Reviews & Testimonials:

“Extremely knowledgeable, Paula guided us through every step of the process”

Relationship: Client

Project Date: 2023

We asked Belltown Design to help us with updating our downtown condo. They did a fabulous job finding the right color palate that integrated the views of the water and our art collection. Furniture, rugs, wall coverings along with new plumbing fixtures and kitchen appliances all co me together, we are super happy with the outcome.

Aaron L.

Relationship: Client

Project Date: September 2021

We had a great experience with Belltown Design over the course of our recent remodel. Paula worked with us to turn our basement into a fun and colorful family room. Additionally, she helped us with some additional design improvements to our kitchen and living room. These projects included flooring choices, lighting, paint, furniture, closets, wall art, and more. Paula’s knowledge and experience came through and was visible during the whole course of the projects. Additionally, Robbie’s organizational skills helped to create much more functional spaces in our children’s’ bedrooms. One of the things that was especially great working with Belltown Design was that at each stage, Paula and Robbie brought over a selection of options for us to choose from which consistently matched our tastes. The contractors that they brought to work on the project were likewise fantastic. We would definitely work with Belltown Design again on any future projects.

Jane S.

Relationship: Client

Project Date: January 2021

Belltown Design exceeded all of my expectations for a total remodel of my condo. Paula McHugh and Robbie Liddane worked relentlessly to meet my needs while guiding me professionally toward a complete flip of my dark and dated living space. Every surface and all furnishings were replaced to achieve a bright and contemporary home. Paula’s resources for space planning, window coverings, wallpaper hanging and custom furnishings also exceeded my expectations – specialists and professionals that I would not have accessed with out her. Paula and Robbie guided me and gave me confidence to completely transform my two bedroom two bathroom condo into a place that I love to call home. I highly recommend Belltown Design and their talent, professionalism and resources for any home design project.

David & Susan S.

Relationship: Client

Project Date: December 2020

We hired Belltown Design LLC to provide us an exterior design that would give our 1960’s apartment complex a unique, standout identity, with so many similar style apartments and condominiums in the neighborhood.

The project scope of work included a Modernist concept with full renderings, and specifications for Mansard roofing, wood shutters, siding, paint colors and products. It also included making selections for exterior lighting and flooring in the outdoor stairwells and walk ways.The fencing style came into play too, along with general concepts for landscaping and hardscape to marry well with this established exterior style. Paula helped us to clarify a distinct style direction, and to define a direction for the upgrade to the property. She worked with us in a step by step color design process. Paula was thorough and knowledgeable, brought materials samples onsite as needed, and gave us the confidence in exterior design that we needed to move forward with.

With Paula’s seasoned experience in exterior design and color expertise, we used most of her recommendations and we are happy with the results! Our budget and deadlines were unique, and Paula worked well within within those limitations. Belltown Design fills a niche for commercial and residential exterior design, is easy and fun to work with, and I would not hesitate to recommend this design firm!

Susan and David Smith

Tamasha Apartments
I expanded the scope of work to include a full set of soft goods for the bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen. The team worked within my budget and had impeccable judgement. Paula was an expert at focusing me in and getting decisions made so the project would move along. I’m going to make some additional improvements, and won’t work with anyone other than Belltown Design to plan and execute the project. Totally satisfied.

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Doug H.

Relationship: Client

Project: Luma Condominium complete remodel

Location: Downtown Seattle, WA

It is a pleasure to recommend Belltown Design for any interior needs in the Seattle area. I contracted Belltown Design to help me with a full interior layout for a condominium in First Hill. The scope was extensive and encompassed almost all the furniture required to outfit a two-bedroom condo. I chose Belltown Design for two reasons — first, they would manage not just the design but also the execution of the plans, and second, that they would partner not just with consumer design stores but also with designer vendors — and thus upgrade the furniture in my condo at very reasonable prices.

Belltown Design worked on a timeline that helped me get moved into the condo on schedule. Paula’s design choices were impeccable as she pushed me outside of my initial comfort zone but also respected and integrated a few pieces of existing furniture and nostalgic items into the final design. Paula worked with all the vendors to minimize intrusions and at the same time ensure that I could replace rental furniture with final pieces in stages as they arrived.

I expanded the scope of work to include a full set of soft goods for the bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen. The team worked within my budget and had impeccable judgement. Paula was an expert at focusing me in and getting decisions made so the project would move along. I’m going to make some additional improvements, and won’t work with anyone other than Belltown Design to plan and execute the project. Totally satisfied.

Lisa Nakamura

Relationship: Client

Project: Craftsman Four Square, complete remodel

Location: Downtown Seattle, WA

We consider ourselves lucky finding Belltown Design from a Google search as we sought to find a designer to update the 1914 Craftsman Four Square home I was raised in and purchased from my parents in 1999. Paula, the owner of Belltown Design, began her process by sharing her design vision through beautiful and detailed hand-illustrated drawings of two primary living spaces that provided us a “look and feel” and nailed what we had discussed with her at our initial meeting.

