Interior Design & Remodeling Blog

"We just finished a remodel of the great room in our 30 year old home. We have never used a designer before and chose Cathy Tonks simply by reading reviews and visiting her website. How fortunate it was that we chose Cathy! Our great room was beyond dated, with old cabinets and shelves, a non-functioning gas fireplace, and a small, dark, empty room in the corner. Obviously, we wanted to update the room, but wanted something different and unique. On our first visit with Cathy, we could tell why her company is called “Designs With You In Mind” as Cathy prioritizes what is important to the client. We knew we wanted to have a modern look with fireplace, TV on the wall, and shelving, but because of the asymmetry of the room, we struggled with coming up with our own design. When Cathy later showed us her design for the wall, we were blown away. The design also recreated a full bar in the small room in the corner with quartz countertop, beautiful sink and fixtures, and stunning backsplash/shelves. We also thought that her contractor and workers were excellent and easy to work with. In closing, thank you, Cathy, for transforming our mundane great room into a piece of art!"

"Cathy and her team did an outstanding job with our whole kitchen refresh and entertainment center renovation. They addressed all our concerns, including the too-high kitchen island and dated TV niche, with skill and creativity. The new range hood not only solves the functionality issue but also adds a stunning aesthetic touch to the space. I appreciate how Cathy intuitively understood our desire for a French Country feel, translating it into beautiful color choices and design elements. The increased prep space has significantly improved the kitchen's function, and the unified look between the kitchen and family room creates a sense of openness and cohesion. Throughout the project, Cathy's professionalism and ability to collaborate made the process smooth and enjoyable. We couldn't be happier with the results and would eagerly work with Cathy again in the future."

"When we first started this project, our goal was simple: to breathe new life into our 1999 Tuscan-style home, which had begun to feel dark, heavy, and closed off. The kitchen in particular was a challenge—it had four decorative posts that blocked sightlines and made conversation difficult, plus three oversized islands that disrupted the flow. We wanted something open, functional, and welcoming for family gatherings and entertaining, especially during the holidays. From our very first meeting, Cathy Tonks understood exactly what we were hoping to achieve. She helped us reimagine the layout, proving that thoughtful design can completely transform the way you live in your home. The new kitchen—with its single, spacious island—has become the true heart of our home. It’s perfect for cooking, hosting, or simply enjoying time with our grandkids. Every decision was made with both beauty and function in mind, from the improved connection between the kitchen, family room, and backyard to the incredible storage solutions that make daily life easier. One of the biggest risks we took was choosing a bold blue-grey tone for our 11' x 7' island. It felt like a daring move at the time, but it turned out to be one of our favorite design elements—it brings personality and warmth to the space. We also added patterned wallpaper in the laundry room, powder bath, and a bedroom, which gave each of those areas a distinct character while still feeling cohesive with the rest of the home. The final result far exceeded our expectations. The renderings were beautiful, but seeing everything come together in real life was even more stunning. The craftsmanship, attention to detail, and overall flow make our home feel entirely new, yet still true to us. We especially love how practical the new layout is—small things, like being able to open the refrigerator without hitting the dishwasher, have made an enormous difference in our day-to-day life. If you’re considering a renovation, our advice would be to plan thoroughly before starting and try to stick to that plan as closely as possible. And if you can, move out during the renovation—it makes the process much smoother. Most importantly, trust your designer’s vision. Working with Cathy Tonks was an incredible experience, and we can honestly say the finished result has transformed not just our home, but the way we live in it."

"Cathy & Brian are so talented and professional. I have used them in several design categories and their resources are unmatched. They also have excellent taste and they don't try to persuade you to "like" their taste and ideas, but rather work within your ideas and budget."

"Cathy helped transform my office from a mess to a functioning asset that helps me work. I thought it would just simply be ordering some furniture and having it setup, but it was far more than that. They went the extra mile and helped with organizing the space to make it function better. I would highly recommend them for any project."

"Cathy has done work for me for over 7 years and has always impressed me! She is insanely talented, professional and ensures a project is done with high quality. Cathy has an ability to visualize a major transformation to your living space and always exceeds my expectations!!"

"Cathy was easy to work with and listened to what we were looking for. She provided great suggestions and has a great design skill set. Cathy stayed on top of all our projects and maintained great communication throughout. Cathy was a pleasure to work with and always had a great attitude."

"Cathy did a remodel for our home. She was not only professional and friendly, she was an amazing person to work with. Her prices are so fair for all the work she put into our project. I would highly refer her. You will not be disappointed."

"Cathy has the sixth sense to gauge your taste and style and takes it to perfection in designing and choice of colors and materials. She is very professional and works well with people. The house I bought was 30 years old, and now it can be featured on the pages of sunset magazine!"

"I so enjoyed working with Cathy Tonks, Designs With You In Mind, on a major remodel where we doubled the number of bedrooms and baths and redesigned the entire kitchen and family area. I especially liked her attention-to-detail and the ability to assist my contractor in solving problems. Her ideas were inspirational and her vendor contacts made decision making a joy. I highly recommend her for projects large or small."

"We have worked with Designs With You In Mind on a number of projects. Cathy is extremely talented and very professional. It's evident she has a passion for what she does. Communication and attention-to-detail are excellent!!"

"I highly recommend Cathy Tonks of Designs With You In Mind for any design project of your home and business space. She is packed full of creative and functional ideas. Cathy also has a network of resources to work with-other professionals who can bring the improvements to your space in an efficient manner. Thank you Cathy!"