Building community and
elevating home industry standards
By Maria Allen
The South Shore has long been home to an impressive array of talented home industry professionals, yet until recently, there were few formal opportunities for them to connect and collaborate. Enter the newly launched Design Collective South Shore—a dynamic group dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships and raising the bar for the region’s residential design industry.
The brainchild of four local industry leaders—Cara Meneses (Vice President/Owner at ARCHWRIGHT Fine Home Builders), Kelly Ennis Connellan (Principal at Neubauer Ennis Architects), Allison Mattison (Principal at Trellis Home Design), and Erin Madden Cox (Partner Relations Manager at KAM Appliances)—the Design Collective South Shore was formed with the goal of bringing local industry experts together to share ideas (and often a delicious meal) and build meaningful relationships.
A Different Approach to Networking
Rather than hosting large-scale networking events, the Design Collective South Shore is taking an intentional, curated approach to community-building. The group organizes small gatherings where high-end residential design professionals—including custom home builders, architects, interior designers, and skilled artisans—can come together to exchange ideas, collaborate, and strengthen industry bonds.
Their signature events go beyond traditional panel discussions and networking mixers. Last fall, they introduced Cocktail Confidential, an exclusive, supper-club-style experience featuring a series of intimate gatherings at private South Shore locations. This thoughtful, small-scale approach fosters deeper connections and more productive collaborations among members.
Strengthening the Local Design Community
While networking opportunities abound in Boston and Cape Cod, the South Shore has historically lacked an organized platform for design professionals to engage locally. The Design Collective South Shore aims to fill that void, strengthening partnerships within the region and collectively raising industry standards.
With plans to host three events per year, the group remains committed to providing meaningful, unique opportunities for collaboration and connection. Whether through private dinners, industry roundtables, or creative workshops, the collective is redefining how South Shore professionals engage, inspire, and grow together.
On March 20 the The Design Collective South Shore will be hosting An Evening on the Equinox, a two-part progressive event that commences with a series of exclusive cocktail parties, each hosted by industry leaders in their private homes or businesses on the South Shore. The identities of the hosts will remain a closely guarded secret until two days before the event, when you’ll receive a notification specifying which party you’ll be attending and the name of your industry host. The festivities will continue with a delightful dinner and cash bar at Alba on 53 in Hanover. Another solstice soiree is also in the works for June.
For more information, visit designcollectivesouthshore.org.