Founded fourteen years ago, by Rebecca Cartwright, a Des Moines native, R. Cartwright Design has evolved into a full-service interior design studio that prides itself on delivering the highest quality in design, products, and customer service. Our studio has designed and managed projects in the Des Moines Metro area as well as lake houses throughout Iowa and vacation homes in Naples, Florida, Phoenix, and outside of Atlanta.
We believe in a collaborative design process, where we provide design concepts and recommendations and in which the client is a full participant throughout the entire project.
We work closely with each client to understand their design preferences, wants, needs, budgetary constraints, and time frame. We then develop a design plan including all desired elements. We have access to a large array of furnishings, lighting, art, and décor from virtually any line within our industry, upon which we draw to create a completely custom design plan.
R. Cartwright Design offers several design packages in order to serve clients with different needs and budgets. You can read more about how we work on our Services page.
Rebecca Cartwright
Rebecca Cartwright has been designing fresh spaces in private residences and businesses since 1995. Her expertise extends from a multitude of new home construction, commercial interiors, and major remodeling projects. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with some of Des Moines’ elite builders, developers, and their clients.
Her most notable achievements include interior design for the Suites of 800 Locust Hotel and Spa boutique hotel located in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. In 2002, her work in the Des Moines Symphony Showhouse was featured in the Better Homes and Gardens special interest publication DECORATING magazine. The gentleman’s study was also featured on HGTV’s “Country Decorating” show. Other projects of note include offices for Kirke Financial in West Glen and MOJO’s Restaurant in Johnston. Rebecca is a graduate of Drake University and lives in the Prairie Trail Development in Ankeny with her husband, Pete. Rebecca is an ASID Associate Member.
Alicia Held-Morris
Alicia Held-Morris joined the R. Cartwright Design team in 2012. She holds a Master’s Degree in Interior Design from Iowa State University.
Before returning to Iowa to complete her education in interior design, Alicia lived in Tucson, Arizona and New York City, studying art photography at the University of Arizona and Pratt Institute. During that time, she also completed studies in drawing, sculpture, color theory, art history, and graphic design. New York offered exposure to numerous museums, art galleries, antique stores, and design shops, providing an informal education in art and interior design history, design trends and concepts, and the world of luxury interiors. Additional travels throughout Europe – and many afternoons spent in castles and art museums – provided further education in world interiors and design history.
Alicia has a passion for the constantly evolving world of interior design, analyzing and applying current design trends and incorporating them into her work while striving to create interiors that are timeless in style. Her attention to detail and obsession with fine-tuning elements that make good design – color, texture, balance, repetition, contrast, harmony and unity – make her a strong partner in the design process. She loves collaborating with clients to create elegant, thoughtful interiors that are also comfortable, practical and beautiful.
