# Marbella Design Studio

**Trade:** Kitchen Remodel · **Address:** 473 Summer St, Arlington, MA 02474, USA · **Phone:** (781) 316-8011 · **Website:** http://www.marbellakb.com/ · **Languages:** English

**Rating: 4.1/5** (medium confidence) — from 24 reviews across 6 sources.
100% of sentiment-scored reviews read net-positive. Last 6 months: 1 reviews, 0 negative.

## The honest read

Marbella Design Studio is a kitchen-and-bath design showroom Martha Posada has run out of Arlington since 2010, and the reviews consistently center on her personally — clients describe her coordinating cabinets, tile, and countertops alongside the contractors who install them, not just picking finishes. Google shows a 5★ average from 28 ratings, and Houzz separately shows 5.0★ from 5 ratings with two badges and an Authorized Fieldstone Cabinetry Dealer credential.

The written record runs from 2022 through mid-2026 and is dense with specifics. A late-2025 review describes Martha managing a full bathroom project start to finish, including coordinating the tile crew and other trades so the homeowner didn't have to. A January 2026 review of another bathroom job mentions she adjusted a cabinet-door color choice mid-project without friction. Further back, a 2022 review describes her navigating pandemic-era supply chain delays to source specific bamboo materials for a kitchen entry and island over months of design work, and a separate 2022 review credits her with keeping a kitchen order on schedule "in this time that materials and orders are taking forever to arrive." Several reviewers describe using her for more than one project — one for "multiple Kitchen Design projects," another for a kitchen, a basement bar, and later a lake house.

One thing worth knowing before calling: the state registry lists her Massachusetts home improvement contractor registration as expired. BBB separately gives the business an A+ grade (it isn't accredited) and lists 13 years in business as a sole proprietorship.

For a kitchen or bathroom design-and-remodel project, this reads as a design-led operation where the same person handles both the creative side and the contractor coordination — worth asking directly about the state of her HIC registration before signing anything.

**Strengths:**
- Martha Posada — coordinates design and contractor trades personally
- Repeat clients — several hired her for multiple projects
- Supply-chain navigation — sourced materials during 2022 shortages

**Concerns:**
- HIC registration — state registry lists it as expired

## Claims & citations

Every claim below is backed by real evidence rows — uncited claims are dropped in code before publication.

- State registry lists the Massachusetts home improvement contractor registration as expired _(confidence: high)_
  - [State License Registry](https://contractorhub.mass.gov/s/hic-contractor-search) — “MA hic license 189898 registry-verified expired — registry holder of record: MARBELLA DESIGN STUDIO LLC”
- BBB lists an A+ grade, 13 years in business, sole proprietorship run by Martha Posada, not accredited _(confidence: high)_
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/e-arlington/profile/kitchen-design/marbella-design-studio-0021-165289) — “BBB lists Marbella Design Studio with an A+ rating despite not being BBB Accredited, 13 years in business, a sole proprietorship run by Mart…”
- A 2025 review describes Martha managing a full bathroom project including coordinating tile work and other trades _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2poamRqVXRiMk5tYjIxTFNFTlFUWG96UzNkcVluYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x7311f7355534ffde!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOjhjdjUtb2Nmb21LSENQTXozS3dqYnc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Martha at Marbella Design Studio did an absolutely phenomenal job with my bathroom from start to finish. She not only designed the space …”
- In a 2022 review, she sourced bamboo materials during pandemic-era supply chain delays over months of design work _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUMtN2FDZlZnEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x7311f7355534ffde!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIC-7aCfVg%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ My spouse and I bought a new home with a very dark, dated kitchen, and we wanted a new, bright white and blue design.  Martha worked with…”
- In a 2022 review, a kitchen order stayed on schedule despite broader materials and order delays at the time _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUMtcWItb1RREAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x7311f7355534ffde!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIC-qb-oTQ%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Marbella Design Studio has 5 stars and I can give it more, because in this times that materials and orders are taking forever to arrive, …”
- Multiple reviewers describe hiring her for more than one project _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNMaGNHLWxBRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x7311f7355534ffde!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICLhcG-lAE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We've used Martha for multiple Kitchen Design projects and have had a great experience with excellent quality. She's highly responsive an…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURWejdEVkFREAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x7311f7355534ffde!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDVz7DVAQ%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Absolutely thrilled with my kitchen and basement bar transformation by Martha.  Her exceptional design skills brought my vision to life, …”
- Google shows a 5★ average from 28 ratings _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google](https://maps.google.com/?cid=8291680197400657886&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA) — “Google: 5★ from 28 ratings”
- Houzz shows 5.0★ from 5 ratings, 2 badges, and an Authorized Fieldstone Cabinetry Dealer credential _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath-remodelers/marbella-design-studio-llc-pfvwus-pf~1957292557) — “Houzz: 5.0★ from 5 ratings”
  - [Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath-remodelers/marbella-design-studio-llc-pfvwus-pf~1957292557) — “Listed certification: Authorized Fieldstone Cabinetry Dealer”
  - [Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath-remodelers/marbella-design-studio-llc-pfvwus-pf~1957292557) — “Listed certification: 2 Houzz Badges”
- Company self-reports being woman-owned, established in Arlington in 2010 _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Official Website](http://www.marbellakb.com) — “Company history (self-reported): Marbella Design Studio was established in Arlington, Massachusetts in 2010 as a woman-owned showroom.”
  - [Official Website](http://www.marbellakb.com) — “Ownership (self-reported): Woman-owned business, per the business's own site.”
- Specializes in Kitchen Remodel _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25wRVdsaEplVFZmUmtNMmFtSm5TR05XVFdkMlgwRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x7311f7355534ffde!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnpEWlhJeTVfRkM2amJnSGNWTWd2X0E%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Really great experience from start to finish. They were incredibly easy to work with and helped us choose a kitchen design that feels tim…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNMaGNHLWxBRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x7311f7355534ffde!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICLhcG-lAE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ We've used Martha for multiple Kitchen Design projects and have had a great experience with excellent quality. She's highly responsive an…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURWejdEVkFREAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x7311f7355534ffde!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDVz7DVAQ%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Absolutely thrilled with my kitchen and basement bar transformation by Martha.  Her exceptional design skills brought my vision to life, …”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNsZ00tcTBRRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x7311f7355534ffde!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIClgM-q0QE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ To begin with, the design of the kitchen is outstanding! All the new ideas, distribution, creativity, design, colors, materials was unbel…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUR4c3FiaE1REAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x7311f7355534ffde!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDxsqbhMQ%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Marta helped us design and remodel our kitchen -- the result is so much more functional and appealing. She was great to work with, listen…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUMtN2FDZlZnEAE!2m1!1s0x0:0x7311f7355534ffde!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIC-7aCfVg%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ My spouse and I bought a new home with a very dark, dated kitchen, and we wanted a new, bright white and blue design.  Martha worked with…”
- Specializes in Bathroom Remodel _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2pkdmFuWmFWRXg0YzAxMmFHeDZNazUxZUV4TmNWRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x7311f7355534ffde!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOjdvanZaVEx4c012aGx6Mk51eExNcVE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Martha was fabulous to remodel our bathroom! She had great 3d plans to visualize, her contractor was always in a good mood, timely, very …”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2poamRqVXRiMk5tYjIxTFNFTlFUWG96UzNkcVluYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x7311f7355534ffde!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOjhjdjUtb2Nmb21LSENQTXozS3dqYnc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Martha at Marbella Design Studio did an absolutely phenomenal job with my bathroom from start to finish. She not only designed the space …”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURCbzVXWjFnRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0x7311f7355534ffde!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDBo5WZ1gE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Martha was extremely professional and my bathroom looks amazing, she gave me so many ideas and the final product exceed my expectations. …”

