Founder and CEO

Laura Umansky

Laura Umansky is an award-winning interior designer best known for her warm and luxuriously livable interiors. As Founder and CEO of Laura U Design Collective, she has helped clients all over the globe articulate their unique personalities through the art of exceptional design. “Above all else, my interiors reflect the personality of the people residing within them,” says Laura. “I believe that telling the homeowner’s personal story is paramount, understanding our surroundings is our bedrock, and adding more than a bit of drama and romanticism is necessary.” Her signature Classically Current aesthetic is a modern interpretation of iconic styles, resulting in interiors that are bright, bold, and contrasting. With this philosophy as a guide, Laura collaborates with each client to define a visual concept that seamlessly integrates art, family, and personal joy into every room of a home. “I am open-minded, I love beautiful and unique pieces, and I want to mix them together so I never have to be without something I enjoy. This is my approach to interior design, finding what’s beautiful and beloved, and surrounding yourself with those things every day.”

Laura has her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin and Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Houston. Laura – an active member of ASID and AIA – currently resides in Aspen with her husband, Michael, and twin daughters, Liv and Ryan. When not at work, Laura finds her inspiration in great books and the experiences she has leading initiatives for the Girls Empowerment Network, the Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston, and the Furniture Bank’s No Kids on the Floor campaign.

Laura’s design icons: Carlo Scarpa and Bunny Williams

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

GINA ELKINS

Not all children beg their parents to take them on historic home tours, but Gina had fallen in love with residential design at an early age. She watched as her parents built her childhood home, and knew in that moment, the exact path her professional life would take her. As Creative Director, Gina’s passionate, client-centric approach drives her practice. Her professional portfolio spans all modes and styles, with one constant: each design is a true reflection of how her clients’ live and enjoy their lives. While Gina was raised rurally, she traveled often, and as a result, has an adept understanding of the connection between environment and internal space. She attended the University of Houston, where she graduated Cum Laude. Prior to joining LUDC, Gina spent 14 years at leading and award-winning architecture firm, Newberry Architecture. When she’s not in the studio, you will find Gina spending time with her three beautiful children, exercising, cooking, and enjoying the outdoors.

Gina’s design icons: Bjarke Ingels and Margaret Bourke White

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

MELISSA GROVE

Melissa’s experience in marketing started in the ad department at the Chicago Tribune and carried her through the market research industry before she finally settled in Houston. In the past 10 years, she has driven regional marketing efforts for brands like Starbucks and Walmart, steering companies to an effective, story-driven practice. As Chief Operating Officer, Melissa ensures our multi-disciplinary team adheres to our unified vision: the love of home. She also uses her experience in social media, digital marketing, and branding to share the firm’s bold and timeless interiors in various media worldwide. Outside of the studio, you will find her discovering new artists at Sawyer Yards, painting with her daughter, hitting Houston’s live music scene with her husband, or cooking a gourmet meal at home. She has her B.A. in Media Communications from Indiana University.

Melissa’s design icon: Verner Panton

SENIOR INTERIOR DESIGNER

SHANNON SMITH

Shannon left behind 10 very successful years in sales to pursue her passion for interior design. She began her career in the hospitality industry, designing luxury hotels all over Asia. Now, with 7 years of experience, Shannon is recognized for her distinctive Modern Glamorous style, inspired by her international travels and time living abroad. Shannon’s favorite stateside project locations have been Aspen and Miami, where she has completed both new construction and full-home remodels in a variety of styles, including Mountain Chic and French Contemporary. When she isn’t in the studio, you’ll find her taking a Barre or Pilates class before hitting the museums and supporting Houston’s vibrant arts community. She loves to travel and ski. She has an enviable knowledge of wine and is a fashionable insider on all things to eat, see, and do in Houston. She has her B.B.A.in International Business and Marketing from Texas Tech and her B.S. in Interior Design from Texas State University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Always the jetsetter, Shannon studied at the Catholic Institute of Paris and University of Granada in Spain.

