Our Story
Our InteriorEcho design team is comprised of the best industry experts, contractors and builders in San Diego County. With specializations in residential interior remodeling, furnishings, kitchens, bathrooms, window treatments, and everything in between, we know better than anybody how exciting redesigning your home can be. This is why we only work with the best-of-the-best because we understand renovations and updates can be extremely stressful. That’s why our top goal is to make you comfortable during the process, from start to finish.
Curious about how we work?
All of our design staff will strive to bring designs to your home that not only reflect your personality, but also create your dream space. InteriorEcho’s designs tend to be uncluttered and streamlined. Every piece is carefully selected for its place in the final composition or for its special meaning to you. Interested in viewing dream spaces InteriorEcho designed? Visit Our Work Page here.
Although InteriorEcho is based in San Diego, Calif., we also work on projects throughout the U.S. We have recently worked with clients in Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Texas and Utah—and counting! If you are excited about remodeling your home (and a little bit nervous), but willing to explore: Contact us to schedule a meeting.
We encourage you to be curious about the process. We want you to ask as many questions as you want and make sure your design team is a right fit for you, as this will save you sleepless nights and anxious days. If you’re curious about our ethos, visit Our Values page here to learn more about how we apply our beliefs to our process.
Kudos
2020
Judge for Nebraska/Iowa Design Excellence Awards
2020
Featured in Ranch & Coast Magazine
2018
2018 ASID Design Excellence winner for Singular Residential Space
2018
2018 ASID Design Excellence winner for Universal Design/Accessible/Aging In Place
2018
2018 ASID Design Excellence winner for High Rise Condo Design
2016
InteriorEcho won the “Best Small Bath Design” from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA).
2015
Showcased on MacMaster Design.
2017
Cover Story for April issue of San Diego Home & Garden Lifestyles Magazine
2014
San Diego Home & Garden Lifestyles Magazine awarded InteriorEcho “Bath of the Year” for the third year in a row!
2014
Awarded the “Best of Houzz” award by Houzz.com.
2014
Featured on KUSI “Good Morning, San Diego.” See video here.
2014
Judge and Juror for the San Diego Home & Garden Lifestyle Magazine “Kitchen of the Year” award.
Michelle Strausbaugh
Chief Dream Maker | Allied ASID, CKBD
How it all began …
My dream to change the lives of homeowners through design began in 2002. I quit my job, packed my car and drove 2,461 miles from Pittsburgh to San Diego to follow my passion.
As soon as I arrived on the West Coast, I dove into a rigorous Bachelor of Fine Arts Interior Design program at the CIDA-Accredited Design Institute of San Diego and soon began employment as a kitchen and bath designer for a local design center. In addition, I also became a Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer with the National Kitchen and Bath Association.
Although I knew I wanted to own my launch an interior design business, at first, it began on the side while attending college, in order to gain more experience and knowledge of the city and its network. I was honored to become a juror for the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s annual awards, as well as the American Society of Interior Designer South Central Chapter’s Annual Design Excellence Award. In addition, by becoming a mentor for the American Society of Interior Design’s Mentorship Program I had the opportunity to help new designers realize their potential.
By 2012, InteriorEcho was becoming a recognizable name in the industry. From 2012 to 2014, I was the recipient of San Diego Home & Garden’s “Bath of the Year” Design Award. In 2016, the National “Best Small Bath Award” was awarded to InteriorEcho by the National Kitchen and Bath Association.
Before I knew it, my business grew by leaps and bounds, becoming a true, full-time job—and my life’s passion became a reality! Now, my day consists of meeting the most interesting people, listening intently to their stories, and spinning an interior design tale reflecting their life travels.
Jennifer zu Hone
Ambassador of Awesome
I fell in love with interior design in third grade. It started with some graph paper at a family reunion, sitting with my architect uncle, drafting dream homes. Of course, at that time I was drawing outrageous mansions that looked more like a Clue game board with theatres, indoor pools, game rooms, 3+ car garages and probably very little of the things homes actually need… like bedrooms. Luckily the designs have evolved over the years, and I feel so blessed that I now get to continue doing this every day, creating dream spaces for our clients.
I grew up in sunny San Diego and graduated from San Diego State with a BA in Interior Design. My career path has been anything but ordinary, having been fortunate enough to have gained experience in custom fabrication, architecture, high-end residential, and hospitality design. I am also passionate about health and wellness and often try to find ways to incorporate these into design through things like sustainability, ethically sourced items, and clean materials. When I am not designing, you’ll find me traveling the globe, cooking up something in the kitchen, or trying to learn the game of tennis!