Our Studio
BAMO is a collective of designers united by artistry, perspective, and collaboration.
From our offices in San Francisco, Providence, Miami, and Barcelona, we bring together diverse voices and shared expertise to create interiors recognized for their clarity, character, and impact. Our strength lies in the collective — a culture built on dialogue, craftsmanship, and a commitment to excellence that extends beyond design into lasting relationships and influence.
BAMO’s voice extends into the broader design community, where we engage with peers, thought leaders, and cultural innovators. We see design as a platform for influence — not only in the spaces we create, but in the conversations that define the industry. Through these affiliations and collaborations, we contribute ideas that shape perspectives and help set the tone for what design means today and where it is headed.


Team
Sergio Mercado
Bachelor of Architecture, University of Miami
Pamela Babey
Pamela Babey is a founding partner of BAMO and a visionary whose body of work has helped define the language of modern luxury interiors. Known for her painterly use of color, reverence for craftsmanship, and deep sensitivity to place, Pamela approaches each project as a blank page — a “carta bianca” — allowing the client, context, and narrative to guide the design.
Pamela’s legacy is evident in her award-winning portfolio of international hotels, estates, yachts, and residences, and in the generation of designers she has mentored. Her interiors evoke both elegance and joy, infused with artistry, authenticity, and just the right amount of eccentricity. Whether designing a Venetian-inspired villa or a contemporary retreat, Pamela creates spaces that are rich in texture, emotionally resonant, and designed to be lived in — not looked at.
Recognized by Interior Design’s Hall of Fame and Hospitality Design’s Platinum Circle, Pamela has left an indelible mark on the global design world. Her influence continues to shape BAMO’s creative spirit and commitment to timeless, character-driven design.
Bachelor of Architecture, University of California Berkeley
At home, in my Fortuny lined bedroom, reading in bed at twilight.
Being a member of the Save Venice foundation is positive.
Interior Design Hall of Fame inductee
Janet Mercier
Janet is an intuitive designer and thoughtful mentor to her colleagues, instilling confidence in her teams throughout the design process. Her hospitality and residential interiors expertise and her capacity to manage a project from design to completion produce a sense of enthusiasm and community between clients, consultants, and design teams.
Elevating sustainability across all our projects is a priority, and Janet is championing everyone to be more sustainable, including her clients. This philosophy impacts everything to elevate health and wellness — from material selections and smart systems integration to creating opportunities for natural light and linking indoor-outdoor spaces.
Her process is a creative journey, beginning with listening to her clients and then exploring and defining a site’s impact on the design. These elements and other influences, such as style and spatial flow, are distilled together to reveal the project’s essence and design narrative — and inspire the project’s form.
Janet is an incredibly collaborative leader and problem solver who encourages her team to originate fresh design ideas and create dynamic environments. She works closely with our leadership to provide seamless coordination between disciplines and visions.
Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design & Environmental Design, Technological University Dublin, Ireland
Amy Margolis, NCIDQ
Amy Margolis leads with clarity, empathy, and a strong sense of purpose. As Studio Director for BAMO East, she guides projects from early concept through execution, balancing design vision with the needs of clients, teams, and place.
Her approach begins with listening. She takes the time to understand priorities, from client goals to local context, using that insight to shape spaces that feel grounded and intuitive. She is particularly attuned to how a space is used, considering the guest journey and the shifting needs within each environment.
Known for her big-picture thinking and steady leadership, Amy helps teams navigate complexity while maintaining focus on what matters most. Her work is shaped by a curiosity about people and place, resulting in interiors that feel purposeful, cohesive, and built for real use.
BFA Interior Architecture, California College of the Arts, San Francisco
BA International Relations, University of California, Davis
A space filled with natural light and views of the outdoors. Comfortable, layered, and lived-in, with a sense of ease and warmth.
A space filled with natural light and views of the outdoors. Comfortable, layered, and lived-in, with a sense of ease and warmth.
Getting engaged in Venice in the winter. The next morning, we woke up early and watched the city come to life as workers arrived by boat. It was a reminder of how many people shape an experience behind the scenes.
Amaza Lam
With over 25 years of experience, Amaza is an Associate Principal at BAMO, leading hospitality and residential projects that are layered, thoughtful, and rooted in purpose. She believes good design enhances everyday life, especially when it reflects a client’s unique story and sense of place.
Influenced by her upbringing in Macau, she brings cultural sensitivity and a global perspective to each project. From private homes and branded residences to island resorts, she focuses on creating environments that promote well-being, comfort, and beauty. She is motivated by BAMO’s mission to create spaces that inspire, delight, and reflect each client’s unique identity and culture. She is passionate about mentoring young designers and fostering a collaborative, growth-oriented studio culture.
