About Destination Eichler

Destination Eichler started as a design blog for homeowners Karen Nepacena and John Shum to chronicle their journey renovating a mid-century modern Eichler home in Northern California. Their home renovation projects and blog gained national attention and soon the couple began taking on clients who were attracted to their modern design aesthetic and focus on mid-century modern architecture. In 2016 Destination Eichler transitioned from an online blog into a full service interior design firm helping homeowners re-imagine and transform their homes.

Karen Nepacena, Principal Designer

Karen Nepacena is known for her ability to merge beauty and practicality, solve unique design problems and make interior design approachable for homeowners. She quickly emerged as one of the country’s leading authorities on mid-century modern design after her firm and blog Destination Eichler, chronicling her family’s journey restoring their Eichler home, captured the attention of publications such as domino, Dwell, HGTV Magazine, Apartment Therapy, and Atomic Ranch. Karen also has a passion for vintage pieces and DIY-design projects that get the whole family involved. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband John and two sons. Her first book, Midcentury Modern Style: An Approachable Guide to Inspired Rooms was released on October 17, 2023. 

  • Associate Designer

    Aisha is a stylist, designer and all around creative powerhouse.

    She holds a degree in Graphic Design from Northeastern University, and created print and web designs for over fifteen years. In Boston, she met her creative soulmate, Destination Eichler Co-Founder, Karen Nepacena. The fast friends continued their creative collaborations in San Francisco in 2005, and Aisha began expanding her design expertise into interiors.

    She is a key design partner for many Destination Eichler projects and brings expertise in product sourcing and curation, with the innate knack to find just the perfect mid-century modern piece to round out a room design. Her experience as a Professional Organizer also helps to ensure both form and function in a space transformation. Aisha currently lives in Toronto in her modern dream house full of plants, patterns, and gorgeous golden-hour light.

  • Associate Designer

    Olivia started as our very first Design Intern and has since transitioned to Associate Designer. She supports numerous aspects of the Destination Eichler design process, whether it is sketching out a new space, to sourcing new products and creating photo realistic renderings of our projects. Olivia is an integral member of our small, but mighty Design Team.

    She holds an Associates Degree in Interior Design from FIDM in San Francisco and a BFA in Interior Architecture from California State University, Sacramento.

  • Co-Founder, Destination Eichler

    John first built out the original Destination Eicher Blog, chronicling his many DIY projects to help other midcentury modern enthusiasts restore their home.

    Since the transition to interior design, John manages everything from the website and online marketing, to photographing our interior design projects.

    He holds a Bachelors Degree in Industrial Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston.

Join the team

While we are a small, but mighty design firm, we are always open to bringing in like-minded design professionals to join our team. Tell us more about what makes you awesome and how you think you could contribute to Destination Eichler.

Our Eichler Eichler Journey - Before and Afters, DIY projects, and all the blood sweat and tears that helped inspire us to create this firm. Explore >