About

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.

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.

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!

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!