Her goal is simple: to design spaces that inspire — and to ensure every client feels truly cared for.
Bachelor of Science Degree in Interior Design, San Jose State University
My backyard garden, I can spend a long time there by myself – it’s a calm place to think and absorb my surroundings.
I find joy in serving my parish; engaging young people, organizing events, and coordinating volunteers for programs like the Winter Shelter.
A kind compliment from a client – “You are truly amazing, Amaza!”
Lauren McGuier
Lauren is gifted at cultivating clear and cohesive project concepts and collaborating closely with her team to ensure the vision is realized. She layers architecture, furniture, art, and accessories to attain the envisioned experience. Simultaneously, she focuses on the big idea and minute details to challenge the ordinary to create spaces for pleasure, joy, and delight.
Lauren is a problem-solver and loves how design can improve the quality of life. Her designs are filled with light, abundant with colors found in nature, and materials that boost the well-being of her clients. She doesn’t want more for more — she wants more meaningful and holistic solutions that generate greater environmental impact — sustainably and socially.
Regarded as a tremendous mentor and champion within our studio, Lauren is an integral contributor to her team. She nurtures diverse ideas and efficiently manages the specification and documents process for quality control and seamless delivery. She believes good design and the best solutions come from multiple voices — inspired by the different elements that everyone brings to the table.
Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Interior Design, Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle
Mira Asher
Mira connects the dots others might not see — creating refined projects that integrate interiors, furniture, and art into cohesive, thoughtful environments. Her client-centered approach begins with a big-picture view, developing solutions that balance creativity with purpose.
Curious and globally inspired, Mira draws from contrasting influences to craft spaces where people and their surroundings exist in harmony — each element enhancing the other and enriching daily life.
An invaluable collaborator, she excels at visual and verbal communication, helping clients clearly envision design ideas and possibilities. Known for her humor and openness, Mira brings energy and inclusivity to early charettes and team collaborations, encouraging emerging designers to share their voices and contribute fearlessly.
Master of Architecture, Tulane University
Kari Kleinmann, RA
Kari brings a materially driven and context-based approach to her work at BAMO. With a background in architecture and fine arts, she works across design phases with a focus on how interiors relate to the larger built environment.
Her work is grounded in the expression of materials, with an emphasis on how they are used, assembled, and experienced. She looks closely at context, drawing from both physical surroundings and cultural references to shape spaces that feel connected and specific.
Kari often draws from design history, using it as a point of departure rather than a reference to replicate. She is interested in the balance between restraint and richness, and how that tension can shape a space. Her work reflects a belief that interiors should feel considered and lasting, where material clarity and spatial intent carry equal weight.
Master of Architecture, Spitzer School of Architecture, CUNY
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Emily Carr University, Vancouver
Spending time gardening in my backyard during the summer. It’s grounding, hands-on, and a simple way to reconnect with the natural world.
I value sharing knowledge and supporting others along the way. A collaborative process is always stronger when people feel open to learning from one another.
Seeing a vision move from paper to installation never gets old. There’s something meaningful in watching an idea take shape and become real.
Samara Cramer
Samara brings a thoughtful, story-driven approach to her role as Marketing Manager at BAMO. With a background that spans fashion, sales, and brand marketing, she is adept at translating creative work into narratives that resonate across platforms. She works closely with the design team to shape how projects are communicated, from early concept through completion, with a focus on clarity, consistency, and visual impact.
Samara is known for her ability to balance intuition with analysis, pairing a strong editorial eye with a strategic understanding of audience and performance. She is particularly attuned to the details that define a project’s character, whether through behind-the-scenes content, interviews, or immersive storytelling.
Her perspective is shaped by an early career in New York’s Garment District and a longstanding interest in how people experience beauty in everyday life. She approaches marketing as an extension of design, grounded in connection, curiosity, and a sense of occasion.
Bachelor of Science Degree in Fashion Merchandising & Advertising, University of Delaware
I’m consistently drawn to the water. Whether ocean, lake, or lagoon, it brings a sense of ease. I’m inspired by the shifting color palette of blues and greens, and the way the Bay can sometimes appear almost velvety in its movement.
As a chef at heart, I’m drawn to the ritual of bringing people together. Whether hosting an intimate dinner or a larger gathering, I think carefully about atmosphere, rhythm, and the subtle details that shape how an experience is felt.
I love the moments just before a dinner party begins, when everything is in place and the room holds a quiet sense of anticipation. It feels like the start of a story.
Watching designers in the process of making decisions, selecting fabrics, and reviewing floor plans as they refine, adjust, and respond in real time. It’s in those moments that the design work feels most alive.
Gabriela Clark
Gabriela believes great design starts with empathy.
She doesn’t just create beautiful spaces, she listens attentively to understand her clients’ aspirations and the experiences they want to create, whether for their guests or themselves.
