Get to know Erin Davis, owner of Mosaik Design. Learn about her design philosophy and take a tour of her own recently constructed home!

Erin Davis established Mosaik Design & Remodeling in 2002 with her business partner Scott Jaworski and has been helping her clients transform their homes into beautiful spaces ever since. If you’ve ever worked with Erin, then you know that she has a design aesthetic and a knack for providing outstanding customer service. 

This interview will help you get to know her even more!

When did you know that you wanted to be a designer?

I knew from a very young age! Growing up in Michigan, there was this octagon house we used to visit. It totally fascinated me and I wanted to go back all the time — that was my first clue. 

I’m creative and so interior design and construction became my natural creative outlet. I used to rearrange furniture at home all the time. And then when I bought my first home, it became my own personal remodeling project. The rest is history!

How would you describe your style?  

If I had to choose 3 words to describe my personal style, it would be classic, friendly, and professional. I think this style is reflected in my professional work as well. I help my clients avoid being too trendy,  infusing more of my clean and classic approach to get the best results.

The more experience I gain, the better in tune I am with my clients’ styles and the ability to bring their style to life through my work.

What’s your favorite room of the house to design and why?

The kitchen by far. I love to cook so I feel a special connection to how this space should function. My kitchen is very organized — everything has a place!

Since the kitchen is the heart of the home, I want our clients to have that special place where family and friends can gather. The best compliment I received lately was, “Thank you for bringing my family closer. We now use the kitchen to hang out and cook together.” Love it!

How have you seen interior design evolve over the years? 

More than just changes in style trends, there’s been a transition in how people view the design and remodeling process. With the advent of HGTV, Instagram, and YouTube, DIY design is encouraged and celebrated more than ever — especially among Millenials. 

Homeowners today are much more informed than they were even 10 years ago. Many of my clients have detailed information about products available and where to get them. These changes have turned the home remodel and design process into a really collaborative project between designer and client, and I think that’s great.

Looking ahead at future trends and changes in the industry, I believe smart home technology will continue to evolve and be a very big part of interior design going forward. As a designer, it’s really important to stay up-to-date on this new home technology to recommend and incorporate the best products.

Tell us about your approach. What sets you apart from other designers?

Collaboration is everything. This is very apparent in the approach we take at Mosaik and I really believe it makes all the difference.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve talked with people who have worked with a different designer and experienced budget overruns, scheduling conflicts, no-show contractors, and lengthy delays. That’s exactly what we don’t do.

As one of the few true “Design-Build” firms in Oregon with Designer and Builder as owners, we are highly invested in every aspect of every project. The approach I take at Mosaik is based on building a relationship and never pointing fingers. We work together with the entire team, including the client, to create plans, solve problems, and make each project something special.

What advice would you give to someone looking to hire a design & remodeling company?

First things first, I always recommend that people interview at least 3 firms and always check referrals and reviews.

As you interview them and evaluate a company, ask yourself a few questions:

 

  • Do I feel comfortable having these individuals in my home for 3-6 months?
  • Do I trust them?
  • Is their design style similar to mine?
  • What level of communication and customer service do they provide?
  • Do they have a track record of finishing on time?

You went through the process of building your own home — what was that like? What did you learn from the experience?

The biggest lesson I learned from this process was that sometimes you have to let the small mistakes go. Doing so can lead to things turning out way better than you ever thought!

Tell us more about your house!

It’s a modern ranch design with a light, bright, and airy feel. One of my favorite features is the custom Old Growth front door and the panoramic view out the 15’ triple sliding door as soon as you enter. The covered deck with a T&G fir ceiling has been especially great this summer as I’m spending more time at home because of the pandemic. 

We designed our home with the Primary Suite and Laundry on the main level, which is a huge value add for Aging-in-Place and resale. And since it has a daylight basement, our son essentially gets his own floor. It’s great for corralling friends and adds a buffer from video game noise traveling upstairs. 

The new finishes, upgrades, light and airy color palette, and high ceilings add beauty to my home from an aesthetic perspective, however, the favorite things about my new home are items that add comfort and save time: central air, a ton of storage, great work flow, functional design, and an irrigation system!  

How has the design-build industry changed during COVID-19?

At Mosaik, we have gotten busier if you can believe it. Since people are at home much more now, they have more time to ‘live” with their home: good, bad, and ugly. We receive a lot of calls from people who hate their kitchen even more because they are using it all of the time. I always say, “Life is too short to live with an ugly kitchen or (insert room here).” Also, since more people are working from home, there’s an increased need to create space for a home office.

What should a homeowner consider before deciding to remodel?

One of the most important things to ask yourself is, how long will I stay in my home and how much should I invest? I always ask this because even though it’s not the most exciting part of the remodeling process, it’s by far one of the most important considerations. Many of our homeowners consult a local Realtor for home values in their neighborhood.

Do you have a favorite recent client project? 

Yes, we recently finished an extensive 3-story deck overhaul for our absolute favorite clients.  This is our 4th project together so there was a great level of trust built in regarding expectations, communication, and client tastes. Very few surprises.

The deck is now an entertainers dream with a SONOS sound system, modern cable railing, cedar T&G ceilings, 2 separate dining areas, an enlarged upper deck that takes in the incredible view, and a newly remodeled pool bath. We don’t do a lot of exterior work, so it enabled me to push my comfort zone. It was a lot of fun too!

Erin and our entire team are here to help with your design-build project. View our portfolio, read about our awards and features, or get in touch and tell us what’s on your mind!