From there, she and her team provided a work plan, target timeline and estimated budget. She brought expertise in design and color that pushed us outside of our box and helped us see design components we wouldn’t have naturally gravitated. We talked about our lifestyle, familial backgrounds, and the importance of representing our respective Japanese and Jewish cultures (what we like to call “Jewpanese”) into our home. Paula took this all to heart and when selecting design elements from wallpaper to lighting to artwork, made sure there was a significance we could both culturally and aesthetically appreciate.

Belltown Design also took on the role of general contractor which was invaluable. Paula selected every single contractor as if they were working on her own home. The respect every sub-contractor had for our house, for the individuals living here, and for our timeframe, made the situation very livable. From the exterior siding to the hardwood floors, interior painting and wallpaper installation – the execution exceeded our expectations

The living room is by far the most utilized room in the house. We wanted to update the look to one that was more contemporary and create a space that was both beautiful and functional. Paula came up with colors, designs, and lighting that we would never have chosen, and after a few compromises (due mostly to budget), we now have the living space of our dreams. Our big, beautiful sectional sofa with comfy throw pillows and blankets is where we find ourselves each night as we watch our favorite TV shows together. We no longer hesitate to invite friends to hang out or watch a Seahawk game as the room provides enough seating for everyone. Paula accommodated our budget by shopping for high quality consignment treasures that we fell in love with and complement the sanctuary-like feel of the room. From the start, we told Paula we didn’t want to live in a museum, and with two young boys, it was of utmost importance to keep the home comfortable and livable. Belltown Design accomplished that and so much more.

The dining room is our family gathering place. We wanted an intimate room we could use each night for family dinners, yet would also accommodate our large extended family and network of friends when we entertained. We found an online furniture company and Paula worked directly with them and us to select a table that doubled the seating when needed and created the more contemporary look we were aiming for in the redesign. Paula found a stunning Japanese-origami-inspired lighting fixture that reinforced the contemporary aesthetic and is the center piece of the room. Brightly colored artwork and beautiful floor lamps help “lighten up” the original dark fir wood panels and create a warm ambience.

The kitchen had been updated in 2000 from its original 1914 build, but still had a few problem areas that impacted traffic flow and storage needs. With two growing boys and a constant flow of neighborhood friends, we needed a solution. Again Paula and her team designed a way to solve the traffic flow pain point by recommending a smaller counter-depth refrigerator and incorporating two refrigerator drawers to make up for lost space. Our pantry which was “dark and deep” was blamed for many lost canned goods over the years that were eventually found way past their expiry dates! Our new pantry is both functional and beautiful featuring layered “shelves within shelves” to promote organization and accessibility. New color on the walls, window coverings and vibrant teal blue counter stools completed the transformation with minimal investment. We couldn’t be happier with our updated kitchen.

We could go on and on about the beauty and function Belltown Design introduced into our home. Our powder room now showcases a custom-made stained glass window sourced by a local artist and complements beautiful wallpaper and wainscoting. Custom built-in cabinetry installed in the main entry room easily hides away the clutter of backpacks, shoes and sports gear. Our stairwell showcases beautiful wallpaper in a gingko leaf design that is a reminder of the tree in our front yard from my late father’s childhood home. The exterior of our home was updated with new siding, custom lighting and landscaping that incorporates a Japanese maple tree, blueberry bushes and purple lavender – all selected with meaningful “connection” to the people and the history of this home.

We feel fortunate to have found Paula and Belltown Design and they will, with no question, be our “go-to” for other future projects. Paula and team are highly recommended for anyone seeking an experienced designer with a meticulous eye for color and aesthetic without compromising function or quality. Thank you Paula and Belltown Design!

Jenny Tsen

Relationship: Client

Project: The O2 | Modern Apartment | Decor & Furnishings

Location: Belltown, Downtown Seattle, WA

First of all, this is seriously not a fake review. I know how sometimes you read the review and you wonder how true it is. Anyhow, on to my review. We hired Paula to help us stage 2 model rooms for a brand new 13-story apartments building in downtown Seattle. I didn’t make it easy for Paula, both units have some challenges in their layouts – one was a very small Urban 1 bedroom and the other one was a 1 bedroom with columns inside. But, she did a superb job with these units. I have attached some photos here to share and I wish I could show you more. On top of that, she was on time, under budget, and she acquires absolutely remarkable taste in her design. I can’t wait for our next project to begin so I could see her work again.

Sarah M.

Relationship: Client

Project: Modern Craftsman, kitchen, laundry room

Location: West Seattle

Paula was fantastic! I thought I’d never find pendant lights I could stand and she found ones that I loved on the first try! She did a wonderful job explaining her recommendations as they fit with the style of our house, color theory, etc.

