Designs With You In Mind INC

What Designs With You In Mind INC does

Designs With You In Mind INC is a privately held, founder-owned luxury interior design firm established in 2005 by Cathy Tonks and headquartered in Granite Bay, California. The firm provides full-service residential interior design for affluent homeowners in the Greater Sacramento Area, covering whole-home remodels, kitchen and bathroom renovations, new-construction design, space planning, furnishings procurement, and home styling. Service delivery follows a structured seven-step process from a complimentary 15-minute discovery call through installation, with the firm acting as the single point of contact and coordinating execution through a curated network of independent licensed contractors and trade professionals rather than maintaining a large in-house labor force.

The core technology base consists of CAD drawings, detailed floor plans, cabinet designs, architectural details, and renderings produced in-house, supplemented by a physical design studio/showroom that houses curated material collections refreshed monthly via brand-representative visits. Product and revenue streams include (1) professional design fees and project coordination, (2) procurement-driven revenue through markups on furniture, fixtures, and finishes sourced for clients, (3) a Hunter Douglas Certified Dealer line for custom window treatments including PowerView motorized automation, (4) tiered paid consultation services ($250/hour in-studio, $350 for 2-hour color consultations, $450 for 2-hour in-home visits), and (5) furnishings and accessories procurement. The firm has approximately 3 named team members (Cathy Tonks, Allyson, Renea) plus its contracted trade network, operates exclusively through direct client engagement (no reseller or marketplace channels), and pursues a sales-led go-to-market motion driven by organic search, local SEO, social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Houzz), a blog, local PR, and referrals.

The firm has accumulated 22 years of continuous operation, three consecutive Style Magazine Reader's Choice Awards (2023–2025), 2024 NKBA California Chapter Design Competition wins across kitchens and bathrooms, and a 2024 Woman of the Year recognition for the founder. Distinctive Design Group, a separate designer community/networking venture owned by Cathy Tonks since 2009, extends her footprint within the Sacramento design market. There is no disclosed external investment, no parent company, no public listing, and no revenue figures in the source material.

Name

Designs With You In Mind INC

Legal name

Designs With You In Mind INC

Website

https://designswithyouinmind.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Designs With You In Mind is a founder-owned luxury interior design firm founded in 2005 by Cathy Tonks, serving affluent homeowners in the Greater Sacramento Area with full-service design, renovation coordination, furnishings procurement, and Hunter Douglas window treatments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Interior Design Services

NAICS

Interior Design Services (54141), Residential Remodelers (236118), Residential Building Construction (23611), Custom Architectural Woodwork and Millwork Manufacturing (337212)

SIC

Miscellaneous Furniture & Fixtures (2590)

akta.pro primary industry

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Whole-Home Interior Renovation (Non-Structural) (HSAPAEAC), Luxury Whole-Home Renovation (High-End Finishes & Custom Build) (HSAPAEAI), Residential Design-Build & Renovation-Integrated Builders (IMAFABAE), Interior Layout Changes & Space Replanning (Non-Structural) (HSAPAFAJ), Built-In Shelving, Niches & Custom Interior Features (HSAPAFAG)

Keywords

• Residential interior design
• Home remodeling services
• Space planning furnishings
• Custom window treatments
• Home styling decor

Headquarters

HQ city

Granite Bay

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Full-Service Interior Design & Project Coordination: The firm provides comprehensive interior design, renovation planning, space planning, material selection, procurement, and project coordination services for remodels and new home projects. Revenue is generated through design fees and markups on materials and furnishings procured on behalf of clients. Projects span whole-home remodels, kitchen and bathroom remodels, and new construction design. The firm collaborates with independent licensed contractors who handle construction, with DWYIM coordinating all design and procurement.
2. Hunter Douglas Window Treatments: As a Hunter Douglas certified dealer, the firm sells and installs custom window blinds, shades, shutters, and drapery. Revenue includes product sales, measurement, installation, and consultation fees. Rebate promotions (e.g., $300+ mail-in rebates on qualifying purchases) are passed through to clients.
3. Paid Consultation Services: The firm charges for in-studio consultations ($250/hour), in-home consultations ($450 for 2 hours), and color consultations ($350 for 2 hours), with additional hours at $150/hour. A complimentary 15-minute discovery call initiates the client relationship.
4. Furnishings & Accessories Procurement: The firm curates and procures luxury furniture, decor, and accessories for clients, likely earning margins on procurement. Offerings include custom upholstery, area rugs, bedding, art, and accessories available through the studio.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Designs With You In Mind provides full-service luxury interior design for residential remodels and new home construction across the Greater Sacramento Area. Services span whole-home remodels, kitchen and bath remodels, space planning, furnishings procurement, and home styling, delivered through a structured seven-step process from Discovery Call through Installation with coordination of licensed contractors. The firm also operates as a Hunter Douglas certified dealer, selling and installing custom window treatments with PowerView smart-home automation.

Product overview

Designs With You In Mind INC is a luxury interior design studio offering a unified full-service design approach. The core offering centers on Full-Service Interior Design complemented by Hunter Douglas Window Treatments as a specialized product category. Additional service modules include Space Planning & Furnishings, Home Styling, and Design Consultation Services. The company operates from a physical showroom/studio in Granite Bay, CA where clients can browse materials. Services are delivered through a 7-step process from Discovery Call through Installation, collaborating with licensed contractors and trade professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Distinctive Design Group: A designer community owned by Cathy Tonks since 2009, serving as a platform for connecting and mentoring designers in the Sacramento area.

