RIP to the all-white room.
So say all five of the interior designers and decorators featured we interviewed for Business Report‘s Real Estate Report.
Ranging in age from 27 to 38, these rising design stars are redefining “home” as they buck the Baton Rouge norms and lean into new tools and techniques to help clients achieve their goals.
In launching their own firms, these emerging entrepreneurs acknowledge struggling to shift from working with a larger team to, as Dan Bergeron says, “wearing all the hats.” Time management, organization and setting boundaries are all part of the challenge when trying to grow a new business. “Balancing the creative with the administrative has been a big learning curve,” adds Helene Dellocono.
An important piece of the puzzle for each of these professionals is social media, which serves as both a source of inspiration and a platform to showcase their work. Many say that a large percentage of new clients come via these channels.
In addition, specialized software allows the designers to determine furniture layouts and millwork designs as well as to easily present multiple design concept options to clients through mood boards and mockups. “Technology helps our clients visualize spaces,” says Laura Cedor.
Though they have high-tech resources at their fingertips, it’s worth noting that the highlighted designers aren’t focused on keeping up with the latest trends, nor are they eschewing the design staples of generations past.
To them, antiques and vintage pieces, along with rich colors and textures, help to add dimension to a space. This frees them from worries that their rooms will go out of style anytime soon.
“I always strive to make my projects as timeless as possible,” Emily Wood says. And as Laura Roland puts it, “If it’s good, it will last forever.”
Meet the designers:
Laura Cedor
Owner, Laura Cedor Interiors
Dan Bergeron
Owner, Dan Bergeron Interiors
Helene Dellocono
Owner, Helene Dellocono Designs
Laura Roland
Owner, Laura Roland Interiors & Fireside Antiques