Our Story

About Carla’s

From the time she was a child, Carla McElroy loved design.  She was constantly rearranging her mother’s furniture and accessories to get that “just right” look.  One day, she skipped school to paint a room in the house. Carla followed her dreams and, a few years later, landed her first job as a commercial interior designer in Texas.  Her passion continued to grow and, as she gained more experience, Carla opened her own interior design business in her Dallas, Texas, home.

After years of doing residential design in Dallas, her husband’s job transferred the family to Florida.  Again, Carla was able to still have the business in her home and learned a whole different style of design – Coastal.

A few years later, her husband was transferred to Colorado for another position.  For a short time, Carla worked for a local design firm.  After being told her “Dallas style” would never sell here, she decided to go out on her own again.  She believed Colorado would embrace this style, and she was right!

As the in-home business kept growing, it required more and more employees to keep up with the demands of what had become a million dollar business. At her husband’s urging, Carla soon opened a storefront in Highland Ranch showcasing her services. The storefront allowed Carla to show the quality of furniture and accessories that she sold.  The added square footage also allowed her to hire more designers to support her growing firm!

After years of growth, the business outgrew the Highlands Ranch location, and it was time to start looking for something bigger.  The search led them to Southglenn.  The old mall had been demolished, and a larger outdoor mall was under construction. In February 2010, Carla opened her doors at The Streets at Southglenn with a new name CARLA’S: A CLASSIC DESIGN.

The company continues to grow and has served customers in homes all over the country and in Canada.  Clients include restaurants, dentists, doctors and other businesses around Colorado. Carla still loves what she does, and you can still see the passion she brings to every design

Awards

  • Named Finalist twice for the ARTS award (Accessories Resource Team) for the best Home Specialty store in the Midwest/Southwest
  • Reign Magazines Top 40 Designers in Colorado
  • Parade of Homes
  • Numerous Genesee Model Homes
  • Two models at Pradera
  • Governor’s Mansion in Dallas
  • First American Title Offices in Dallas
  • Numerous Egg and I restaurants around the country

Press

Women’s Edition, Denver Post, Buzz in the Burbs, The Highlands Ranch Herald, Colorado Homes and Lifestyles, Reign Magazine, Urban Home, Denver Life, Expressions, Denver Living, Luxe, The Villager

Charities

The Cancer League, Kempe, Children’s Hospital, Colorado Heart Institute, Women with Hattitude, Family Homesteaders, Excelsior, Firefly Autism, Denver Center Alliance, Haven’s Nest, and the Rocky Mountain MS Center.

Carla's BIO pic