Window Shopping: CeTerra Accents & Interiors
For more than three decades, CeTerra Accents & Interiors has been the go-to for organic contemporary decor.
By Linda J. Barkman | Photography by Stephen Simms
HISTORY: A native Arizonan, Katherine Mueller grew up in Flagstaff and attended Northern Arizona University from 2001 to 2006. During that time, she received undergrad degrees in interior design and art history, and taught in the university’s design program. From there she moved to Scottsdale and attended Arizona State University, where she achieved a Master of Science in design degree. “Following graduation, I worked for a high-end design firm for a couple of years and really learned the design industry,”
Mueller notes. “I have always loved historic interiors and art, which my mother introduced me to at a very young age,” she says. “When I went to NAU, I fell right into the interior design program there and absolutely loved it. It balances both function and aesthetics in the home environment.” Ready to pour her knowledge and passion into a business of her own, she and her husband made the decision to purchase an established business called CeTerra Accents & Interiors from its original owner after learning it was for sale. “That was in December of 2011,” she recalls. “The showroom has been around for 30 years and it’s my 15th year as owner. In that time, we’ve doubled the size of the showroom and I have grown my design firm.”
THE MISSION: Mueller says that creating a personalized shopping experience and providing high-end customer service while meeting the aesthetic needs of clients’ homes has been their mission since day one.
THE NAME: “The original owners came up with the name CeTerra Accents & Interiors,” Mueller reports. “The word terra translates to ‘earth’ in English. When I bought the showroom I thought the name related to the organic nature of the product we sell so I kept it.”
THE SHOWROOM: Mueller has imbued her 3,000-square-foot showroom with a style she describes as organic contemporary. “It’s very warm, it’s inviting, we carry a variety of products and the merchandise is creatively refreshed weekly,” she explains. “Best of all, it’s not just a place to discover beautiful things, but also a hub for inspiration and knowledge.”
THE CONTENTS: An abundance of accessories decorate the large space, and the variety of shapes, sizes and materials displayed creates a veritable feast for the eyes. “The accessories we carry are well-scaled, so customers don’t have to have a lot of them, just the right ones,” Mueller says. Other product options include paintings, sculptures, gift items, wall decor, lighting, furniture and bowls crafted of wood, marble, onyx and more, as well as such unexpected finds as faux succulents for indoors and out. “We create custom botanical arrangements for people, and we also work with a lot of local artisans to show their wares, which range from ceramics to copper and steel furniture,” she says.
POPULAR PICKS: “Our faux succulents are one of our best sellers. They are outdoor-rated and they are so customizable. People can bring in their own vessels or they can choose from the ones we carry,” Mueller notes. “Customers also gravitate to the products that are Arizona-related, which make great gifts.”
SUCCESS SECRETS: Mueller believes that customer service, curating the right mix of products and being focused on clients and what they need are the biggest keys to CeTerra’s success. “We take pride in our level of interaction with our clients, like helping people put together groupings of things and doing 3-D renderings so they can see how those items will look in their homes,” she explains.
HONORS: Being named ASID Designer of Distinction for 2025 was a very special and memorable moment that Mueller says she was both surprised by and thrilled to receive. “CeTerra is an industry partner with ASID, and I’m a professional member,” she explains. “We serve other interior designers and we want to be a resource to them, so the recognition was very meaningful.”
LAST WORD: Mueller says that finding new products and artisans as well as having interactions with people in her showroom are high on the list of things she most enjoys about her job. “Interacting with customers brings me joy on a daily basis,” she enthuses. “I genuinely love helping them find the right things for their homes.”
Fast Facts
Owner
Katherine Mueller
Opened
1996 with original owner
Location
Scottsdale Design Center
15125 N. Hayden Rd.,
Suite 103, Scottsdale
Hours
Mon.-Sat. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone
(480) 596-0059
Website
