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75 S. Riverside Avenue, Suite B, Croton-On-Hudson, NY 10520 | 914.827.5234 work | 914.907.6051 cell | info@denisewenacur.com

    
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DW Design & Decor
Denise Wenacur | Croton-on-Hudson, NY
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About

Denise Wenacur, Principal

Denise Wenacur, allied ASID, assoc. IIDA, principal of DW Design & Decor LLC, is an Interior Designer with over 30 years experience in the Design field. WBE and DBE certified.

Her work has been published in many books and magazines such as Westchester Home, American Artist, Design Bureau, Home Accents Today and Designers Today. She was voted ‘Best of Houzz’ for 9 years in a row and was a participant in the Cerebral Palsy sponsored Purchase NY, Designer Showhouse. She was an ASID spokesperson, online color expert for Benjamin Moore paints, and has participated in the Architectural Digest Home Show in NYC as a judge and design consultant. She has appeared in local newspapers and cable TV, and has been a guest speaker and panelist at schools, fund raising events and industry functions.

Denise holds a BA degree in Art, and is a graduate of the New York School of Interior Design. She also holds a certificate as a Construction Project Manager from Pace University. Read Daily Voice Article

This is why our clients love us…

FAQs

How Do I Get Started?

Many people are intimidated by the thought of working with an Interior Designer. They are afraid that the designer will force them to accept a style that they will not like for their home. Then there is the fact that they do not understand the design process or even how to get to that first step.

I always let my clients know that together, we will find a style that they will like, and will feel comfortable with for the long term. We start with looking at photos from magazines or Houzz.com and see what catches their eye. Many times there is an unconscious color scheme already present in their home or in the choice of colors that they like to wear or in artwork that they choose to hang on the walls. We take that first step together, and the design process unfolds from there.

Do You Have a Signature Style?

I am often asked if I have a ‘signature style’. I reply that I find it more interesting calling upon my extensive art/design education and almost 30 years of design experience to work in many different styles. This way no two projects are ever the same. And it keeps the ideas fresh and the solutions unique. I pride myself on working closely with my clients to help them realize THEIR individual solution, in their individual taste, with my help and guidance. I have found that it leads to a seamless transition for them to acclimate into their new surroundings when finished. My role in each project is to make sure that it is always ‘Good Design’, and to gently lead them in the right decision-making direction.

Why Purchase Through a Designer?

Designers, like architects serve dual functions: they develop a creative concept and find the furnishings and materials to realize that concept, which is the Design Phase. This is similar to the way an architect develops a design concept for a house, and creates blueprints, construction specs and so forth.

In interior design, there is also the Purchasing Phase of the work, and it is separate from the design phase both in function and in cost. A Design Fee does not cover, after the many hours involved in designing all the rooms, the additional hours to purchase and install everything. That is why there is a purchasing fee included to cover the designers admin costs for providing this service to clients after the designer has done the design, as it is a costly and time-consuming function that designers provide to clients. It is a much larger and more difficult process than most clients can imagine. Aside from all the paperwork, tracking shipments, arranging deliveries, approving color and finish samples, answering questions and general follow up, the designers deal with the vendors regarding any service problems that might occur up until the items are delivered. The no charge, value added to the clients discounted price, is the designer’s commitment to every step of the purchasing, manufacturing, inspection, delivery and installation of all items purchased through them, until it is caringly placed in the clients home.

In a nutshell, the client will receive top quality custom items, available only through the trade, for less than the retail price with none of the hassles of doing it all themselves!

What is Good Design?

Every aspect of our lives in an opportunity to create ‘Good Design’.  Whether it is how we are arranging plants on a bay window, our children’s pictures on the refrigerator, choosing which color jewelry best matches our outfit, or the placement of pillows on our family room sofa. How and what we choose affects the overall look of our presentation.

