Upscale California interior designer arrested, accused of bilking clients

An interior designer in Southern California has been arrested on suspicion of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from a client, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced Thursday, and officials say that more victims have been identified through their investigation.  

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According to the July 23 news release, the suspect, a 58-year-old Lake Arrowhead resident and interior designer, agreed to remodel a client’s kitchen and bathrooms in October 2024. However, once the victim paid $67,500 to her company, “Coronado by Design,” the woman “delayed the project with various excuses for nearly a year,” leaving the property untouched, the release continued. When the unnamed client requested a refund, the designer ceased communications and never returned the money, according to the Sheriff’s Department release.

As officials continued their investigation into the designer, they discovered that several other victims lost thousands of dollars while working with her, the release said. On July 23, authorities arrested the designer and booked her at the West Valley Detention Center, where she faces nine felony and misdemeanor charges such as grand theft and diversion of construction funds. 

According to home renovation platform Houzz, Coronado by Design project costs range from $100,000 to $2 million, and the company has taken on cabin, condo and townhome projects in Southern California. 

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Detectives believe that more victims may be involved, according to the news release, and encourage anyone with more information to contact 909-336-0668. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call or text “REPORT” to We-Tip at 844-909-3006.  

SBSD representatives did not respond to SFGATE’s request for more information by the time of publication.