Tell us about you.
My name is Neema. I’m an attorney in Boston and recently purchased my first condo in July 2021.
What led you to seek professional design services?
My mom gifted me a gift certificate for design services from This Bronx Girl Designs (BGD) in early 2021. It took a few months after that to find a place, but I started working with Vanessa as soon as I moved in. I knew I needed help creating a space that truly felt mine. My previous apartment was filled with furniture that I had been collecting from Craigslist or left by previous roommates. I wanted to be intentional with my new home and fill it with items that I picked and liked. Being new to home ownership, it was both exciting and nerve wracking to have complete control over everything. I wanted a professional designer to not only execute my vision, but also to help me figure out what that vision was.
Tell us about your design journey.
I didn’t know what to expect on my first call with Vanessa, but I remember feeling incredibly energized after the call. This was the first of several video calls we would have to discuss what I wanted for my new space. I didn’t go into our first call with any specific ideas or an aesthetic in mind, and so the best I could do was explain the feeling I wanted for my new home. I wanted something cozy and vibrant furnished with some beautiful pieces, but also wanted to create a space where friends would feel comfortable curling up on the couch.
Vanessa was able to take these feelings, create a vision for the space and work with me remotely to refine my ideas. We worked for several months ordering furnishings and remotely doing furniture placement. A final in-person visit really pulled everything together. I learned how to hang wallpaper, and some things that felt off were organized almost instantly. Vanessa introduced me to certain details and small changes that I would never have considered. For example, I would never have thought to replace light switch plates or finials for my lamps. I chose a pink bird finial for my favorite lamp in my living room, and it still makes me smile every time I look at it. It’s such a small thing but has made a huge difference in personalizing my space.
Flora wallpaper from Tempaper. Credenza from Society 6; Abstract water color lampshade from Cruel Mountain, found on Etsy; Ceramic bird finial from Krikri Ceramics, found on Etsy.
One of the most valuable things about this process was how easy Vanessa made things for me. For any piece of furniture that I was looking for, I would get 2 to 4 options to choose from, including price details and web links. If I didn’t like them, I would discuss with Vanessa and then she’d come back to me with additional options. After I made a selection, Vanessa would order the item for me and she would take care of shipping it to my home. To top it all off, BGD had discounts at many stores, so I rarely paid full price.
What home change(s) do you value most?
There are two changes that I value the most. The first is my little reading nook by my bay windows in the living room. Vanessa helped me pick every single item in that corner and I’m obsessed with each one. From the lamp finial, to the hand-painted lampshade and beautiful wooden table, we took a lot of time to find these pieces. It’s a lovely place to sit and enjoy my coffee in the morning.
The second are the curtains in my living room. I had shared with Vanessa that my curtains were most prized possession from my old apartment, but I wasn’t sure I could find a new place for them, or whether they’d work with my new decor. After showing the curtains to Vanessa, she found a place for them in my living room. The curtains make the room feel warm and add elegance, and it feels great that I was able to repurpose an item I treasured.
Photo above: Catania armchairs from Joss & Main; Sofa from Bloomingdales; Oak wood table lamp from NickHammond Lighting, found on Etsy; Oak side table from Hayneedle; Forsythe floor lamp from Pottery Barn; Albertis rug from Crate&Barrel; Coffee table and pillows from Society 6. Far left: Walnut dining table and chairs from Article.
Describe how you feel when you walk into your home.
When I walk into my home, I feel grateful, proud and safe. I am proud that I created a peaceful home during what was and continues to be an unprecedented time. I also feel a sense of ownership that I had not felt before. I take a lot of pride in taking care of my new home and all the changes we made.
Comments