Team
Karen
Growing up in a very “Huggelig” Midwestern home, I was taught to value generosity and hospitality. Even as a child, I was passionate about designing beautiful spaces that would cultivate creativity and conversation with others. After receiving my bachelors degree in vocal performance, I moved to the bay area to pursue a career on the stage. Four offspring later, I turned my dream into a passion of writing children’s musicals. Every summer I direct musicals to 600 kids at my theater program, Children’s Christian Music Theatre. Fifteen years ago, I returned to my childhood interest of design and watched it grow into a respected design and staging firm, completing 300 stages and 50 design projects last year alone. I love the challenge and thrill of running a small business and look forward to the continued success in our future.
Courtney
Escaping the igloos of Canada, Courtney began her California journey by pursuing her degree in Interior Design. She then accepted a position at West Elm adding her creativity along with her skills to the visual displays and home styling team. Those gorgeous window displays you’ve strolled by in downtown Palo Alto? Her! Those big comfy beds you want to fall into? HER! These experiences and her eye for detail makes her a fantastic addition to the Huggelig team. When she's not on a spin bike or in line at Philz for her 2nd coffee of the day, you can find her outside exploring the Bay Area with her dog Nala. In fact, “helicopter dog mom” just might be found on her resume as a second career.
Andres
Andres hails from the majestic town of Taos in New Mexico where beauty, culture, and green chiles are in abundance. He recalls very fond times when he was assisting his father with remodeling projects and his passion for design was beginning to brew. That led him to managing a trendy boutique shop in Albuquerque where he thrived with the store visuals and selecting merchandise at trade shows. After several trips, he found himself enchanted with the lifestyle and the opportunities in the San Francisco Bay Area. His knack for winning customers with his space choices quickly landed him roles as design manager at West Elm (Palo Alto) and most recently design consultant for Bay Home & Windows. He is eager to surprise you with profound ways to transfigure your house into a home that is thrilling to live in each day. When he isn’t turning pumpkins into horse-drawn carriages, Andres loves to travel, especially to places where he can ski or that have beaches.
Ellie
Ellie is our most recent addition to the Huggelig Homes team and is taking on our main administration role! She’s joining us from Luxury Cars Los Gatos where she worked as a service coordinator and administrative assistant. Ellie was born in Seattle, Washington and grew up in both the beautiful Pacific North West and New Zealand - the other country she holds citizenship in! Ellie moved to the Bay Area to attend San Jose State University where she graduated from in 2018 with a degree in Health Science and Kinesiology. When she isn’t working, she enjoys riding her motorcycle through the Bay Area backroads and cheering on her beloved Seattle Seahawks.