Since its establishment in 1997, Douglah Designs has emerged as a leading force in the Bay Area’s design and remodeling sector. With a dedicated team of over 25 professionals, featuring an in-house construction crew, skilled interior designers, and an impressive luxury products showroom, the company has earned a reputation for executing successful projects and ensuring a consistently high level of client satisfaction.
Owner and Lead Designer
Leila Douglah is the visionary behind Douglah Designs. With a dynamic background that spans three continents before calling Lafayette, California home in 1990, Leila has crafted a remarkable journey marked by passion, expertise, and a deep commitment to her craft.
In 1997, she founded Douglah Designs in the heart of Lafayette, setting the stage for a remarkable career in the design and remodeling industry. As the driving force behind her company, Leila wears many hats, primarily serving as the principal designer. Her hands-on approach allows her to forge strong connections with clients while tirelessly fostering the growth and success of her business.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Leila’s true strength lies in her dedication to relationships – with clients, staff, and the broader community. Her CARE Culture is the foundation upon which Douglah Designs thrives.
Leila holds prestigious qualifications as a Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer and a Certified Interior Designer, coupled with a General Contractor’s license and a formal education in Architecture. These credentials, combined with her unwavering commitment to excellence, make her a true luminary in the industry.
But Leila’s impact doesn’t stop at the doorstep of her business. She’s equally passionate about giving back to her community. Her service as the President of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce in 2013 and her recognition as Lafayette’s Businessperson of the Year in 2015 reflect her deep-rooted commitment to making a positive difference.
Leila’s professional pursuits extend into her personal life, where she finds solace in dedicated meditation, regularly participating in annual retreats in Costa Rica. Complimenting her passion for mindfulness, she embraces a love for global exploration alongside her husband, Stuart Morris. At heart, Leila’s greatest joy is derived from tranquil moments spent snuggled on the couch with her cherished puppy and two feline companions.
Sales Designer
Jessica Flemming joined our team in 2019 and quickly became an invaluable asset. With over 25 years of experience in the construction, remodeling, and furnishings industries, Jessica’s expertise shines through in her role as a designer for both design-source and design-build projects and has brought innovation and creativity to the team. Moreover, Jessica wears the hat of Furnishings Specialist, demonstrating her multifaceted skills in the design field.
Beyond her thriving career, Jessica finds solace and fulfillment in her loving family, comprising her husband, six children, and four grandchildren. Her dedication to both work and family life is truly remarkable. She is a gym enthusiast and a weightlifting aficionado, emphasizing the importance of physical well-being. On weekends, she partakes in spiritual reflection at church services and unwinding with a glass of wine while binge-watching Netflix.
Assistant Designer
Emma Standing is a talented professional in the field of design, holding a BFA in interior design from the Academy of Art University. Her journey in the industry began in 2017, and she’s been an important member of the Douglah Designs team since November 2021. As an assistant designer, Emma plays a crucial role in supporting the design team’s efforts. Her day-to-day tasks encompass a wide range of responsibilities, including assisting with estimates, creating mood boards, documenting palettes, organizing jobsite and client closure binders, participating in client meetings, welcoming and assisting customers, ordering samples, sourcing materials for projects, and occasionally contributing her expertise in AutoCAD.
Beyond her professional commitments, Emma’s diverse interests include reading, outdoor activities like hiking and swimming, traveling, Shakespeare, and quality time with friends and family.
Project Designer
Rachel Steely is a designer with a strong educational background, holding a BA in interior design with a concentration in architecture. Rachel’s journey in the industry began when she joined us during her last semester of college as a paid intern, and she has since amassed seven years of valuable experience, working closely alongside Leila.
Rachel currently juggles showroom meetings and jobsite visits, often starting her mornings with product knowledge sessions with representatives. Rachel collaborates with clients on plans and material selections, meets with estimators, project managers, and trades to finalize project scopes, and works on budget proposals, contracts, and drafting interior plans and elevations. Rachel is an avid nature enthusiast who loves hiking and spending time at Lake Tahoe. A former junior Olympic swimmer, she loves being around water. She’s also a dog lover and reader.
Drafting & Project Support
An accomplished professional in the field of design, Lillian Hill holds a bachelor’s degree in interior design with a focus on interior architecture. Lillian has dedicated over 8 years to honing her craft at Douglah Designs.
In her role at Douglah, Lillian plays a pivotal part in the back-end operations of the design process. She excels in drafting, offering invaluable support for estimating, and proficiently handles contract writing and other essential behind-the-scenes tasks. Beyond her professional commitments, Lillian has a passion for exploring new places, listening to music, and values quality time spent with friends and family.
Construction Manager
Les Selph has worked in the construction industry for 30+ years and brings an incredible wealth of experience and expertise to his role as project manager at Douglah Designs. An admitted micromanager, Les has a unique ability to problem solve from decades of learning on job sites and then putting that knowledge to work. Les joined Douglah Designs in 2016 and has been helping people to transform their houses into their dream homes ever since. He prides himself on his attention to detail and sense of humor, both of which make him an asset to Douglah Designs and a beloved employee.
When Les isn’t at work, he enjoys seeing his two grown boys and spending time with his girlfriend and their two cats. When he’s not at work or at home, there’s a good chance you’ll find Les out on the road on one of his motorcycles.
