IDS STAFF & AFFILIATED DESIGNERS

CHRISTIE CARPENTIERI (SCHULTZ), ASID

Christie Carpentieri has over 27 years of experience in the interior design and decoration profession and is Principal/Owner of The Interior Design Studio in Brookfield, CT – a boutique design studio creating captivating spaces that are not only stunning to take in, but functional as well. She is also Principal/Owner/Interior Designer of Christie Interiors of Connecticut.

Drawing from her Italian heritage, Christie Carpentieri creates sophisticated looks that are as comfortable as they are fashionable. Her designs combine a mix of modern elements along side of traditional pieces – and she always keeps family, friends, entertaining and cuisine in mind when designing. Her ability to blend the old with the new is promising for those who have sentimental pieces, heirlooms and antiques that they couldn’t bear to part with. Her loyal following depend on her vision and creativity to create their home or place of business into chic, livable spaces.

Christie creates cohesive, tasteful and comfortable looks for her clients in Fairfield, Westchester & Litchfield counties. She is responsible for many lake and waterfront home interiors throughout the area. Many Manhattan residents choosing to escape the bustling urban life and purchase a CT home in the rolling hills of Litchfield county or in northern Fairfield County, have Christie create their sanctuary escapes. While those clients live their demanding urban lifestyle during the weekdays, they depend on her to create their weekend and holiday getaways. It’s not unusual that she is called to travel on destination projects for clients as well. She’s traveled to the Hamptons, Rhode Island, Florida, and Arizona for destination projects. Her work displays an artful ambiance, yet the science of design is never forgotten. Each space is relaxed, well planned and cozy. Christie’s warm and personal demeanor is reflective in her work. Throughout her career, she has been featured in numerous magazines and in designer show houses.

When not working on projects with her clients or in the design studio, she can be found spending quality time with her family, especially her beloved grandchild, playing with her 2 pooches, Zoe & Chaz or rummaging through art galleries. She enjoys hosting holidays and occasions throughout the year, which always include her own Italian cuisine from her heritage for family and friends to savor.

MEREDITH RELL O’CONNOR, CKD

Having 27 years of kitchen design experience and a Certified Kitchen Designer since 1996, Meredith Rell O’Connor, CKD is principal/owner of MRO Design, LLC. Her design firm is affiliated with The Interior Design Studio in Brookfield Connecticut, a boutique interior design studio.

Meredith’s career started in Connecticut but brought her to Colorado as a corporate kitchen design trainer for the Home Depot. She served as VP of Professional Development for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of NKBA. Her designs have been photographed for professional publications and used in trade shows. Her passion however is working directly with clients to create a spectacular design that is both creative and functional. Meredith’s extreme attention to detail is what endures her to her clients as she provides top notch personal service. She enjoys the whole design process and really comes to know her clients as friends.

During her free time you can find her spending quality time with her family either on the ski slopes or on the lake. There is never a dull moment in a home with 2 boys! Meredith and her husband are always busy working on their family home, a beautiful colonial built in the mid 19th century.

Renee Strazza, Administrator

Growing up with a father who was a NY builder and contractor, she was taught many building and mechanical skills along with a strong work ethic. Thriving on movement and change, she is adaptable to any situation.

Renee owned and operated a successful salon for 10+ years in Armonk, NY. Her natural ability to connect and create lifetime relationships, along with her loyalty and strong customer service skills bring great value to IDS. In order to raise her son, Renee left the salon industry, but her creativity and love for design led her to become co-owner of a jewelry design company.

Renee is a self motivator who has a natural artistic eye for design, which shows through many of her hobbies ranging from furniture refinishing to event planning. She pays strong attention to detail while mastering time management. Renee has exceptional organizational skills and is a true problem solver who always welcomes a challenge.

In her spare time, you will find her gardening and decorating her Bethel home where she lives with her husband Frank, her son Frankie and favorite Pomerian “Leo.”

