New Year 2020

27 Nov19129 Innovative, Intuitive, Interior Design The creation of stunning rooms relies on talent, experience and intuition. Barbara Vanderkolk Gardner brings all these aspects to her work with aplomb. Her business, Collins Interiors, LLC., has built up a reputation unparalleled in the field of interior design. With her business offering luxurious residential interiors for the most discerning of clientele, we decided that the readers of LUXlife would appreciate a closer look. Showcasing the stunning work of Barbara Vanderkolk Gardner, Collins Interiors offers discriminating, busy clients the rooms of their dreams at a price they can afford. Barbara’s rare skill and ability has taken her from Manhattan to Princeton to Philadelphia to numerous homes on the Gulf Coast of Florida and overseas. Currently working out of Longboat Key, her successful business offers comfort, elegance and sheer luxury. Gaining her intuitive design skills from several generations of family members, Barbara earned her degree from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, going on to do graduate work in Seattle. Still determined to learn, she completed independent studies in France and is a student of Feng Shui. Her experience has combined to make Barbara a real force in the interior design field, utilizing strong and effective uses of color, texture, proportion and accessories to bring rooms to life in a characterful and practical way. Finding that one piece which makes a space your own is always at the forefront of Barbara’s mind. For those lucky enough to work with Barbara, they know that her work begins with the client. A unique ten-page questionnaire called the “Design Deck” allows Barbara to fully appraise herself of a client’s wants and needs from lifestyle and design tastes to practical matters, such as the needs of the family and their pets. This means that any thoughts on design and appearance follows the golden thread of their desires. Barbara is dedicated to making sure that communication is ongoing through a project’s lifespan, with meetings either face to face, by phone or via email. By sending photos of progress from the beginning to the end of the project, clients can see newly invigorated rooms come to life before their eyes. Every home is treated by Barbara and her team as if it were their own, guaranteeing security, peace of mind and an always stylish product. Never willing to settle for what has gone before, Barbara is constantly on the lookout for what ground-breaking technologies can help clients with their work and how best to serve them. She has already established partnerships with several “smart home” technology firms, so clients always have the option of the latest in video, lighting and security innovations. Always keen to learn about these exciting opportunities, Barbara is able to incorporate these developments into her work. Her innovations do not just apply to these aspects – Barbara has noted changing tastes in how rooms are fitted. As clients shift away from the now standard silver tones on accessories, plumbing fixtures and lighting in favor of gold, Barbara is always able to match personal preference. Similarly, a rise in requests for more pet-friendly and easy-care fabrics in rugs and carpeting has been heard and is always listened to. Combining a space that can be lived in with the practicalities of everyday use is always at the forefront of her mind. While an American business, uncertainty in global trade policies affects everyone, and the price increases that are often the result of these turbulent times continue to challenge even the most innovative of entrepreneurs. To successfully combat the change in the market, Barbara and her team have resolved only to work alongside a selection of top- quality vendors selling the finest products on the market. Collins Interiors offers fine service with innovative touches. Founder and President Barbara Vanderkolk Gardner brings all her considerable skill to bear on every project under her purview. Putting together everything a client has dreamed of with Barbara’s intuitive approach to design, the results really do speak for themselves. Company: Collins Interiors, LLC Contact: Barbara Vanderkolk Gardner Web Address: www.CollinsInteriorDesign.com