Lindy Donnelly Interior Design
About
My clients inspire me constantly.
Their unique personalities; how they individually and as a family live their lives motivates me daily to create comfortable, beautiful environments for them to thrive.
I adore working with fabrics; combining colors, textures and patterns to create a glorious collage-- a carry-over passion from my years as a fashion designer in New York.
I do not have a stamp of a style. I listen thoughtfully to my clients whether they have a strong opinion and want to work in an equally collaborative manner or they prefer greater guidance, I approach the design of each home as a unique venture. My clients lead busy, real lives; with kids and pets and want to work with a practical, down-to-earth designer.
I believe it's important to dig deeply to find the most appropriate furnishings options which is why I maintain a vast cache of resources and am always scouting for new ones. Each selection embodies a careful analysis with respect to budget, function and aesthetics to form the best choice. I'm elated when I find that perfect something for my client; from a cozy lounge chair to just-the-right pillow trim.
I'm a sole proprietor; I'm the person who picks up the phone and knows every minute detail of your project. I only take on a few clients at a time; I can then devote myself fully to each one.
Nothing could make me happier than when a client tells me they love their new home.
No reviews (yet)
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
1. Talk to the client about their goals for their project. Ask the about how they want their rooms to function, their likes and dislikes, and about their budget.
2. Present schemes with drawings and materials to the client for discussion. Make revisions until all is agreeable to the client. Place orders for furnishings, lighting and window treatments.
3. If the project is permanent interior design; Kitchen and Bath design for example; create Construction Document drawings for the contractor so he knows how to build it. Create a "schedule" that states all necessary information for the contractor to order materials.
4. Periodically make site visits to look at construction.
5. Furnishings: furniture is delivered and stored at a local "receiver". Once all or most of the furniture has arrived, there will be an installation. I'll supervise this and have the furniture placed exactly in the room as the furniture plan was drawn.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Rhode Island School of Design, BFA Apparel Design
UC Berkeley Extension, Interior Design program
Do you have a standard pricing system for your services? If so, please share the details here.
I charge by the hour and add a "procurement fee" to furnishings, fabrics, decorative lighting, etc.
How did you get started in this business?
I worked for Barbara Scavullo Design in San Francisco; a prominent interior design firm. I was fortunate to have worked for a very well-organized and well-run company and have adapted many of her business pracitices.
What types of customers have you worked with?
All types; families with children and pets, couples without children, single people; clients of all ages and living throughout the Bay Area.
Describe a recent project you are fond of.
Furnishings for a renovation in Hillsborough for a blended family of six which included a Family Room with a Breakfast Nook and Dining Room.
A beautiful and comfortable environment was created with practical furnishings including a custom sectional in the Family Room for the everyone to gather. The end result was the right balance of style and function.
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a pro in your area of expertise?
Make sure they're going to listen to you-- are they asking you questions and absorbing what you're saying and do they seem like they truly want to design to your goals?
If they have people working for them, who is actually making the selections for your project?
What questions should customers think through before talking to pros about their needs?
Do they have a realistic budget and time frame?
Interior design is an expensive and lengthy process; it's not at all like a home design television show.
The end result will be something you will enjoy living with for the next 15-20 years and it all takes time to develop and with a proper budget.