Annie DeCastro Design Group - Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce

August 26, 2025

Who are you, and what is your business?

My name is Annie DeCastro, and I’m the owner and lead designer of Annie DeCastro Design Group, a boutique interior design firm offering bespoke solutions for projects large and small. I launched my business in 2023, after several years of contract work for a Boston-area home staging company starting in 2020. I operate out of my home in the Bay View neighborhood of Gloucester. While I am the sole full-time employee, I collaborate with a network of talented creatives on a part-time basis to support various projects. Before transitioning to residential interior design, my career included roles in buying, product development, and visual merchandising within the home furnishings industry.

Please provide a brief description of your company.

We pride ourselves on truly listening and meeting clients where they are. Every client and project is unique, so we take the time to develop a detailed project scope, understand our clients’ priorities, and identify the key elements that matter most to them. From gut bathroom renovations to limited kitchen consultations or full-home furnishings curation, we craft proposals tailored to support each client’s individual needs and vision.

What inspired you to start your business, and what keeps you going?

I discovered interior design during the pandemic when my corporate team was put on leave. In the years prior, colleagues had often suggested I explore interior design based on my visual merchandising work for Wayfair lifestyle brands. Renovating our small Gloucester beach cottage during lockdown confirmed my passion—I had found my calling.

What keeps me going is my clients. I work with a diverse range of clients, from young families looking to evolve their homes with growing children, to couples downsizing into new spaces, to owners of heirloom homes in need of a thoughtful update. Seeing a project come to life and witnessing a client’s excitement is incredibly rewarding. There is no greater compliment than hearing, “You really listened,” or, “This is exactly what I wanted, but I never could have achieved it on my own.”

One memorable example came from a Chestnut Hill client wrote to us, “I will never be able to express my gratitude for your artistry and vision in transforming our home into a wonderful and peaceful retreat.” Creating that feeling of home for someone who has trusted you is the ultimate reward.

What aspect of your business are you most passionate about?

I am most passionate when working with older homes. There is so much character and history within their walls—it’s fascinating to imagine the moments and stories they’ve witnessed. New construction can feel like a blank slate, but older homes inspire me immediately. I enjoy envisioning a design that both enhances what the home already offers and adapts it to better suit my clients’ modern lifestyles.

Is there something unique about your business that you’d like to share that most people wouldn’t know about?

We do not adhere to a single style aesthetic. While many designers specialize in one style—modern, traditional, coastal, etc.—we recognize that people’s preferences are often layered and multidimensional. Blending styles can create more interesting and personalized outcomes. Our approach is always client-centered, focusing on understanding their lifestyle, preferences, and goals, so that the final design balances style, functionality, and individuality.

What sets your business apart from other similar businesses?

We combine a structured design process with flexibility and adaptability. For example, one of our clients wanted a full-home furnishings package that prioritized sustainability and consignment sourcing. We worked together to define a list of target items, style aesthetic, and budget. I sourced pieces from various consignment and antique shops, and reupholstered some to fit the color palette. When the home was revealed, the client was thrilled to see all of our curated selections come together seamlessly. This ability to align process, creativity, and client goals is what sets us apart.

Do you have a goal you want your business to achieve in the next one, 5 or 10 years?

I love the flexibility of running a small business and the relationships it allows me to build with clients. However, working from home can sometimes feel isolating. Over the next five years, I hope to establish a design studio in downtown Gloucester, where I can expand my connection to the community while continuing to grow the business.

Why do you love the Greater Cape Ann region and doing business locally?

Cape Ann is truly special. As a native of rural central California, I’m continually amazed by this beautiful coastal area and its natural surroundings. Living in an 1885 colonial cottage built by one of the local quarrymen has been an incredible experience, both personally and professionally.

Designing locally allows me to see the transformation of homes and the joy it brings to families firsthand. Being close to my projects also strengthens my connection to the community. As a transplant, I often notice details that others might overlook, helping me honor the history and character of these homes while adapting them to modern life and functionality.

As someone doing business in this area, how has or how can the Chamber help your business?

Joining the Chamber this year has been incredibly valuable. Although I’ve been working out of Gloucester since 2020, most of my projects were initially in the Boston area due to my previous network. The Chamber has provided welcoming support and numerous opportunities to connect with other professionals and the greater Gloucester and Cape Ann community, helping me grow both my business and my local presence.