Hire the Best Interior Designer in Northern Virginia & DMV Area
Paola and the team at Olamar Interiors bring 20+ years of experience designing Northern Virginia homes from the ground up and reimagining the spaces you already have through full-service interior design, new construction, Designer for a Day, and custom window treatments.
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Our Favorite Projects
Every home has its own character.
We bring clarity to renovations, new construction, and interiors across Northern Virginia and the DMV. Thoughtful spaces, considered details, and a point of view that feels entirely your own.
Paola Martinez
Owner & Principal Designer
Olamar Interiors began with one home.
As I renovated my first home, I realized I wasn't simply making design decisions; I was discovering the work I was meant to do. That experience became the foundation of Olamar Interiors in 2006, and for nearly two decades, I have been helping homeowners create homes that feel intentional, personal, and deeply connected to the way they live.
Growing up in a family of architects taught me that exceptional design is built on thoughtful planning, technical expertise, and strong client advocacy. It's knowing when to challenge an idea, when to refine it, and how to guide a project from the first conversation to the final detail.
That's the approach my team and I bring to every home: a considered process, meticulous execution, and interiors designed to be lived in for years to come.
Homes We Have Had the Privilege to Design
Every home tells a different story. Explore a selection of our recent interior design projects throughout Northern Virginia and the Washington Metropolitan area.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Hear directly from the homeowners and industry partners we've had the privilege to work with across Northern Virginia and the DMV area.
Paola and her team were amazing to work with and transformed my house. Paola made it super easy to make my selections on everything from furniture to accessories. She went above and beyond accommodating my busy schedule and added every extra touch I imagined. She blended comfort and style into everything. Her service was unbelievable, including responding to my texts late in the night 🙂 I would highly recommend Paola and Caitlin (her assistant) to anyone looking to hire a designer who really listens to her clients and delivers in every way.
Olamar Interiors is a wonderful designing studio! We've worked alongside Paola and the crew for a number of years providing cabinetry. Olamar has a very unique and creative design process. In addition, the level of professionalism is exceptional. It's always fun to be a part of their projects!
Paola from Olamar Interiors worked with us over a period of nine months, from the time we bought our condo to moving in full time. She set the stage with painting (wonderful shades ranging from dove grey to a variety of greens), lighting (innovative fixtures which we thoroughly enjoy), and built-ins throughout the home. She helped us select living room furniture, designing the sofa herself based on our specific requirements. Paola respected our desire to be fully involved in the decorating process and worked within the limitations of our living far away. She was a pleasure to work with.
Our first project working with Olamar Interiors was to turn our townhouse into a modern, more contemporary looking home. Paola McDonald was wonderful to work with — her level of professionalism is impeccable, and she takes responsibility for every aspect of the project. She spent a lot of time getting to know our lifestyle and habits, and presented a comprehensive, detailed plan down to every fabric sample and fixture. We were so happy with this first project that we've used Olamar Interiors for two additional homes, including one that required major architectural redesign, and we were just as thrilled with the results both times.
I found Paola and Olamar through Angie's List after struggling to find a firm willing to finish design work another decorator had started. Our meeting at my home was brief and yet so productive. Within a few weeks, Paola's design plan captured exactly what I'd envisioned, even though I had difficulty communicating what I wanted. I absolutely love spending time in my living room, and I've received kudos from family, friends, and even a plumber who said the room just "welcomed him in." My modest little Cape Cod now has a "wow" factor. Every interaction with Paola and her team spoke volumes about the care they accord their customers. I only wish I could give Olamar Interiors more stars.
Quality job with quality professionals. Inventive, creative ideas. Professional and attentive. We had an major issue with a vendor I introduced and Olamar interiors did every thing above and beyond to insulate me from how awful this vendor was. They remained professional and apologetic when no apology was necessary. The final product was better than expected and as a result I hired them for another project. I have referred them to friends and will continue to do so. Highly recommend.
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Frequently Asked Questions
We work with homeowners throughout Northern Virginia and the Washington Metropolitan area, including Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
We offer Full-Service Interior Design, New Construction, Designer for a Day, and Custom Window Treatments. Projects range from individual spaces to comprehensive home renovations and new builds.
Ideally, as early as possible. Bringing a designer in before construction begins allows the layout, materials, lighting, cabinetry, and other decisions to be considered together.
Absolutely. We collaborate with architects, builders, contractors, and other professionals to help ensure the design is thoughtfully coordinated from concept through completion.
Both. We work with homeowners reimagining the homes they already have as well as those creating a new home from the ground up.
Every project is different, but we provide general investment ranges to help homeowners plan. The final investment depends on the home's condition, scope, materials, craftsmanship, and other project-specific factors.
We'll start by learning about your home, your project, and what you're hoping to accomplish. From there, we'll help determine the right level of design support and what the next steps look like.
Simply complete our inquiry form and tell us a little about your project. We'll be in touch to begin the conversation.