Alison Friedricks Interiors is growing every day, thanks to you, and as a result we’re pleased to announce that Bonnie Feifer will be joining our team.
A resident of Chappaqua and mother of two, Bonnie is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology where she developed her passion for color, texture and fabrics early on. You may recognize her from Wallauer, where she spent the past 5 1/2 years helping clients with color palettes, window treatments, wall paper, upholstery and even furniture, lighting, flooring and accessories.
Bonnie likes to get involved in all aspects of the design process and is fluent in every style. She believes that strong communication is the key to a perfect end result and her ability to tailor a design to meet the lifestyle and specific needs of a client is derived from listening and asking the right questions.
We asked Bonnie a few questions of our own to give you some insight into who she is and how she works.
FI: WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?
BF: My personal style is about taking elements from every design aesthetic to create interest and depth. I love to mix price points and combine something very high-end with a fabulous find from Home Goods. If you have the eye, you can make it work.
FI: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?
BF: Interior design is like a puzzle and what I love most is the point at which you see all the pieces come together and the client is thrilled. I enjoy the journey but I LOVE the destination. I also appreciate my ongoing relationship with clients because I get to see how their family is using the space we created. Lastly, I adore the hunt. I love to find things you’re not going to see everywhere. I have resources I scour to find unique pieces to truly personalize a space.
FI: A SPACE IS FINISHED WHEN…..??
BF: I don’t think a space is necessarily EVER finished. Things are always evolving and there’s always a tweak here or there to be done. If you’re traveling and you find something meaningful it can always be added, though I don’t believe in over-cluttering. I like breathing room.
FI: WHAT’S THE BIGGEST FEAR YOU HELP CLIENTS OVERCOME?
BF: Color. I help clients incorporate bolder colors in a way they feel is safe. Oftentimes, they think that color is a major commitment, but it doesn’t have to be. If it’s done in the right way – a throw, a pouf, a pillow, textural accessories – it’s still exciting but not scary. I love color in kids rooms but I think main spaces should be neutral unless you’re deliberately trying to make a big statement. Color needs to be moved around the room in order to make the space feel complete and not have it stick out like a sore thumb. For example, if a client would like an accent wall, or a specific color rug, that color needs to be added into other parts of the room as well so it isn’t just in one spot. I also encounter a fear of mixing metals. Clients are often afraid to mix finishes but it’s such a fabulous way to achieve layering and depth!
FI: WHAT’S THE STRANGEST REQUEST YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
BF: I’m not afraid of getting down and dirty. I’m all about the visual, so if something needs moving, I’ll move it. Requests don’t often strike me as strange. One space I’ve been asked to create that’s new and different, however, is the “designated homework room”, a shared office space for parents and children. Another client wanted every room in her house to be a different shade of yellow. But in the end, we made it work!
FI: WHAT OTHER TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING?
BF: Fabulous mud rooms. Everyone needs better organization and families with young children spend an inordinate amount of time coming and going (with lots of stuff) making the mud room one of the most used parts of a home. Also, despite the popularity of “open concept” design, the pendulum seems to be swinging back towards more disctinct spacecs for grown-ups and kids.
Bonnie officially begins her tenure with Alison Friedricks Interiors this week and is looking forward to getting to know our clientele. Please join us in welcoming her to the team.
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