Hi Everyone,
I hope you are having a great week.
I was excited to receive the January/February issue of Birmingham Home and Garden as there is a nice article on Jeff Dungan and me from the Antiques at The Gardens show.
They asked the Tastemakers a few personal and professional questions, and I enjoyed reading everyone’s answers. You can check out the entire edition here.
I hope the interview left you wanting to know more about how I approach each project. If so, here are few more of the questions with my answers that didn’t make it into the article.
BHG: Your work reflects casual, livable, elegance. First and foremost, your work leans towards the way your client’s live, but you do have some signature “Dana” pieces. What are some of your favorite pieces to use and why? Are they custom or purchased?
DW: I incorporate many custom-designed upholstered pieces such as banquettes, sofas, screens, dining tables, and ottomans into my interiors. My interiors are not shiny or trendy, and these type of pieces add uniqueness and subtle detail to a room.
Many designers can create a pretty home. I try to take my work a step further and create a pretty home that can change how a family lives.
BHG: When taking on a new client, what are some clues you look for to help determine their hopes for the project?
DW: A home is most likely the largest investment made in a lifetime, and any improvements should only increase its value.
Communication Is Key.
When taking on a new client, it is important they are as comfortable with me as I am with them. There has to be open dialogue and trust for the end result to be the desired outcome.
Have a Budget in Mind.
I won’t take on a project without knowing a budget. It is extremely important from day one for all to have an understanding of what the budget can buy so the design process can evolve accordingly.
Show Me Anything You Can to Convey Your Taste.
Communication is key, and as they say, pictures are worth a thousand words. I love walking into a client meeting and being handed a notebook full of pictures that inspire them. Pictures, whether of certain rooms or landscapes or colors or artwork, give me great insight into what can sometimes be difficult to communicate.
BHG: You work on a lot of family homes. What are your five family-friendly go-to fabrics/ finishes / furniture?
DW: Leather, velvets, waxed woods, natural stones, and crusty antiques only look better with age and a little wear and tear. When choosing fabrics for upholstery, I emphasize to my clients it isn’t just the color of the fabric that matters, but more importantly, its content.
BHG: What are your favorite two coffee table books and or design books in your collection?
DW: I am constantly reading personally and professionally, so it is hard to say my favorites. I love Kelly Hoppen’s Interiors, Axel Vervoordt’s Timeless Interiors, and John Saladino’s Style by Saladino.
Thanks again, BHG!
dana
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