get to know our designers
COLETTE FONSECA, ASID NCIDQ
PRINCIPAL & FOUNDER
Colette Fonseca, principal + founder of Altitude Design Co., sees exciting possibilities everywhere she goes—what’s not there (yet), what could be reimagined, and what could be created.
Since childhood, she has been fascinated with the concept of “home”, especially how people live, move, and find solace and security in their own space. As a professional designer, her commitment to helping people develop their sense of home has led to her particular style, one that has been described as “the perfect intersection between form and function”.
Colette has a wealth of design expertise, earning a BS in Interior Design with a Minor in Art History from The University of Nevada, and acquiring the prestigious NCIDQ certification. She also has ten years of experience working as a professional designer for some of Tahoe’s most respected firms, contributing to custom home developments in Schaffer’s Mill, Lahontan, and Martis Camp, as well as the Ritz Carlton Lake Club.
Combining her passion for culture and nature with an eye for style and composition that has been cultivated through her extensive travels and time spent studying abroad, Colette is able to translate her passion and inspiration into unique and inspired homes. Her attention to detail and ability to connect with her clients’ vision has built her a solid reputation in the design community.
about our team
Haley DeWitt
Associate Designer
For her entire professional life, Haley has been on a trajectory towards an interior design career.
She attended the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, graduating with an Associates of Art Advanced Study in Interior Design in 2013. She met Colette while they were both working for an interior design firm in Truckee, and their friendship has continued since. Haley officially joined Altitude Design Co. as an Associate Designer in March 2021.
Haley enjoys all that the Sierras have to offer—sailing, kayaking, hiking, and relaxing on the beach in the Summer, and skiing in the Winter. She loves embarking on trips with friends, and one of her favorite ways to describe her lifestyle is that she "resides in Truckee, but is usually found elsewhere".
Kelsey Barnes
Junior Designer
Kelsey has a strong passion for interior design, one that led to a remarkable career shift.
After getting her JD from The George Washington University Law School in 2017, Kelsey practiced corporate law for three years at one of the largest, multinational law firms in the world. But then she took on a pro bono client, a remarkable woman who runs a nonprofit that helps underprivileged entrepreneurs. Through their conversations, Kelsey was inspired to identify what a meaningful career would look like for her.
So after reassessing her values, Kelsey chose to pursue her dream career in interior design. Now, she gets to use the analytical skills she honed in the legal field to make a personal impact on the clients she works with, helping them create home environments that increase their quality of life.
She joined Altitude Design Co. in October 2020, and has been gaining valuable experience and making a meaningful difference in the lives of her clients ever since.
When she’s not designing interior spaces, Kelsey enjoys ballet (she’s a former Boston Ballet trainee), snowboarding, photography, and is a connoisseur of modernist art and literature.
