Spring 2020

11 Nov19097 Designing aVision When it comes to the art of interior design, finding a designer that is willing to collaborate is paramount. Having a creative vision is one thing, but retaining this vision despite practical limitations is quite another. New York’s Dorian DeHaan is 2020’s recipient of the LUXlife’s Award for Excellence in Interior Design Services in New York. We profile her to find out more. Classically trained, with professional degrees in both interior design and architecture from the prestigious Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, Dorian DeHaan is exactly the sort of interior designer to bring a sense of class to any home remodel. Fully certified, and able to take advantage of decades of practice, Dorian has developed a level of sophistication in her design aesthetic that she can bring to a variety of projects. Dorian specializes in the remodeling of kitchens and bathrooms, as well as full home renovation. Her clients range from first-time home buyers to those wanting to transform their home into a compilation of unique living spaces. Working in partnership with her clients, she is able to draw out the key elements of their vision and produce a design plan based on a preferred budget. As an independent designer, she has developed long-term working relationships with experienced construction trades people who become part of her project installation team. Dorian also offers her own custom cabinet line from Crystal Cabinet Works in Minnesota, affording her almost limitless design possibilities. Should a client have their own contractor, she would be delighted to work alongside them. Generally speaking, Dorian enjoys complete control of the selection, specification and ordering on her projects, consulting with the client throughout the process. Where a client has requests for specific items, she is generally able to accommodate them. A key aspect of what Dorian has to offer clients is clear communication about any and every element of a project. This is a product of her hands-on approach to the job, being present daily on a site to oversee every detail and help solve any unforeseen complications that may arise during the course of a renovation project. Dorian likes to stay aware of current trends and has noticed a movement toward more neutral interiors. Where bold colors were once the signature of a space, now they are primarily used as accents. Custom cabinet doors used to have heavy detailing but now the styling is more simply stated. More and more, Dorian has adapted to these changes, presenting clients with increasingly minimalist and uncluttered concepts. This suits Dorian’s style quite well, as she tries to design each space to take advantage of as much natural light as possible, while supplementing with custom lighting features and trendy fixtures. Labeling her style “artisanal eclectic”, she aims to combine transitional modern luxuries, one-of-a-kind artisan pieces, and traditional architectural detailing. This produces a look and feel that is unlikely to become dated and thus less likely to require future re-design. When it comes to designing spaces for clients, Dorian uses various programs to create design documents to work with. She uses one program specifically for custom cabinetry and another for floor and space planning. These design programs allow her to create documents for clients to review online. The programs also offer 3D rendering and virtual reality capability to facilitate better client visualization of the project design. Having access to this sort of technology has created the situation whereby Dorian can work on projects remotely through the use of email and video conferencing. Scheduling meetings in person is important, but where the opportunity is unavailable, it is relatively straightforward to use modern technology to harmoniously combine designer and client goals. At heart, Dorian DeHaan wants to help bring your dream space to life, and what she offers is the expertise, wisdom and sheer vision to bring it about in the most effective way. Finding an interior designer who can elevate your vision is the dream, and with Dorian at your side, dreams can definitely come true. In her words, “there is no place like home”. Company: Dorian DeHaan Interior Design & Remodeling Address: 1389 Kings Highway, Chester, New York, 10918-3136, United States of America Contact: Dorian DeHaan / 845-469-5342 Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.doriandehaan.com