Her style leans casual-modern, bringing together natural materials, refined textures, and timeless elements with a quiet sense of modernity. Guided by research and a strong understanding of materials and furniture, Gabriela creates spaces that feel both grounded and elevated.
She’s fascinated by the relationship between the built environment and human experience: how scale, comfort, and flow can shape conversation and connection. Calm and collaborative, Gabriela fosters a culture of openness where great ideas emerge through shared dialogue.
Masters of Fine Art in Interior Architecture & Design, Academy of Art University
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, Trinity University
In her garden, a place of calm and creativity.
Actively involved in community restoration projects, creating green spaces, and restoring native habitats.
Completing The Ameswell Hotel — a project that fulfilled sustainability goals and showcased her leadership in design.
Tessa Garcia Almond
Tessa is a Senior Designer at BAMO, where she brings a steady, detail-oriented approach to complex hospitality and residential projects. With over a decade in the industry and six years at the firm, she works across design development, documentation, and construction administration, helping guide projects from early concepts through execution.
She is known for her precision in drawing and detailing, as well as her ability to coordinate across teams to keep work aligned and moving forward. The design team relies on her for thoughtful documentation and a clear understanding of how design decisions translate into built form.
Tessa is particularly attuned to flow and proportion, considering how people move through a space and how materials meet at every transition. Her perspective is shaped by early exposure to hospitality environments, along with a strong interest in art and art history, which continues to inform her understanding of composition and spatial experience. For her, a successful project is one where the team works in sync, and the outcome feels both resolved and effortless.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Art History, University of Maryland, College Park
Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design, New York School of Interior Design
Anywhere near a large body of water, especially warm beaches. The sound of waves and the salty air have a way of slowing everything down. Places like Kauai, St. John, the Greek islands, and Palawan come to mind.
I try to keep communication clear and consistent, whether I’m working with clients or consultants. It’s important to me that everyone feels aligned and that the design holds together as it moves forward.
Seeing The Ameswell Hotel fully built was incredibly rewarding. So much of what I had drawn and detailed was there, exactly as intended.
Julie Mohan
Julie brings a thoughtful and highly detail-oriented approach to her work at BAMO, where she specializes in purchasing for residential projects. She supports design teams by translating selections into clear, comprehensive documentation, managing procurement, and ensuring that each item is delivered and installed as envisioned.
Known for her precision and thoroughness, Julie is often relied upon to catch inconsistencies and keep complex processes on track. Her work allows designers to move forward with confidence, knowing that the details are being carefully managed behind the scenes.
Julie is drawn to balance in design, considering how color, material, and proportion relate to one another to create a sense of harmony. She is equally interested in the unexpected, often looking for subtle moments that bring energy and character to a space. Her perspective is shaped by an early interest in interiors and a lasting appreciation for spaces that feel both considered and lived in.
Bachelor of Science, University of Cincinnati
I try to make things as clear and seamless as possible for the team. Good communication and follow-through make a big difference, especially when there are many moving parts.
Completing our Hawaii Residence was a big moment for me. It was the first full residential project I handled from start to finish on the purchasing side, and seeing everything come together was really rewarding.
I’m drawn to spaces that feel balanced and comfortable, where everything works together naturally. I like it when there’s a sense of harmony, with just a small unexpected element that adds interest.
Nicole Bertrand
Nicole works across hospitality projects at BAMO, contributing from early concept through documentation with a flexible and hands-on approach. She moves easily between phases, supporting teams wherever needed, with a particular focus on furniture and finish documentation and the development of interior elements.
Her work is shaped by a close attention to how things come together, especially the relationships between furniture, architecture, and detail. She looks beyond individual pieces to understand how they function in context, ensuring that scale, proportion, and usability are considered at every level.
Nicole is drawn to the early stages of a project, where ideas are still forming and direction is being defined. She brings curiosity and energy to that process, helping translate big ideas into clear, buildable outcomes. Influenced by a background surrounded by makers and problem-solvers, she approaches design with a strong sense of craft and a commitment to creating spaces that feel intuitive, comfortable, and well resolved.
Bachelor of Architecture, University of Southern California
A space that feels balanced and relaxed, with layers of color and texture that don’t feel overworked. Comfortable, slightly unexpected, and able to shift easily between quiet and social.
Working as a team is essential. I value open exchange and shared problem-solving, where different perspectives lead to stronger outcomes.
Dining at Vespertine while in college was a turning point. The way lighting, temperature, and sound shifted with each course made the experience feel completely immersive. It changed how I think about hospitality design.
Ann Carver Murphy, NCIDQ
Ann Carver Murphy brings a research-driven and materially focused approach to her work at BAMO. She plays a key role in developing the interior palette, sourcing furnishings and textiles that give a space its depth and character.