Shannon’s design icons: Joseph Dirand and Jean-Louis Deniot

SENIOR INTERIOR DESIGNER

EMILY FOX

Before joining the LUDC team, Emily spent seven years working as a high-end residential designer in Texas, Colorado, southern California, and Hawaii. She believes the purpose of interior design is to set the stage for meaningful experiences; whether a moment of solitary relaxation, a conversation with loved ones while making dinner, or a fun and lively party. She enjoys working in a variety of styles and draws inspiration from travel, literature, and film. Emily’s childhood travels with her family sparked her interest in design; from the neon kitsch of early ‘90s Miami to the casual grandeur of an old apartment in Florence, the individual beauty of each new place captivated her. Her travels inspire her to create environments that transport others and give them joy. As a Senior Designer, it is important to her to understand a client’s personal style, how they want to live, and the image that they want to present to the world. She prides herself on her ability to take these ideas and transfer them into a beautiful and cohesive design scheme.

Emily graduated Summa Cum Laude from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. She loves learning and usually has a podcast playing in the background. She is a museum-head, art connoisseur, history and archeology buff, and occasional camping trip enthusiast.

SENIOR INTERIOR DESIGNER

BRITIAN MATHERNE

Britian’s passion for design is inspired by the memories she has of growing up in her native Mississippi. With an appreciation for the simple things, she is drawn to beautiful, curated, and cozy interiors. She joined LUDC as a design assistant, where she supported leading design teams with confidence and creativity. Now as a senior designer, Britian takes projects from concept to completion with her exceptional design style. With a background in customer service, she knows the importance of client communication and makes the design process fun and enjoyable for homeowners. Britian is very much influenced by her environment, and when she isn’t in the studio, you will find her painting or exploring an antiques shop to keep her design eye fresh. She has her B.S. in Interior Design from Louisiana State University.

Britian’s design icons: Athena Calderone and Sean Anderson

SENIOR PROJECT DESIGNER

MEGAN STRASBURG

As a Project Manager at Laura U, Megan is a central part of the residential design team. Early travel with her family to places like Europe and Southeast Asia sparked her interest in the architecture of places, leading her to pursue an Environmental Design degree from Texas A&M University. Since graduating in 2008, Megan has accumulated over 12 years of experience in the architectural field, with nearly 5 years in the high-end residential space. Her passion for design is client-centric, powered by a love for creating spaces that are an honest reflection of self. When not in the studio, Megan can be found exploring Houston’s restaurant scene, enjoying parks with her son and husband, doing yoga, and dreaming of new places to travel.

Megan’s design icon: Moshe Safdie

Sr. Technical DESIGNER

MARIE RODRIGUEZ

Marie is fascinated with art and its ability to translate and exhibit human emotion. In high school she became aware of how an artistic vision can transform a space while composing store displays to showcase a capsule linen collection at her first job. Her deep appreciation for art and its effect on space led her to study architecture. In her role as a project manager, Marie enjoys teasing out her client’s characteristic inclinations to successfully arrive at a humanistic home design. She’s garnered a distinct background of knowledge in design and architecture from her childhood years growing up in Miami, spending her summer months in the Caribbean and studying abroad in Canada and Europe. Motivated by her love of art, Marie has worked for the Museum of Fine Arts Houston as a technical and research assistant in the Contemporary Latin American Art department and has written about architecture & design for Cite magazine and the Houston Chronicle. She continuously explores new forms of art and artists, advocates for art education in her children’s schools and loves to travel. Marie’s work experience at various renowned design firms such as Arquitectonica, Rottet Studio, L. Barry Davidson Architects and Morningside Architects contribute to her diverse knowledge and training. During that time, she has collaborated on projects in hospitality, small retail and residential in her 15 years of experience. Marie’s education includes a Master of Science in Architecture (Domestic Environments) from McGill University, a Master of Architecture from Rice University, and a Bachelor of Design from the University of Florida.

