Testimonials
“I engaged Risa to convert my apartment from its near dorm-room state to something an adult professional would be proud to show off. She did a great job—on time, on budget, and with a great deal of style! Utilizing my existing furniture, a few new additions, and a great eye for flow she completely transformed my apartment into a beautiful place to live. I give her my highest recommendation.”
J. Kevin Judice, Ph.D., President and CEO, Achaogen, Inc.
“I have used Risa's services with a few of my real estate clients. I have always found her to not only be competent in her knowledge of design and staging techniques, but also to be a good communicator to not only myself but the clients I have referred. She is by far the best stager I have worked with and I would not hesitate to recommend her to my fellow agents.”
Jeffrey Shefts, Realtor
“I have worked with Risa Tapales on several projects and have been quite impressed with her expertise as an interior designer. Her professionalism is impeccable, from the initial interaction with the client to the finishing touches of the job well done. One project that we worked on together was in the peninsula area. She gave me the lead for the window treatments and she chose several different types of Hunter Douglas blinds and shades which complimented everything from the furnishings, the accessories, to the granite and tiles. Risa’s attention to detail is what caught my attention when we discussed the type of light filtering and opacity of each window treatment and how it would affect the mood and tone of each room that she designed with her client. I highly recommend Risa Tapales to all of my clients that are looking for an interior designer because I am confident and trust that they will be well taken care of.”
Bart San Diego III, Owner, Rebarts Interiors
“I have worked with Risa in several of her professional as well as her personal events and projects..As a designer, Risa is always professional, organized and always a joy and easy to work with. Her designs style is witty, practical always executed with taste and refinement.”
Pico Soriano, Owner, Pacifico Soriano Designs
“Risa Tapales is an interior designer of versatile artistry and consummate professionalism. She, in the capacity of chief interior design consultant, and I as architect, have worked together on several projects in Manila. All of our collaborations met with great success. Risa has a keen sense of space and light as well as the uncanny skill to enhance the best qualities of any given room. Her use of color, texture, material, and light are governed by her impeccable taste. She is able to strike just the right balance between contrasts: primitive antiques with modern lines; the ethnic with the urbane; the exotic with the functional. Risa has a wonderful collaborative manner. She doesn't overwhelm nor does she merely impose her own mark on a project. She gets along smoothly with clients because she knows how to listen. In doing so, she is able to not only help clients realize what they want, but take their ideas further to wonderfully resolved design conclusions clients never imagined possible for their spaces. Hers is an intuitive design sense coupled with sensitivity to people's needs and a respect for individual taste. This results in unique environments that exude the client's personality. This is what distinguishes her work from the anonymous, cut-and-paste "Zen" so prevalent in contemporary interior design. The result: tailor-made placid “sacred spaces” that make coming home for each client a sublime event with which to end each day. I've worked with numerous interior designers through the years, any of which are perfectly capable through their work of making clients say: "Wow!” But rare is the designer who can introduce a client to a transformed space and get them to quietly affirm: "Yes". Risa Tapales is most definitely of the latter kind. Her expertise has proved invaluable to me on numerous projects and I look forward to working with her again in the future. I have nothing but high regard for her abilities and wholeheartedly recommend her services. Thank you, Risa.
Nick Ramos, Architect
“Risa is an extremely gifted designer with a flair for dramatic and unusual, yet natural materials and styles. Risa was the chief design consultant and project coordinator for a complete interior renovation of my downtown Palo Alto residence. The result was a unique, one-of-a-kind, interior space that is both functional and a joy to live in. Of most interest is the use of natural colors and textures, including smooth granite, high gloss woods of different colors and an integration of metal and stone surfaces. Risa's professional style is to be fully available both physically and emotionally with the project from start to finish. The project was a true collaboration between client and designer with a flexible creative and implementation process. I definitely will have Risa back for the few remaining areas that will be remodeled in the future. I can recommend Risa, with no reservations whatsoever!”
Lorin Johnson
CEO, Salix Pharmaceuticals
“I have worked on several projects in Manila with Risa and all our projects together were great successes, not to mention we get along so well in the process. It has been a very rewarding experience to be working with such a talented and professional lady. Excellent taste and extremely gifted at color application!”
Adrian Lizares
Owner , Manville Corp.
