Elise Biebelhausen: Where Vision Meets Versatility

Elise Biebelhausen
Senior Interior Designer, Richardson Design, Cleveland / Age: 32
Favorite design discipline outside of retail: Children’s museum exhibits or historic preservation.

WHY ELISE?

As a Senior Interior Designer, Elise leads retail projects with a steady hand and a clear creative vision, guiding teams from concept through completion while ensuring each environment delivers narrative impact and operational clarity. Known for her thoughtful approach and calm authority, she fosters strong collaboration among clients, partners and internal teams – qualities that have made her a trusted leader on complex retail projects.

Elise’s work is defined by its ability to push brands beyond their starting point. Through a collaborative design process, she challenges clients to think differently about their stores, helping shape spaces that tell compelling brand stories while functioning frictionlessly in the real world. Her projects aim to balance creative expression with practical performance.

Klutch Cannabis is just one of many projects Elise has worked on recently. PHOTO: MARK STEELE PHOTOGRAPHY, COLUMBUS, OHIO

Equally important is her commitment to mentorship. Elise has taught collegiate-level interior design courses and frequently serves as a guest juror for student critiques, helping new designers refine their ideas and presentation skills. Within the studio, she also acts as a key mentor to interns, offering guidance and encouragement as they begin their careers. According to her co-workers, outside the office, Elise unwinds in her garden and cares for her animals, including a lively flock of backyard chickens she recently (and somewhat suddenly) acquired, an unexpected but fitting reflection of her grounded, hands-on spirit.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I really love that my job is ever changing. Every week poses a different challenge and I am constantly learning. I also have a deep love for space planning and creating renderings of a space.

What experience or interest has shaped you as a designer?

Working on historic preservation and adaptive reuse projects has opened my eyes to the remarkable craftsmanship that seems to have faded over time. It has given me a deep appreciation for the skilled trades and inspires me to bring that same level of thoughtfulness and attention to detail into every project.

What would be your advice for a young designer or for your younger self?

Don’t be afraid to push the boundary of what’s normal or expected. That’s where new ideas start to emerge and you will create a better design from it.

How do you see retail evolving?

With AI becoming more integrated into everyday life, I can see more retailers adopting virtual try-on mirrors that allow customers instant customization and have their personalized items shipped directly to their homes. Even using immersive experiences with scents and sounds could help layer in a more engaging and memorable experience for the customer.

If I had a completely unlimited budget for a project, I would…

…love to design a public space and park for everyone to enjoy.

My favorite thing to do when I leave the office is…

…go home and spend time with my two dogs, Rex and Dawson, and my nine chickens.

I find (design) inspiration in…

…the little things like the woven textures of fabric, objects in nature and traveling to new cities.