Anne Jones, Design Atelier founder, and Sandra Benitez, now Design Atelier's sole owner. — Photo by Design Atelier
  • Ownership transition at one of North America's most prolific hotel and hospitality interior design firms, Design Atelier.
  • Updated strategic direction outlined for Design Atelier.

MARIN COUNTY, CA – Design Atelier, the award winning hotel and hospitality interior design firm, announced today a transition in its ownership structure; with the amicable departure of founding partner Anne Jones, firm partner, Sandra Benitez, is now the firm's sole owner and Principal.

Anne Jones started the firm nearly 21 years ago with a passion for design and the academic and professional credentials to back it up. Raised on the East Coast, Anne received her degree in Interior Design at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. Immediately upon receiving her degree, she was recruited to work at a prestigious design firm located in Georgetown.

Anne's sense of adventure and curiosity brought her to the Bay Area 25 years ago. She immediately went to work for Bent Severin & Associates and Conversano Design, specializing in 5-star hotels and high-end casino design. Over 20 years ago, Anne combined her passion for design with her strong entrepreneurial spirit and founded Design Atelier. Sandra (Sandy) Benitez, joining Anne as her business partner, made the journey even more exciting. These two entrepreneurs set out to cultivate an environment where ideas and creativity were provided and shared by the entire design team; over 20 years later this fundamental foundation of the firm's vision still holds true today. As an international firm with completed projects for high-end resorts, restaurants, and luxury and urban hotels, Design Atelier's tapestry of experience makes the firm an incubator for young, multi-cultural and highly creative designers.

Anne's legacy will remain in the firm as she steps away and as she continues her life journey in a fresh new direction. "Part of what made Design Atelier successful is Anne's entrepreneurial essence," assured Sandra Benitez, Principal, and now sole owner of the firm. "As Anne starts this new chapter, all of us here at Design Atelier sincerely wish her all the best this life has to offer," Benitez continued. "This is an exciting time for Design Atelier - Anne and I have created an amazing foundation with endless possibilities for meaningful design. As a team, Design Atelier is building on this momentum with evolving styles and approaches that reflect the forward thinking of the firm and design team."

With Design Atelier's notable growth and success in the full-service and luxury hotel segments, Sandy confirms that the firm's previous success is a template for future strategy. "As Design Atelier continues to establish its expertise and reputation in our key segments, we are looking forward to elevating our portfolio with resort and international hospitality projects as an additional focus for the firm."

Design Atelier (www.DESIGN-

ATELIER.net), based in Marin County, California is a design firm that brings a unique and innovative approach to all of its projects. A noted leader in hotel and hospitality interior design, the firm's work spans the globe with clients spanning prestigious hotel groups to boutique owners. Design Atelier's mission is to create interior spaces that respect the environment and promotes human interaction.

Sandy Benitez
Principal
415-721-7664 X101