Thoughtful Design.
Timeless Living.
Creating refined, livable spaces
that reflect your story
and elevate everyday living
Interior Designer in Monterey and Carmel, CA
Intentional design.
Personalized for you.
Paulo Cardozo is a residential interior designer serving Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove and Carmel Valley. He brings 15 years of design experience and a five-year professional design education from Brazil to homes and select commercial spaces across the Monterey Peninsula, from whole-home remodels to a single room that needs a fresh start.
Full-service interior design, start to finish
Most clients come to Paulo for full-service interior design. One person carries the project from the first floor plan to the day the last piece is set in place: layout, finishes, lighting, furniture, art, and all the ordering, receiving and delivery in between. He works directly with your architect and contractor, so the design you approve is the design that gets built.
Interior design services
Full-Service Interior Design
Whole-home remodels, new construction and vacation homes.
Furnishing & Styling
Furniture, rugs, lighting and art for rooms that are built but don't feel finished.
Kitchen & Bath Design
Layouts, cabinetry, tile, stone and fixtures for kitchens and baths that work before they're beautiful.
Commercial & Hospitality Interiors
Restaurants, hospitality and boutique commercial spaces, including Hog's Breath Inn in Carmel.
Design Consultation
A focused session for homeowners who want a professional plan they can carry out themselves.
Recent work on the Peninsula
Paulo's projects range from the furnishing and styling of Hog's Breath Inn, the Carmel-by-the-Sea restaurant Clint Eastwood co-founded, to three new ocean-view homes on a single Carmel lot that he helped shape through 3D renderings before construction started.
Designed for life on the coast
Carmel's fog, salt air and pines change how a room should feel. Paulo draws on Brazilian modern design, where natural wood, stone and texture do most of the work, to create California coastal interiors that feel warm all year instead of beachy for a season.
How it works
1. Consultation.
Tell Paulo about your space, your timeline and how you live.
2. Design.
Floor plans, finish and furniture selections, and 3D renderings so you can see the room before anything is ordered.
3. Ordering and installation.
Paulo handles trade ordering, receiving and delivery, then sets every piece in place.
Planning a project in Monterey, Carmel or Pebble Beach? Call (831) 333-6281 or send an inquiry.
Planning a project in Monterey, Carmel or Pebble Beach? Call (831) 333-6281 or send an inquiry.
FAQs
What does an interior designer do?
1
An interior designer plans how a space looks and works: the layout, lighting, finishes, furniture and the details that tie them together. Paulo also manages the practical side, including ordering through trade accounts, tracking deliveries, coordinating with your architect and contractor, and installing the finished room.
How much does it cost to hire an interior designer in Monterey?
2
Cost depends on the size of the project and how much you want the designer to handle. Designers usually bill hourly, by flat fee, or as a percentage of the project. The first conversation is the best place to get a real number for your project.
What areas do you serve?
3
Paulo works across the Monterey Peninsula, including Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea and Carmel Valley. He also takes projects farther afield; ask about yours.
Do you take on single rooms, or only whole homes?
4
Both. Paulo designs whole-home remodels and new construction, and he also takes single-room refreshes like a living room, primary suite or kitchen that needs updating.
Can you work with my architect and contractor?
5
Yes. Most of Paulo's projects involve architects and builders, and he often provides 3D renderings that help the whole team agree on the design before work starts.
Do you handle furniture ordering and delivery?
6
Yes. Paulo orders through his trade accounts, receives and inspects each piece, and coordinates delivery and installation, so you don't have to track a dozen shipments yourself.
What's the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator?
7
A decorator focuses on furnishings and finishes in a room as it is. An interior designer also plans the space itself: layouts, kitchens, baths and how rooms connect. Paulo does both, so he can take a project from floor plan to final pillow.
Do you design commercial spaces?
8
Yes. Paulo takes restaurant, hospitality and boutique commercial projects alongside his residential work. His recent work includes the furnishing and styling of Hog's Breath Inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea.