Visual Thinker: Claudia Tejeda
NYSID alum and faculty member Claudia Tejeda ’08 (AAS) is the founder and principal of Claudia Giselle Design LLC. She came to NYSID after studying advertising and speech communications and recalls that, within the first hour of her first design class, she knew she had found her passion. A Certified Interior Designer (CID), she has more than 20 years of experience shaping hospitality, residential, and healthcare interiors. Her work has garnered industry recognition, including the International Furnishings and Design Association’s Envision Award in 2013. Since 2019, she has brought her expertise back to the classroom as an educator at NYSID, teaching Business of Design courses through NYSID’s Institute for Continuing and Professional Studies (ICPS).
Building Warmth that Sparks Connection
Winner of Westchester Magazine’s Best Dining Room award, this space in Briarcliff Manor, NY, was designed for a couple who love to host extended family members and need a dining room that maximizes functionality without sacrificing beauty. Tejeda used techniques that evoke warmth, openness, and connection to make the modestly sized room feel inviting and elegant. The contrast between natural materials and polished surfaces combined with the interplay of light and shadow creates a layered atmosphere that transforms throughout the day. The space feels larger through the careful balance of finishes and forms. The result is an intimate yet uncluttered dining room, capable of accommodating lively family gatherings while remaining sophisticated and timeless.
—Uzma Nur (MFA1 student)
The “Breathing Rectangle” dining table by Ted Boerner anchors the room with its sculptural form, which is complemented by its reflective surface and curved corners.
The tailored gray chairs from Baker Furniture maintain comfort and visual lightness while bridging modern and traditional styles.
The window treatments from Kravet feature a botanical pattern that softens the space and draws the eye upward, accentuating the room’s height.
The golden grass cloth wall covering balances light and texture and contrasts with the crisp wainscoting.
The brass-and-linen drum pendant from Visual Comfort was selected with specific proportions that help the room feel taller and airier.
The long custom sideboard, designed by Tejeda and fabricated by Ferrell Mittman, visually expands the wall while providing much-needed storage.
The custom antiqued mirror, designed by Tejeda and fabricated by J. Pocker, adds depth and enhances the room’s layered lighting.
