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Well-Designed Spaces Help You Live and Work Well

Founded by Renee Smith and Susan Gsell, our studio combines a unique blend of west coast vibrancy and east coast sophistication to create environments that are not just seen but felt.


Our Design Services

Full-Scope Design

We offer full-service interior design for residential and commercial projects, crafting vibrant, functional spaces tailored to your needs. Our dedicated team ensures a seamless experience, managing all aspects of the project with synergy and expertise.

Interior Renovation

With years of interior design expertise, our team brings versatile skills to your renovation project, whether it’s a single room or an entire establishment. From initial concept to completion, we focus on timeless style, tailored to your space and wishes, ensuring comfort and functionality while maximizing your surroundings’ natural beauty.

One-Day Design

One-Day Design begins with a 3-hour consultation to plan your space’s transformation. The redesign day involves a 6-hour session of styling, repositioning items, and adding final touches for a dramatic reveal. This efficient process revitalizes your space in just one day, optimizing and enhancing existing elements.

Sopha Set

The essence of the coast in
every MOCO design

Explore our exclusive product line featuring our signature candles, designed to complement the serene environments we create. Stay tuned for upcoming additions including a stylish coffee table book and chic canvas totes, all available for purchase online.

Moco Product Demo

Renee Smith

Renee brings over 25 years of interior design expertise, characterized by a clean, sophisticated West Coast aesthetic honed in California. A celebrated designer and Allied Member of ASID, Renee has been recognized for her ability to create functional, timeless environments that capture her clients’ true style.

Awards: Otto Zenke Design award, Wilmington Magazine ‘Best of Wilmington’ for client’s Wrightsville Beach house, ‘Best Interiors’ in Southport’s Parade of Homes, ‘Top Carolina Design’ by Subzero/Wolf

Susan Gsell

With 30 years of design experience influenced by global cultures, Susan excels in creating innovative spaces that blend form and function seamlessly. An Allied Member of ASID, her work spans from New York’s architectural design circles to Wilmington’s historic projects, showcasing her diverse expertise.

Awards: Wilmington Historic Foundation ‘’Preservation Award for Adaptive Reuse’/South Front Apartments, The David Brinkley “ Preservationist of the Year’/St James Episcopal Church Administration Building.


Here’s What People Are Saying

Working with Smith+Gsell was incredible! They provided excellent design ideas that worked perfectly in my house. I hired Smith+Gsell for the 1 Day Design and they nailed it. I consider my home to be "eclectic", with antiques, traditional and some mid-century pieces. They were able to perfectly pull together rooms with new placement of our art, rugs, and furniture. Each room now has its own sense of style and comfort. They also provided guidance on reupholstery of many keepsake antiques that needed updating. The results were breathtaking and I now have pieces that are updated and can continue to be handed down through the family. Are they too good to be true?? - Nope - not one regret. Great job girls!

Allison Schultz

Here’s What People Are Saying

Renovating and redecorating your home can be very stressful. Renee and Susan make the whole process simple and enjoyable. They have fantastic taste and an imaginative eye. In addition, Renee and Susan listen and work with your ideas while being honest and cost conscious. The contractors who work with them are reliable and do great work. Renee and Susan supervise the entire project and have very high standards. Our reveal was truly amazing. I can't recommend them highly enough!

Billie Cosgrove

Here’s What People Are Saying

Susan and Renee helped us to furnish and decorate our new home. They were absolutely wonderful. Not only did they always take the time to listen to what we were wanted, make perfect selections based on our taste and budget but they accomplished our entire project working with us remotely as we currently live out of state. We communicated by phone meetings, emails and PowerPoint presentations during the design and shopping process. Susan and Renee were always available at a moments notice if I said we were at the house for a quick visit. They were happy to run over visit, bring samples or even install new lamps. They arranged for everything from painting and wallpaper to furniture deliveries and Installation throughout the entire process. Our goal was to furnish our new home and make it comfortable for our family to vacation and enjoy this summer. This was done even ahead of schedule. Susan and Renee were delightful to work with and I absolutely love my new home. It’s exactly as I imagined!

Diane Brady

Here’s What People Are Saying

We felt blessed when we found Susan and Renee to help us design and decorate our new home in Wilmington! We met them over Zoom, discussed all of our thoughts and ideas and they went to work. They came back to us with a thoughtful presentation that brought our vision to life. We spent a full day shopping with them and all of their selections were spot on! Our living room, dining room and den were nearly fully furnished within a week! In addition, their input on painting, lighting, art, wallpaper and rugs really brought the entire design together. They also recommended other contractors who all did an outstanding job. Our home is designed exactly as we had hoped - beautiful, comfortable, inviting and relaxing. (They even managed to incorporate our older piano and a family heirloom table beautifully!) We couldn't have asked for better team to guide us and we look forward to using them again as we enhance additional rooms going forward. We highly recommend Susan and Renee! We would give 10 stars if we could!

Risa Hoag

Here’s What People Are Saying

As a manager of multiple facilities and homes for my client, I have worked with Renee and Susan on a variety of projects over the years. We have developed a great working relationship with trust (and laughter) making each challenge a rewarding achievement. The client's needs are always changing and with each unique direction they go above and beyond to satisfy the requirements.

Mark King

Where your space transforms into a sanctuary of modern coastal elegance.


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Well-Designed Spaces Help You Live and Work Well