FREE RESOURCE: 5 Interior Designer Tips for a Successful Project Start - Click to Download Now

About Us

Dedicated to Designing with You in Mind

Our Story

You deserve the finest materials from the best brands

From our design studio in Granite Bay, we’re here to guide you along an interior design journey to the home of your dreams. With a network of seasoned professionals to call on, we offer true design versatility - from traditional to contemporary, eclectic to transitional designs, and everything in between. Our team of contractors, electricians, plumbers, painters, finished carpenters and more has been carefully selected over the years to complete any project you need. We’re dedicated to creating statement interior designs that reflect your unique style and taste. Each project we complete becomes a personal signature space designed just for you, guaranteed to take your breath away.

Cathy Tonks Interior Designer
Style Magazine 2023 Winner
Style Magazine 2024 Winner
Hunter Douglas Certified Consultant
NKBA Sacramento Member
2024 1st Place Winner
SMALL KITCHENS under 300 square feet & SPECIALTY ROOMS
2024 2nd Place Winner
SMALL BATHROOMS under 70 square feet

Cathy Tonks

Founder & Interior Designer

After nearly 22 years and countless transformations, Cathy Tonks, founder of Designs With You in Mind, still designs for one moment: that daily pinch-me feeling her clients get every time they walk through the door.

Design has always been personal for Cathy, rooted in a genuine love of color, texture, and the transformative power of a well-designed space. This passion led her back to school to earn her Interior Design degree, all while raising a family and working in construction. In 2005, she founded Designs With You in Mind to do what she loves most: create spaces that bring out the best in the people who live in them. From her Granite Bay studio, Cathy serves clients across Northern California with luxury design-build projects ranging from kitchen and bathroom remodels to new home construction, with access to the finest materials all in one place.

Today, she works alongside a team of subcontractors she has carefully chosen and truly believes in, handling every detail so her clients never have to wonder what comes next. Through Distinctive Design Group, a designer community she has owned since 2009, Cathy has become a trusted connector and mentor in the Sacramento design world, known for championing the designers around her.

A multiple NKBA award winner and three-time Style Magazine Reader's Choice honoree, Cathy's work has been recognized on both a local and national stage. But ask her what she is most proud of, and she will tell you it is the people. For Cathy, it will always come back to the clients who have trusted her for decades and the relationships that started with a design dream and grew into something that feels a lot like family.

Schedule Discovery Call
2024 Woman of the Year
Outstanding Effort & Achievement in Interior Design
Featured On
Style Magazine LogoGood Day LogoSocial LogoBusiness of Design Logo

Testimonials

"We found Cathy Tonks and DWYIM, from the first site visit we knew we had a winner. Cathy listened to our ideas and asked us what worked and what did not in the existing space. Since extraordinarily little worked, and we wanted a more open plan it was decided to remove several interior walls and achieve the open floor plan that we had dreamed of. Cathy was able to achieve our dream space. We now have top of the line appliances, 30-inch French Door double wall ovens, an awesome copper vent hood, and a space that is both functional and beautiful. We love our kitchen."
- Laura L.
"We were privileged to have Cathy and her team remodel our master bath. Cathy is an excellent designer, contractor and project manager. She surrounds herself with an outstanding group of experts. The quality of our completed project is so appreciated. Cathy is very responsive and communicated step by step throughout the process. We are very pleased with our results and would recommend Designs With You In Mind."
- Kathy B.
"We had DWYIM do a kitchen remodel! Our ceiling was really low with horrible lighting! We needed new counters and a breakfast bar. The whole kitchen Was retextured and painted throughout. Our experience was amazing with this team! They were always on time, professional, and allowed us to be involved in all of the decisions! The designer was fantastic!!! We would definitely refer this company to anyone that is looking for the best experience of remodeling!"
- Sharmy G.
"I had the pleasure of working with Cathy Tonks and her team. Cathy gave us our dream home! She is knowledgeable, organized, friendly, communicative, and pays attention to detail. Her team was professional, skilled, and trustworthy. My before and after photos are just the kitchen, however Cathy basically was involved in the renovation of the entire home (approximately 4200 sq ft). If there were ever any issues (very few) Cathy promptly corrected them. My husband and I are busy professionals so it was so nice to have someone like Cathy to coordinate and oversee our home renovation. She handled everything and consulted with us when needed.  We knew our home was in the best hands with Cathy. I would highly recommend Cathy for any of your home renovation/remodel/decorating needs."
- Lori A.
"We furnished our front room with Cathy, it turned out AMAZING. Our room is functional and beautiful. She took so many factors into consideration, from maximizing seating to choosing high quality materials that could survive our lifestyle. She has years of experience with a wide variety of projects. Her expertise was evident as she navigated the way through the process. Highly recommend!"
- Kaeli T.
"I had worked with Cathy in 2006 when we completely remodeled our home. Everything worked out so well at that time and is still so beautiful today that I contacted her when it was time to replace my cement floors and refurnish our family room. She knew exactly what I wanted in a functional, yet unique flooring. Installation went seamlessly and my floor is gorgeous! The new sofa, rug, coffee and console tables came in today and are spectacular. Warm, organic and perfect for us. She was available every step of the project and brought personal touches that truly completed the room. I will use her services again!"
- Jody D.
"This team was extremely professional. Their design ideas were right in line with what we asked for. They transformed our kitchen into a work of art. We would highly recommend them for any type of designing or construction projects. You, as their client, will receive exactly what you have pictured in your mind! This team brought in numerous samples of paint, flooring, tile, etc to make sure we were completely sure on colors and designs. It was so much fun working with them instead of it being stressful which we had experienced with other companies."
- Gabby S.
"Cathy's company is perfectly named since she wants the final product to be what the customer had in mind! She and I spent time looking at pictures of remodeled bathrooms so she picked up on what I liked (and did not like!) but once we had a good relationship, she threw out some great ideas that would not have ever crossed my mind. Example: my guest bath is a bit on the small side so she suggested wallpaper. In fact, she suggested a wallpaper with glass beads that sparkles in the light - along with a crystal pendant light and that small bathroom is more than just the toilet and sink. She has a great aesthetic but picks up, very quickly, on customer needs and desires."
- Cyndi C.
"Cathy came to us from a very dear friend's referral. She immediately discovered our taste and lifestyle towards remodeling the kitchen. She drew up plans that worked so well for function and space and I love the layout and I look forward to having our friends and family share it with us. Cathy was very attentive and always kept in touch making sure everything was taken care of. I highly recommend her for your remodel needs."
- Sandra D.
"Cathy has been absolutely amazing to work with and my husband and I are in love with our home. Our home is exactly what we wanted, and in fact, it is better than what we could ever imagine! I find that I am more of a homebody now because I love spending time in our home and cook in our amazing kitchen. I felt completely comfortable having Cathy's people in my home (whether I was home or not) because I know Cathy only works with the best and most trustworthy people. We basically upgraded our entire home which included the kitchen, flooring, guest bathrooms, paint, crown molding, baseboards, etc. I would HIGHLY recommend Cathy for all of your design needs."
- Lori A.