Get to know designer Isabella Enxuto in our fun Q&A.
Q: What school did you graduate from?
A: I graduated from Wake Technical Community College in May 2019.
Q: How did you get started with residential design?
A: I started studying Civil Engineering at North Carolina State University. I quickly realized that I wanted to focus more on design. I started working at Tyndall Engineering and Design in May of 2016 and enrolled in the Architectural Technologies program at Wake Tech for the fall semester. I gradually worked from doing redlines to designing additions and custom homes. Prentice Tyndall, the owner of Tyndall Engineering and Design has always been supportive of my interest in design from the moment I started working with the firm. He still thinks I would make a great engineer.
Q: How long have you been with DRB Design?
A: I have been with DRB Design since it merged with our parent company (Tyndall Engineering) last year. Since the merge, I have learned a lot from working with the DRB team.
Q: What is your favorite thing about working at DRB Design?
A: My favorite thing about working at DRB Design is the open environment. We each have our own individual workspaces, but everyone’s doors are always open. Since my coworkers and I all had Reid as a teacher in high school, no one is scared to ask questions or seek input.
Q: Have you noticed any trends in some of the work that you have done in the past year
when it comes to home design?
A: For new construction, the modern farmhouse style has become extremely popular along with open floor plans. Many clients are also choosing to forgo a tub in their master bathroom in favor of a larger shower.
Q: What is one design element that you want to have in your “forever home”?
A: I would love to have a clawfoot tub in my forever home. I love the classic style of the tub and it works well with any home design.
Q: March is “Women’s History Month”, as a woman designer what is something you wish
you would have known before entering this industry? What advice or words of
encouragement can you give to other women interested in design?
Before I enrolled at NCSU I wish I had known that it is entirely possible to make a successful
and accomplished career as a designer. I have always wanted to be a home designer, but I had a few family members convince me that I would not be able to make a living wage in this field. It is a common stereotype that creative fields do not make as much money, but the housing industry isn’t going anywhere. If I could offer and advice to women, who are interested in home design, it would be to follow your interest even if that means not attending a traditional four-year institution. My time at Wake Tech was an invaluable experience.