Meet Elissa Coughlin of Matchpointe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elissa Coughlin.

Hi Elissa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My path to interior design wasn’t a straight line — but looking back, every pivot and passion point was leading me here.
I began my academic career studying fine arts, which trained my eye to see space, light, and color in deeply intentional ways. I graduated into the dotcom boom, so rather than stepping directly into the design world, I was drawn to the digital revolution — the innovation transforming how we interact with the world was too exciting to ignore. I was fortunate to join Google when it was still an underdog and proud to have played a role in helping it become a part of our daily lives.
From there, I spent two decades leading large-scale digital transformations for global giants like IBM, where I also led our strategic partnership with Apple in North America. It was high-performance work that demanded precision, strategy, and the ability to orchestrate complexity at scale.
Eventually, I realized that my deepest fulfillment came from aligning both sides of myself — the creative and the strategic. That realization brought me back to design. I’m currently formalizing my training through The Interior Design Institute, building a solid traditional foundation while simultaneously leveraging the rapid advancements in generative AI to run and scale my business in innovative ways.
This unique blend of artistic vision, formal design education, tech fluency, and operational acumen led to the founding of Matchpointe.
The name is a nod to my love of tennis and my belief that great design — like great sport — is about precision, rhythm, and the ability to deliver a flawless finish under pressure. In tennis, the match point is that singular, high-stakes moment when preparation and instinct align — and that’s exactly how I approach every project.
It’s not just about how a space looks; it’s about how it performs, how it feels, and how it tells your story.
At Matchpointe, we believe in creating interiors with both style and soul. That means blending old and new, collaborating with artisans who balance uniqueness with high performance, and using design as a tool to elevate everyday life — whether in a family home, boutique restaurant, or retail experience. We’re equally committed to supporting local makers and embracing cutting-edge technologies that streamline and enhance the creative process.
For residential clients, I bring a refined lens and highly personalized approach — crafting meaningful, lived-in luxury that supports the way people actually live. We’ve all been through a lot over the past five years, and many of us are spending more time at home. I believe our homes should be sanctuaries — environments that align with our aspirations, promote well-being, and foster productivity. Thoughtful design can encourage goal-oriented habits, enhance emotional health, support function and flow, and create opportunities for connection.
For commercial clients, I understand that design is also a business tool. I think in terms of customer flow, operational efficiency, brand expression, and ROI — because I’ve sat on that side of the table.
At the heart of it all is my belief that the best spaces feel effortless — but are deeply intentional. That’s the sweet spot. That’s Matchpointe.
On a personal note, I recently relocated from Austin, TX to Raleigh to be closer to family, most of whom migrated here from the New York and Connecticut area after the pandemic. Raleigh has proven to be a wonderful place to call home — and an inspiring place to launch this next chapter of my design journey.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Making the leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship is equal parts exhilarating and humbling. As a small business owner in the interior design space, I’m experiencing firsthand how design is evolving in response to shifting lifestyles, emerging technologies, and a growing demand for deeply personalized spaces.
Gone are the days when design was purely aesthetic. Today, it’s about storytelling, sustainability, and creating environments that enrich our lives in tangible ways. Clients are more informed and engaged — eager to blend timeless design principles with forward-thinking innovations.
This shift isn’t theoretical — it’s happening now. The way we live, work, and gather is transforming, and as designers, we have an unprecedented opportunity to shape these experiences. From AI-assisted tools to a renewed reverence for artisanal craftsmanship, the industry is embracing both past and future in powerful ways. As someone who stepped away from corporate predictability to build something of my own, I find this moment thrilling. Change isn’t coming — it’s already here. And it’s a privilege to be part of a field that’s redefining itself in real time.

We’ve been impressed with Matchpointe, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Matchpointe, we create elevated, soulful interiors that are both beautifully composed and deeply personal. Our mission is simple: to make your home your favorite place to be. What sets us apart is our unique intersection of artistry, technology, and strategic thinking. I’m not a designer with one signature “look” — my clients have amazing taste and meaningful stories. They just need a trusted partner to help translate that into a space that reflects who they are and how they want to live.
To support that, I’ve developed a proprietary tool called the Style DNA Questionnaire — an AI-powered insight engine designed to uncover a client’s emotional and sensory design preferences, even when they can’t articulate them. It helps us go from “I’ll know it when I see it” to “this feels like me.”
Another cornerstone is my Design Style Framework, which identifies eight core interior styles influenced by time spent in NYC, Greenwich, Aspen, San Francisco, LA, and Nantucket. These are not rigid formulas, but curated entry points that help clients clarify their design direction — grounded in lived experience and regional nuance. Whether designing a residential sanctuary or a high-touch commercial space, I bring equal parts refined taste and operational precision. My clients know I can manage the logistics just as confidently as the aesthetics.

Here’s what I’m currently working on in Raleigh:

A Home Office That Works Hard & Looks Good
A surprise gift from a wife to her husband. We’re transforming a dated office into a tailored retreat with a moody blue palette, a custom marble desk, and built-in storage. The pièce de résistance? A leather recliner he’s always wanted (and wasn’t allowed anywhere else!).

A Townhome Transformed
This three-story townhome overlooking a golf course is getting a full kitchen renovation, plus updates to the office, primary suite, and baths. The lower level is becoming a wellness space — and I’ve even planted the idea of wallpaper in the powder room. He hasn’t said no yet. 😉
Ultimately, what I love most is helping clients see their homes not just as rooms to furnish, but as spaces to shape their lives. When your environment feels like an extension of who you are, everything shifts. That’s the magic of Matchpointe.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
To trust that I have everything I need to be successful. The real work is managing the emotional rollercoaster that comes with entrepreneurship — and staying grounded in faith that I’m supported.
Thank you, Raleigh, for the overwhelmingly warm welcome. I’m so grateful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.matchpointebyelissa.com
• Instagram: @matchpointe_by_elissa
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/elissacoughlin