Meet Ellen Underwood

February 19, 2021
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Today we’d like to introduce you to MDI’s newest member of the team, Ellen Underwood. Ellen is a native of Pawley’s Island but took a series of enviable diversions before settling down in Charleston two years ago.

As a Design Assistant, she’s learning all of the vast complexities that happen behind the scenes to make our dream homes realities for our clients. Ellen is a member of the International Interior Design Association and has a CIDA accredited Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Interior Design from Converse College, where she also studied art history in Florence, Italy. She also has a diverse background in hospitality and commercial design, including designing top name hotels and leading large scale commercial projects.

Ellen says that after learning so much about all aspects of the design industry, she went back to her residential design roots. Working at MDI, her favorite part of her job is seeing the projects come to life. “I love my job because everyone shares the same vision and is dedicated to the trade,” she says.

With such a diverse design background, Ellen says her personal design aesthetic is unique because she admires styles from all periods of design. “I like things to be beautiful yet functional and have a sense of meaning or unique characteristic to them. I also love to incorporate the natural elements of the surrounding area, especially Coastal Design,” she says.

When she’s not at work, Ellen says she’s drawn to the beach, regardless of season, and loves walking the marsh with her English Cream Retriever.