Designer Spotlight — TOBE DesignGroup

“The goal of any well-designed space should not be merely to satisfy a basic need but to do so artfully and thoughtfully,” says Todd Howard Ezrin, Principal Designer at TOBE DesignGroup, a full-service interior architecture and design firm located just outside Washington, D.C., in Bethesda, Maryland.

Todd founded TOBE in 2011 after earning degrees in Interior Design from Marymount University and in Business Management from Ithaca College and then broadening his professional experience working at the Kimball International Showroom in Washington, D.C., and Hartman Design Group in Rockville, Maryland. However, Todd saw entrepreneurship as giving him more control over his work, so in 2011, he struck out in that direction.

“I always knew I wanted my own business,” says Todd. “I wanted more autonomy over my projects and my life, and starting my own firm gave me exactly that.”

Initially, most of Todd’s projects were residential, but he quickly found himself drawn to commercial and hospitality design — a shift that has only grown over time. Today, while TOBE continues to work on residential projects, they are equally engaged in new construction and remodeling for the multifamily residential, corporate, and retail markets. Describing his style as “transitional, leaning towards contemporary,” Todd and his team take on projects ranging from 1,500 to 25,000 square feet, with budgets between $25,000 and $3 million.

A third-generation Washingtonian, Todd remains deeply connected to the D.C. metropolitan area, which continues to be TOBE’s primary market. However, their reach extends far beyond, with clients across the United States and as far as Israel and Australia. The firm currently has four team members, including three full-time designers. Todd attributes much of TOBE’s success to the relationships they build with clients.

“Our approach to design starts with listening,” he says. “We take a deep dive into the client’s story, uncovering how they want to experience their space. That understanding allows us to create a design that engages the senses and feels truly harmonious.”

Todd was introduced to Charleston Forge while working at Hartman Design Group in the 1990s.

“We used Charleston Forge on nearly every project back then,” he recalls. “I even bought a Charleston Forge baker’s rack as a housewarming gift for my brother and sister-in-law. They still have it.”

Over the years, Todd has continued using the company both for its quality and its style, he says. “The aesthetic just fits us,” he explains. “Plus, we love our rep — and the customer service is exceptional.”

He recalls a time when a project in Florida faced a setback because the COM fabric for a set of counter stools had not been shipped from the mill to the Charleston Forge factory. However, he says, the team went above and beyond to ensure the order was completed on time.

“Customer service worked it out with the upholsterer’s husband to personally pick up the fabric so the team could start the upholstery work,” Todd recalls. “The stools were already in fabrication, and everything was finished in time for installation.”

Charleston Forge’s custom capabilities are another reason Todd remains a loyal client.

“We’ve customized several pieces,” he says, “and the process is seamless. The shop drawings are professional, and the execution is always on point.”

As a member of ASID and a certified professional with the National Council for Interior Design Qualification, Todd also holds a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credential from the U.S. Green Building Council. Sustainability is increasingly important in his work Todd says, with more clients seeking ethically sourced materials and environmentally responsible design solutions.

“Clients are more conscious than ever about where their products come from,” he says. “Sustainability is no longer just a trend — it’s a priority.”

And what is in store for TOBE’s future?

“I’ve been practicing interior design for almost 30 years, so I am simultaneously thinking about growth and my exit strategy,” says Todd. “I currently have a team of four and would like to grow that team and add at least two to three more designers. And while the Washington, D.C., area is our primary market, we have completed projects around the country and across the globe, so I would like to continue to expand our reach.”

Looking ahead, Todd hopes to find a successor to lead the company into the future, with plans to scale up over the next decade as he gradually steps back. He also envisions launching a nonprofit, which he describes as his “ultimate end game.”

Learn more about TOBE DesignGroup and the work they do at www.tobedesigngroup.com.