Karena Monahan
Interior Designer
Pillsbury Castle
Designers Heidi Dockter, Marie Meko, and Karena Monahan were given the freedom to create a more feminine and elegant feel for this Guest Bedroom. They achieved this by incorporating a palette of neutral grays accented with pops of gold, invoking a soothing and relaxing ambiance for guests. The room features modern classic furnishings, carefully selected artwork, a hand-painted ceiling by Laura Margo Murals & Custom Art, and plush bedding, all contributing to an oasis of luxury and sophistication. This boutique hotel experience for guests is further enhanced by a cozy sitting area for two, complete with comfortable chairs and a small table, perfect for enjoying a quiet conversation or a morning cup of coffee. Thoughtful touches, such as soft lighting, a textural rug from Intersource by Stark, and decorative pillows add to the overall sense of opulence and comfort. The result is a guest suite that combines charm with comfort, providing a serene retreat that feels both inviting and luxurious.
Certifications
- Allied Member ASID
"I'm here to coach you through the process, without telling you what to do. The design process is all about achieving my client’s needs and goals for their home. I encourage a collaborative process so you'll have an unforgettable, livable, and amazing space that you can be proud of for years to come."
With more than 20 years in the design industry, Karena is a supportive, energetic, positive and creative designer with a discerning eye for the elements and principles of interior design.
Karena has 20 years of experience in the design industry. Karena has an AAS in Graphic Design from Western Technical College and a BAS in Interior Design from the University of Minnesota. She has worked in the past for some of the best design teams in the twin cities, Shelter Architecture | Interior Design and Lucy Interior Design. Assisting on commercial and residential projects has given Karena a wide range of knowledge in the design field. Karena is known for her attention to detail, grounding energy, and passion for design. Karena specialized in lighting design before arriving at the Gabberts and continues to be passionate about lighting and all things design.
Praise
I have been working with Karena at Gabberts for several weeks and it’s been a pleasure. Love her ideas, but also her willingness to listen to my thoughts and incorporate them into our plan. Believe me, I need help with design (just don’t have the “eye” for it) and Karena has been just what the doctor ordered. Inspiration, prompt service and going the extra mile have made for a virtually painless process. Thank you Karena!
We worked with Karena and she graciously helped us put together a sofa and chair for our living room. She was extremely patient and listened well to what we were looking for as well as the challenge we had with the space we had. Karena was very thorough, great to work with and no pressure.
Karena helped me select new furniture for a new home under construction. She listened to my ideas and contributed great suggestions. She was very knowledgeable about the selections, and several times contacted the manufacture to answer questions I had about details. The process took several weeks as I found new ideas online, and she responded enthusiastically to each change, but was also willing to provide her opinions and knowledge to achieve the outcomes I desired. Karena is delightful to work with, regardless of the size of the project.
Karena was a phenomenal and meticulous Gabberts designer to work with. After looking over my list of furniture preferences, she presented me with quality furniture items that I would have never selected on my own, but were totally on-point, a perfect fit. I was impressed with her knowledge of thousands of fabrics and color choices. We reviewed different furniture specific options, resulting in ordering quality pieces of furniture. I will be working with Karena for any furniture needs in the future. She truly made my Gabberts furniture purchase a positive experience.