Founder – Studio Coco Greenblum
Background
For Coco Greenblum, creativity has always been closely connected to family, travel, and the environments that shaped her childhood. Growing up in Austin, Texas, she spent much of her time outdoors, making things with her hands and exploring different forms of artistic expression. Her early appreciation for design developed naturally through the people around her, particularly her grandparents, whose creative interests introduced her to art, interiors, and furniture from an early age.
Her maternal grandmother, an interior designer and painter in Dallas, became one of her most meaningful creative influences. Greenblum spent considerable time in her grandmother’s thoughtfully designed home, accompanying her to galleries and developing an appreciation for textiles, art, and the details that give a space personality. Their relationship remains an important part of her life. When traveling to Dallas for projects, Greenblum often stays with her grandmother, sharing presentations and discussing fabrics and design ideas together.
On her father’s side, her grandfather was a furniture dealer in Mexico who specialized in midcentury pieces. She remembers walking across the border to his store as a child, along with his friend’s three story decor shop filled with pieces from artists around Mexico, and says she was always surrounded by design in some way. Her father also encouraged travel, introducing Greenblum and her siblings to cultures and environments beyond Texas. These experiences helped develop the curiosity and openness that continue to influence her creative perspective.
Greenblum initially explored event planning before discovering residential interior design at the University of Georgia. Her education was complemented by internships in San Francisco and Dallas, and after graduating she worked with established designers including Emily Summers, Lauren Geremia, Paul Wiseman, Ken Fulk, and Jeremiah Brent. Working across different studios exposed her to a wide range of aesthetics, organizational approaches, and creative philosophies.
After years of developing her experience, Greenblum founded Studio Coco Greenblum in Los Angeles. Establishing her own practice allowed her to combine the artistic influences of her upbringing with the professional knowledge she had gained throughout her career.
Approach
Greenblum approaches interior design with a strong belief that every home should reflect the people who live in it. Rather than developing a single recognizable aesthetic, she enjoys exploring different architectural styles, color palettes, and furnishings according to each client’s personality and surroundings. Her projects range from midcentury interiors to English cottage influences, demonstrating a willingness to work across different creative directions.
Color is one of the most consistent elements of her design perspective. When asked about her style, she says she doesn’t have one aesthetic, she just loves color. Her experience working with designers known for distinct visual approaches has given her the confidence to move between styles while maintaining an appreciation for quality and craftsmanship.
Antique and reclaimed furniture are especially important to her work. Greenblum enjoys researching the history of individual pieces, understanding their construction, and introducing clients to objects they may not have considered before.
Her interest in furniture also extends to the emotional connections people develop with objects. When creating custom pieces, she looks for opportunities to incorporate personal details that hold meaning for the people who will use them. These gestures may be subtle, but they reflect her belief that thoughtfully designed furnishings can become part of a family’s story.
Comfort is another essential consideration. Having experienced a physically challenging recovery from a major surgery, Greenblum developed a particularly strong awareness of how furniture interacts with the body. She pays close attention to proportions, support, and ergonomics, recognizing that a beautiful piece must also serve the person using it.
Beyond aesthetics, Greenblum places considerable importance on communication and trust. She values transparency with clients and collaboration with the construction teams responsible for bringing her designs to life. Her approach combines artistic curiosity with an organized, thoughtful process that keeps the client’s experience at the center of the work.
Beyond Design
Outside her studio, Greenblum continues to explore the artistic interests that have accompanied her throughout her life. Museums are among her favorite places to spend time, offering both inspiration and an opportunity to recharge. In Los Angeles, she enjoys visiting institutions such as the Norton Simon Museum, where the range of art and the lily pad garden provide a welcome change from the demands of managing projects.
Her fascination with historic furniture remains a personal passion as much as a professional one. She enjoys learning about designers from earlier generations, examining the craftsmanship of older pieces, and understanding how their ideas continue to influence contemporary interiors. For Greenblum, furniture is a form of art, with each object carrying evidence of the people, places, and periods that shaped it.
Travel has also remained an important part of her life. The experiences her father encouraged during childhood helped establish an appreciation for different cultures, and she continues to approach unfamiliar places with curiosity. Working on projects across the United States gives her opportunities to experience new environments and discover how architecture and local character vary from one region to another.
Family relationships are particularly meaningful to Greenblum. Her continuing connection with her grandmother reflects the role that shared creative interests can play across generations. Their conversations about textiles, presentations, and design are reminders of how personal relationships have influenced her professional identity.
Greenblum also places considerable value on the relationships she develops through her work. She becomes deeply invested in her projects and the people involved, finding the completion of a home both rewarding and emotional. Seeing clients settle into spaces created specifically for them is one of the experiences she appreciates most, even when it means saying goodbye to a project that has occupied years of her life.
As she continues building her studio, Greenblum remains committed to learning, exploring, and appreciating the smaller experiences that contribute to professional and personal growth. Her journey has been shaped by family influences, meaningful mentorship, and a lasting fascination with the stories that interiors can tell.
