the viola interior design team
Established in 2005, Viola Interior Design, L.L.C. is an award winning firm and has been designing distinctive homes for years. Principal, Maria Viola-Kuttruff, Allied ASID believes in helping clients understand the importance of warm, inviting spaces that look beautiful and function well. This is done for each client's particular needs and aesthetic.
MARIA viola-kuttruff, Principal
Maria adds a unique perspective that stems from her expertise with color, custom designs and knowledge of design history. Developing long-lasting relationships has enabled her to take clients through multiple projects. Maria received her Master's degree in Interior Architecture and Design from Drexel University. She taught extensively at the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design at Drexel University, remaining grounded in academia but alive to new trends.
Her work has ranged from custom furniture designs to office spaces to the renovation of entire residences. As part of Philadelphia's guard of interior designers, Maria combines modern and traditional - balancing scale and proportion - with a twist that raises it above the ordinary. With humor, knowledge, and the ability to uncover a client's own sense of style, Maria partners with clients to affect change in their lives.
Maria is active in the American Society of Interior Designers, PA East Chapter and is Past President of its Board of Directors. She is the past recipient of two Chapter Awards; the Educator Award and the Presidential Citation and an IDA Philadelphia award for custom design of gates for a client’s home. Maria also previously sat on the board of Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia and was co-chair of its annual Twilight In The Garden fundraising event.
Lauren Penot
Lauren brings a life-long passion and more than 17 years of multi-faceted design experience to Viola Interior Design. Since joining the team in 2021, her tireless attitude and desire to continually enhance her knowledge of the industry has been evidentiary in her appreciation of timeless designs. Lauren received her Master’s Degree in Interior Architecture and Design from Drexel University, and approaches each project with thoughtfulness and enthusiasm. There is not one aspect of the full design process that Lauren does not embrace. Yet, she always creates a special place for outstanding client relationships and helps to assure their visions will successfully come to fruition.
DANIELLE Baitinger
Danielle brings a fresh perspective and an eye for detail to Viola Interior Design. Her passion for design runs deep having known from a young age that interior design was her calling and even attending a pre-college program at the New York School of Interior Design. From there, Danielle went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design from Drexel University, where she took part in the school’s co-op program. In May 2024, Danielle joined Viola Interior Design and was drawn by the chance to design residential interiors. Her design approach coupled with a love for creating thoughtful, personal spaces that reflect the people who live in them makes her a wonderful addition to the team.
Kelly Ross
As a valued design administrator for Viola Interior Design since 2021, Kelly Ross is the person behind the company’s continuous operations and day-to-day order. Her 30 years of experience in the apparel industry include positions in product development, design, and management. Previously holding the role of director of technical design for a major company, Kelly oversaw a myriad administrative and managerial duties, where she came up with systems and best practices to ensure that things would run as smoothly as possible. These skills translated well to interior design as keeping everything “ticked and tied” is an immeasurable feat. Kelly is inspired by a creative environment; and over the last five years has proven that when a good job is done behind the scenes, everything seems to beautifully fall into place for the client.
