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Call us — (732) 244.7778

Over the past 35 years…

Design Alternatives has designed over 5 million interior square feet, and completed over 400 projects. We specialize in commercial interiors, offering interior design, furnishings, and full-service renovations for common spaces, from lobbies and clubhouses to lounges and corridors. 

Our seasoned team has a diverse background and focuses on Senior Living, Healthcare, Hospitality, and Residential Communities. We have completed designs for leading brands including Springpoint Senior Living, Holiday Inn, Ramada Inn, Quality Inn, Kung Fu Tea, Jersey Mikes and many more.

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Our Team

Chris Welch

Chris Welch

CEO & Principal
Keri Tickle

Keri Tickle

Lead Interior Designer
Kelly Lipfert

Kelly Lipfert

Procurement & Operations Manager
George McGuire

George McGuire

Construction Manager
lorraine-kuldanek

Lorraine Kuldanek

Staff Interior Designer

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Merielle Jurlina

Staff Interior Designer

Jenna Messemer

Jenna Messemer

Interior Designer
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Anne Johnston

Senior Relationship Manager
Noel Minoza Headshot Business Casual Yellow

Noel Miñoza

Business Operations Analyst

Our Founder

Carrie Fusella

Carrie Fusella was a leading interior designer with over 35 years of experience in health care, hospitality, and commercial spaces. She believed that form must follow function—crafting spaces that were not only beautiful but also adaptable, durable, and truly practical. With a background in construction management and partnerships with top furnishing manufacturers, Carrie developed a business that created inviting common areas, balancing aesthetic appeal with real-world functionality. Carrie’s spirit of innovation and client success continues with the team today.

Chris Welch

CEO

Chris Welch is an experienced leader with over 20 years of success managing teams and delivering results on complex projects. With a background spanning startups to publicly traded companies, Chris has built scalable operations, led high-performing teams, and worked closely with Fortune 2000 clients like Walmart and BlackRock. Raised in a family deeply rooted in real estate and construction, Chris understands the industry inside and out. He has a proven ability to execute detailed, high-stakes projects while fostering trust and collaboration at every step.

Keri Tickle

Senior Designer

Keri Tickle is a licensed interior designer (NJ#21ID00049300) with over 20 years of experience and blends a background in architecture with creative vision. She has honed her interior design approach at leading professional firms & corporations, including DIGroupArchitecture, HKS Architects, and Hackensack Meridian Health, and is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers. Leveraging her broad experience in both residential and commercial design, Keri crafts environments that meet the unique needs of her clients—from welcoming hospitality spaces and home renovations to dynamic office settings—ensuring every project achieves a balanced blend of style, warmth, and practicality. Viewing interiors as an extension of architecture, Keri approaches each project with a keen eye for spatial flow, structure, and design integration. Her clients appreciate her collaborative style and meticulous attention to detail.

Kelly Lipfert

Operations Manager

Kelly Lipfert blends high-level corporate acumen with a proven entrepreneurial spirit. She began her career on Wall Street and advanced to Vice President at Goldman Sachs before leaving the corporate world after 9/11 to launch a brick-and-mortar and online luxury gift boutique, Urban Details, which she ran for over 15 years. Now at Design Alternatives, Kelly leverages her extensive experience in purchasing, logistics, and administration. Her keen eye for detail ensures that our team gets the right products at the right time, keeping every project on schedule and on budget.

George McGuire

Construction Project Manager

George McGuire is a Master Carpenter with decades of hands-on experience and a deep family legacy in the building trades. Raised working alongside his father and grandfather in carpentry, electrical work, and welding, he earned top honors in vocational training and refined his skills with the US Army Combat Heavy Engineers in Germany. After his service, George joined the Carpenters Union, contributing to landmark projects, including iconic Russian Orthodox church domes, as well as supervising high-end custom homes, schools, banks, and senior living facilities. Since joining Design Alternatives in 2017, George’s diverse expertise has ensured projects are executed efficiently and to the highest standards.

Jenna Messemer

Staff Designer

Jenna Messemer has a master’s degree in sustainable interior environments and bachelor’s degree in interior design. Before joining Design Alternatives, she led interior design for Walters Homes, where she provided design guidance from initiation through completion. She managed the design center and worked closely with the firm’s architect to determine how interior spaces will look and function. She also has a strong technical background having held roles as a 3D modeler at K Hovnanian and draftsman at Feldman and Feldman architects.