DEBRA DONNELLY FABER

A native Angelian, Debra Donnelly honed her design and creative skills during a fourteen year career at ABC where she staged and coordinated annual global events such as the Oscar’s, Emmy’s, A Night at Ford’s Theater, A Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor, and other memorable and successful location driven productions in North America and Europe.

After a great career at ABC, she took a package and left ABC amicably and departed Los Angeles for Canada where she settled in Calgary.  Donnelly's entrepreneurial curiosity immediately got to her as she took note of the exploding real estate market in this growing community.  Donnelly recognized the need for providing staging and design services to home sellers and marketers in this upscale real estate market attracting international customers by the day.   

Donnelly's company, Upstaging and Design, quickly became one of the leading Home Stagers and Interior Design firms in Calgary, Canada.  Her focus was primarily on Elbow Valley which today is recognized as the "Best Community in all of Canada".   The strength of the Canadian dollar fostered a robust real estate climate and Donnelly purchased, staged and sold and leased several homes of her own.

Eight years later she is back home in Southern California (where her heart and family are).  Debra and her team are quickly filling the need for upscale, seasoned staging and design professionals whose have a fine eye towards the Southern California clientele and variety of local real estate styles.

She moved back to California in 2006 and founded Westside Staging and Design with her now husband, Eric Faber.  Westside Staging and Design became The Westside Design Group when they joined in partnership with local successful designer Heather Schneider.

Debra resides with her husband and two cats in Santa Monica, CA. 

HEATHER SCHNEIDER

California native, Heather Schneider moved to Los Angeles from Laguna Beach to study design at The Art Institute of Los Angeles in 1997. After graduation, Heather dove into her craft, working in manufacturing for three years.  During this time, she met designer, Tamie Posnick. Their creative synergy clicked and so they formed The Design Group. Catering to a dynamic clientele, The Design Group’s eclectic talents drew popularity amongst entertainment industry clients. Working on both residential and commercial properties, Heather and Tamie found a need in building a larger brand. 

In 2000, The Design Group was introduced to the retail market with instant success.  Located in the heart of Santa Monica, the full service design store specialized in custom furnishings inspired by both cultural and historical elements from Deco to tribal pieces. As their star was rising by the buzz of celebrity recognition, E! Entertainment Television approached the design team to star in the premier episodes of a new show called Area. During this time, a second retail location was also launched in Orange County. Despite business thriving, in 2003 Heather and Tamie decided to move towards independent ventures.

Heather’s focus moved towards staging both residential and commercial properties with the occasional stint in merchandising. Today, she frequently partners with well-known developer Eric Knight on multi-million dollar projects.  She lives with her boyfriend, Logan, a well-known furniture designer whom she met while working on a residential project three years ago.  They live in Santa Monica with their two rescue dogs. Heather loves to spend her down time working out and traveling all over the world for creative inspiration. 

ERIC FABER

A native Westsider,  Eric Faber grew up with the influence and inspiration of such local architects as Frank Gehry, Tom Black and Bill Odoud, Craig Ellwood, Robert Graham, Richard Meier, George Wyman, Pierre Koenig, Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Neutra, James Tyler and more.

His personal passion for design not only extended into home and commercial properties, but into two parallel design careers that have spanned more than thirty years.  

First, Faber is a leading food and retail packaging design consultant and visual merchandiser for leading retailers and their vendors globally.   His ability to visualize space and exploit design have been acknowledged through a number of industry honors his companies have earned.

Concurrently, Faber brought his business marketing and design savvy to the hospitality industry where during his career he influenced some of today's finest restaurant and food processor operations.  His restaurant, bar and club design and consulting business, IWANTOSTARTARESTAURANT, has worked with leading clients internationally and is considered one of the leading consortiums of industry professionals.

Today, in addition to his role in The Westside Design Group Faber is a consultant to the retail and restaurant industry.  He also serves on the Board of Directors of several prominent Non-Profits and school boards , is a City of Santa Monica Commissioner, and in May 2010 was honored in Washington DC as the National Humanitarian of the year.

You can read more about Eric Faber at www.allaboutfaber.com

CHRISTINE SCHIELE GUTIERREZ

Christine’s focus is on contributing to community by developing collaborative partnerships with local schools, non-profits, and organizations. The Westside Company various services are excellent opportunities for fundraising, because with every new customer we donate a percentage back to your school, group or organization of choice. 

Christine’s background is in client relations in the staffing and publishing industries, and she returned to Los Angeles five years ago to be closer to family. She chose to make Santa Monica her home for two reasons: the schools and the ocean.  Christine is thrilled to be able to work for an organization founded by local natives which such a rich history of actively giving back to our community.

 PEDRO LOPEZ, PROJECT MANAGER AND ENGINEER

A native of Los Angeles, Pedro has been providing complete home improvement and repair to homeowners and property management companies for more than 25 years.  He has a crew who has been with him for more than ten years and is considered one of the best on the Westside.

VICTOR PALLETT, HARDWOOD FLOORING

For twenty five years Victor Pallett and his staff of over fifteen years have been serving Los Angeles with some of the finest hardwood flooring installations and refinishing.  From homes, restaurants, to clubs, Victor has earned the reputation as one of the best having worked many celebrities and sport stars homes.

MAX HERNANDEZ, PAINTER

Max and his team respond within hours to our makeover and staging needs.  He is a master with color and the fine finish work required in doors and cabinets.  From 200 to 20,000 square feet our paint crew is one of the best.

VICTOR MARTINEZ, TILE

Consider one the great local tile artisans, Victor has been designing and installing indoor and outdoor tile for 30 years.  He is a true artist and does wonders with bathrooms, kitchens, patios, fireplaces and more.

 

ALL OF OUR CREW IS COURTEOUS AND WE KEEP YOUR PLACE IMMACULATE THROUGOUT THE PROCESS