About Us

Our Team

Cherie Arscott

Our Founder

“I love to create designs that inspire others to live their best life: An attractive, clutter-free, well-conceived space allows my clients to achieve their higher purpose.”   

A visionary of design, Cherie Arscott has been creating elegant, sophisticated interiors for 30 years. Highly respected in the design community, Cherie’s prodigious success rests in her thorough knowledge of custom home building—gleaned from her father from a young age—and the understanding that fantastic interior design is about fulfilling the true potential of a space while enhancing the living experience, rather than simply creating more stylish and attractive rooms.

Cherie’s passion for the refined, symmetrical, “low-frills” aesthetic of European Classicism combined with her love of nature and popular design result in highly distinctive, imaginative, enduring creations. Add in a superior understanding and commitment to quality materials, ergonomics, and functionality, and Cherie’s designs are a modern-day triumph. Her projects range from small renovations to full-scale design and builds of luxury homes and boutique hotels, including many coastal properties, where her love of the water is evident. She has an eye for balance and flow and a gift for creating soothing environments that are reflective of her clients’ personal style and tastes. Cherie’s beautiful design work of a Canadian lake cottage has been featured on HGTV.

Thanks to a drive and pursuit of excellence that is extremely rare, Cherie is growing a business that is considered a forerunner in architectural, interior, and sustainable design. Kind, generous and down-to-earth, Cherie counts among her strengths the ability to surround herself with an extremely talented and dedicated team of designers and architects who work tirelessly to create unparalleled masterpieces.  

Kris Havens

Our Designer

“The art of interior design is a harmonious collection of strategy, spontaneity, intelligence, and creativity.”

Kris graduated summa cum laude from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design in 1994. Her distinguished academic achievement and decades of residential design and construction management experience equip Kris with invaluable tools for unrivaled project execution. She is a versatile, highly reliable professional, who impacted future interior designers as an educator at multiple South Florida institutions, including Palm Beach State College and Lincoln College of Technology, from 2008-2018.

With a well-trained, sophisticated eye for elegant furnishings and finishes, Kris is recognized for her luxuriously transitional, timeless style. She prides herself on improving lives through thoughtfully planned spaces and believes in the power of beautiful interiors that transform daily life. 

Kris is able to transform spaces by bringing ideas and inspirations to life. Through her exemplary technological knowledge and impeccable computer rendering skills, Kris produces realistic 3D presentations to ensure clients have a clear vision of their dreams transforming into reality. The emphasis of a client-centered and collaborative approach allows Kris to work effectively with subcontractors, and produce uniquely tailored, exquisite spaces that consistently exceed expectations. Because of her extraordinary research, organizational, and communication skills Kris’ design approach also saves money, reduces stress, and provides more time for her clients to enjoy other aspects of life, all while delivering on-time project completions.

Affording individualized attention, and addressing every meticulous detail of a project, is the hallmark of Kris’ appeal. She values getting to know her clients on a personal level; every project showcases a client’s interests, travels, and lifestyle, and she loves incorporating cherished family treasures reflecting the owners’ distinctive personalities. Kris is passionate about celebrating the often overlooked, “little” joys of life, and has an unyielding positive attitude that influences all of those around her.

Liliana Tobon

Our Architect

Opportunity for exceptional design exists in every project – no matter the scale or budget. Helping clients realize their ambitions through experimentation, rigorous collaboration, and by imagining architecture every step of the way is Liliana’s top priority.

With a master’s degree from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, one of the Colombia’s oldest, most traditional, and prestigious Universities, Liliana’s architectural design success is founded in her passion for learning. In becoming a student of her client’s way of living—from understanding their space as well as their vision, values, and deepest desires—Liliana is able to create designs that harmonize a client’s personalities and aspirations.

With extensive experience in both commercial and residential architecture, and specifically in the hospitality business, Liliana knows that “teamwork” and “collaboration” are more than just words, and that success is achieved only by empowering others to succeed. She enjoys all phases of production, from the initial meeting with the client to construction administration oversight, giving her full attention to each phase. Genuinely caring and thoughtful, Liliana is a master of details; her exceptional planning and communication skills and ability to address challenges as they arise ensures the highest and best outcomes. Liliana is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Andrea McDonnell

Our Architect

“The excitement of seeing your design idea transform into a beautiful physical space is the most rewarding part of the design process. It is where the dream becomes a reality.”

 

Andrea has a passion for curating a home that excites and exceeds the needs of her clients. With an excellent eye and vast knowledge of high-end custom furniture, textiles, lighting and an understanding of scale and balance, she provides her clients with thoughtfully considered spaces that they will enjoy for years to come.

 

With over 15 years in the high-end retail and interior design industries. Andrea made the choice to go back to school in pursuit of furthering her technical knowledge of the interior design industry. She graduated with honors from Palm Beach State College in 2015 with an Associate of Science degree in Interior Design Technology.

