Charlie Hellstern Interior Design Services by charliehellstern

About Us

Charlie Hellstern is an interior designer with a 25 year design pedigree that encompasses local projects rooted in the Pacific Northwest as well as a diverse portfolio of international residences and commercial interiors.

After 13 years building the interior design practice at noted Seattle firm Olson Kundig Architects from 3 to 30 designers supporting more than 200 architects, Charlie set up her own firm in 2017. In the 7 years since, the studio has grown to a robust group of 12 professionals who are all keenly aware of design as a collaborative process and who pour their passion into partnering with you and your team as we execute your vision.

Whether it’s a one room beach cottage or a 40,000 square foot lakeside estate, we strive to deliver a personalized result for every project we undertake. We believe that design has the power to positively influence how you live and work and can be achieved by everyone.

Team

Charlie Hellstern | Principal Designer & Owner

After more than 25 years working with some of the most highly regarded design and architecture firms in the Pacific Northwest, Charlie has built a successful interior design studio of her own to continue serving her valued clients.

Spaces that reflect both elegance and comfort is the primary goal of Charlie’s work and she believes each design/space should reflect the needs and desires of those who live or work there. Through years of relationship building, she is proud to work with an extensive community of artisans and craftspeople both locally and abroad who fabricate custom furniture and art pieces to complete her diverse homes and commercial spaces.

Charlie’s work explores new combinations of textures and pushes the boundaries of commonplace surfaces to provide a comfortable and timeless feel. A Seattle native and graduate of the Art Institute, Charlie’s work has been built globally and published extensively.

Karen Lawson | Managing Director, Sr Design Manager

Karen grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa and came to Seattle via a multi-year sojourn in London and a long-term layover in New York City. Running her own casting company then working in client service at global advertising agencies, TBWA and McCann Erickson as well as in the natural food business for Pret a Manger, Karen has spent many years developing the communication and strategic business skills she calls upon to help Charlie execute her design vision.

Karen joined Charlie at the inception of the firm and as such has been able to help build processes and structure with scale and scope in mind. She directs the running of the studio and takes a lead in design management, overseeing each project. She is delighted to be surrounded by beauty and design as a function of her work.

Tessa Hyatt | Design Director, NCIDQ

With more than 12 years of design experience ranging from high-end residential homes to commercial office and hospitality spaces in both the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest, Tessa has always excelled at bringing natural landscapes into her work. Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska she was inspired by the dramatic beauty of her surroundings which cemented an appreciation for incorporating just the right bold and impactful features in her designs.

An NCIDQ certified interior designer, Tessa received her Bachelor of Interior Design from Colorado State University and studied in Australia. Before joining the firm in 2018, Tessa spent 8 years at Slifer Designs in Colorado. She moved to Seattle to be near the water and mountains she loves.

Louisa Chang | Senior Designer, Architect

With over 25 years of experience as a licensed architect, Louisa brings a holistic point of view to interior architecture and design. Her breadth of projects includes hospitality, workplace, civic, luxury residential towers, and private homes. In each project, Louisa focuses on creating a welcoming, tailored, and personalized environment that reflects her clients’ goals and vision. Her work in the Pacific Northwest and West Coast has been published and won local and national awards.

As a resident of downtown Seattle, Louisa finds joy in exploring farmers markets, cooking, dining with friends, and finding respite in Pilates, standup paddling, and skiing. Her favorite travels include vibrant urban cities, mountains, and peaceful lakefronts.

Tiffany Taylor | Interior Designer

Tiffany was born and raised in the Puget Sound region. She is a UW graduate with a BA in Interdisciplinary Visual Arts with a focus on Architectural History and Public Art. She continued her education with a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Interior Design from Bellevue College. Tiffany has more than 8 years of experience specializing in high end residences. With a deep appreciation of the built environment Tiffany is influenced by the natural surroundings and inspiration offered by the Pacific Northwest. When not at work Tiffany enjoys spending time at the beach with her husband and two young children.

Renata Chew | Project Administrator

Raised in the NW, Renata studied art history at the University of Oregon. Her early training led her to work in museum collections and archives. In the years since, she has found the design/build industry a perfect segue, appealing to her sense of beauty and order. She has spent nearly a decade working in project administration for local design and construction firms where her keen eye for detail and enthusiasm for systems contributes to the smooth running of the design process. With an easy-going disposition, she thrives on bringing structure, balance, and consistency to the team dynamic.

Hannah Pottorff | Interior Designer

Growing up in Colorado instilled a love of nature in Hannah. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Interior design from Colorado State University and spending a semester in Florence, she sought out a place that combined the beauty of natural landscapes and the excitement of city life. Seattle seemed to have it all. She started her career at Urbanadd, a local architecture firm working on residential and commercial projects. Hannah has always been aware of how the design of a space effects the overall experience and strives to design spaces that create a sense of place.

Melissa Stewart | Coordinator

Melissa studied interior architecture at California State University, Sacramento, vand business administration at the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. She has supported sales, marketing, and business strategy for local and international brands, including Nordstrom, Sugarfina, and Butter London. Her background allows her to offer a unique perspective – one that blends a deep appreciation for aesthetic harmony, instinctive client-centered service and commitment to seamless business operations. Melissa is a problem-solver and strives to ensure that teammates and clients alike have positive and memorable experiences.

