OWNER + INTERIOR DESIGNER

Born and raised in Metro Detroit, Khara embraces her grounded midwestern roots when approaching life and design. She came across the quote "Less is more" by Mies Van Der Rohe while studying interior design at Michigan State in the 90’s and it's been her mantra ever since. Khara started her career working in commercial design, as a project manager, at firms in San Francisco, Chicago, Knoxville, and Orange County. Residential design has always held a special place in her heart, so when the opportunity to work at NV Design presented itself a handful of years ago, she made it happen. After three years, she purchased the business and is now owner and principal designer. Khara's aesthetic is one that is minimal, clean, yet eclectic. She's a believer that well designed interiors can play a pivotal role in helping us to establish balance and peace within our lives.

• Favorite cocktail/happy hour destination: A slightly dirty martini with two olives at home or Bouchon.

• Guilty pleasure: Ritual hot cocoa. Every. Day.

• Astrological sign: Scorpio

INTERIOR DESIGNER

As a Northern California native, Amber exudes a laid back and chill approach to design and looks to mother nature for endless inspiration. Her fascination with the world of design started at an early age, pouring over old issues of her mom’s Better Homes & Garden magazines, drawing floor plans in the dirt, and building Linkin Log structures. All of which inspired a career in Interior Design. Amber has experience in many aspects of the industry. She began her career with a “just say yes” attitude and started her own interior design firm shortly after graduating FIDM San Francisco. Five years later, she moved from the Bay area to San Diego to pursue her love of design and construction with a model home design firm. After six years serving as lead project manager of model homes, multi-family builds, and commercial spaces located throughout California and as far away as China, her passions shifted back to the world of residential interior design. Her current home at NV Design has provided that transition. Focusing on kitchen & bath design and remodels since, Amber manages many day-to-day operations of the design studio, and juggles a multitude of client projects from conception to installation. Amber infuses a bit of eclectic flare into all her projects, craves a design challenge and loves the opportunity to show off her ever-evolving style. Her grounded energy, intuition, and ability to read her client’s and spaces in every situation allows Amber to cultivate interiors that are approachable, curated, eclectic, and unique to each project.

• Favorite cocktail/happy hour destination: Dirty martini with two olives - shaken by Khara! Happy hour is best spent anywhere with a view or poolside.

• Guilty pleasure: Paranormal shows

• Astrological sign: Taurus

KITCHEN + BATH DESIGNER

Martin has been with NV Design since 2016. Martin began his life and career in Yorkshire England (the good part). There, he received his technical finishing training in carpentry and cabinet making from Rotherham Technical College before coming to America. Martin brings over 30 years of construction, construction management, sales, and design experience. He currently resides on a working family cattle ranch here in the Napa Valley with his wife and twin daughters.

• Favorite cocktail: Bombay Sapphire and Tonic

• Guilty pleasure: A good glass of port, a fine cigar and a beautiful Napa Valley sunset

• Astrological sign: Virgo

KITCHEN + BATH DESIGNER

Born and raised in Saginaw, Michigan, Kitchen and Bath Designer Rachael Michutka-Fisher joined the NV Design Studio team in the summer of 2017. After moving to San Francisco in 2004, Rachael decided to follow her lifelong dream of becoming an Interior Designer. She attended the Art Institute of San Francisco and graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Westwood College of Colorado. Rachael was eager to break into the industry and started working for a tile and stone company estimating kitchen and bathroom countertops and tiles while she was still attending college. Upon graduating, she was offered a job as a Kitchen and Bath Designer in one of the largest showrooms in Marin County. With over 10 years of specializing in Kitchen and Bath Design, Rachael has residential projects sprinkled throughout the San Francisco Bay area. You can find her designs that fit best for each client, ranging from a traditional 1930s San Francisco build to a Contemporary Twist on an original Sea Ranch oceanfront home. Rachael’s main focus is to make sure her clients are getting everything they want in their space. Her hard work and eye for detail get her rave reviews and many returning clients and referrals, which makes her an invaluable team member at NV Design Studio.

• Favorite cocktail/happy hour destination: Champs is her first choice, but a superb Espresso Martini is not too far behind. Any Stark restaurant for happy hour is a no-brainer.

• Guilty pleasure: Binge-watching Nexflix series

• Astrological sign: Leo

INTERIOR DESIGNER

Paige is a Napa native, born and raised. With the exception of temporarily residing in Sonoma county and Boston, she’s come back to grow roots in her little hometown. Paige was welcomed to the NV Design team in 2019 as a design assistant, but as her natural talent revealed itself she quickly became a full-time Kitchen & Bath Designer.

With a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and further education in interior design, her approach to design is centered on wellness. Paige’s goal is to create a space with function and harmony to change the mindset of a home. The intent of making a home safe, peaceful, and consistent without worry or anxiety. Through this goal, she strives to make each space functional - allowing it to flow and use every inch to its fullest potential. Paige enjoys creating a design aesthetic that is developed with the client, not just for the client — allowing each space to be uniquely suited to the clients’ personal style and personality. Paige has quickly honed her skills with multiple computer programs to give clients exciting visuals on the potential of their spaces. She thrives on clients’ excitement and enthusiasm to create spaces of their dreams.

• Favorite cocktail/happy hour destination: Always says yes to rosé, otherwise, cocktail of choice would be a (good) tequila and soda with fresh lime juice.

• Guilty pleasure: A chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream

• Astrological sign: Scorpio

CLIENT CONCIERGE

Jen joins us after spending 10 years in Medical Aesthetic sales. Jen moved to California from the Midwest about 10 years ago, but considers her soul a California native.

NV Design worked with Jen and her husband to design their forever home here in town. During the remodel, Jen fell in love with the design process and ultimately decided she wanted to be part of the NV team. She is our guru in sales and marketing, and is the first point of contact for new clients. Jen is passionate about people - getting to know them, what their wishes are, and pointing them in the right direction for their journey with NV.

When she’s not at NV, Jen is working in her garden, tending to her farm animals, doing yoga, or reading a great novel.

• Favorite cocktail/happy hour destination: A large glass of red wine

• Guilty pleasure: Mac & Cheese

• Astrological sign: Libra

KITCHEN + BATH DESIGNER

Growing up, Shannon Embly always had a penchant for two things: transforming spaces and connecting with people. Now as a designer, she does both every day — pairing her creative instincts with an undeniable ability to get to the heart of each client’s needs.
After receiving her degree from the Art Institute of Washington in Interior Design, Shannon took an internship at Tart Lumber Company, where she honed her kitchen design skills and realized that remodeling was the industry for her. Soon after, she became a lead designer at a design studio in Virginia.

Shannon guides clients from start to finish — her favorite part of the job? Translating a client’s vision into reality — and watching it come to life before their very eyes. The way Shannon sees it, her job is to find custom solutions that match each client’s needs and wants. And since no two clients (or homes) are ever alike, neither are the solutions she designs. Shannon makes it her business to create smooth, enjoyable experiences that are often just as memorable as the final result itself.
In her free time, Shannon enjoys exploring local breweries/wineries, playing board games, hiking/camping, or hanging out with her cat, Figaro, while cooking up a delicious homemade meal.

• Favorite cocktail/happy hour destination: A glass of wine or Espresso Martini

• Guilty pleasure: Binge-listening to Taylor Swift or Kelsea Ballerini

• Astrological sign: Cancer