Marie’s design icons: Louise Bourgeois, Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky and Alison Brooks

Lead Interior Designer

Natalia Arroyo, RID

Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Natalia moved to Texas to attend Baylor University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Interior Design. Natalia has her NCIDQ certification and is a registered interior designer in the state of Texas. She fell in love with luxury residential design early on and always seeks to fulfill our client’s vision with elevated taste and finesse. As a lead interior designer, Natalia works with the design team to curate compelling interiors and works with homeowners to bring their design vision to life. Natalia’s love for art and world cultures influence her designs. In her free time, you will find Natalia checking out the latest art gallery and playing with her pup. 

Associate Designer

Athena Sazesh

As an associate designer for the Laura U Design Collective, Athena is essential to the residential design team. Any given day, you can find her preparing architectural and construction drawings while assisting in project designs and deliverables. Her international travels to Europe, Asia and Australia have allowed her to experience a wide array of architecture and design, and how design can be adoptive to one’s unique lifestyle. Her previous experience in design-build permitted her in understanding all the project phases and compositions, while being trained as an interior and residential designer. She gets excited above innovative designs and has a great appreciation for details.

Originally from Houston, Athena has a BA in Arts from The University of Texas at Austin and Master’s in Architecture from the University of Houston. Outside of work, you can find her playing tennis, exploring new places, or enjoying a fresh cocktail.

DESIGNER

KARSTEN FLEAK

Born and raised in Muskogee, OK, Karsten comes to LUDC with years of residential design experience. As a designer, she is significant in supporting our senior design teams and works to make sure all projects are executed efficiently. Karsten’s design style leans toward transitional and contemporary. She loves bringing innovation into design and enjoys helping to create livable yet elegant spaces. When not in the studio, you will find her getting inspiration from local antique stores or drawing and painting to spark her creativity. She has her B.S. in Interior Design from Oklahoma State University.

Karsten’s design icon: Kelly Wearstler

Designer

Anna Claire Ladner

Originally from New Orleans, Anna Claire grew up in Houston and has her B.S. in Interior Design from the University of Alabama. She joins the LUDC team with three years’ experience as a design assistant and digital artist. Anna Claire’s previous experience in lighting, plumbing, and hardware sales gives her a unique perspective of vendor relationships and working with our industry partners. As a designer, she supports the senior design teams to execute projects from beginning to end. Anna Claire understands the importance of working hard and is always looking for opportunities for continued learning. Her creative inspiration comes from traveling and listening to music, and when combined she is in her happy place! In her free time, you can find her outside in the sun and spending quality time with friends, family, and her adorable goldendoodle, Stella.

Designer

LISA SHEPPARD

Lisa’s love for design came at an early age when she helped her parents remodel their home by painting walls and installing flooring. As a designer for LUDC, Lisa uses her drive and attention to detail to carry projects from beginning to completion and helps our senior design team create functional and beautiful designs. Her favorite part of the design process is watching the design come to life and seeing our clients’ reactions to their new home. Previously, Lisa worked as an account manager in the contract furniture industry in Austin, where she honed her design skills. Lisa enjoys being outdoors, spending time with her family and friends, and taking her golden retriever Copper on exciting adventures. Lisa has her Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design from Texas State University. 

Designer

Megan Thomson

As a native Houstonian, Megan’s first experience with design was by embracing Houston’s thriving museum district. With a constant and steady flow of rotating art galleries, art car parades, teen fashion shows, and eventually a job at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, she established a strong foundation in all things creative. In 2019, she graduated with a B.S. In Interior Architecture from the University of Houston. After university, Megan was able to apply her love of design to non-profit disaster recovery as well as honing her skills and knowledge in high-end hospitality. Her diverse experience has positioned her to bring an interesting skill set to the role of Residential Design Assistant. She is driven by humanitarian design, narrative storytelling, and learning for the sake of learning. Outside of the studio, you will be able to find her pursuing her hobbies of gardening, cooking, 3D printing, and growing into a distinguished cat lady.

Purchasing & Logistics Coordinator

CAITLIN MILLER

Upon graduating from the University of Houston with her Bachelor’s Degree in Retailing and Consumer Science, Caitlin began her professional career in the service industry where she gained extensive experience as an Assistant Buyer for a large corporation. She now serves as our firm’s Purchasing Agent, where she supports the design team logistically with order management, installation scheduling, and vendor/trade relations. When not in the studio, Caitlin can be found reading, shopping for new houseplants, or curled up on the couch with her cat watching crime documentaries.

