Women, In Their Own Words: Alex Thies

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Welcome to another edition of our “Women, In Their Own Words” interview series! At DesignDash, we we are honored to shine a light on the women whose talent, leadership, and creative integrity continue to shape the design world in powerful ways. Each conversation gives our readers a window into the philosophies, personal histories, and motivations that drive their work. Their stories remind us how deeply design is tied to lived experience, intuition, and craft.

Today, we’re delighted to feature Alex Thies, Owner and Creative Director of Adelyn Charles Interiors, a Naples-based design studio rooted in architectural precision, refined process, and a genuine love for creating homes where families can gather and thrive. With over 20 years of experience spanning architecture, commercial design, and high-end residential interiors, Alex brings a rare blend of technical mastery and soulful creativity to every project.

Named after her two children, Adelyn and Charles, the firm reflects Alex’s belief that nothing matters more than family and that thoughtful, well-designed homes have the power to elevate daily life. With an all-women leadership team and a guiding philosophy centered on function, flow, and livable beauty, Alex has become a defining voice in luxury residential design across Southwest Florida.

In this interview, Alex shares the childhood memory that shaped an entire architectural concept, her admiration for Leonardo da Vinci, and how emotional intelligence and empathy ground her leadership. We hope you enjoy reading Alex’s responses as much as we did!

Women, In Their Own Words: Alex Thies

DesignDash: If you could listen to only one musical artist while working, who would it be and why?

Alex Thies: Without a doubt, Jack Johnson. He is my all-time favorite for chill, laid back vibes. It’s my instant happy place and always puts me in a good headspace.

DD: What’s the most unusual source of inspiration you’ve found for your work?

AT: Recently, while collaborating with an architect on a new home design, we were discussing how the approach of this particular lot was a bit winding and obscure. It brought me back to an experience from my childhood when I would spend summers on Martha’s Vineyard with all my cousins at my grandmother’s house.

It was this magical experience to get to the beach. We would first walk down a gravel driveway where we would pick blackberries off the bushes on our way until we made it to an opening in the woods where we would walk down a long winding path. The path led us to a dock where we kept a rowboat, and we would load up in the boat and take it across the pond to a sand dune where we would climb through the seagrass to get to the beach.

It was the entire experience of getting there that I remember more so than even being at the beach itself. I shared this story with the team, and we ultimately decided to design the house according to this philosophy—that it’s really all about the journey and that the path to get there should be just as celebrated as the destination. The entire ethos of this home will now revolve around that, and I love that my experience as a child is now the heartbeat of the entire project.

DD: If you could collaborate with any historical figure, who would it be and what would you create together?

AT: When I was in elementary school, I did a project where I had to learn everything there was to know about Leonardo da Vinci and present to the rest of my class. I was fascinated then, and continue to be, at the way he was a master of so many things—from being a fine artist to an inventor, a master of geology and zoology, an architect, an engineer and beyond.

He represented so much of my approach to design—beauty with a foundation of function and reason. I think I would be so completely fascinated to work alongside him that I would be happy creating anything, while understanding the theory and logical reasoning behind it.

DD: Do you have a must-do creative ritual or superstition before starting a project? If yes, what is it?

AT: Before I dig into any of the actual design, I dig in deep into the function. My very first step on any project is doing a deep dive of the architectural plans, reviewing the form, flow and functionality of a space. I literally walk through the plans from space to space with pen on paper, evaluating traffic patterns, door swings, window placements etc. Before we pick out a single color, I need to understand a space and make suggestions to improve the function. Once that is sorted, then I can wrap my head around making it beautiful.

DD: If your creative work were a color palette, which colors would be essential?

AT: Warm neutrals and layered textures are the foundation for all of my work. Colors come through as accents and pops and can vary from client to client, but it is that common thread of warm, inviting neutral tones that define my vision.

DD: How do you manage the business side of being a creative—do you enjoy it or is it something you’ve had to grow into?

