About Us
A Distinctly Personal Approach to Design
At Belle Baron Design, we believe that a well-functioning home is the baseline. Any thoughtful designer can create a space that meets your needs.
Our work goes further than that. We focus on helping our clients identify and refine their own sense of style, often uncovering a perspective they didn't fully realize they had. Whether shaping an existing point of view or building one from the ground up, our process is always collaborative, intuitive, and deeply personal throughout.
Born and shaped by New Orleans, a city defined by its history, culture, and unapologetic authenticity, our work embraces a distinctly layered, collected approach to design. By integrating new, custom, and meaningful pieces including antiques and heirlooms, we create homes that feel grounded, personal, and lived-in.
The goal is never simply a finished space. It is a lasting foundation, one that allows our clients to continue evolving their home with confidence over time.
Elizabeth Baron
Founder & Principal
A New Orleans native, Elizabeth Baron developed an early appreciation for beauty, culture, and craftsmanship through the influence of her Colombian mother, whose love of antiques, estate sales, and collected treasures helped shape her perspective on design. Surrounded by the city's rich architectural heritage and vibrant character, she cultivated a lifelong passion for creating spaces that feel personal and enduring.
That passion was further nurtured by her aunt and uncle, both interior designers. Some of Elizabeth's fondest childhood memories involve exploring fabric showrooms and design studios, experiences that sparked a lasting fascination with interiors and the stories they tell.
Before founding Belle Baron Design, Elizabeth spent nearly two decades in television news. Working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment sharpened her ability to manage complex projects, make thoughtful decisions under pressure, and lead with clarity and confidence.
Today, those skills continue to inform her approach to design, from coordinating with contractors and artisans to sourcing the perfect vintage piece. Elizabeth brings a love of storytelling, a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, and an eye for timeless design to every project, guided by the belief that a home should reflect the people who live there, honor their history, and evolve with them over time.
Meet the Team
Courtney Okolo
Lead Designer
Dallas native Courtney Okolo is an interior designer whose work is rooted in thoughtful functionality and timeless design. A University of Texas alumna and 2016 Olympian, she transitioned from professional athletics to interior design after earning her degree from Houston City College in 2026.
Our AutoCAD and space-planning guru, Courtney has an innate curiosity for understanding how things work. Whether she's dissecting a complex floor plan, studying building systems, or engineering the perfect upholstery detail, she approaches every project with discipline, creativity, and a meticulous eye for detail.
Outside the studio, that same maker's mindset comes to life through sewing, furniture building, and hands-on craftsmanship—creative pursuits that continually inform her thoughtful approach to design.
Anna Beth Charlet
Project Manager
Anna Beth's love of interior design began early, growing up in a family business rooted in custom home building before evolving into a boutique clothing store. There, she developed a keen eye for textiles, color, styling, and visual merchandising—an experience that perfectly complements Belle Baron Design's love of layered textiles, timeless style, and thoughtful details.
At Belle Baron Design, Anna Beth is the grease on our squeaky wheel—the organizational force behind every project. She keeps vendors, timelines, client presentations, and countless moving pieces running smoothly behind the scenes, ensuring every project stays on track from concept to completion.
Outside the studio, Anna Beth enjoys exploring estate sales with her family, collecting vintage clothing, painting, and embroidery. Her appreciation for timeless craftsmanship and one-of-a-kind finds continues to inspire both her work and everyday life.
April Tracton
Stylist & Designer
April Tracton is our resident stylist, fabric enthusiast, and unofficial head of quality control. Around here, the buck stops with April. Before anything leaves the studio, she's already measured it twice (okay... probably five times), spotted the issue no one else saw, and figured out how to fix it.
Ironically, April first came to Belle Baron Design as a client, trusting us to help renovate her beautiful historic home. Somewhere between fabric memos and design meetings, we realized she wasn't just a client—she was one of us. Thankfully, she agreed.
With an incredible eye for styling, a love of beautiful textiles, and an unwavering commitment to getting every last detail right, April helps ensure our projects aren't just beautiful—they're beautifully executed.
Meet the Design Dogs
No design studio is complete without a little chaos.
Meet Gretta and Lilly, our four-legged office companions, unofficial greeters, and full-time morale boosters. While they may not know the difference between marble and quartzite, they definitely know how to make the workday more entertaining.
Gretta Ethel Hufnagel
Chief Comfort Officer
Gretta is the calm, gentle soul of the office. She's happiest curled up in a sunny spot while the team works away, bringing a quiet sense of calm to even the busiest days. Most of the time, you wouldn't even know she's there...until the unmistakable sound of her motorboat snoring—or her equally unforgettable gas—reminds everyone who's really running the studio.
Lilly NOLA Baron ("Hey Hey")
Director of Disruptions
If there's a sample book missing a corner, a squirrel outside the window, or an open office door, Lilly has already found it. Affectionately nicknamed "Hey Hey" (yes, like the chicken from Moana), she's endlessly curious, delightfully mischievous, and keeps the entire office on its toes. Her specialties include chewing fabric samples, making dramatic exits just as we're leaving for appointments, and reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously.
We moved into our home with ideas but no clear design vision. Elizabeth quickly understood our style and helped us create a cohesive look that feels timeless, warm, and natural. She was an invaluable partner throughout the renovation process.
- Lindsey Putterman