She has a strong instinct for proportion and ergonomics, considering how elements relate to one another and how they are used in practice. Her work reflects a belief that spaces should feel welcoming and lived in, not overly composed or untouchable.
Ann is particularly drawn to textiles, both for their tactile quality and their ability to anchor a design. She approaches sourcing as a form of investigation, often pulling from a wide range of references to build palettes that feel cohesive without feeling predictable. Influenced by her background in art history and time spent studying in Japan, she brings a disciplined yet intuitive perspective to her work.
LEED Green Associate
A space that feels comfortable and inviting, where nothing feels too precious. Somewhere that’s layered, lived-in, and easy to settle into.
I value thoughtful collaboration and a shared sense of curiosity. The best work comes when people are open to ideas and engaged in the process.
Discovering a new material or textile that shifts the direction of a design always stands out. Those moments of discovery can open up entirely new possibilities.
Ngoc Truong
Bachelor of Science, Interior Design, University of Cincinnati
International Baccalaureate Diploma, British International School
Preem Benchangwisanu
Preem supports the design team across all phases of a project, with a focus on design development and the selection of furnishings and materials. Her work centers on building out the interior palette, sourcing pieces that carry the design vision forward and give the space its character.
She has a strong instinct for how a space is experienced, paying close attention to the details that shape perception and comfort. Rather than treating elements in isolation, she looks at how they work together, ensuring a sense of cohesion and clarity throughout.
Preem is particularly drawn to furniture sourcing, where she can shape the tone of a space and bring the design into sharper focus. Her approach balances visual impact with function, creating environments that feel considered, usable, and quietly resolved. Influenced by travel and exposure to different cultures, Preem brings a grounded and observant perspective to her work.
Master of Arts, Interior Architecture & Design, Academy of Art University
Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Architecture and Design, Thammasat University
A space that feels calm, balanced, and intentional. Somewhere everything has purpose, and where I can feel both relaxed and inspired.
Clear communication and mutual respect are essential. I value being thoughtful and supportive within a team, and I believe trust is built through consistency and openness.
Traveling and experiencing traditional spaces across different cultures. It showed me how deeply design can shape emotion and memory, even through simple materials and details.
Duncan Brydon
Duncan brings a steady and pragmatic perspective to his role as Controller at BAMO, overseeing the financial management that supports the studio’s work across projects and locations. With many years of experience across multiple industries, he ensures that financial systems are clear, accurate, and aligned with the needs of both project teams and the business as a whole.
He is a trusted resource for financial insight, helping teams understand the numbers behind decisions and keeping projects on track from a financial standpoint. Known for his reliability and straightforward approach, Duncan plays a key role in maintaining transparency and accountability across the studio.
While his focus is financial, he has a strong appreciation for the creative process and the work it supports. He values clarity, open communication, and a well-run process, believing that successful projects are not only thoughtfully designed, but also carefully managed and financially sound.
A space that feels natural and easy. Nothing forced, just a sense of calm and comfort.
Open and honest communication. It builds trust and keeps everyone moving in the same direction.
The birth and marriage of my daughters. Moments that put everything into perspective.
Our Values
Foster Bold Curiosity
Embrace creative exploration, confident originality in design and operations. Encourage adventurous thinking and fresh perspectives that redefine the boundaries of excellence.
Engage Graciously
Prioritize open communication, active listening and understanding, to foster meaningful partnerships built on trust, transparency, and shared visions. Commit to integrity, authenticity, trust, respect, and kindness that is holistic — extending to people, culture, communities, and the natural world.
Master Our Craft
Empower every team member to embody their full potential, upholding the mastery of craft and nurturing artistic sensibilities and design excellence. Merge the wisdom of time-honored craftsmanship with the innovation of the future through attention to detail and strong foundations.
Embrace Collaboration
Harness the strength of individual talents and perspectives to create a unified community that thrives on collaboration and adaptability, enriching our designs and relationships. Foster a culture of openness, candor, wellness, personal and collective growth through the diversity of our unique perspectives.
Infuse Joyful Spirit
Imbue our projects, culture and interactions with a sense of exuberance, delight, optimism, and gratitude, creating an atmosphere that uplifts and inspires all who engage with us and our spaces.
Our Legacy
BAMO’s story began with two commissions: the Four Seasons Hotel in Milan and McEvoy Ranch in Northern California. Those first projects set the course for our studio, establishing hospitality and residential design as the foundations of our practice. More than three decades later, those relationships continue to shape our work — with over a dozen collaborations for Four Seasons and many other luxury operators worldwide, as well as enduring partnerships with residential clients, some of whom we have now designed for across multiple generations. This legacy of trust and continuity reflects the values at the heart of BAMO: artistry, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to design excellence.
As Seen In