## Ownership

- Identifies as woman-owned — the business's own statement, not independently verified.

## License

Status: **expired** (#189898, hic) — verified against the official MA state registry on 2026-07-03, never self-reported.
Re-check at the official registry: https://contractorhub.mass.gov/s/hic-contractor-search

## Sources

- [Google](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Marbella%20Design%20Studio&query_place_id=ChIJL_aFm_9244kR3v80VTX3EXM): 5.0★ from 28 ratings
- [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Marbella%20Design%20Studio&query_place_id=ChIJL_aFm_9244kR3v80VTX3EXM): Listed on this source
- [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/e-arlington/profile/kitchen-design/marbella-design-studio-0021-165289): Listed on this source
- [Official Website](http://www.marbellakb.com): Self-reported profile and service details
- [Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath-remodelers/marbella-design-studio-llc-pfvwus-pf~1957292557): 5.0★ from 5 ratings
- [Exa](https://www.bestprosintown.com/ma/arlington/marbella-design-studio-/): 8 web mentions across the open web (each linked to its source)

## Recent reviews

- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Clary Aponte · 2026-06-27**: Great service and excellent quality products. Highly recommend!
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Ian CL · 2026-02-06**: Really great experience from start to finish. They were incredibly easy to work with and helped us choose a kitchen design that feels timeless and high quality. The installation process was seamless, organized, and completed right on schedule. Everything turned out exactly how we hoped, and the atte…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Sarita Nori · 2026-01-29**: Martha was fabulous to remodel our bathroom! She had great 3d plans to visualize, her contractor was always in a good mood, timely, very tidy, detail oriented. We changed our mind about the color of a cabinet door once it was up and Martha worked with us around that. And we now have a modern bathroo…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Jake Marshall · 2025-12-19**: Martha at Marbella Design Studio did an absolutely phenomenal job with my bathroom from start to finish. She not only designed the space beautifully, but also coordinated and managed all of the contractors, including the tile work and other trades, which made the entire process smooth and stress-fre…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Gail McCormick · 2025-06-17**: The renovation was excellent. Martha is a pleasure to work with.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Vagner Brito · 2024-10-15**: Beautiful job!
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Majo Rousseaux · 2024-08-03**: Marbella did an excellent job when they did my new butler pantry with a wonderful marble!   I would recommend Marbella anyone wants to upgrade their house!
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Luis C. Figueroa · 2024-08-01**: Marbella Kitchen and Bathroom Design Studio in Arlington, The designers is incredibly talented and patient, taking the time to understand your project vision for a modern, yet warm kitchen.
Their expertise in layout and design is evident as they can transform any outdated space into a stunning culin…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Vlasta Dolinar · 2024-07-29**: Martha is incredibly helpful and kind with great advice!
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Roy Ghantous · 2024-06-21**: We've used Martha for multiple Kitchen Design projects and have had a great experience with excellent quality. She's highly responsive and a great person to work with. Highly Recommend !

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Data freshness: last scanned 2026-07-03T05:15:01.818Z.
Cite as: Marbella Design Studio — Tavlee (https://tavlee.com/contractor/marbella-design-studio-arlington)
Source: https://tavlee.com/contractor/marbella-design-studio-arlington