Artistic Elements: Delivering Luxury Designs Without Borders

In February 2020, Katya and Drew Thompson took a leap of faith purchasing Artistic Elements, a small custom framing store in downtown Boca Raton, FL. What began as a small retail storefront is now a flourishing design destination—home to their full-service interior design studio and home décor showroom. Today, the couple leads a team of 18 designers, offering bespoke luxury interiors to clients across the country and internationally.

Their unique path to success began with a shared love for design. Katya, who came to the United States from Eastern Europe in 2005, had been studying civil engineering but felt something was missing. When she transferred to the University of Oklahoma, a career counselor suggested a degree in interior design, and everything clicked.

After graduation, Katya moved to Dallas, where she worked in commercial design. There, she met Drew, then CFO of a bathtub company, with an eye for product design and showroom management experience. On a vacation in Italy, Drew told Katya that he wanted to quit his job and open a design firm together. “I didn’t hesitate,” Katya recalls. “I knew residential design was where I belonged.”

Growing with Vision

Three months later, they relocated to Boca Raton and purchased Artistic Elements—just weeks before the COVID-19 lockdown. “It ended up being a gift,” says Drew. “That downtime allowed us to plan. And with so many people moving to Florida, the work came in quickly.”

What began as a two-person operation is now a thriving international firm. “How we document our work and communicate with clients allows us to take on projects remotely,” says Drew. “There’s no limitation. We can design anywhere in the world.”

Quartz That Speaks Their Language

Katya and Drew were both familiar with Cambria before launching their firm. “I knew of Cambria from design school,” says Katya. Drew, a longtime KBIS trade show attendee, recognized Cambria’s quality and revolutionary products early on. Cambria quartz surfaces quickly became a favorite with their design team.

Their showroom includes a materials library that the designers use to make curated presentations and lifelike renderings. For busy clients, the ability to trust the team—and the product—is crucial. “Cambria is especially useful for remote work,” Drew adds. “Clients know what they’re going to get. There are no surprises.”

A Major Project, Fully Remote

Among their proudest achievements is a 10,000-square-foot vacation home in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with the interiors designed entirely remotely. Their Memphis-based client visited the Artistic Elements showroom just once to finalize fabrics; everything else was handled from afar.

The expansive kitchen’s focal point is a pair of massive 12-foot islands with waterfall tops in Cambria’s Berkshire Brass Satin Ridge, trimmed with a metal detail. “It was the first thing we picked,” says Katya. “The house is on the beach, and all you see is water and a lot of sand. The pattern reminded me of shifting sand—I could almost feel the movement.”

The same quartz design was also used on the perimeter counters and full-height backsplash, creating a cohesive and breathtaking space. “The quartz was the star of the show,” Katya adds. “We built everything else around it.”

They credit their Cambria rep with helping bring their vision to life. “We needed large-format samples and product guidance—and they delivered,” says Drew. “People may not realize how crucial that kind of support is. Not many companies in our industry have reps who focus on interior designers—the ones who specify the materials. Cambria understands the designer’s role in the selection process.”

Design That Travels Well

Artistic Elements works efficiently across time zones, starting with a three-step process: understanding the clients’ vision, identifying optimal materials, and confirming the budget. The firm also focuses on meticulous details that enhance a clean contemporary style. For instance, Katya specifies counters with square edges for a modern look that helps unify the counters and cabinets.

Looking Ahead

Katya and Drew draw inspiration from their travels. “We stayed at a hotel on Capri that had a quartz shower with a seamless pan. I’d love to bring that look to a future project,” Katya says. She’s also eager to experiment with Cambria’s backlit surfaces. “It’s stunning. We’re just waiting for the right space.”

As their team grows, so does their shared vision. “Not everyone can be a husband-and-wife team,” says Drew, “but it works for us. My business background complements Katya’s incredible design sensibility. And now, with our new baby daughter and our strong creative team, we’re more inspired than ever.”