The two words that best describe my design approach are ‘Contrast’ and ‘Texture’. Contrast allows us to experience a visual ‘energy’ in what we are looking at. High contrast, as in literally black to white, allows us to see negative and positive spaces, items moving forward or back (depending on our intentional placement), and allowing us to have one or more items stand out to be noticed. Contrast can lead our eye around the room. For example strategically placing red items in specific places against a neutral pallet will force the eye in those directions.

Texture takes on many different properties. It can be texture as seen and felt in materials like a pony skin rug against a richly grained and stained wood floor. Texture can be seen in various natural materials like cork, bamboo, and sisal rugs as well as in fabric. Textured fabric can add drama as seen in tone on tone damasks, raw silk, chenille stripes and cut velvets.  The use of Contrast and Texture allows for an environment full of interest, energy and beauty!

When working on a design solution for a client, these elements are the basis for the choices made. The final choices then reflect the vision outlined by the client from initial and ongoing conversations. My job as a designer is to help my clients to realize their unique vision for their space using my expertise. I gently guide them through the process, helping them to stay on focus, explaining why one item may be a better choice than another, working with them as much or as little as they want to be involved in the design decisions.

The end result is one that the client feels good about since he/she was involved and heard throughout the entire decision making process. Because of this, it is an easy transition acclimating to the new space. This is not only because the choices were made as a team, but also because it is Good Design!

Polly Teitel, Assistant

Polly channeled her creative talents towards a degree in Theatre and Fashion Design from FIT. This led her into the Retail market where she was a buyer and also a sales associate for Saks Fifth Ave in Greenwich Ct. Her love for Interiors formed when she and her husband bought a beautiful farmhouse built in 1842 with wonderful architectural details. She realized that she loved the business of Interior Design and all of the details associated with process.

“Since 2014 I have enjoyed working behind the scenes at DW Design & Décor to handle the many project details by connecting with clients, manufacturers, artisans and installers. It takes so many people to bring the creative ideas to life for our clients. The best part is seeing the transformation photos of someone’s home as a result of our great teamwork!”

Zaneta Vopatova, Design Associate

Zaneta grew up in the Czech Republic, and started her career as an Accountant in CZR.

She came to the US in 2003 to improve her English skills and 15 years later is still working on that! After completing an Associates degree in 2007, she went to study Finance at SUNY New Paltz and simultaneously earned an Associates degree in Interior Design from Berkeley College in Paramus, NJ.

Why Interior Design?
“I wanted to be able to help people to create beautiful and functional environments. My first encounter with the design world was as an independent consultant for a construction company, where I discovered a love for drafting. I joined the DW Design & Decor team in March 2018 to help with drafting and all aspects of the Interior Design process. I enjoy designing interiors and gardens as well. I love DIY projects and I am a big fan of finding new purposes for old things!”

Kimberly Merlitti, Chief Financial Officer

Kimberly Merlitti owns KMM Consulting based out of Washington, D.C. Kimberly has 20 years of experience working in accounting for companies such as Swinerton Builders, WRNS Studio and Martin Group. She has her Masters in Accounting from Golden Gate University. Located in Washington D.C. her clientele includes a diverse group of service based companies, with a main focus on small interior design, construction and architectural firms.

The goal of her firm is to make the businesses she works for as profitable as they can be by educating them on accounting, cash flow management, tax deductions, project reporting, and business management.

Ellen Pozit, Bookkeeper

Ellen has been in business for herself since she and her husband opened their first of several restaurants many years ago. As the need arose in her business for a hands-on approach, she became proficient in Quickbooks. When she sold her last restaurant, she used that knowledge to create a bookkeeping/consulting service that has grown over the years to include a variety of businesses. She enjoys the diversity and the personal contact with her clients.

Professional Associations

ASID

IIDA

NKBA

withit

DBE

10x Houzz Winner!

DW Design & Decor was awarded the Best of Houzz from the leading platform for home remodeling and design for 10 years in a row!

The award winning interior design firm was chosen by the more than 40 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.

Read the Press Release
Visit our Houzz Profile
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75 S. Riverside Ave., Suite B
Croton-On-Hudson, NY 10520

914.827.5234 work
914.907.6051 cell
info@denisewenacur.com

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