#DesignhoundsNYC True to Food Tour 2023: Meet the Influencers

#DesignhoundsNYC True to Food Tour 2023: Meet the Influencers

Designhounds NYC with Signature Kitchen Suite includes a two-day brand immersion experience and a visit to ICFF in May 2023.

We are thrilled to announce the Designhounds NYC True to Food Tour May 2023 sponsored by Signature Kitchen Suite! Building on memorable trips with our brand partner Signature Kitchen Suite to Napa Valley and KBIS with the Designhounds, the focus is now on New York City and the LG USA Headquarters experience with the launch of the Skyline showroom. Designhounds NYC brings 13 designers/influencers from across the country to experience two days of “True to Food” experiences including urban farm tours and education, SKS brand and product immersion, unique culinary experiences, and integration of design and the culinary world with a visit to ICFF and design-centric establishments. Follow #DesignhoundsNYC and #TruetoFood to catch all of the action.

We would like to introduce you to the entire team that will be on-site with us.

As always, we ask you to support them by following their social media channels.

Ebony Stephenson Designhounds NYC

Ebony Stephenson

Designs by Ebony

Website | Instagram

Ebony Stephenson, CLIPP, CAPS is a nationally recognized and award-winning Kitchen and Bath Designer. She is the Owner and Principal Designer of Designs by Ebony, LLC (DBE) in Newport News, VA where she specializes in residential remodeling on the Hampton Roads Peninsula. Ebony is a Certified Living in Place Professional (CLIPP) as well as a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS). Stephenson is a native of Virginia Beach, VA, and an alumna of Virginia Tech. She currently serves the President of the VA State Chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

Ebony has received many national awards and recognition including:
•NKBA 30 Under 30
•Professional Remodeler 40 Under 40
•Kitchen and Bath Design News Top 50 Innovator
•K+BB Person of the Year Praiseworthy Pick
•Kitchen and Bath Business Magazine Editorial Advisory Board Member
•Virginia Tech Residential Environments and Design Advisory Board Member
•Chief Architect Brand Ambassador

Ashleigh Underwood Designhounds NYC

Ashleigh Underwood

Ashleigh Underwood Design

Website | Instagram

Known for her luxe-sophisticated aesthetic, Ashleigh brings a unique point of view to each project. Her journeys have taken Ashleigh around the globe which has influenced her design work in very distinct ways–color, texture, and details all have been transformed by what she has seen. With a passion for fashion and art and a BA in International Relations she was always been drawn to design. Having decided to follow her instinct eighteen years ago, Ashleigh began by working with Mark Cutler Design and subsequently Amy DeVault Interior Design before starting her own firm fourteen years ago. It was also by chance that Ashleigh lived in the same city as one of the best Interior Architecture schools in the nation, UCLA, where she worked on her Master’s in Interior Architecture. Calling LA home for almost 20 years now, she shares her home with her beautiful 6-year-old son and her sweet puppy.

Jake Galang Designhounds NYC

Jake T. Galang

Ilustracion by Jake Interior Design

Website | Instagram

Jake Galang founded Ilustracion by Jake in 2006. This was the start of her own interior design firm. She transforms spaces and unique visions for her clients. She strongly believes in observing details and correct proportions from period styles. The result is a hybrid of edgy and classical interiors. She also works closely with developers, investors, and clients on designing homes from the ground up or renovations. She has to find the perfect balance so her designs have the wow factor to entice property buyers who have discerning tastes. The firm also landed international commercial jobs in Hongkong like the creative building Khora and the flagship store for the skin care line Dr. Kendrick.

She participated as a designer in the Pasadena Showcase House 2020, its 56th year. Her space was the upstairs laundry. She also recently joined the 2022 NKBA design competition and won 2nd place for Large Traditional Bath. This opened new doors and was selected to be a part of the 2022 German Haus Fair Tour via NKBA Global Connect. To continue her family’s legacy, she studied BFA major in interior design at the College of the Holy Spirit, Manila Philippines. Fortunate to have traveled, worked, and lived in several Asian countries: from the Philippines to Hong Kong, and Singapore. She created hand-drawn and water-colored interior perspectives for several designers including those participating in the Pasadena Showcase House. She credits part of her success to hard work and her amazing team who supports her.

