Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Serventi.
Hi Erin, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a kid, I regularly wanted to rearrange my bedroom and I owe a huge ‘thank you’ to my mom and dad who would make it happen; they ignited this passion for design that I’m lucky enough to call my job to this day. My mom suggested I might want to sketch out my furniture layouts ahead of time and at 12 years old, she bought me my first pad of graph paper; my attention quickly shifted from my own bedroom to sketching up all kinds of floorplan ideas for houses that I might want to live in someday. As my passion grew, I found the perfect fit at Chico State, one of the top Construction Management programs in the nation, with an emphasis in Architecture. They also had an Interior Design program, and I could run on the track team. I was all in!
After graduating with honors from Chico State, I accepted a job as a Project Engineer for a custom home builder and began working on the new construction of a 34,000 square foot home in Carmel, CA. Upon completion, our project team moved on to remodeling a 10,000 square foot residence in Pebble Beach, CA. I was working with the project team to manage the construction and material procurement on these projects, and I desperately wanted to be on the design side. On nights and weekends I would draft floorplans and prepare 3D renderings for other Interior Designers to use in their client presentations, while studying for my state Interior Design exam. When I passed the state exam, I continued working full time in project management and focused on growing my ‘side hustle’ in design until I eventually landed a position as a full time Interior Designer for a Design/Build company in Silicon Valley. When the opportunity arose to live and work in Santa Cruz County, I happily followed the offer right back to my hometown of Watsonville, CA. I had the pleasure of working as an Interior Designer for a Design/Build company in Aptos, CA for a couple of years before launching E.L. Designs. Each experience and project team has been instrumental in my growth and knowledge of the industry, and I will forever be grateful for the support and encouragement they have given and continue to give me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
While my focus was always on the residential side of construction and remodeling, I wouldn’t say my path was completely linear. After graduating college with a degree in construction management, I interviewed with so many designers and design firms that all told me they would’ve preferred a degree in Interior Design (even though I could draft plans!) and that my skill set wasn’t aligned with what they were looking for – I used to joke with my parents that by the time I had a job as an Interior Designer, every firm in the bay area was going to have seen my resume – that’s how determined I was to be a designer!
It turns out that a background in construction and project management provided me with experience that remodeling companies found valuable and useful, which was exactly the opportunity I needed to make the switch from the project management side to the design side. I never let every ‘no’ or rejection stop me from finding a way to be a designer. While I was working full time in project management, I took continuing education classes and courses in design, qualified to take the state exam in Interior Design in 2010, passed that exam, then looked for other opportunities to broaden my knowledge within the industry. I pursued certifications in green building and design as well as Universal Design – all in the quest to diversify my experience and increase my knowledge within the industry.
Today, I think it’s my educational background and diversified work experience that helps me be successful in the residential remodeling industry. I am passionate about helping homeowners understand the remodeling process and having experience on both the project management and design side of the industry helps me translate the process more clearly to homeowners. I also think the construction side of things helps me create designs that are both beautiful, functional and buildable! I’m thoughtful about how proposed changes can impact the budget due to how they might be implemented during construction.
We’ve been impressed with E.L. Designs, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As an award-winning Certified Interior Designer with a degree in Construction Management, I blend the two sides of the business that must work together for successful remodels. I think about space from two perspectives, ‘the pretty’ and ‘the practical’. I’m passionate about intentional uses of space, consuming natural resources wisely, and making design changes that can evolve with us in our homes. I specialize in design for residential remodeling and provide design services including professionally drafted plans, 3D renderings, submittal packages for building permits, material and fixture selection/specification, cabinet design and procurement, and project management.
I like to think I’m known as a designer who makes home design approachable and livable. My goal is to help homeowners improve their lives within their homes – I love creating beautiful spaces, but it’s more than just pretty cabinets and countertops. I like to work with homeowners to address their pain points and concerns, improve the function and storage in spaces and create something unique to them and their lifestyles.
I’m proud (and honored) to be able to say that I’ve recently won multiple awards for design! I was voted runner up for best design firm by the Santa Cruz Sentinel Readers Choice Awards, won Gold for Best Design Firm from Good Times and had multiple projects win Platinum awards from NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) Silicon Valley in 2025. I think what I love the most, is that I get to work in the community that raised me – I’m so lucky to live and work in my hometown!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I think I’m still figuring out how I define success, but ultimately, I think it’s defined by what you value. I value my time probably more than anything (it’s my only non-renewable resource!). If I have created a life where I have time to enjoy the things that matter most to me (family, friends, faith, creative work/expression, nature and exercise), then I consider that successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eldesignsco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinlovesdesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eldesignsco
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-loftin-serventi-udcp-cgbp-cid-leed-ap-415a124/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@eldesignsco