AT: I’ve always been a combination of the left and right brain. Though I am inherently creative, I also love numbers, logic, and math. The business side was not something I was ever taught so it was a learning curve for sure, but has become something I find myself really enjoying and thriving in. That being said, nothing fulfills me like the creative aspects of this career, and I just feel so blessed that I can make a living doing what I love and in a way that really makes use of both sides of my brain.

DD: If you could only use three tools or materials for the rest of your career, what would they be?

AT: Wood, natural stone and linen. The combination of those three elements speak to the organic warmth that resonates within our brand.

DD: How has your creative process evolved over the years?

AT: It has certainly become more refined. I am incredibly process driven, and I have learned that the processes we have in place put our clients at ease. New construction is something I have become very experienced with and knowledgeable in, and I have found that if you have a clear process in place, it helps make it an enjoyable experience for the client rather than a stressful one.

We really hold our clients’ hands through each step of the way, staying ahead of deadlines and urgent decisions, which has come from years of experience and knowing what is anticipated by clients and builder alike.

DD: What’s one piece of advice you wish you’d known when you started your business or creative career?

AT: I wish I would have known to be more confident in myself and my ideas. I think when you are first starting out, it’s easy to second guess yourself or compare yourself to others, especially in an industry that is so subjective. I found my most success when I leaned into my own thoughts and instincts and trusted my gut, but it took me some time to get there and realize my own abilities.

DD: Have you seen the landscape change for women in the creative industry over the years? What still needs to change?

AT: It has changed, for sure, but we still have work to do. As a younger female business owner, I still feel like I need to prove myself in the male dominated construction industry and often find myself in positions where I am talked down to or underestimated because I am a woman. I think women are expected to be designers, but not to be successful business owners or to hold our ground in difficult situations. I think many people still need to realize that we deserve a seat at the table and are just as capable as any man at running a successful business.

DD: How do you think being a woman has shaped your creative vision or business approach?

AT: If anything, I think it is a strength. So much of this business is having emotional intelligence, empathy, and an ability to connect with clients on a deeper level to really understand their wants and needs when designing their custom home. I also think as a woman and a mother, I have an incredible ability to multitask and juggle a wide variety of projects, workloads, and responsibilities that makes me so much better at running a business.

DD: Have you recently wrapped any exciting projects or collaborations?

AT: Within this last year, I have fulfilled one of my dreams in launching our very own retail line, Adelyn Charles Collection. I curated a line of decorative accessories from a variety of manufacturers and artisans around the world that really speak to the ease and comfort of our interiors, aimed at making design approachable and attainable for all. I am really proud of this collection and excited to see it develop and grow, just as our design firm has over the last six years.

Many Thanks to Alex Thies for Participating in “Women, In Their Own Words”

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Alex for sharing her thoughtful insights, stories, and perspectives in this installment of “Women, In Their Own Words.” Her work at Adelyn Charles Interiors reflects a deep commitment to intentional design, warm livable luxury, and the belief that homes should be created with and for the families who inhabit them.

From architecturally driven new builds to the launch of the Adelyn Charles Collection, Alex brings heart, discipline, and vision to every endeavor. Her leadership continues to inspire a new generation of women in design, proving that emotional intelligence, process-driven thinking, and confidence in one’s own creative instincts are powerful tools for shaping meaningful spaces.

We encourage you to explore more of Alex’s work through Adelyn Charles Interiors online and on social media for updates on her latest projects and product launches.

Stay tuned for more inspiring voices in our “Women, In Their Own Words” series. If you would like to be invited to participate, please email our EIC at editor@designdash.com with “WITOW” in the subject line and your responses in the body.

Written by the DesignDash Editorial Team
Our contributors include experienced designers, firm owners, design writers, and other industry professionals. If you’re interested in submitting your work or collaborating, please reach out to our Editor-in-Chief at editor@designdash.com.