Annemarie Luning, Assistant to Designer

Annemarie majored in Interior Design at The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), in Manhattan. Forgoing the design world for a couple of decades, she instead opted to be a stay at mom for her three sons. She fed her love of design by pouring her heart and soul into her elaborate holiday decorating, crafting, and helping friends and family out whenever they requested a little design advice. Annemarie’s forte is room accessorizing, tablescape design, and holiday decor. Selecting those finishing touches that complete a project and bring it all together always gave her great joy. In her opinion, adding a little sparkle to a space is always a good thing!

Once all of her sons were grown, out of the house and married, Annemarie found herself “retired” from her main gig. Christie Carpentieri-Schultz, Interior Designer and principal of The Interior Design Studio, saw an advantage to Annemarie’s “retired” status and brought her back into the design world. Annemarie is currently one of Christie’s assistants at The Interior Design Studio.

Annemarie and her husband, Tom, split their time between living at their Candlewood Lake home, and snowbirding during the winter months at their Naples, Florida home. Annemarie is a lifelong, die hard Yankee fan, loves the NY Rangers, enjoys yoga, and is determined to love the game of golf as well. (She is still working on that last one.) Her love of family however, trumps all of that. She and Tom are both from large families, and they enjoy hosting big gatherings at their lake house. The newest love of their lives is their first grandchild, who is perfectly perfect in every way, steals their hearts with a simple smile, and reminds them of life’s truest blessings.

Teri-Ann Damo, Administrative Assistant

Teri-Ann is one of the part time office administrators at The Interior Design Studio. A graduate in the communications field, Teri’s role at the studio keeps everyone in check and our ship sailing smoothly. Her communication skills and attention to detail eliminates the possibility of much getting through the cracks. Teri is responsible for the studios design tracking and keeping the administration office a tight ship.
As an active Brookfield resident, she also helps facilitate the studios involvement with the community and charitable events. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, Bunko nights with the ladies, and spending warm, summer days at her favorite vacation spot in Rehoboth Beach, DE.

Niki Luning, Studio Facilitator

Niki holds multiple degrees in Elementary Education and is a full-time educator. Her well natured, patient and extreme punctual/organized demeanor adds tremendous value to The Interior Design Studio. Growing up with a father who ran a residential construction firm, as well as a mother who lived, eat and slept interior design, Niki couldn’t help but to easily absorb, understand and love the world of design/build. As young as four years old, she could give one a full description of what a Coffered Ceiling was.

While Niki did not pursue a full-time career in the field of interior design or building, she opted to feed her love for the development of children through teaching. While off on holidays, summer break and weekends, Niki, however, plays a key role in administering and facilitating the office and studio of The Interior Design Studio. Her part time role equates to full time work as she helps keep the studio on track with the latest technology additions, studio inventory, order processing and social media updates.

If you think that Niki has her hands full, somehow, she naturally and graciously extends yet another branch by being a fabulous wife to her lifelong sweetheart, and amazing mother to her precious baby boy. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family at her Newtown home, cheering on her favorite sports teams, and soaking up the sun with a good book in hand. She is truly a super woman, admired by all clients, and irreplaceable at The Interior Design Studio.

Mary Gallagher-DeLucia, Interior Decorator

Mary Gallagher-DeLucia is a well seasoned interior decorator and owner/operators of Shelby Matthews Interiors. Mary is proud and honored to be one of The Interior Design Studio’s affiliated designers. Shelby Matthews Interiors was established in 1983, and named after Mary’s two children, Shelby and Matthew. Mary attended Paier School of Art for Interior Design, and continues educating herself through industry seminars.

Mary’s specialty is the “soft end” of the business, focusing on fabric selection, reupholstery, custom window treatments, and color selection. She recognizes that being invited into someone’s home and/or office is personal, and she feels blessed that so many of her clients have become good friends. She’s even begun decorating for their children.

Mary’s decades of experience and life long career set her apart for other decorators.
Her expertise and wisdom in decorating is unparalleled, and she is excited to be part of the IDS affiliation.