Profiles

douglas olson / President

Doug formed Coast to Coast Designs in 2003 with nothing but a list of contacts and a dream. Up until that point, he had worked in a variety of industries and positions. His transition to the hospitality industry came after owning a successful high-end gourmet grocery store and two restaurants in Spokane, Washington.

After making the decision to return to his hometown of Miami, Florida, Doug was presented with an opportunity to work as Vice President for an FF&E purchasing company. With this experience, he quickly transitioned to his next job as the V.P. of Sales for a contract furniture manufacturer. However, having previously owned a successful company of his own and driven by an undying entrepreneurial spirit, Doug knew that his dreams lay elsewhere.

Those dreams became Coast to Coast Designs. What began as a small business venture housed in the comfort of Doug’s living room has evolved into a thriving company with great projects, a corporate building and showroom and a dynamic team of employees.

Doug holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida and a Master’s degree in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Miami in Miami, Florida. He lives and works in Coconut Grove, Florida.

did you know?

• Doug is a die-hard fan of the Florida Gators
• He has no problem being surrounded by women...just ask his mother, his wife, two daughters, two sisters, two female labradors and numerous female employees
• Doug’s favorite place to decompress... Coeur D’Alene Lake, Idaho

SNUG Furniture / Artists

Joe Greene - This North Carolina native grew up being surrounded by furniture and strong influences in the industry.  "To stay current with my designs, I keep an eye out for women's fashion since women have the purchasing power.  I believe that a good designer is as good as his sources and continues to discover uses and application of available materials."

Debbie Palao - Two parts artist (freehand, starting with human figures and segueing into furniture), two parts accountant (pre-law, pre-selected by a father), two parts precociousness and adventure (one steadily raises the influence of the other), and three parts hard work (eight days a week, for as long as memory holds).  Organic but modern, continuously evolving, influenced by grace and transparency.  Debbie is not formulated, as each design is different and unique, but carries the full body of art for a function.

Daniel & Dyan Lowery - Inspiration is everywhere!  We find that architecture plays a key role in our inspiration but often tempered by our great appreciation for Nature.  A depression in a stone inspires a chair, a twisted tree becomes an integral design element.  We only design with two things in mind: Beauty and Function.

Clayton Tugonon - Clayton's wonderful childhood memories are an important source of inspiration, thus he remains a child at heart.  He tries to express the spontaneity of play in his designs and relishes the dichotomy of bold pieces in soft silhouettes.  Such raw talent and free thinking result in the ingenious application of materials and creativity in translating these functional forms.  He designs "from the gut" and possesses the passion of a craftsman.  Art gives life to form.

Maybelline Te - Laughingly calls herself "the material girl", being innately drawn to exotic materials and textures and the unexpected result of combining such through different applications.  Subtle harmony meets distinctive intricacy in her design-with-designs.  There is indeed a precision of skill but the dash of eclecticism almost adds an anti-establishment to her work.  An underground bohemian quality, finished with a delicate touch.

did you know?

• SNUG founders Alex Brandon Hendricks and Maybelline Te, grew up in the furniture industry and met at a furniture showroom.
• Custom upholstery is handcrafted in North Carolina and Unusual and Worldly Pieces are Handcrafted in the Philippines