the viola interior design team
Established in 2005, Viola Interior Design, L.L.C. is an award winning firm and has been designing distinctive homes for years. Principal, Maria Viola-Kuttruff, Allied ASID believes in helping clients understand the importance of warm, inviting spaces that look beautiful and function well. This is done for each client's particular needs and aesthetic.
MARIA viola-kuttruff, Principal
Maria adds a unique perspective that stems from her expertise with color, custom designs and knowledge of design history. Developing long-lasting relationships has enabled her to take clients through multiple projects.
Maria received her Master's degree in Interior Architecture and Design from Drexel University. She has taught extensively at the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design at Drexel University, remaining grounded in academia but alive to new trends.
Her work has ranged from custom furniture designs to office spaces to the renovation of entire residences. As part of Philadelphia's new guard of interior designers, she has the ability to combine modern and traditional - balancing scale and proportion - always with a twist that raises it above the ordinary. With humor, knowledge, and the ability to uncover a client's own sense of style, she partners with clients to affect change in their lives.
Maria is active in the American Society of Interior Designers, PA East Chapter and is Past President of its Board of Directors. She is the past recipient of two Chapter Awards; the Educator Award and the Presidential Citation and an IDA Philadelphia award for custom design of gates for a client’s home. Maria also sits on the board of Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia and co-chairs its annual Twilight In The Garden Fundraising event.
Lauren Penot
Lauren brings with her a life-long passion and 12 years of multi-faceted design experience to Viola Interior Design. She received her Master’s Degree in Interior Architecture and Design from Drexel University, and approaches each project with thoughtfulness and enthusiasm. Her tireless attitude and desire to continually enhance her knowledge of the industry is evidentiary in her appreciation of timeless designs. There is not one aspect of the full-design process that Lauren does not embrace. Yet, she always creates a special place for outstanding client relationships and helps to assure their visions will successfully come to fruition.
Mary Ennis Smith
Say hello to the newest addition to our team! Mary Ennis-Smith has come back to the East Coast after spending the past 15 years as a Senior Designer with a prominent design firm in Chicago. Mary is a graduate of Drexel University’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design and earned her Master's degree in Interior Architecture and Design.
Kelly Ross
As the valued design administrator for Viola Interior Design, Kelly Ross is the person behind the company’s continuous operations and day-to-day order. She brings with her 30 years of experience in the apparel industry, including positions in product development, design, and management. As director of technical design for a major company, Kelly was in charge of myriad administrative and managerial duties, where she came up with systems and best practices so that things would run as smoothly as possible. These skills are a great fit for an interior design firm; and keeping everything “ticked and tied”, is an immeasurable feat. Kelly is inspired by a creative environment; and believes that when a good job is done behind the scenes, everything seems to beautifully fall into place for the client.