Products and services

• Full-Service Interior Design Comprehensive interior design services covering whole-home remodels, new home design, kitchen and bathroom remodels, bedroom and living space designs, home office designs, outdoor living designs, custom furniture design, space planning, styling, and paint color selections for residential homeowners. Delivered through a seven-step process from Discovery Call through Installation, with procurement and project coordination managed by DWYIM in collaboration with licensed contractors.
• Hunter Douglas Window Treatments Custom Hunter Douglas window coverings including fabric shades, woven wood shades, window blinds, window shutters, and drapery, with measurement, consultation, and installation services. PowerView Automation enables smartphone, tablet, and voice-controlled scheduling and operation of window treatments for energy efficiency, security, and convenience.
• Space Planning & Furnishings Space optimization and furniture procurement service for residential clients, including layout planning, furniture selection, fabric choices, accessories, and coordinated procurement to maximize flow and style in existing or newly designed spaces.
• Home Styling Finishing touches service providing decor selection, shopping assistance, material sourcing, and styling guidance to complete residential interior spaces, allowing clients to delegate product sourcing and coordination to DWYIM.
• Design Consultation Services Tiered paid consultation offerings for prospective clients: a complimentary 15-minute discovery call, an in-studio meet & greet at $250 per hour, an in-home site visit at $450 for 2 hours, and a color consultation at $350 for 2 hours, with additional hours at $150/hour. Consultations initiate the client relationship and inform subsequent full-service design engagements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Award-winning designs recognized by NKBA California Chapter (2024 1st Place Small Kitchens, 2024 2nd Place Small Bathrooms) and Style Magazine Reader's Choice (2023, 2024, 2025)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hunter DouglascoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDesigns With You In Mind is a Hunter Douglas certified dealer and consultant, offering custom blinds, shades, shutters, and drapery. The firm provides measurement, consultation, installation, and PowerView automation services. The partnership includes access to Hunter Douglas product training, promotional rebate programs (e.g., Celebration of Light Savings), and marketing support materials.
• NKBA Sacramento Chapter (National Kitchen & Bath Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of the NKBA California Capital Chapter. Cathy Tonks has won multiple NKBA California Chapter Design Competition awards (2024 1st Place Small Kitchens, 2024 2nd Place Small and Large Bathrooms). Membership provides industry networking, continuing education, and peer recognition within the kitchen and bath design community.
• Lofings LightingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreferred lighting partner for projects requiring advanced lighting design. The firm collaborates with Lofings Lighting on lighting plans using Lutron and Legrand control systems. Lofings provides smart home automation solutions including voice control and personalized lighting scenes, complementing DWYIM's interior design services.
• Nickels CabinetscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrusted cabinetry partner used on all client projects. Nickels Cabinets provides high-end custom cabinetry solutions that are integrated into DWYIM's full-service design and renovation projects.
• Licensed Contractors & Trade Professionals NetworkcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDWYIM maintains relationships with a curated network of licensed contractors, electricians, plumbers, painters, finish carpenters, and specialized trade professionals who execute construction based on DWYIM's designs. This network was developed over nearly 22 years and enables the firm to offer true turnkey design-to-completion services.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Joybird: Direct-to-consumer furniture brand with an integrated interior design service offering. Comparable on the furnishings-plus-design bundling that DWYIM uses to drive procurement revenue.
• Decorilla: Online interior design marketplace offering concept boards, 3D renderings, and access to multiple designers. Competes for homeowners seeking design services without a local showroom relationship.
• Modsy: Virtual interior design service producing 3D renderings and shoppable room designs for homeowners. Overlaps with DWYIM's space-planning and furnishings services but lacks physical showroom and contractor coordination.
• Interior Define: Custom furniture brand with design consultation services for residential customers. Overlaps with DWYIM's custom upholstery and furnishings procurement offerings within a similar affluent homeowner segment.
• Havenly: Online interior design platform connecting homeowners with designers for room-by-room and full-home projects. Competes for the same residential interior design dollars with a virtual, lower-touch model and a different price point.

Broad incumbents

• RH (Restoration Hardware): Luxury home furnishings retailer with an expanding interior design service offering and large physical galleries. Competes for the same affluent homeowner design and furnishings spend at significantly greater scale.
• Pottery Barn: National home furnishings retailer with a free in-store and virtual interior design service. Overlaps with DWYIM on the design-consultation and furnishings-procurement experience, but at lower price points and without custom construction coordination.
• Crate & Barrel / CB2: National home furnishings retailers offering in-store and virtual interior design services for homeowners. Comparable on the residential design-plus-furnishings value proposition, but lacking DWYIM's luxury full-remodel and contractor coordination capability.
• Ethan Allen: National furniture manufacturer and retailer with an established in-store and in-home interior design service. Comparable in offering design-plus-furnishings bundles for residential customers, though at a different price tier and distribution model.

Direct peers

• Studio McGee: National full-service interior design firm with a similar turnkey design-to-installation model, a product line, and a strong founder-led brand. Comparable on business model and target customer (affluent homeowners), though it operates at far greater scale and geographic reach.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DesignsWithyouinMindInteriorDesign
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/designs-with-you-in-mind
• Instagraminstagram.com/designswithyouinmind

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Designs With You In Mind INC