Access to Design Resources
One of the advantages of working with a designer is access to “trade only” and wholesale accounts; and I share those discounts with you.
Color Selection
Seems simple, right? Everyone reacts to color differently and the light in a room can dramatically alter what a color looks like. A color consult is a multi-step process. We meet and discuss your thoughts and feelings about colors. I come back a week or so later with a palette suggestion and some large color swatches to hang on your walls.
You live with the swatches and make your choice – Voila!
Case Study:
The owners keep telling me the color I recommended gets compliments almost every day.
Room Layouts
This is like playing with Colorforms® – generally, it is not a service provided alone – it goes hand-in-hand with furniture selection.
Furniture Selection
This requires the room layouts to find the right scale and dimensions for a room. Once we agree on what we want, I go on the hunt or the client joins me for an adventure or two or three to Boston and New York design showrooms and wonderful one-off stores. I also work with many custom furniture makers and antique dealers.
Fabric, Wall Coverings, and Carpet
Textiles, wall coverings and carpet choices are infinite. So my job is to try to define our theme or scheme and then find assorted fabrics, wall coverings and carpets that deliver the desired result. This is one of my favorite parts of designing. I love mixing and matching and finding gorgeous finishes and trims – it’s so satisfying and very artistic.
Case Study
Private Client
One of my clients loves playful themes. For their family room, I found a Brunschwig & Filsfabric called “Animalitos Woven Tapestry” in a tomato color – it features dogs, birds and bunnies – we used it on a club chair and coordinated it with Cowtan &Tout chenille in forest green for a warm and fun result.
Window Treatments
From simple roller shades to draperies, swags and jabots, I’ll work with you and your taste to find the best solution. Here is where color, fabric, and trim selections are all coordinated. I work with a fabulous workroom. They will come measure and consult with me and my client to determine the best solution for a particular window.
Soft Furnishings
Pillows, comforters, throws…the touches that make a room homey. Another favorite for me…I collect antique needlepoint and make them into exquisite pillows with coordinating fabrics and trims.
Lighting
Lamps, lighting fixtures, chandeliers and lighting plans…task and ambient – I have access to wonderful new and antique fixtures and can develop your lighting plan/schedule.
Kitchen and Bath Design
Two areas that I enjoy because I love to cook – so working with clients to determine where to place their appliances, their sinks, their trash, etc. is not trivial. I usually say, “When you wake up, imagine your path to the kitchen, where’s the logical spot for your coffee pot? Is there a good landing spot for your cookie sheet when you take it out of the oven?” And once we get “placement” of items, we get to pick appliances, cabinet style and finish and countertops.
As for bathrooms it’s similar – layout first, then delve into the myriad of choices for all the fixtures and then tile design which is a separate topic.
Tile Design
Is on par with fabric and finishes – it’s art – selecting the palette, then finding natural stone or porcelain or ceramics that resonate with clients and then building a design – there’s countless ways to put the items together.
Antiques and Decorative Objects
I am constantly popping into antique stores, attending auctions, flea markets and gift shows to keep on top of what is out there. I view these items as lipstick – the icing on the cake – the finishing touch.
Fine Art Acquisition
I have many relationships with dealers and artists. I will arrange to get art “on approval” or help commission a custom painting or mural.
Project Management
This is where it is at – the ultimate – working with the client, architect and builder. Not only do I get to design, create and source items, I get to manage the outcome with the architect, builder and client.
Fees
I offer project-based fees only; it puts me on the same team as the client.
Select Client List / Type
♥ Custom Carriage House, Stockbridge, MA
Kitchen & Bath design, fabric & wall covering selections & window treatments
Used client’s existing furniture
♥ Seven Salon Spa, a day spa in Stockbridge, MA
Color & material selection
♥ Napa Wine Bar & Restaurant, Great Barrington, MA
Color, Materials, Furniture
♥ Ground-up construction of 7,000 sq.ft. Shingle-style home in Stockbridge, MA
All Interior and some exterior finishes
Kitchen and bath layouts and all material selection and design
Furniture layout and selection
Lighting design and selection
Fabrics, trims, window treatments
Color selection
♥ Interior Decorating for local celebrity
Color, fabrics, furniture, lighting, rugs
Pool House kitchen and bath design
Pool House finished, window treatments, color, wallpaper and lighting.
♥ Project Management for a Retail Store in Allendale, New Jersey
Combined with interior design, material selection, color, fixtures, bath, kitchen and all interior decisions, I oversaw the entire project from demo to completion.
♥ Project Management for a 15,000 sq. ft. French-Style mansion in Saddle River, New Jersey
♥ 4-unit, high-end brownstone condo development on Beacon Street in Boston
Kitchen and Bath layout and design,
Fixture and tile selection, and design.
Color palette