Her partner, Chris, was also very helpful and knowledgable concerning layout, and his drawings were exactly what we requested. Both were able to meet with us on the weekend while our daughter napped so that we didn’t have to miss work or family time. What a great team!

Tom M.

Relationship: Client

Project: Modern Contemporary condo remodel

Location: Downtown Seattle, WA

Belltown Design did a great job with their inspired design for our downtown condo. Extremely knowledgeable, Paula guided us through every step of the process.The project included new flooring, paint, shelving and furnishings and Paula knew all the best places to shop. She and her associates were incredibly generous with their time, frequently going shopping with us to help make the best selections and her style and color recommendations were perfect.I can’t review Belltown’s performance without mentioning how patient she was while we sometimes waffled over the array of choices that were presented to us. I strongly recommend Belltown Design for anyone looking for interior design services.

Marsha C.

Relationship: Client

Project: Craftsman, Adirondack style refresh

Location: West Seattle, Seattle, WA

Paula’s artistic design approach paired well with my own unique Craftsman / Adirondack style. I was in need of new window treatments, wall paint color, a woodwork refresh, upholstery, feedback on lighting and decor, and a new spatial plan for the living room, dining room and foyer of my 1916 Craftsman home.

Paula took the time to listen to me, and sift through my priorities, introducing all of the appropriate options. She developed a plan of action to reach my design goals, and we designated the appropriate budget within my means.

With expertise in paint color, Paula introduced me to the Farrow and Ball wall paint color collection, helping me to select Perbeck Stone No. 275 for the foyer, living and dining room walls. The color is timeless and I love it, something that I can live with for a long, long time.Paula and I discussed a variety of appropriate window treatment options from shutters to draperies, helping me to discern what I actually wanted. She narrowed down the multitude of options of drapery fabrics, style and hardware, pinpointing materials to suit my whimsical, personal aesthetic. The project came together with finesse, as Paula procured yardage, hired the sew room, handled complex hardware orders, and scheduled the professional installation. It all turned out so well and I am super pleased with the results!For dining room chairs re upholstery, Paula helped me to select the perfect Pendleton 100% wool blanket. We purchased two twin sizes so the pattern would be to scale to compose each chair with its own unique wildlife/nature design. The chairs are fabulous, and I will enjoy them immensely. We also explored options for living room furnishings placement and decor, and re upholstered an antique Adirondack chair that we found together with the perfect gray wool flannel blanket.

Matthew M.

Relationship: Client

Project: Mid Century Modern decor

Location: Downtown Condominium, Seattle, WA

I started out with a do-it-yourself design strategy for redecorating my apartment. After several costly mistakes and feeling overwhelmed at all the decisions that needed to be made, I reached out to Paula. It was a fantastic decision and she helped me expand my horizons to include decorations and colors that I never would have considered on my own. She spent a great deal of time up front to learn my preferences – that time investment allowed for an extremely efficient process on the back end. Her recommendations were always spot-on.

Some of the shopping we conducted together; for other items, she pulled together a curated list for my approval. We ended up with a fantastic mix of decorations that are truly an expression of me. My home turned out better than I ever thought possible. Importantly, she was extremely responsive, flexible to my schedule, and made me feel like an important client. If you’re thinking of working with a designer to obtain your goals, Paula is an excellent choice.

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Paul W.

Relationship: Client

Project: Cotswald Cottage, textiles, fabrics, furnishings

Location: Tacoma, WA

We have worked with Paula (Belltown Design) on three separate projects for our 1922 cottage home. Paula researched are home and neighborhood to understand the ‘zeitgeist’ of our project. She also spends time getting to know you and making you part of the design process. You can be involved as much or as little in the design as desired. My wife and I are busy professionals with two teenagers, She was really helpful for us in choosing colors, fabrics and sourcing the final products. We are very pleased with the outcomes of all three projects and will not hesitate to use Belltown’s services in the future.

Joani M. & Jim D.

Relationship: Client

Project: Craftsman Remodel, fireplace, built-ins, flooring

Location: Phinney Ridge, Seattle, WA

We chose Paula to help us change our living room from a tired ho-hum space to something better. When we started all we knew is that we wanted everything in the living room to go but we didn’t know what we wanted to replace it with. Paula met with us and talked with us and was able to figure out what style we wanted which I view as a miracle since we clearly didn’t know what we wanted in the beginning! This is what she did for us: She managed the entire project; she designed the fireplace remodel (which is now beautiful); chose the color for the walls and the tint for our hard wood floors; she transformed our entryway and hall closet; she helped me pick out furniture.

In the end, Paula transformed our living room into a truly lovely place – so much better than we had ever hoped.