Meredith Weiss Designhounds NYC

Meredith Weiss

Merri Interiors

Website | Instagram

Merri Interiors is a highly successful and in-demand kitchen design firm that has a reputation for quality in the Long Island NY area.  With almost 20 years of experience in the design industry, Ms. Weiss has built her business on word-of-mouth referrals of happy customers as well as contractors who love working with her.  She functions as a guide for her clients, using her knowledge to coordinate complicated projects and reduce the inherent stress of the remodeling process as well as their advocate throughout the construction process. She was selected to be on the KBB Editorial Board, is an award recipient of KBDN’s ‘50 Top Innovators”, has also been quoted in Forbes Magazine, and has had her work featured in KBB as well as KBDN. 

Garrison Hullinger Designhounds NYC

Garrison Hullinger

Garrison Hullinger Interior Design

Website | Instagram

Founder and Principal Designer of Garrison Hullinger Interior Design (GHID), Garrison has transformed his one-man studio into a nationally recognized firm with a prestigious portfolio of work. Garrison is a strategic thinker who understands the luxury market from all angles. He knows how to scale without losing sight of the smallest and most impactful details. Garrison has the uncanny ability to make any space timelessly elegant and feel exactly as it should. While Garrison isn’t known for one singular aesthetic, his designs are recognized instantly.

Passionately involved in the design community, Garrison regularly speaks at conferences and has achieved great recognition for his contributions to the industry. His work has earned him a Golden Nugget award for interiors along with other prestigious design awards, an esteemed position as a judge at the KBIS award ceremony, and a member of Cambria’s advisory board. Garrison is always busy with residential, hospitality, and commercial projects, but his recent work is particularly staggering in both size and range. One project is a new four-star resort in Deer Valley, Utah in which Garrison and his team are responsible for the design of the entire property. This resort has 395 guest rooms, 62 private residences, 20,000 square feet of conference hotel space, three restaurants, and two bars. Another recently completed project is Four Seasons Vail, where he has completed numerous opulent suites and residential homes.

Andrea Harvey Designhounds NYC

Andrea Harvey

ASH Interiors and Design

Website | Instagram

Andrea Harvey, Founder of ASH Interiors and Design is an Interiors Specialist, Kitchen and Bath Designer, and Speaker. She has been sharing her knowledge of luxury products and design for over twenty years. Her industry experience includes kitchen, bath, and interior design focusing on residential and light commercial spaces. She has represented luxury kitchen and bath products since 2013. She is a reputable speaker and presenter and her relationships within the A&D Community have made her a well-recognized resource in not only the Washington Metro Market but worldwide. Andrea has been seen on HGTV, and published in national publications and various podcasts. Andrea loves connecting with her clients and peers…she is said to be relatable, knowledgeable, creative, and always fun! She believes that design is truly a lifestyle!

Alissa Berry Designhounds NYC

Alisa Berry

Alisa Berry Designs

Website | Instagram

Alisa Berry, queen of all things colorful, has been a Mississippi Designer for nearly 28 years. She specializes in infusing practical, casual living with color and character. I work with clients on projects ranging from remodels to new construction which is my passion because who doesn’t want to get in on the ground floor? My goal for my design projects is never perfection but instead, it is simply bringing joy into the process of design, while coaching clients to make decisions for their design that will bring joy into their lives simply because their homes work for them and represent who they are. There simply are no boring rooms in my designs, no trends, only creatively crafted ideas to take each project to that castle of casual status. 


If you find Alisa not working, she will be with her husband of 27 years wrangling five rescue dogs from the seven feral cats that they care for. It is truly out of love for those discarded by society that they cherish this work together. Alisa affectionately refers to her spouse, Ronnie, as “The Berry” on social media when she shares stories of their often hilarious adventures, so people often forget that his name is Ronnie. They enjoy traveling with their family or just the two of them. Perhaps their greatest joy comes from the families that their three sons created, aka, “the grands” of which there are five. They throw dance parties, costume parties, and caution to the wind whenever they are around simply having the time of their lives.

Michelle Cortizo Designhounds NYC

Michelle Cortizo

Cortizo Interiors

Website | Instagram

Michelle Cortizo began her interior design business in 2000 however she has always expressed herself through the creativity of enhancing spaces. Originally, a Brooklyn, New York native, Michelle has spent the last 23 years designing mostly residential spaces in and around New England. Michelle, has been featured in, The Boston Globe magazine, South Shore Magazine, Providence Monthly House Beautiful, and Architectural Digest digital Magazine. She has been a Design Hound since 2012, a Fixer top influence since 2020, and a two-time Prism Award winner for her interior designs.

