes