Hidden Gems: Meet Sandra Moncada-Mainz of Couture Haus Interior Design

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra Moncada-Mainz

Hi Sandra, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Let’s be real – my career has been less of a straight line and more of a wild, wonderful zigzag across continents and industries. Who says an industrial engineer can’t become an Interior designer? Definitely not me. My professional wanderings have been like an unexpected road trip, where each unexpected turn revealed something fascinating about myself and the world of design.

Eighteen years in Europe transformed me in ways I never expected. My Colombian spirit – vibrant, passionate, and deeply emotional – found a beautiful counterpoint in the structured, nuanced cultures of Europe. In France, I learned about subtle elegance and the art of restraint. The Germans taught me precision engineering that would later inform my design approach. Italy showed me how beauty isn’t just about appearance, but about feeling – how a space can tell a story without uttering a single word. These weren’t just years of living; they were years of absorbing design languages, understanding how different cultures interpret space, color, and functionality.

From spreadsheets and marketing campaigns in Europe to creating spaces that tell stories in Raleigh, I’ve learned that the most interesting paths are rarely the most predictable ones. When I landed in North Carolina in 2003, I didn’t just change locations – I rewrote my entire professional script.

Going back to school for interior design was both terrifying and exhilarating. Here I was, a professional with years of international experience, sitting in classrooms learning a completely new discipline. The transition wasn’t about starting over, but about layering my existing skills with a new creative language. My engineering background made me embrace the technical aspects – understanding scale, proportion, and spatial relationships came naturally. But the design school experience opened up a whole new world of color theory, material selection, and spatial storytelling that I’d never explored before. I absorbed every detail, approached each project with the precision of an engineer and the passion of an artist.

Pursuing interior design wasn’t about leaving my past behind, but about bringing every quirky, analytical, creative piece of my background into a new kind of canvas. My engineering brain loves the precision, my marketing heart adores the storytelling, and my Colombian spirit brings the color and passion. Each space I design is basically a mashup of my entire life – part mathematical problem, part artistic expression, and completely unexpected. This journey has taught me that the most powerful design doesn’t come from following rules, but from breaking them with intention and joy.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting Couture Haus wasn’t just about hanging out a shingle – it was about truly understanding what it means to run a creative business. I quickly learned that being a great designer is only part of the equation. Learning to run a profitable business was a challenge. Finding the right team of contractors who could translate my visions into reality was like conducting an intricate orchestra – each person needing to understand not just the technical requirements, but the emotional landscape of a space. Technology also became my ally and my challenge, constantly pushing me to find new ways to help clients visualize their dreams. But here’s the thing – I don’t see challenges. I see opportunities for growth, for learning, for pushing beyond my previous limitations & boundaries.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Couture Haus is more than an interior design firm – we’re storytellers who transform spaces into living narratives. Specializing in luxury residential interior design, our services span the entire design spectrum: from conceptualizing new construction projects to executing large-scale remodels, and from comprehensive whole-house furnishings to focused room redesigns. What sets us apart is our deeply collaborative approach. We don’t just design spaces; we dive deep into our clients’ worlds, spending significant time understanding their vision, lifestyle, and unique aesthetic preferences. Our design philosophy is fluid and adaptive – we don’t impose a singular style, but instead create sophisticated, functional spaces with a modern edge that authentically reflect each client’s personality. Every project begins with extensive consultation, where we listen intently, sketch purposefully, and develop a design strategy that seamlessly blends the client’s dreams with our expert design sensibilities. Technology plays a crucial role in our process, allowing us to help clients visualize their spaces with precision and creativity. Whether we’re working with a minimalist who craves clean lines or a maximalist who loves bold statements, our goal remains the same: to craft environments that are not just beautiful, but transformative.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that change is inevitable, and adapting to new circumstances is not just a skill – it’s a survival strategy. In my world of design and business, the landscape shifts constantly. Technology evolves, client preferences transform, and global events can upend everything you thought you knew. I’ve learned to pause, to take a breath when things get challenging, and then pivot. Adaptation isn’t about losing your core identity; it’s about flexing your creative muscles, reimagining possibilities, and finding innovative solutions. Whether it’s embracing new design technologies, recalibrating business strategies during economic shifts, or reimagining spaces in a post-pandemic world, I’ve discovered that flexibility is my greatest asset. Change doesn’t scare me anymore – it excites me. Each pivot is an opportunity to grow, to learn, to reinvent not just my business, but myself.

Pricing:

• Depends on the scope of the project

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thecouturehaus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/couturehaus/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecouturehaus/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-moncada-mainz-02a181/