Nina Ellis & Gina Quatrine

Gina Quatrine lived abroad for almost a decade, appreciating the furniture in European homes that included quality slipcovers with interchangeable styles, colors and textures. When she couldn’t find furniture of a similar design and comfort back in the U.S., she designed her own custom upholstered pieces with slipcovers. When her friends began wanting the furniture for their homes, Gina started Quatrine Home and has operated it for 36 years. Her daughter Nina Ellis joined the firm in 2018 and serves as CEO.

How can we support women in business?

Gina: Starting Quatrine gave me a deep understanding of the many roles women juggle every day. Our team includes working moms, university students and aspiring designers, so we’ve been intentional about creating a culture that values flexibility and supports each person’s journey, both at work and at home. Our goal is to foster an environment that empowers modern working women with real career opportunities, without the rigid structures of traditional corporate life.

Tell us about being a mother-daughter team.

Nina: We are a second-generation family business, and I feel incredibly lucky to carry on the legacy of what my mom built. She started Quatrine at a time when hardly any women were in the space. She worked hard, never took no for an answer and beat the odds. It’s special to collaborate with her daily, and we have a lot of fun doing it.

Any new projects on the horizon?

We are eager to enter another SoCal beach town, Corona del Mar, and are currently looking for a perfect location.

How long have you lived in your community?

Gina: I have been in the South Bay community for 55 years and raised my three children here. Nina, my oldest, who now runs Quatrine day to day, was born in Redondo Beach and attended USC. So we’ve been local for a long time! The South Bay will always be home, and we feel immense gratitude for our unbeatable location and the strong sense of community.

Photographed by Shane O’Donnell