LUX Autumn 2018

30 1807LU39 Combining Form and Function to Give the Best Design Solutions Award –winning interior designer Sandi Samole has headed her design firm for almost 40 years. Her philosophy is one of creating a living sculpture for her clients regardless of the style of furnishings they prefer. Incorporated into her design work are detailed accessories and art. We profile Sandi as we discover more about her innovative designs as well as her remarkable success. From the blueprint stage to completion, Samole is always looking for ways of bringing function to the art she enjoys working with. Her background in finance, as well as design enables Samole to be both cost effective and creative as she meets the needs of each client. Dynamic interiors in a style to suit each client is the goal of the firm. From Concept to Completion, a customised masterplan with room designs, furniture layouts, design of new or remodelled millwork specifications for purchasing plumbing fixtures, appliances, furnishings, fabrics, any finish construction materials and accessories is established. A project is guided from initial drawings to finishing touches, with the design team working closely with their engineers, artists and suppliers to make sure a project flows smoothly. While combining form and function to give the best design solutions, the firm specialises in completing projects within the established project budget and time frame needed. S & B Interiors is a full-service company that prides itself on providing “outrageous” customer service. In this day and age of automated messages, and having to be on hold for long periods of time, the clients of S & B find that they can be in direct contact with the owner. Prospective clients moving to Florida have contacted Samole to assist them in finding the right home or apartment. Although they are not realtors, they work with realtors to find the best location for a single residence, town home or condominium that will provide the palette for which the design team can create a client’s dream home. From the time Samole meets with a client, until the last accessory is put into place, this company provides design and implementation support. Client Projects have taken Samole not only throughout the State of Florida, but to Maine, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Colorado. Corporate accounts include Reuter Communications, Footlabs, Music stores, Nursing Homes and Medical Facilities. The well-known work of Samole and her design team has appeared in numerous publications and has been featured on MGM TV and CNN Text. A former member of the Board of Governors of DCOTA, Samole has served as president of both the Interior Design Guild of South Florida as well as the Interior Design Association of South Florida. Recently, the firm received the LUX 2018 Leading Designers Award as the Best Full –Service Interior Design Firm – Florida. This is a crowning achievement to Samole and S & B Interiors, Inc. This recognition validates the firm’s dedication to providing clients with outrageous customer service, while providing the highest level of design and supervision for all their projects. A client emailed Samole that they had purchased two penthouses on Miami Beach they wanted to combine into one. Initially they hired an architect, but after the plans created were disappointing, they contacted Samole to create the plans for them. As a Florida Licensed Interior Designer, she was able to create the necessary plans for the over 4000 square foot space to include three bedrooms, an office, 3 bathrooms, a large kitchen and dining room area as well as to create a bar area that rivalled some of the best bars on South Beach. These plans included room layouts, furniture layouts including custom built in furniture, reflective ceiling plans and tile designs. The client and designer met only three times during the projects 10-month duration, leaving the design team to work on their own to create the dramatic home the client desired overlooking the beach and city. On move in day, the clients arrived and were overjoyed at their finished home that included all household items and food needed to start enjoying the splendour of Miami Beach. A Chicago couple heard about S & B Interiors and contacted Samole to work with them and an architect to create their dream home. Their art collection needed vast wall space as well as an art hanging system that would allow the client to move their major works to different rooms, so they and their guests could enjoy their collection from various perspectives. A climate controlled wine room for their extensive wine collection was created, as well as an exercise room, movie theatre and guest quarters. A 71-page book of finishes and drawings for completion of the project was provided to the contractor. This book provided the detailed instructions needed for the completion and installation of all tile work and built in cabinetry. One of the most successful projects completed by the firm, was the transformation of an airplane hangar into a guest house for the client’s business associates and friends. The client purchased a large hanger to house not only his airplane, but several of his valued cars. There was a large storage space upstairs. Samole transformed the space into four large bedrooms with in-suite bathrooms with a