Project Manager
Rob Sulzberger’s extensive experience in the industry and educational background have made him an integral part of our design-build team. He graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree and has continued to learn on jobsites ever since. With an impressive career spanning 27 years, Rob has honed his skills and expertise, becoming a licensed contractor in 2009. He has contributed the last decade of his career to Douglah Designs. His activities involve meticulously analyzing existing homes and proposed plans, providing comprehensive estimates, and conducting detailed takeoffs for remodeling projects. He ensures accurate and well-structured estimates are produced.
Rob has a passion for travel and counts himself fortunate to have a wonderful family, including his beautiful wife and amazing son.
Warehouse Manager
Patrick Neil possesses a wealth of skills and knowledge, with over 40 years of hands-on experience in various trades, making him an asset in the field of construction and design. His multifaceted expertise includes plumbing, electrical work, framing, finish carpentry, HVAC, low voltage security and automation systems, drywall, lath and plaster, insulation, roofing, siding, and doors and windows.
Pat oversees our day-to-day warehouse operations, assists in scheduling manpower, handles admin duties related to scheduling and updates, and ensures the efficient delivery of materials to job sites and retail clients. Outside of his demanding work schedule, Pat enjoys golf, family game nights, and relaxing with a glass of wine alongside his wife. Pat’s decades of experience and dedication to his craft exemplify his unwavering commitment to excellence in the construction and design industry.
People & Operations Manager
Renee Cutrell has been an integral part of the Douglah Designs team since 2017. With over 17 years of human resources experience, as well as various roles in leadership and people operations, she brings substantial knowledge to the organization. She brings a unique blend of academic and practical know-how to her role.
Renee holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management with an emphasis on Organizational Behavior and Leadership Strategy for Business, and a Certificate in Human Resources from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. Additional highlights include her credential as a Global Career Development Facilitator, and her professional affiliations include Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), National Career Development Association and International Association of Coaching. Beyond work, Renee enjoys gardening, cooking, and spending quality time with her husband and bulldog, Winston.
Showroom Assistant
Jenna Kanan brings warmth, energy, and impeccable organization to our team. Known as our “Positive Vibes Coordinator” and “Organization Queen,” she ensures our showroom is always welcoming, polished, and running like clockwork. Jenna supports the design team with vendor updates, product sourcing, and display management—all while adding a thoughtful eye to our internal marketing.
With a background in Business Administration Marketing, she blends creativity with precision. Outside the studio, you’ll find her lifting weights, exploring the outdoors, or hosting themed dinners with friends—usually with a cat nearby and something delicious on the stove.
Showroom Sales & Project Support
Natalie Stephens brings a dynamic blend of industry experience and technical proficiency to our Showroom Sales and Support team. With a strong background in the design world, including her previous role as a Senior Customer Service Manager in an interior design showroom.
Her technical expertise spans a wide range of platforms, including NetSuite, Studio Designer, QuickBooks, Studio IT, Retail Pro, Paylocity, and WordPress. Natalie is also Apple Certified and highly proficient in Microsoft Office applications, making her an indispensable resource in our day-to-day operations.
Outside of the studio, Natalie enjoys a well-rounded life enriched by creativity and continuous learning.
Project Designer
Dianne Howard joined us in July 2025 as a Project Designer. With a strong background in residential design—especially kitchens and baths—Dianne brings both creativity and technical expertise to every project.
She’s led complex remodels from concept through completion, producing detailed drawings and supporting every phase of the design-build process. With skills in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Vectorworks, Chief Architect, and Buildertrend, plus a deep understanding of California building codes, Dianne knows how to bring design ideas to life with precision. Her calm, thoughtful approach makes her a true asset to our studio.
Project Coordinator
Known around our Lafayette design-build remodeling studio as the “Commander of the Calendar” and “The Wizard of When,” Austin brings precision and coordination to every project. With a B.S. in Industrial Engineering & Management from Oklahoma State University, he builds and manages schedules, coordinates with subcontractors and clients, tracks material deliveries, and ensures projects close with excellence.
Off the clock, Austin is an avid rock climber, movie buff, and former basketball player whose teamwork instincts were shaped on the court—sometimes alongside future pros. His organizational skills and calm attitude make him a key part of our team.
Sales Designer
Tricia Friend joined us in September 2025, bringing a wealth of experience in kitchen and bath design, cabinetry planning, and material selection. Tricia has a real talent for guiding projects from that first spark of an idea all the way through to the final details.
Her time at Fireclay Tile, ProSource Wholesale, and Ceramic Tile Design gave her a deep understanding of what it takes to navigate client needs with creativity and care. Earlier in her career, she led visual merchandising for Papyrus Stores nationwide and even ran her own design business. Tricia’s solution-oriented mindset makes her a valuable part of our in-house team.
Smiles Supervisor
Bodhi graduated from the puppy academy of silliness in 2021 with a certificate of being a goofball. He has been making frequent appearances at the office ever since and always brings smiles to everyone he encounters. In his free time Bodhi likes to get his tummy rubbed, he loves looking out the window barking at anyone walking by, and most especially chasing his two kittie mates. He likes taking walks and receiving the praise of people who marvel at his friendly disposition. His family is suspicious that Bodhi would be just fine going off with another family, as long as they would give him treats and let him run around the neighborhood without a leash.