 

Her style is versatile and showcases a crisp color palette, comfortable textures, and an aesthetic centered around a transitional foundation with an eclectic flair. With every project, Andrea aims to unite architecture and interiors by selecting distinct finishes, designing custom details, and sourcing unique furnishings. She works directly with clients, contractors, and vendors throughout the design process to provide a seamless transition from design inspiration to final install.

 

In her spare time, she enjoys travel, live music and spending time with family and friends.

Myrna Bransburg

Our Architect

“It is important for me to design spaces as an extension of the client personality, enhancing functionality, harmony, and uniqueness.” 

Myrna is originally from Argentina where she graduated as a Graphic Designer. 

She has lived in Buenos Aires and Patagonia Argentina, Puerto Rico, Arizona and since 2009 in southern Florida where she decided to return to further her education and graduated with honors from Palm Beach State College in 2014 with an Associate of Science degree in Interior Design Technology. 

Several years ago, Myrna worked with Cherie on various design projects.  Enrolled at Palm Beach State College, she was a student in several of Kris’ interior design classes. Now, Myrna brings her many graphic and interior design talents to Architectural Design Studios where she contributes her knowledge of art, color, and her passion for creativity. 

Myrna has been painting original artworks and illustrations for 25 years. 

When Myrna isn’t working, she loves to share time with her family and friends ideally in nature, taking pictures, kayaking, riding bicycle, hiking, and traveling to obtain inspiration.

 

Whitney Miller

Our Architect

Born and raised in South Florida, Whitney grew up appreciating and admiring the many different design styles that South Florida has to offer. At a young age, she stared moving furniture around her parents’ home and would change the decor in her room frequently. As design has always been a passion of hers, she attended the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale in pursuit of her dreams. Upon graduating top of her class and winning the Best in Show at her graduation, Whitney followed her passion and jumped into the design world. After designing the interior of yachts for a few years, she transitioned to the luxury residential side of design. Being trained under Susan Lachance for many years, Whitney has an exceptional eye for modern and contemporary design. With a love for design and her exceptional training, she can transform any empty space into an inviting and desired retreat.

 

Jennifer Duran Monsanto

Our Architect

“Every time we design a space we should be telling a story and creating new experiences that lift your soul”

Jen has always enjoyed art in different forms: plastics, music, fashion, among others. She was born in Caracas Venezuela where 70s’ architecture and nature were predominant. The city design mixes these two concepts. Jen was attracted to how those spaces could trigger different emotions, and how new sculptures, paintings, and other art forms could tell new beautiful stories of the city without changing its essence. In the same way, she’s had the opportunity to visit different continents in which she have witnessed how their culture is told through their design. Jen fell in love with it by understanding how it could communicate feelings and wants to be able to create spaces that allow others to experience the same.

Jennifer graduated in Interior Design in Caracas, where she learned that design is a fundamental piece to meet functional day-to-day needs. After graduating she moved to Panama City to work in the field. There she was curious in how aesthetics and ergonomics could help to influence emotions and was also attracted to learn the process of  furniture design and everyday objects, which led me to study Industrial Design. After a couple of years, Jen worked as an Industrial Designer where she discovered digital fabrication in the field. How technology could be used as part of the design process to create art and improve spaces caught my attention. Gaining skills in this area and she had the opportunity to design, co-lead workshops to share this knowledge with industrial design students.

Sometime later life moved her to Los Angeles. While still settling in the US, Jen volunteered in causes and believing they are of importance (assisting the homeless and being a Blood ambassador for the Red Cross LA). She moved to FL at the beginning of 2021 and decided to get back into the design field and was offered the opportunity to work in Architectural Design Studios.

Jen’s goal is to keep learning and applying knowledge in design to be a legacy of stories. She’s excited to be part of the Architectural Design Studios team.

In her free time, she enjoys being with my family and dogs, traveling to new and exciting places. Learning new activities, cooking pastry, knitting, and volunteering are among her favorite past times.

Our Clients Say

Cherie Arscott is one of the most talented and professional designers I have had the pleasure of working with. Her taste and style are impeccable and her way of putting together a room, a home, or even an entire hotel are brilliant and beautiful. Her designs literally look like pages from a magazine - they are perfection. Cherie is passionate about what she does and it shows in everything she touches. Cherie has a strong work ethic and is diligent in working within your timeline. You will make the best decision by working with Cherie.

C.F.

I have worked with Kris Havens on several occasions now, and she is a pleasure to work with! She is honest, creative, and very professional! I would highly recommend Kris to anyone looking for an interior designer that really listens to her clients and their needs!

N.M.

Besides being on top of my project by researching the best prices; knowing what showrooms to bring me to; Kris was totally connected to my needs & wants. She is caring, honest, creative, knowledgeable, respectful, punctual, and a lovely bubbly person. An absolute pleasure to work with!

D.B.

I had the pleasure of having Kris help me redecorate my home. She is so friendly and informative. Her eye for color, style, and furniture placement was outstanding. Kris made recommendations but wasn't overbearing. She understood my needs and style and helped me make the best decisions. I am so happy I found Kris. I highly recommend her design expertise. You will be happy you made the call!

C.J.