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 Viola-Kuttruff, Viola Interior Design, LLC top interior design firm
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.
JULIA ACKERMAN
Julia joins Viola Interior Design with a lifelong love of interiors that began in early childhood. Growing up in Bethlehem, PA, she developed a fascination for architecture and design from a young age. She then went on to study interior design at Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia.
Julia began her career in commercial design before discovering her true passion through a high-end residential internship, which confirmed that residential design was the right fit for her. She thrives on client connection and seeing a project through from start to finish. Her style blends mid-century, traditional, and contemporary influences inspired by her Bethlehem upbringing. Her favorite part of the design process is color theory and watching lighting, fabrics, finishes, wall colors, and draperies come together. Outside of work, she's often surfing, playing soccer, or silk screening.
SEAN Fertal
Sean joins Viola Interior Design with a background rooted in architecture and a passion for creating thoughtfully balanced, livable spaces. Sean studied at Philadelphia University, now Thomas Jefferson University’s East Falls campus, originally pursuing architecture before transitioning into architectural studies, which gave him a strong technical foundation paired with a deep appreciation for interior design.
Before joining Viola Interior Design, Sean built a diverse portfolio of experience working with respected firms throughout the Philadelphia metro area, as well as in New Jersey and New York City. Sean’s design philosophy centers on timeless balance, blending existing elements with new features to create spaces that feel both current and enduring. He believes homes should be equal parts functional and beautiful and encourages clients not to shy away from color or mixing styles.
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.