10 Questions for Design 101 Interiors Owner Julie Cavanaugh

Meet the Owner is a weekly column that features business owners in the town of Los Gatos. Los Gatos Patch asks each owner the same 10 questions every week so the community can get to know the people behind our local businesses.

Julie Cavanaugh didn’t stray far from her childhood dream of being an architect. With her interior design business, she brings a strong passion and love of houses to her clients’ homes. And her expertise of knowing what works and what doesn’t has given her a reputation for design sense and integrity.

Los Gatos Patch: What did you dream of being as a kid?

Julie Cavanaugh: An architect. I always loved looking at houses. I didn’t know why but realized that I loved looking at them from the outside but dreamed about what the insides would look like. I knew I wanted to be an interior designer because designers get to impact the inhabitants and provide spaces people love. Designers design from the inside out! I think that makes me not only intuitive, but reflective of how people live and what they need.

Patch: How does your personality play into your business?

Cavanaugh: I am passionate about my job. It’s my life. I’ve always been an interior designer. This isn’t something I happened to try after another career path closed. I’ve been designing my whole life and my passion and integrity to my industry shows in my work.

Patch: At what moment did you decide to open a business?

Cavanaugh: The moment I graduated. I had worked for other designers and knew what I did and didn’t want to do when I opened my own. I value every client I have and I think they feel that. I am not a “hoity-toity” type designer that lives to be bowed down to. I believe the best work comes from a collaborative interactive homeowner experience.

Patch: What inspired you?

Cavanaugh: Seeing it done wrong. Sometimes you see someone’s home where they tried to get something right that doesn’t quite look the way they thought it would, and it’s just a mess. I love getting the integrity and the flow of a well designed home just right.

Patch: Describe the biggest challenge of owning a business in the town of Los Gatos?

Cavanaugh: My challenge is that we’re just south of the main traffic of North Santa Cruz Avenue, and while everyone knows where we are now, I love to keep our doors WIDE open. Most days it’s fine, but when the weather isn’t cooperating, we keep the showroom doors closed.

Patch: Describe the best thing about owning a business in the town of Los Gatos?

Cavanaugh: When clients walk by and peek their head in our showroom and can’t believe it was once Mountain Mike’s Pizza! It’s so funny. My showroom features several large kitchen displays, because a majority of our design work includes kitchen renovation. People walk in and are astonished at how beautiful “the pizza place” is now.

Patch: What is one thing you would never change about your business?

Cavanaugh: My drive. I live and love to design. Small projects, large projects, kitchens, bathrooms, a single piece of furniture or window treatment, to a whole house of furnishings.

Patch: What is your business' greatest asset?

Cavanaugh: Our design diversity and our commitment. Clients and builders alike love our showroom and our services, because we can be as a la carte, or as comprehensive as needed.

Patch: What is your favorite spot in town?

Cavanaugh: The top of the trail off Jones Road. I love being up there with my kids and my husband, or by myself when I get the chance. It reminds me what a great town Los Gatos is to be in and feels very grounded there.

Patch: What's one thing the community should know about you?

Cavanaugh: Opening this past fall in Los Gatos was exactly what we needed to do. My relationship with this town and its homeowners has been a 15-year love affair designing their homes for their families. When the day is over, if I’ve made a space that brings a family together, I’ve had a great day.