INTERIOR DESIGN MATTERS The Inside Story

​By: Kitty Golding
One delightful component of interior design is that there is always a hidden story woven through the finished space. We continue to introduce you to some of our past clients and share some tales along with showcasing a few projects we’ve been honored to work on.  Honestly, one of our favorite aspects about this work is getting to know our clients and partaking in a portion of their story.
Kristin Evangelista who works with her husband John for his company, Evangelista & Associates, came to us through a referral from a local builder. Kristin’s thought processes understand the details of building and design as she used to project manage for a design/build company. The desire to remodel her circa 1999 home’s lower level, led her to call us for consulting.  The most important aspects of this project for the clients were the style, cohesiveness from upstairs to downstairs, purpose and comfort of the spaces.  Using her expertise as project manager, she then combined our knowledge on space, function and design elements to create a remarkable space.
The lower level, approximately 1300 square feet, was to incorporate a small theater/tv room, a sitting area with some game storage and then also a wine cellar with a cigar lounge.  Before the project started, it housed a hang out and play area for their son, as well as her office. With their son now in college, the client’s goal was to step it up a notch – with a more sophisticated design to use for entertaining. Kristin had been dreaming and planning this for about two years and came to us with a solid realization of what she wanted. Having lived in their home for a long time and understanding their evolving lifestyle was helpful in achieving the best outcome. She stated that, “When you work with an Interior Designer, you have to find someone who understands your individual needs. Kitty is amazing at that! She is friendly, courteous and professional. Kitty works really hard with clients to find out what is important to them and then delivers. She has an amazing persona that I treasure working with!”
The Evangelista’s had some movie posters that needed to be prominent in the design, and they wanted to be able to close off the TV room from the rest of the space. A fireplace was in the wish list as well- which we designed into the TV room.   The cigar lounge had to be big enough for three to four people and the wine cellar would be an extension of that space.  We also suggested an additional outside entry from the cigar lounge to the patio for air and to make the space feel a bit bigger.
Kristin said she learned a lot through research and the process in general and that making it all work on their budget was fun! (Side note: that is the first time I’ve heard that- but attests to her and John’s financial expertise as well) They wanted to walk into an unexpected, cozy, yet timeless design – and the was goal attained!
Since the lower level project, the Evangelista’s also have redone their kitchen and we are currently working on their master bathroom. As we stated above, we love getting to know our clients and continuing to work with them over time as their lives and even residences change.
 
 

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