Since 2022, Michelle is also the co-founder of, “The Hothouse Community” which was birthed out of interior design with an emphasis on whole-life design, growth, and development. “Designing a home for me is to create a meaningful and beautiful synergy between my clients and their home…a visual and emotional connection to their space. Interior design is a powerful conveyor of who lives there and it is a privilege to be a part telling their beautifully unique story.”

Gloria Staats Designhounds NYC

Gloria Staats

Peace of Mind Design

Website | Instagram

From the time that Gloria was a young girl growing up in Puerto Rico, she has loved influencing her surroundings. After graduating from the University of Puerto Rico with a Psychology Degree, she packed the biggest suitcase that she and her mom could find and moved to Florida. While in Pensacola, Gloria acquired my master’s Degree in Psychology and met her husband of 33 years. Together they embarked on the adventure of the rest of their lives, and his Naval career took them to places like the Bay Area in California, Whidbey Island, Washington State, Okinawa, Japan; and Hawaii. They completed their journey in Jacksonville, FL. They still love to travel and explore all new things. Traveling abroad and attending industry events allows Gloria to be able to offer her clients the variety that different cultures offer, and the latest innovations and styles that suit their personalities and lifestyles.

“My goal as a designer…
To provide my clients with spaces that reflect and support them today and tomorrow.”

Hong Anh Sievert Designhounds NYC

Hong Anh Sievert

Blossom Spaces

Website | Instagram

Hong was born and grew up in Hanoi, Vietnam. After university, she met an American engineer at work; they fell in love and got married. In December 1997, they moved to Kansas to start their family. Hong graduated with an interior design degree from Johnson County Community College where she now serves on the Advisory Board. She has been an interior designer for over 18 years. In 2016, Hong opened her own design firm, Blossom Spaces LLC. She is also an authorized cabinet dealer. Hong has won many design awards. You may also have seen her work and trend reports in a few local magazines. She is passionate about creating personalized designs that are updated yet timeless and transform homes and workspaces into welcoming sanctuaries.

Megan Daughtry Designhounds NYC

Megan Daughtry

Proud House Studio

Website | Instagram

Megan Daughtry founded Proud House Studio in the spring of 2019 with the goal of creating a design studio for her clients that inspires their imagination and makes the daunting task of creating a beautiful kitchen, bathroom, or whole home a little less stressful and a lot more fun. What sets Megan Daughtry apart from other designers is her natural design talent coupled with a detailed understanding of the construction process. She can not only create an organized unique design plan but also oversee its implementation to completion. A reverence for architectural history, an appreciation for nature, and a dedication to providing creative solutions to her projects by traveling the globe for training on current design innovations as well as pursuing her passion to know other cultures mark an award-winning Proud House project.

Christine Conte Designhounds NYC

Christine Conte

Christine Conte Interiors

Website | Instagram

Christine Conte is the principal designer at Christine Conte Interiors, an award-winning boutique interior design studio located in Huntington NY. With a primary focus on residential design, Christine takes pride in designing homes and individual spaces that reflect today’s fresh approach to design, where function is balanced with an easy elegance, the level of comfort embraces daily living, and where custom details and the alchemy of design elevate a space beyond the ordinary. Christine’s working goal for her clients is simple; “To create a space for you that is highly reflective of your personal style, one that functions well and feels right for the current way you live, that solves the current challenges found within your home and provides you with a high level of enjoyment for years to come. Whether we are working on a full-
scale remodel or a single room, I hope to creatively inspire you, to expose you to quality pieces and materials that excite and speak to you, and that you find the experience easy, professional, and fun”.

Laura Hildebrandt Designhounds NYC

Laura Hildebrandt

Interiors by LH

Website | Instagram

Laura has always been passionate about interior design.   As a child, Laura frequently redecorated her house with her mom.  Laura honed her skills moving frequently to support her military spouse.  She was able to share her skills with other friends and neighbors while allowing the locale to influence the design. Laura also drew on her love of travel to influence her design style. It is out of this passion for design that Laura started Interiors by LH in 2013. Laura grew up in Annapolis, MD.  

She has a BA from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. Later, she attended Harvard University and the Interior Design Institute. Laura currently resides in Vienna, VA with her 3 children. Interiors by LH has won Best of Houzz for Design in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2020.  Laura also participated in the 2015 Home of Distinction in Potomac, MD. Laura has been featured in several design blogs and is a regular contributor to Home and Design magazine. See our In the Press page for our latest accolades.

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1 Comment
  • Nancy
    | 10 May 2023

    Sounds like a fabulous Designhound event Congrats to ALL! Have fun!

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