Choosing a favorite project can be like choosing a favorite child. While it can be a tough call, we asked six designers—Caitlin Creer, Enda Donagher, Joshua Evan Goldfarb, Lisa Fleming Picciano, Alisa Sparks and Heidi Tate—about their top renovation, and what made it stand out.
Family Matters
“One of my favorite projects to date is a beautiful family home in Chatham, New Jersey, where we successfully blended classic style with vibrant colors and comfort to create a warm and inviting space for a family of five. Given their three very active sons, we chose performance fabrics for all the upholstery and selected durable carpets and furniture to withstand the wear and tear of everyday family life. The combination of rich, vibrant colors with functional materials enhanced both the aesthetic and practicality of the space. It’s such a rewarding feeling when a design is not only beautiful but also tailored to the needs of a busy, active family. The way the playful pops of color and art balance with the classic elements creates a welcoming, timeless environment that will serve them well for years to come.” —Lisa Fleming Picciano, Lisa Fleming Interior Design, Madison, New Jersey
Team Effort
“Sisters Cabin has been one of my favorite projects to date. This jewel-box family retreat exemplified the magic of true collaboration, where the synergy between our team and the client created something extraordinary. The client’s trust allowed us to explore uses of color, incorporate high-end materials, and select unique, original artwork that brought a distinct personality to the space. Despite its smaller footprint, every detail was thoughtfully curated, making the cabin a testament to the power of intentional design. This project beautifully balanced luxury and warmth, proving that even intimate spaces can shine with grandeur.” —Heidi Tate, Tate Interiors, Whitefish, Montana
Expanded Scope
“My favorite project so far has to be one where a client initially brought us in to design just a couple of spaces. Within a month, it evolved into designing their entire home. They were a busy family with twin boys, so we made sure every design choice was both functional and durable. We carefully selected fabrics and materials that could stand up to life with two energetic kids, while still creating a warm and inviting space. When we revealed the finished home, the mom teared up and said, ‘This brings peace to our home, and that is just what we needed.’ Moments like that are why I love what I do—knowing that our work improves a family’s everyday life in such a meaningful way makes it all so rewarding.” —Alisa Sparks, Linden Creek, Raleigh, North Carolina
Longtime Client
“Having already remodeled several apartments with a client over more than a decade, the couple had amassed a truly world-class collection of art, furniture and antiques, and their architectural preferences had evolved and matured over time. Now, here was an opportunity to bring it all together as we set out to recast their newly acquired Palm Beach Regency estate as a lavish home for art and entertaining. Every project is an exercise in building a shared vision—between client and designer—that serves to steer the creative process and inform decisions during construction. What made this project special was that, over the course of our previous renovations, that vision had already been shaped. As we went through the design process, bringing together the ideas formed in the testing ground of the previous projects, it was almost as if we could all see the end result and just needed to fulfill it. This was a unique and memorable experience with the couple, who had become very close over the years.” —Enda Donagher, Enda Donagher Architect, New York
First Child
“As a Miami native, working on our first ground-up construction project in the area was very memorable and rewarding. The beautiful waterfront location of our project in Miami Beach and sweeping views of Biscayne Bay didn’t hurt either. Having input on everything from the plan to the materials and finishing touches was rewarding because we got to touch everything—and this client was engaged for all of it! They really trusted and believed in us, giving us the opportunity to expand and execute their vision for the home. The collaboration and relationship with this client remains cherished. We love being able to visit them at this home nearly five years after starting design on the project and experiencing the space together. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!” —Joshua Evan Goldfarb, Evan Edward, New York
Thick as Thieves
“One project that really stands out in my mind is a renovation we did for a dear friend of mine. Because I am so close with their family and have a very specific understanding of how they live, we were able to transform their home into something that is truly reflective of them and supportive of their lifestyle. I love renovations, because there are boundaries and parameters you are required to work within, and for this project it provided us an opportunity to create something really unique and signature within the framework of the existing architecture and context of their historic home. Their aesthetic is more fresh and streamlined, so we worked hard to weave the two in a harmonious way.” —Caitlin Creer, Caitlin Creer Interiors, Salt Lake City
