Mary-Lee Gilliland is a designer of many talents and over 30 years experience. Even in youth she wanted to create homes of beauty and serenity. Through her great knowledge of product and ability to understand your needs, she can help you find the comfort or drama, style or subtlety that defines you in your home. She has had her own business on the Peninsula and in Santa Cruz where she was active in both commercial design and home design. She has worked extensively with antiques and oriental rugs often using these as focal points for her gracious interiors. Finding the best blend of textiles – their patterns and color- is her great love and adds the needed balance and warmth in all her home designs.

Her projects have ranged from Newport Beach to Redding, coast-side to the Sierras. Over the years, several clients have utilized her expertise in two or more homes. From townhouses and ranches, estate homes to cottages, she has provided elegant or practical furnishings and window coverings, lovely architectural details and the many accessories needed to truly give a home character.

Projects of Note:

• Sheraton at Fisherman’s Wharf, project coordinator Enrile condominium, (ex-Head of State, Phillipines under Marcos regime)
• Theatre draperies, Jane Fonda’s kids camp 450 cubicle offices/President’s suite, Santa Barbara Research Corp.
• Specialty hardwood, flooring and carpet in numerous senior care homes, schools, restaurants, camps and churches

Education:

• Principia College, Fine Arts degree, 1973 extensive study in London on interiors, architecture, fine arts and crafts and landscaping

Certificates, Past Affiliations:

• Design Galleria by Valentine Allied A.S.I.D.
• Kahrs Flooring Leads Networking Organization
• Norwalk the Furniture Idea (among top 25 designers nationally, 2000 & 2002)

Published in:

• Fine Home Builders magazine

Seen at:

• Palo Alto ASID Design Show House, 1986
• Aptos Show House, 1984
• Santa Cruz Home Tour

Specializing in:

• Residential Furnishings and Draperies
• Custom area rugs
• Home and Corporate Office
• Color palettes and architectural specifications including tile and lighting
• Hardwood, carpet and other floorings
• Kitchens and baths

Hobbies and interests:

• Horseback riding
• Gardening –and designing landscapes
• Church committees
• Reading ,generally British historical fiction, and playing the piano
• Travel (usually to England or around the California back roads)
• Antiquing

Mary-Lee is the mother of a 20 year old son in college – with his own Graphic Design business – and wife to a lover of race cars, Corvettes and airplanes. Her family usually includes a horse, cats and currently a new little Welsh Corgi.

“A man’s home may be his castle but a woman’s home is her sanctuary.”