CA R O L E M E R S O N, Founder & Chief Creative Officer

Equal parts creative and strategic, Carol takes an avant-garde approach to delivering a truly curated design experience for every client. With a career that spans over two decades, she blends interior design expertise with project management precision and a deep understanding of hospitality, construction, and development.

Carol entered the residential construction and design field in 1997, working under the mentorship of a luxury custom home builder in Gainesville, Florida. Their collaboration on a kitchen project earned a coveted Parade of Homes award for innovative design — an early recognition of Carol’s forward-thinking aesthetic.

In 1999, she relocated to Orlando, where she entered the corporate hospitality arena as a management consultant with The Walt Disney Company. She first joined Disney Imagineering at EPCOT in Business Support & Administration before moving into a transformative role with The Disney Institute, where she immersed herself in professional development and guest experience.

Carol later joined the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Golf Development team under Marriott International, contributing to the development of prestigious courses including Son Antem Golf Club in Mallorca, Spain, Camelback Golf Club in Arizona, and Shadow Ridge in Palm Desert, California. In 2002, she transitioned to the vacation ownership division with Marriott Vacations Worldwide and The Ritz-Carlton Development Company, where she played an integral role in countless landmark projects such as:

  • Newport Coast Villas – Newport Coast, California

  • Grande Lakes – Orlando, Florida

  • Ocean & Aruba Surf Clubs – Aruba

  • Crystal Shores – Marco Island, Florida

  • Las Vegas Grand Chateau – Las Vegas, Nevada

  • Playa Andaluza – Costa del Sol, Spain

  • Village D’Île de France – Disneyland Paris

Her Ritz-Carlton portfolio also includes acclaimed properties in St. Thomas, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Vail, Bachelor Gulch, Kapalua, and Kauai Lagoons.

After fourteen years with Marriott, Carol relocated to Minneapolis where she was hand-selected as part of the national team responsible for constructing U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings. In this role, she represented her firm during design and development meetings and also served as a delegate for recruiting, safety training, charity initiatives, and community outreach.

In addition to her undergraduate degree, Carol holds a Project Management Certificate from Florida Gulf Coast University and an OSHA 30 certification. She is also an affiliate member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), a licensed Florida REALTOR® and an active member of the Naples Board of Realtors, specializing in luxury properties throughout the southwest Florida region.

With every project, Carol brings a rare combination of creativity, strategy, and global perspective — ensuring that Emerson Haus clients receive not just design, but a truly thoughtful experience.

S T E P H A N I E M A L A L L Y, Senior Director, Client Relations

A thoughtful and driven advocate for clients, Stephanie is both a trusted leader in her community and a longstanding friend of the Emerson Haus family. She holds a Master’s degree from the University of Central Florida and builds her career within one of Florida’s largest not-for-profit healthcare systems. Beyond her professional life, Stephanie occasionally offers pet-sitting for friends, colleagues, and other trusted animal lovers within her network. With a deep affection for animals, she looks forward to one day welcoming another rescue dog into her home.

Stephanie’s understanding of human nature is unparalleled. Colleagues know her as someone who always follows up and follows through. An enthusiastic listener and ambitious professional, she pairs diligence with compassion — qualities that shine through in every aspect of her work and life.