Shelley Cates Design

We worked with Shelly Cates of Shelley Cates Design for a remodel job at my home. In terms of design Shelley had good ideas. Sadly this is where our positive experience ended. Her communication with us and our contractors was abysmal. Causing stress and problems with dead lines. The general contractors and venders we used expressed significant dissatisfaction dealing with Shelley and her lack of meeting deadlines, and awful communication; many times delaying the job, and frustrating everyone. At some point towards the end of the job she simply disappeared. Not replying to multiple calls, text or emails. She also failed to respond to a certified (return receipt) letter. The job was not completed, she simply abandoned the work. To top it off, she took back an expensive Kohler valve and furniture she said she would return, and never did. Along with a throw pillow we purchased, she took and never returned to us. When speaking to the very nice salesman at the furniture store he was appalled we had not been reimbursed, as he told us she used the furniture in someone else job and never paid us for it! Disgusting. Although Shelley has a keen eye for design, she has despicable business practices, poor communication and business skills and some might call her a thief. Don't use this business. After a year and countless attempts to get a hold of Shelley with no avail, this business leaves me no choice but to let potential customers know what they are dealing with, and advise them to seek another designer to work with!

UNRELIABLE. Shelley got 1/2 way through the design of our kitchen, then DISAPPEARED with no warning. She didn't return phone calls or emails. Frustrated, we put the project aside. Several months later, we decided to embark on a smaller project, a guest bathroom. Because we thought that what had happened was perhaps the result of a health crisis, we left a message asking if Shelley would design our bathroom. She returned the call, was apologetic, and enthusiastically signed on to our bathroom design. But, unfortunately, SHE WENT MISSING AGAIN before finishing the project. We haven't heard from her since December 1 (it is now Jan. 18). It's too bad she has this issue, because she seems like a talented designer.

Shelley left us in the middle of our project after spending over 6 months in planning process. She was unable to complete our project due to other commitments. Very frustrating experience

Shelley has been quite a pleasure to work with! From our first meeting, she was very easy to talk with, and she was really excited to make our home work better for our family. She came to us whenever we needed to sit down and discuss options, and she worked around our hectic schedule. For our project, we primarily needed more storage, and she helped us figure out the optimal use of our space, and designed a few custom pieces for us. We hoped to be able to have a fireplace, and upon investigation, we weren't able to cut out an exhaust. With Shelley, we came up with a couple options, and ended up with a very nice looking fireplace, with real flames! She also suggested more decor than we would have done on our own, and it looks wonderful. I told friends "we're getting glittery wallpaper!", and they'd all look skeptical or surprised, but then when I showed them photos after it was complete, everyone said it fits really well. Shelley connected us with a fantastic contractor, who executed her designs nicely. He thought of a number of tweaks that significantly improved the aesthetics, and it really feels like a whole new home. We were so lucky to be able to work with them!

I’ve worked with Shelley on quite a few projects to date, and she has been wonderful to work with. Shelley is knowledgable with wallcovering, as well as with many aspects specific to each trade, confidently managing each project with ease. I highly recommend Shelley for your next design or remodel. Victor Cali Wallcovering installer Painting contractor

Energetic, innovative, strategic are the best ways I can describe this talented designer. Working with natural stone is not for the faint of heart and boldly Shelley and her team come up with clever and unique designs that take us a all on a complex and wild adventure- Cutting edge stone design requires imagination, talents & quick acting skills...Shelley is a design trifecta!

Shelley specified our ventless fireplace for one of her residential projects in Boston. From our first conversation to the delivery of the fireplace, she was wonderfully kind and professional. We admire her creativity and attention to detail, and we can’t wait to see the end result of her project! We look forward to the opportunity to work with Shelley again soon.

We used Shelley to help with the redesigns of our family bathroom and also our master bathroom. Her help was invaluable! We couldn't have done it with out her. Especially helpful was her knowledge of the fine details. We are planning on using her again for our kitchen project.

I hired Shelley Cates Design for a complete redo of our one, and only, bathroom in our loft at the Brickbottom Artrists' Building. Although it seemed like a small project, living in a loft made of concrete presents some interesting challenges. Not only did Shelley meet all of our goals for the remodel, but she exceeded our expectations. I thought that there would be compromises in the design due to financial constraints, but Shelley was able to solve every issues with materials and designs that we absolutely love. We could have contracted this job out without a designer, but both my husband and I have commented many times that she was worth every penny! Now I'm looking forward to a kitchen redo, and Shelley will be the first person that I contact. i would not go to anyone else at this point. She listens to your needs and concerns, and she delivers.

Shelley exudes energy and creativity. She is thoughtful of the design challenge, resourceful in finding unique materials and employs excellent listening skills. Shelley develops beautiful, livable and innovative interiors.

This was our first time using a decorator and Shelley did not disappoint. She took my husband and my abstract ideas on what we thought we wanted for our house and turned them into a beautiful reality. In short she made our house a home. We highly recommend her!

Shelly is focused on detail and leaves no product or job specific unnoticed. I have had the privilege to work with Shelly on many jobs an design projects. There are not many out there with her visions and her professional personally.