About Afternoon Creative
Blending strategy, story, and style to create spaces and brands with soul.
The details are not the details. They make the design.– Charles Eames
Bringing clarity, character, and beauty to every project
Based in Vermont and working across New England, Afternoon Creative is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary design studio offering interior design, brand identity, and web design.
My work blends strategy and soul. Every project is rooted in your values, your personality, and your vision for what’s ahead. When form and function are aligned, the result is something that not only looks beautiful but works beautifully for the life or business you’re building.
Are you a design professional? Here’s why we should work together.
The Afternoon approach
Every project begins with your story, your style, and your needs. Whether I’m refining a visual identity, designing a website, or reimagining a room, I look for what’s worth keeping and build from there, preserving character, elevating the experience, and crafting a solution that feels unmistakably yours.
My process mirrors the rhythm of the afternoon: calm, focused, and purposeful. Together, we cut through the clutter and get to the heart of what you need so your project moves forward with clarity, not overwhelm. I work with one client at a time so you receive my full attention from start to finish. By designing in focused, collaborative sprints, we create momentum without chaos and deliver thoughtful solutions you can actually use, in less time and without the back-and-forth.
Brands I’ve worked with:
Africa Global Mental Health Institute (AGMHI)
Ann Henderson Interiors
Avery Art
Avid Engineers
Boston Medical Center
Boston Medical Center / HealthCity
Byron Katie International
Centerline.co
Ci Design
Classic Creations Painting
Conscious Heart Counseling & Wellness
Design TLC
Dorchfest
Future Leaders Learning Center
Green Coast Enterprises
LexVize Creative
LG Tech
Little Beats
Marcie Scudder Art
Novacolor Near Me
One Huddle
Pacific Software Ventures
Peggy Smith Art
Presidents for Kids
Siagel Productions
Shapleigh Smith Photography
Tali BK Personal Styling & Organizing
TeamUP for Children
A note from Elana Gaines
Born in Boston, influenced by my years living in New Orleans, and now making a life in Vermont, I’m a mom of two, a lifelong design lover, and the proud steward of a 1900 Victorian full of quirks and charm.
I’m a textbook Virgo and puzzle addict who brings equal parts order and creativity to everything I do. I’ve always been drawn to the details that make something feel personal: the creaky floorboard with history, the perfect color palette, the brand story that just clicks.
Design, for me, is about revealing what’s already there and helping it feel like home.
“Working with Afternoon Creative was an absolute game-changer! From the start, Elana understood exactly what my brand needed and delivered a comprehensive strategy, brand design, and website that not only captured my vision but also set me up for success. I felt so relieved knowing everything was done right the first time—no back-and-forth with multiple freelancers, no piecing things together on my own. The entire process was seamless, and when it came time to launch, I felt confident and prepared.
The response to our new brand was incredible, and getting started was so much easier than I ever expected. Afternoon Creative made it all happen effortlessly.”
Dan Scudder – Founder, Presidents for Kids
For industry professionals
I’ve spent years helping designers, builders, and trades refine how they show up online and off. My background in branding gives me a unique understanding of how creative vision connects to business growth.
Whether you’re ready to elevate your brand identity, refresh your website, or need a trusted design partner to present your work beautifully, I’m here to make that process clear and collaborative.
Want to learn more about working with Afternoon Creative?
Let’s chat about where you are, where you’re headed, and how Afternoon Creative can help you get there.