Alison Dorvillier had been a full-time architect and a partner in Bennett & Smith Architects of La Jolla for more than two years when, in 2000, she decided to start a company of her own. Thus Design Inplace Inc., a full-service interior design studio specializing in kitchen and bathroom designs and interior architecture, was launched in La Jolla by Dorvillier, president, and her husband/business partner Andy.

By 2001, Dorvillier, now 38, had to leave her day job at the architecture firm in order to devote her time to the growing Design Inplace. Since then, the Design Inplace portfolio has grown to include 25 complete home remodels and 200 kitchen remodels, ranging from the simple to projects running into millions of dollars.

Once a firm with more than a dozen employees, the partners made the decision to scale back, outsource — including cabinet fabrication/installation — and use select subcontractors and/or consultants to offset the workload and enable Dorvillier, as principal designer, the luxury to be selective about commissions. This also gives her time to be involved with her children’s softball and soccer teams, the PTA, Girl Scouts, and be active in the La Jolla Sunrise Rotary.