Today we’d like to introduce you to Elise McDermott Adrienne Kane Studio.
Elise McDermott, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I originally started my career as a nurse, which gave me a strong foundation in care, communication, and problem-solving. In between my nursing shifts, my husband and I were renovating homes, taking multiple houses down to the studs and rebuilding them from the ground up.
For us, that hands-on experience evolved into a professional design practice focused on full-scale renovations and interiors. Today, we’ve completed numerous whole-home renovations, including kitchens, bathrooms, and full furnishing projects. I’m deeply involved in the renovation and interior design process from concept through completion, and I understand both the creative and technical sides of the work.
Although my background isn’t traditional, my experience is. I know how to manage complex projects, guide clients through big decisions, and create spaces that are both functional and beautiful. My design approach blends timeless foundations with whimsical vintage elements to bring character and longevity to each home.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Early on, one of our biggest challenges was translating our experience into credibility in a more traditional design industry. Because our backgrounds weren’t linear, we had to be very intentional about communicating the depth of our skill set, hands-on renovation experience, and the value we bring to a project.
That challenge pushed us to clearly define our services, price our work in a way that reflects our expertise, and articulate what clients gain by working with us, strong project guidance, thoughtful design decisions, and a smoother renovation process overall. Today, that clarity benefits both our clients and our business. Ultimately, that early challenges strengthened the way we run projects and collaborate across the industry.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Adrienne Kane Studio?
Adrienne Kane Studio is an Austin-based interior design studio founded by husband-and-wife team John and Elise McDermott. We are a full-service studio, meaning we oversee every project from concept through sourcing and execution. Our approach is ideal for homeowners seeking a turn-key, start-to-finish experience, with guidance and support throughout the entire process. Our aim is for our clients to be able to continue living their lives, knowing their vision and its execution is managed from start to finish.
We specialize in breathing new life into vintage homes, preserving their character while adding modern functionality. At the same time, we love taking new builds from builder-grade to tailor-made, infusing them with personality and unique details. Our style blends timeless design with modern and classic elements, creating spaces that are both livable and full of character.
What sets Adrienne Kane Studio apart is our ability to balance creativity with process. We prioritize practical details that are often overlooked such as task lighting, room flow, and storage, while keeping design beautiful and functional. Our clients experience a seamless, transparent, and stress-free process, guided confidently from vision to reality.
We’re most proud of helping homeowners create spaces that feel truly theirs; lovable, livable, and thoughtfully designed. For us, design is about more than aesthetics; it’s about making homes work beautifully for the people who live in them.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I’d say that good luck has definitely played a role. Luck in the sense of being fortunate to work with incredible clients who trust us with their homes and the design process. That trust allows us to fully bring their vision to life and create spaces that are both beautiful and functional.
We’ve also been fortunate to work collaboratively with quality vendors and maintain a strong relationship with a general contractor and his teams. We are lucky to have this partnership with a general contractor that shares our standards for quality and communication. Having partners who are aligned with our approach makes it possible to execute projects smoothly and successfully. These trusted collaborators allow us to ensure that every detail is handled thoughtfully and that projects run efficiently from start to finish. Ultimately, while skill and experience guide our work, we feel lucky every day to work with the people who make these projects a joy to execute.
Pricing:
- Best to reach out to us for pricing as it is individualized to scope.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.adriennekanestudio.com
- Instagram: adriennekanestudio
Image Credits
Tico Mendoza https://www.ticomendozastudios.com/
Kieran Reeves https://kreevesphoto.com/
