Design with
intent
Bespoke Interiors, Thoughtfully Executed
Great design isn’t about endless decisions - it’s about trust. We take the time to understand you, your lifestyle, and your preferences, then craft a space that feels effortlessly, unmistakably yours.
The Studio
Vela was founded on a simple but demanding premise: that great design is never generic, never neutral, and never finished until it resonates. For over a decade, Kimberly Scanlon has built a studio where the work is driven by genuine curiosity — about materiality, about architecture, about the people who will actually inhabit these spaces.
We are not a formula studio. We don't begin with a signature look and apply it wholesale. We begin with you — your rhythms, your brand's identity, your instincts, the things you're drawn to without knowing why — and we build something from there. Whether we're designing a private residence, an immersive retail environment, or a workplace that earns genuine loyalty, the result is always singular, always grounded, and always built to be fully inhabited.
Kimberly has spent more than a decade transforming the way people experience the spaces they move through — at home, at work, and everywhere in between. Her work is defined by a rare balance: rigorous architectural thinking paired with an eye for the unexpected — the textile that shouldn't work but does, the material that turns a room from beautiful to unforgettable.
Kimberly is NCIDQ-certified and brings that professional precision to every project alongside an undeniably intuitive design sensibility. She is equally at home designing a private residence steeped in personal history and a commercial concept that needs to communicate an entire brand identity the moment someone steps through the door. She is drawn to work that has texture and tension — spaces that feel considered from every angle and alive in every light.
Her clients — homeowners, brand founders, and business leaders alike — describe the experience of working with her as collaborative, clarifying, and surprisingly joyful. She leads every Vela project personally, which means they always have direct access to the vision behind the work.
Kimberly Scanlon
Founder + Principal Interior Designer
Meet our team
Great design is never a solo act. Vela is a close-knit studio of sharp minds and discerning eyes — each one bringing something essential to the work. Every project, whether a family home or a brand's flagship environment, is shaped by people who hold the same exacting standards for craft, communication, and care. Small by design. Invested by nature.
Rebecca Compton-Allen | Director of Operations
Adoring hedgehog mama. Detail obsessed.
Baking zen master. Serenely intuitive.
Kate Druffner | Interior Designer
Our Approach
At Vela, design is an act of translation. We take who you are — your history, your instincts, the life you want to lead or the brand you're building — and render it into physical space. The result isn't decoration. It's recognition. You walk in and feel, unmistakably, this is ours.
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We believe layered, expressive interiors begin with structural clarity. Every pattern, material, and finish we select is chosen in relationship to everything else — nothing exists in isolation. This discipline is what separates a stimulating space from a chaotic one, whether it's a living room, a showroom, or a corner office.
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We are drawn to materials that have integrity — that age with grace, respond to light, and carry a sense of history. We source with discernment and specify with exactness, because what a surface is made of matters as much as how it looks. This is as true in a private home as it is in a client-facing commercial space.
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Your space should reflect who you actually are — not who a trend suggests you should be. For residential clients, that means excavating the personal details that make a home irreplaceable. For commercial clients, it means translating brand identity into something spatial, tactile, and genuinely felt by everyone who enters.
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Vela has cultivated deep relationships with artisans, fabricators, and makers whose work cannot be found in a catalog. We seek out craft that surprises — and we believe the difference between a beautiful space and an extraordinary one often comes down to a single custom piece, whether that's a bespoke light fixture in a family home or a custom millwork element that anchors an entire brand concept.
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A space can be visually arresting and still fail to support the life — or the work — being done inside it. We hold beauty and livability to the same standard, designing for the way people actually move through their day, whether they're cooking dinner, closing a deal, or welcoming a client for the first time.
Every Vela engagement includes comprehensive project management: contractor coordination, trade scheduling, procurement, and installation oversight. We hold the vision and handle everything it takes to bring it to life.
Our Services
For primary residences, vacation properties, and everything in between. We work with homeowners at every stage — from pre-construction planning through final installation — to create spaces that are deeply personal, visually compelling, and built to be fully lived in for decades.
Residential
We partner with brands, founders, and entrepreneurs who understand that environment is part of the experience — and that a well-designed space is one of the most powerful things a business can own. From luxury retail and wellness concepts to boutique hospitality, Vela creates spaces with a distinct point of view that guests and customers feel the moment they arrive, and remember long after they leave.
Hospitality + concept
For companies ready to stop treating their office as an afterthought. We bring a hospitality mindset to commercial environments — designing workplaces that communicate culture, earn loyalty, and make the people inside them feel like they matter. The result is spaces that are functional by necessity and remarkable by design.
Commercial + workplace
Full-Service Project Management
Vela offers comprehensive interior design services for residential, hospitality, and commercial projects — accepting clients locally in the Twin Cities and nationwide. Whether you're undertaking a full-scale renovation, launching a new brand concept, building from the ground up, or elevating a workplace into a space that reflects the caliber of the work done inside it, we bring the same depth of creative direction and project management to every engagement.
The Process
01
Discovery + Strategy
Every great design starts with understanding. In this initial phase, we’ll discuss your goals, investment level, and overall project scope. Beyond your vision, we’ll uncover elements you may not have realized were missing—refining the details that will elevate your space. This conversation informs a tailored proposal, ensuring a seamless, strategic path forward.
02
Design + Curation
This is where ideas take shape. We craft a concept that reflects your lifestyle, curating finishes, furnishings, and details with a discerning eye. Every selection is intentional, weaving together beauty, function, and craftsmanship. From spatial planning to the finest material selections, we transform inspiration into a cohesive, sophisticated design.
03
Execution + Reveal
With every detail thoughtfully considered, we bring the vision to life. While our team handles the complexities behind the scenes, we keep you informed at every stage - ensuring you’re never left wondering where things stand. As installation unfolds, we manage the countless moving parts, so you don’t have to. The result? A beautifully transformed space, ready for you to enjoy.
We'd love to hear what you're dreaming up.
We accept a limited number of projects each year to ensure every client receives Kimberly's full attention.