McKenna Mulder | Design Assistant, Resource Manager

McKenna studied interior design at Heritage School of Design in Seattle, WA. Born and raised in Washington, McKenna enjoys all of the beauty the PNW has to offer – from the city to the mountains. She believes a space should embody who you are, while also being both practical and beautiful.

Portfolio

“I’veworkedwithCharlieHellsternandherteam overthelast9yearsandhavefoundthemto behighlypersonable,conscientiousandvery responsiveatalltimes.Theresultsoftheirworkis alwaysimpressiveandthepathtogetthoseresults isenjoyablefromstarttofinish.Charlie’steam confidentlybringtheirknowledgeandexperience oneveryoccasionwhilealsoconcentratingintently ontheclient’swantsandneeds.”

-BenThorn,EstateManager,Valkyrie

Hong Kong Villa Shek-O District, CN

Hong Kong Villa Shek-O District,

“I’veenjoyedworkingcloselywithCharlieHellsternat OlsonKundigforthirteenyears.Shehasconsistentlyhad anupbeatattitudeandasensitivitytoourclients’needs, desiresandalsotheiraesthetictastes.Becauseofthat, everyprojectCharlieworksonisuniqueinthattheresultis specialtoeachclient.However,whatallherprojectshavein commonisthattheyarebeautifullydone.

CharlieandIbothhaverootsinthelegacyofthesoftand naturalNorthwestdesigntradition,sowebecamenatural collaboratorsduringhertimeatOlsonKundig.Charliealso playedastrongleadershiproleinourfirm,andwaskeyin creatingourInteriorsStudio.Shementoredmanypeopleat ourfirm–interiordesignersaswellasarchitects.

Charlie’sfriendlypersonalityalsotakesheroutintothe communitywheresheiswell-likedandadmired.Sheisone ofthosepeoplewhoisapositiveforcewherevershegoes. I’mabigfanofCharlie’sandIknowshewillalwaysbea greatassettothosewhoareluckyenoughtoworkwithher.”

-JimOlson,Principal/Owner,OlsonKundig

Wasatch House Salt Lake City, Utah

“Charlieinstillsconfidence intheprocessandItrust herjudgmentcompletely. Itwasjustacomplete pleasuretoworkwithher andherteam.”

-LisaB.,Client

Wasatch House Salt Lake City, Utah

“CharlieHellsternandherteamcome tothejobpreparedtomakemiracles happen.Charlie’sdesignknowledgeand professionalisminstantlymakeyoufeelat ease.Charliedefinitelydoeswhattheclient wantsbutIappreciateitsomuchthatshe alsooffersuniqueandboldideasthathadn’t evencrossedmymind!I’vebeensohappy withtheirwork.Thecommunicationfrom Charlieandteamistimelyandfriendly.Thank yousomuchfortransformingourindoorand outdoorlivingspaces!”

-Client,Broadmoor

The Pierre Lopez Island, WA

The Pierre Lopez Island,

Pierre Lopez Island,

The Pierre Lopez Island, WA

“CharlieHellsterncombineshertwochief

passions—designandpsychology—tocreate timelessexpressionsofherclients’personalstyle. We’veworkedwithCharlieonthreeprojects andcometotrustherimplicitly.Herrespectfor craftsmanshipandthecraftsmaninspiresallof herwork,anditinspiresustoo.”

-Client,LoomHouse

The Pierre Lopez Island,

Studio Cottage Lopez Island, WA

Charlie Hellstern

Studio Cottage Lopez Island, WA

“I’veworkedwithCharlieHellsternformanyyears. Shehasalwaysbeenadelighttoteamupwith, beingextremelytalented,creativeandfun. On ourmorerecentcollaborations,wehavefound CharlieHellsternInteriorDesigntoberesponsive, professional,andtrustworthy.Weworkedtogether ontheAlaskaAirlinesflagshiploungewhichhas beenaterrificsuccess.Itshowcasesthefirm’s proficiencieswithfinishes,furnishingsanddetails.

Ivaluethefactthatwesharesensibilitiestoward designandcraftsmanshipandlookforwardtoour nextcollaboration.”

-BrettBaba,Principle,AIA, GrahamBabaArchitects

“WhilepartneringwithCharlieHellsternand herteamonaverycomplexestateresidential project,Iwasimpressedwithhowprepared Charlie,Karen,andTessawereforeverymeeting andchallenge.Charlie’steamnotonlylistened toourmutualclient’sfeedbackandideas,but demonstratedthevisionthroughextraordinary materialselectionanddesign.

Duringfinalinstallations,Charlie’steamwas alwayspresenttoensureeverythingwentas planned.Fromthecontractor’sperspective, Charliewasveryaccessibleandwillingtotakea teamapproachtoresolvingtechnicalchallenges whilekeepingtheclient’sdesigngoalsatthe forefront.”

-TimCampbell,Principle,SeniorProjectManager GLYConstruction

“Charlietransformedourcentury-oldGeorgian withitstimewornmish-mashofinteriordetails intoagracious,elegantandcomfortablehomethat functionsbeautifullyforourfamily. Workingwith Charlieandherteamwasacompletepleasure. Theirartistry,responsivenessandextraordinary attentiontodetailkeptourprojectontrackand elevatedtheoutcomeinwayswecouldnothave imagined.”

-Client,MountBaker

“Wearesoprivilegedtocollaborate

onmanyincredibleprojects.With theCharlieHellsternteam,we knowwewillalsogetanincredible partnershipandprocess.Theyare detailed,responsive,andpositive.”

-TimFarrell,ProjectPrincipal, Dowbuilt