Meet Anna Ermolaeva: Thoughtful Design That Works for Real Life

Great design is about much more than choosing beautiful finishes. It is about understanding how a homeowner lives, thinking through the details, and creating a space that feels right for the people who call it home.

As part of our OHi designer profiles, we asked each of our designers some of the questions we hear most often from homeowners. Their answers offer a glimpse into their design philosophy, how they approach challenges, and what they believe makes a remodel truly successful.

Meet Anna Ermolaeva, a designer who believes in thoughtful planning, timeless choices, and, above all, designing for the person who actually lives in the home.

Where should homeowners spend the most money during a remodel?

Finishes that will last.  I think it is worth investing in quality products that are going to last longer and require less maintenance. You do not want to spend money on something now only to have to replace it a few years later.

There are certain things I would prioritize, like plumbing fixtures and cabinetry, because you want those investments to last.  The goal is not necessarily to spend the most. It is to spend wisely on the things that are going to have the biggest impact over time.

Where can homeowners save money without sacrificing quality?

There are a few ways.  Sometimes we can rework the layout without getting too extensive with structural changes. But I actually think functionality can matter more than the specific finish you choose.  We cannot always control labor costs, but we can look at selections and find places to reduce the overall investment without sacrificing quality.

I would not recommend going cheap on cabinets, but there are places where you can choose a more affordable option. Maybe you choose porcelain instead of marble for a countertop or backsplash. Tile is another area where you can save because it is something people tend to change more frequently.

For example, LVT can be a great option when you want something durable, easy to maintain, and less expensive than other flooring materials.

I would rather see a homeowner invest in the things that need to last and find smart alternatives for the things that are easier to change.

What is one thing every homeowner should know before starting a remodel?

It is going to take a while.  We have a process in place for a reason, so you really have to be patient and trust the process.

Planning ahead is one of the best things you can do. It is much better to make decisions early, live through a shorter period of construction and have everything ready when you need it than to make decisions at the last minute and end up living in a partially finished home while you wait for materials.

The more you plan ahead, the smoother the process becomes.

How do you make sure a home still feels like the homeowner instead of a showroom?

You have to get to know your homeowner and understand how they live in the house.  Ultimately, it is not what I like. It is what they like.

Of course, I am never going to put something into a space that I think looks bad or does not work, but I am also not going to push my own agenda onto a client.  I want to understand what they love and then help them make choices that feel timeless. And if they are someone who loves color, then let's use color.

The most important thing is making the home theirs.

How do you help couples who have completely different tastes?

It happens a lot.  I let both people express what they like and, more importantly, why they like it. Then we start looking for the compromise.

Sometimes that means finding the perfect material that lands somewhere between their two styles and creates a cohesive look.

I also think about how they actually use the space. Who is the cook? Who spends the most time in the kitchen? Do they have kids? How do they spend their evenings?  Those questions can help guide the design.

Ultimately, I want the homeowners to come up with the final design and functionality themselves. I am there to give them a little push and help them make the decision.  When they can look at it and say, "This works for us," then we know we made the right choice.

What makes a kitchen feel timeless instead of trendy?

Neutral tones and thoughtful restraint.  I like using a neutral foundation and then bringing in personality through an accent color, stain or a fun backsplash in smaller areas.

Transitional design continues to be popular because it gives homeowners that timeless foundation without feeling too traditional. We are also seeing some European influence come into the mix, with simpler, cleaner designs.  You can make something feel current without making it overly trendy.

How do you know if a trend is worth incorporating?

If the client loves it, that is a good place to start.  If it is something they genuinely want and it works with the rest of the house, then I think it is worth considering.

The question I always come back to is whether it is going to feel intentional within the home. If something stands out too much or feels disconnected from everything else, it may not be the right trend for that particular project.  But if it fits the homeowner and the overall aesthetic, go for it.

What is one design trend you'll still recommend ten years from now?

Arches.  They are so organic and beautiful, and I think they will continue to have a place in design.  There is an elegance to an arch that does not feel tied to one particular trend.

What's a trend you think homeowners should use sparingly?

Multiple-toned cabinetry.  I still like it, and I think combining a couple of different finishes can be beautiful. But I would be careful about using too many different cabinet finishes in one space.

A little variation adds interest. Too much can start to feel busy.

What materials age the best?

I don't think there is necessarily one material that ages best.  If a client loves something, there is usually a way to make it work.

We have seen finishes come and go, especially with hardware and plumbing fixtures. Matte black was everywhere for a while, and now we are seeing people move toward warmer tones.

But that does not mean you cannot use matte black anymore. If someone loves it, we can make it work.  Design to what you love.

What's one thing that instantly makes a room feel more expensive?

Good lighting.  And I don't just mean beautiful light fixtures.  I mean the way the lighting is actually planned and layered throughout the space.

Where the lights are located, how they work together, and how they support the homeowner's lifestyle can make a huge difference.

Good lighting can completely change how a room feels.

How do you make a room feel larger?

Color is a big part of it, but it depends on the space.  You have to look at how much natural light the room gets. In some spaces, lighter colors will make the room feel more expansive.  But sometimes you can do the opposite. Color drenching a room can make the ceiling feel like it disappears, which can actually make the space feel larger.

I recently worked on a basement where we used a darker color, even on the ceiling. Because there was not much natural light, we used artificial lighting strategically to make the darker color work.

You really have to read the space and understand what the color needs to do within it.

What's your favorite "small change, big impact" design trick?

Paint.  I was going to say removing a wall, but I don't think we can call that a small change! That's a lot of structural work.

Paint, on the other hand, can completely change a room. Choosing the right paint color can make or break the entire design, and it is a relatively small change compared to everything else we might do during a remodel.

What's one kitchen feature homeowners thank you for later?

Space planning.  Especially in smaller kitchens, every inch counts.  If we plan the space wisely and really think through the homeowner's belongings, appliances, and lifestyle, the kitchen can function so much better.

I always want to start with functionality and then add the details and finishes.  Even something as simple as putting the dishwasher to the right of the sink because someone is right-handed can make a difference in how easily they can load it.

Those are the little decisions that make a kitchen work beautifully every day.

How do you balance beauty with functionality?

I start with functionality.  Once we know how the space needs to work, we can make it beautiful.

For me, the best designs do not force you to choose between the two. Beauty should come from a space thoughtfully designed around the way you live.

What's one cabinet feature you wish everyone knew about?

Drawers.  Especially in your base cabinets.  They make it so much easier to see and access what you have, and they can make a kitchen feel significantly more functional.

What layout mistakes do you see most often?

Appliance placement and overall flow.  Sometimes people do not plan enough space between the island, seating and the working areas of the kitchen.  You have to think through how people will move around the space and how the different workstations interact.

Where is the sink in relation to the dishwasher? Where is the range? Can two people work in the kitchen at the same time?

Sometimes you walk into someone's existing kitchen and realize you cannot open two things at once, or two people cannot comfortably work in the space together.  That is why space planning is so important. A beautiful kitchen isn't successful if it doesn't function.

Anna's Design Philosophy in a Nutshell

For Anna, thoughtful design starts with listening. She wants to understand how her clients live, what they love, and what they actually need from their home before making a single design decision.

Her approach is not about pushing the newest trend or creating a space that reflects the designer's personal taste. It is about finding the right solutions for each homeowner and giving them the confidence to make decisions that will work for years to come.

Because, in Anna's words, "It is not what I like. It is what they like."