Business Details
45 Years
experience
Award-Winning Interior Design Services for Homebuilders & Developers
Founded in 1981, CDC Designs has established itself as a leader in interior design, serving homebuilders, multi-family developers, architects, and private clients. Our firm operates through two distinct practice areas: CDC Home, which specializes in model home and sales environment design, and CDC Studio, which focuses on commercial design for multi-family, re-development, and lifestyle-driven projects. With over four decades of experience, we have earned recognition as one of Interior Design Magazine's Top 100 Giants for 22 consecutive years. Our team combines creative vision with technical expertise to craft spaces that tell stories, evoke emotions, and drive results. We begin each project with a discovery phase to understand client needs and location context, followed by concept development, detailed documentation, and flawless execution. Our services include strategic programming, space planning, FF+E selection, and full-service procurement and installation.We collaborate closely with architects, landscape designers, and marketing teams to ensure every detail aligns with the project vision. Our commitment to excellence extends to contract administration, where we oversee construction timelines and specifications to maintain design integrity. With offices in Costa Mesa, California, we serve clients across diverse markets, delivering designs that balance aesthetic appeal with functional performance. Our approach blends residential design sensibilities with commercial-scale strategy, creating spaces that resonate with end-users while meeting business objectives. This combination of creativity, experience, and precision has made us the trusted choice for leading real estate developers nationwide.
Services
Model Home Design
Sales Environment Design
Commercial Interior Design
Multi-Family Development
Clubhouse Design
Lifestyle-Driven Projects
Interior Architectural Evaluation
Strategic Programming
Space Planning
FF+E Selection
Details
- Year established: 1981
Highlights and features
- We have 40+ years of experience in residential and commercial interior design
- Our dual practice model serves both homebuilders and commercial developers
- Recognized as #1 residential interior design firm by Interior Design Magazine
- We maintain design integrity through all project phases from concept to installation
- Our collaborative approach integrates with architects and marketing teams
Services
Model Home Design
Our model home design service creates immersive environments that help buyers visualize living in a space. We collaborate with homebuilders to develop tailored designs that reflect target buyer preferences and market characteristics. The process includes floor plan assessment, interior specification documentation, and exterior color consultation to ensure cohesive, market-driven results.
Commercial Interior Design
We design commercial interiors that balance aesthetic appeal with functional performance for multi-family developments. Our approach combines residential design principles with commercial-scale strategy to create lifestyle-driven spaces that enhance resident experience while delivering long-term value for developers across various property types.
Space Planning
Our space planning service optimizes spatial efficiency while maintaining design integrity. Using advanced CAD tools, we create detailed layouts that maximize functionality and flow for both residential and commercial projects, ensuring every square foot contributes to the overall design vision and user experience.
FF+E Selection
We curate furniture, fixtures, and equipment selections that align with project branding and target demographics. Our team sources from a network of trusted vendors to ensure quality, durability, and cost-effectiveness while maintaining design consistency across model homes, sales centers, and commercial developments.
3D Rendering
Our digital design service uses advanced 3D rendering technology to visualize concepts before implementation. This allows clients to experience spatial relationships, material choices, and design elements in a virtual environment, ensuring alignment with project goals before physical execution begins.
People
Julie Ann Stark
Partner President of Design
With decades of industry experience, Julie leads CDC's design vision, overseeing creative direction and ensuring design excellence across all projects while mentoring emerging talent within the firm.
Christie Pettus
Partner President of Operations
Christie manages operational strategy, ensuring efficient project delivery and client satisfaction while maintaining the firm's high standards for quality and timeliness across all service areas.
Lisa Kells
Partner Vice President of Design
Lisa directs design teams in creating innovative solutions that balance aesthetic appeal with functional requirements, bringing extensive expertise in both residential and commercial interior design applications.
Sarah Breen
Partner Vice President of Marketing
Sarah leads marketing initiatives that position CDC as an industry leader, developing strategic communications that highlight the firm's design excellence and client-focused approach.
Cassie Nguyen
Partner Chief Financial Officer
Cassie oversees financial operations, ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainable growth while supporting strategic decision-making across the firm's expanding service offerings.
Questions
What types of projects does Creative Design Consultants specialize in?
We specialize in residential model home design through CDC Home and commercial multi-family developments through CDC Studio, serving homebuilders, developers, and private clients.
How long has CDC been in business?
Creative Design Consultants has been a leader in interior design since 1981, with over four decades of experience creating award-winning spaces for residential and commercial clients.
What areas do you serve?
While based in Costa Mesa, California, we work with clients across the United States, with completed projects in Temecula, Sunnyvale, Aliso Viejo, and Napa.
What makes CDC different from other design firms?
Our dual practice model combines residential design expertise with commercial-scale capabilities, allowing us to deliver consistent quality across both market sectors with specialized teams.
Can you describe your design process?
Our five-phase process includes discovery, concept development, documentation, sourcing, and installation, ensuring each project maintains design integrity from initial concept to final execution.
Do you work with both large developers and smaller clients?
Yes, we serve both major real estate companies and smaller clients, adapting our award-winning approach to meet each client's specific needs while maintaining our high standards.
