ABOUT

SHELLEY CAHAN, PRINCIPAL DESIGNER

Intuitive, playful, timeless and eclectic, principal Shelley Cahan, of Shelley & Company Interior Design, executes projects that are as varied as her clientele. Not one to apply a singular design vision to any of her projects, Shelley draws direction and inspiration from her clients and how they function in their environment. Her integrated approach to design makes Shelley one of the most sought after designers in the Bay Area. With 15 plus years of design experience, and a pedigree that includes working with Robb Report recognized firm, Tucker & Marks, Shelley understands that the success of a design project lies in the precise comprehension and execution of the details. Whether it is choosing a trim for a custom sofa, managing the quality craftsmanship of a custom designed furniture piece, or understanding the nuances of the client's expectations on the project, Shelley's approach to the development of design has a distinctive quality of ease and expertise that has garnered her long list of loyal clients. 

As former Creative Director and President of the Marin-based design firm A.S. Kaleidoscope Design, Inc., Shelley's depth of knowledge and expertise in the process of design extends beyond the aesthetics of a space. Her experience in managing a team of contractors, craftsmen and artisans sets her apart from the competition. When she's not working on the mechanics of a project, Shelley draws on inspiration from contemporary designers such as Ralph Lauren and the late Michael Taylor for their impeccable sense of style and acumen for creating well-edited spaces. 

Shelley believes the interiors she created should be authentic reflections of the client and their highest self. "A room should be whatever you imagine it to be: a retreat, a place to recharge, a place to entertain, create or inspire. How we use a space and what we perceive it to be, is as varied and complex as the person dwelling there. For me, the most exciting aspect of design is drawing on all the elements that the client deems important, and then translating them into a visual and tactile experience that delights and inspires. I consistently look for the harmony points in a client's lifestyle that are unique and unexpected, that are individual to them, and then build a room that celebrates how they live." The end result is an environment that the client can connect with and evolves and grows as they do. Shelley believes "interiors should feel acquired and cultivated over the lifetime of the individual" and continues to create interiors that are a perfect pairing for the modern lifestyle; blending clean lines, classic furnishings, textures and patterns that are a harmonious intersection of the past and present.