Designer Spotlight

1. Tell us a little about your background and how you found your way into interior design and merchandising.

I’m from a small town called La Manzanilla in Mexico, and I decided to move to the States to chase new opportunities and build a career. I’ve always had a love for design and the little details that make a space feel special. I started at KTI as an Assistant Designer and have worked my way up to Lead Installer. One of my favorite parts of what I do is seeing a project come together, finishing the final details, and getting to travel across the U.S, experiencing new places along the way.

2. What drew you to model home design, and what keeps you excited about it today?

What drew me to model home design was the opportunity to create spaces that tell a story and make people feel something the moment they walk in. It’s crazy to think that the designs we create can be part of the reason someone falls in love with a space and chooses it as their forever home. Being able to create that feeling is what keeps me excited about what I do.

3. What design trend or shift are you most excited about right now?

I’m loving the shift toward bolder colors, more personality, and moody accent walls.

4. What’s something people often misunderstand about designing and merchandising model homes?

A lot of people assume that model home design is easy and cheap! They don’t realize how much planning, coordination, and attention to detail goes into creating a model home. Every finish, piece of furniture, and accessory is thoughtfully chosen to help bring the home to life.

5. When you begin a new model home project, what’s the first thing you consider?

When I begin a new model home project, the first thing I consider is the story we want the home to tell and how we want people to feel when they walk through the door. I love accessorizing with that story in mind, adding those little details that make the space feel personal, inviting, and memorable.

6. Where do you typically find inspiration when developing a new design concept?

I find inspiration everywhere—traveling, European architecture, Pinterest, TikTok, and KTI Designers. I’m always saving little ideas that catch my eye and spark new creativity.

7. What’s one design detail or element that can completely elevate a model home experience?

Elevating is definitely in the details: beautiful trim work, custom built-ins, or a statement accent wall can completely transform a space. Those elements add personality, create a wow factor, and can add so much character, making a space feel more intentional, memorable, and special.

8. Looking back on your career so far, what accomplishment or project are you most proud of? 

I’m most proud of projects where the team has been able to come together and accomplish something that felt impossible. At Oakwood Jordan Promenade in Utah, we installed 18 homes in just three weeks. Most recently, we completed seven homes for Woodside Legacy and Regency in only four days. Seeing everything come together through strong teamwork, planning, and attention to detail has been incredibly rewarding.

9. Do you have a favorite KTI model home or merchandising project you’ve worked on?

All of them, of course! But just to name a few: KB Home Starlight, Classic Homes Flying Horse North, Shea Homes Lyric at Ridgegate. What made them special was all the thoughtful touches—the trim, built-ins, color schemes, and the little accessorizing touches that brought the space to life and gave it so much personality.

10. Is there a project from another KTI studio that has inspired you?

Yes! From the Luxury Residential team, I love Roots. It feels so homey, clean, fun, and just perfectly put together. From the Hospitality team, one of my favorites has to be our office, the KTI Design Studio. It’s cozy, fun, and functional, and I love how the space feels creative while still being a place where people can work comfortably.

11. What helps you stay creatively inspired and recharge outside of work?

I find inspiration everywhere whether it’s exploring new places, scrolling through Pinterest and TikTok, looking through design magazines, or following my favorite KTI designers. I love finding new ideas that spark creativity. Traveling helps me recharge and always gives me a fresh perspective.

12. Are you more of a morning person or an evening person? What does your ideal start or end to the day look like? 

I’m definitely more of an evening person, even though I love a 5 a.m. workout. My ideal end to the day is getting cozy, putting on my favorite show or a good movie, scrolling through TikTok for a bit, and then heading to bed.

13. What would we most likely find you doing on a Saturday?

I’m definitely a homebody on Saturdays—sleeping in, getting cozy with my favorite show or a movie, spending some time coloring, and just enjoying a laid-back day at home.

14. How would you describe your personal design style in three words?

I’d say my design style is cozy, minimal, and a little moody

15. Where do you see KTI’s merchandising studio in the future? 

I see KTI’s Merchandising Studio continuing to grow and expand—I’d love to do more projects on the East Coast, across the U.S. and even into different countries. It would be exciting to see our team bring our designs and creativity to new places and new communities.