Caitlin’s design icon: Danielle Nagel

Purchasing & Logistics Coordinator

Raquel Calvillo

Raquel joins the Laura U Design Collective team with vast experience in sales, purchasing, and customer service in the design and architectural industry. As a purchasing and logistics coordinator, she provides outstanding client support and assists the design teams with order management and coordinating installations. Growing up around her families’ remodeling and construction company, she was infatuated with the designs and processes that go into making a home. Raquel’s love for the industry and appreciation of details led her to study at the University of Mississippi and University of Houston for retailing and consumer science. In her free time, Raquel enjoys trying new restaurants in the area, binging her favorite TV shows, and spending time with her family.

Studio Assistant

Francisco Duran

Originally from Michoacán, Mexico, Francisco was always fascinated with design and art in all its forms. From taking drawing, painting, and ceramics classes, he’s a lover of all things creative. This led him to pursue a B.A. In Interior Design from Sam Houston State University, graduating class of 2021. He loves overcoming obstacles that present themselves in design projects and is always up for a good challenge. As a Studio Assistant for LUDC, Francisco plays a key role in supporting the design team in every stage of the design process. His personal design style leans towards mid-century modern. When not in the studio, Francisco loves to travel with his friends, listen to music, and is always on the hunt to find the best food & brunch spots in Houston.

Design icon: Kelly Wearstler

ACCOUNTING MANAGER

KIM VILLARS

With more than 15 years of accounting experience from a wide variety of industries, Kim comes to Laura U Design Collective as an expert in financial analysis and reporting. Kim knew she wanted to be an accountant since she was a teenager, so it’s no surprise she holds a bachelor’s degree in Science in Accounting, an MBA, and a master’s degree in Accounting and Financial Management. She has a passion for helping people understand the accounting process and works to make sure all of LUDC clients have an exceptional experience. In her free time, you will find Kim spending time with her kids and playing roller derby.

MARKETING DIRECTOR

KATHERINE WOOD

Katherine joins Laura U Design Collective with more than ten years of marketing experience. As the marketing director, she is responsible for the firm’s communication and business development strategy. Skilled in storytelling, Katherine weaves LUDC’s love of home and passion for the creative experience throughout all our collateral and branding. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the University of South Carolina. Prior to joining the LUDC team, Katherine worked for two international nonprofits, driving their content and digital marketing strategy. In her free time, Katherine is pursing her interior design certificate, loves spending time outside with her husband and lab mix dog, and loves all things true crime.

Administrative Coordinator

Susie Ciccone

With a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management degree from Sam Houston State University, Susie is exceptional at keeping the Laura U Design Collective office and team organized and on track. As the administrative coordinator, Susie handles our recruiting efforts, new employee on-boarding, and the ongoing employee experience. She also oversees the LUDC office and facilities management and makes sure the team has everything they need – from technology to supplies. Susie has a strong interest in Interior Design and loves all things beauty. When she isn’t keeping the LUDC team in check, you will find Susie exploring the outdoors, traveling, trying new restaurants, and doing friends’ makeup for special occasions. 

Susie’s Design Icon: Jessica Brigham

Marketing Coordinator

Elizabeth McChesney

Elizabeth is a native Houstonian who joins Laura U Design Collective with diverse marketing experience in fields such as luxury retail and nonprofit. Since the very first time she picked up her family’s old camera and taught herself to use it, Elizabeth has felt compelled to capture the beauty she sees in the world. Now, through smart phones and social media, she invites followers into our community, craft, and love of home with fresh perspective.

Elizabeth earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Art Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. She loves learning new disciplines and continues to satisfy her curiosity through reading, travelling, cooking, and sailing. When in need of inspiration, she takes a stroll around the neighborhood with her pup, crafts a gourmet meal with her husband, or ventures to a nearby art gallery such as The Menil Collection.