PRESS RELEASE

Grande Interiors of Connecticut Receives

Best Of Houzz 2014 Award

Annual Survey and Analysis of 16 Million Monthly Users

Reveals Top-Rated Building, Remodeling and Design Professionals

Branford, Connecticut, February 7, 2014 –Catherine O'Brien of Grande Interiors. has been awarded “Best Of Houzz” by Houzz, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. The full service interior design firm was chosen by the more than 16 million monthly users that comprise the Houzz community.

The Best Of Houzz award is given in two categories: Customer Satisfaction and Design. Customer Satisfaction honors are determined by a variety of factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2013. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 16 million monthly users on Houzz.

"We are honored to be selected for the design and customer satisfaction 2014 awards by the Houzz community.  Grande Interiors provides superior customer service combined with exceptional interior design for our clients.  Recognition for our design work and commitment to client service is highly valued by our firm.  Thanks to Houzz and our clients!

“We’re delighted to recognize Grande Interiors among our “Best Of” professionals for customer satisfaction as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”

With Houzz, homeowners can identify not only the top-rated professionals like Grande Interiors, but also those whose work matches their own aspirations for their home. Homeowners can also evaluate professionals by contacting them directly on the Houzz platform, asking questions about their work and evaluating their responses to questions from others in the Houzz community.

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About Grande Interiors:

Grande Interiors established by Catherine O'Brien in 2002, is a full service interior design firm providing stylish, functional and detailed designs with our primary focus on making each project a rewarding client experience.  Our unique designs are the result of a collaboration with homeowners and builders to realize the full potential of every project. If you’re are considering new construction, renovation or styling an existing space, Grande Interiors can help make your dream space a reality!

Water Views, Beautiful Beach and A Lot of TLC!

As an interior designer living in New England, I visit many homes on the shoreline in Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island.  Most of the homes were in need of updating especially those that were originally summer cottages.  They are usually smaller in size and located on modest or even tiny lots.  Clients frequently ask

“What can we do with this place?   Add on? Tear down?  Get creative to make it work for our family?  “  Something about the beach, waves, sand and surf is addictive.

As a newcomer to living on the shore, I must admit that although my days are jam packed (like most people), there is something calming and inspiring to watch the sun rise over the water.  Even a short walk on the beach at the end of a tough day can put things in perspective. 

   

I recently visited a home in Madison, Connecticut.  Madison is a charming New England town that is quite busy during the summer months and has continued to attract many year round residents in the past 10 years.   The home was located in a very desirable part of town with a very nice beach and fabulous views.

I dropped by the beach last week.  Very nice even in the winter.

As I approached the property, I immediately felt the history.  The home was a nice size, appeared in good condition and positioned on an oversized lot (very rare) with mature trees.  There were definitely barbecues in this beautiful yard after a day at the beach.  I would not be surprised if there was a swing or hammock hanging from one of the very large chestnut trees in the yard.  For some reason, images of families in the neighborhood gathering for croquet, lemonade and late night bonfires on the beach immediately came to mind.

The home (built in the 1940’s) showed its age and history with obvious updates in the 50’s and 60’s.  Somehow it stopped there and not much has been done until now!  As part of a new team ready to give this home the much needed updating and TLC it needs.  We will blend the history with today’s lifestyle to make this home a special haven for the next family.   The perfect place to make their own history!  

Progress is being made with our talented architect to make the necessary structural changes to take advantage of the beautiful views….

Very excited to show you what we have planned.  I will introduce some of the team and share some of the plans soon…..   Don’t miss the next post …..

Even In the Snow!!!!

Our recent blog post mentioned the start of an exterior project that is underway(Woodbridge). Yes we know we are in the middle of winter.   Our client was not deterred by the weather and asked that we proceed with the project understanding full well that conditions would not be ideal.  This is a beautiful home with expansive manicured grounds.  An estate setting that is very impressive throughout the year.  The client requested a redesign of the front entry and garage exterior that would be a better and more unique complement to the lavish grounds.   Our goal was to make the entrance more proportionate with the overall size of the home while introducing a subtle European influence to a traditional colonial style.    Time to get going….  Field measurements were taken and the design process takes hold.After the removal of the existing structure……we started framing the new portico.The very short door will be replaced with a more appropriate size and new design. A very special double door custom made with reclaimed aged wood has been ordered.

Delays with the weather have been frequent and the custom crown molding arrived damaged but our team remains committed and ready to work through the conditions and obstacles. I have much admiration for the crew working in double digit temps which later in the day turned into snow.  They still put in a full day ….By days end, we all felt that we could see and feel the progress of the project.  The replacement crown molding finally  arrived!!!

Weather proofing the flat roof and cutting the columns was next on the agenda for the day.

One more column and we will call it a day……snow coming down heavy….

The electrician will arrive next week to rough wire the new recessed lighting.

The custom door will be crated and shipped from Monticello Door Company in Oklahoma City next week.  Looking forward to the door’s arrival….It will be a beauty!

More to follow soon…….

LETS GET UP TO SPEED!

LETS GET UP TO SPEED! Our clients (old and new) have selected us to work on some very special projects. To name a few:  Complete renovation of a vacation property in Madison,Ct,  (STRATHMORE) Guest suite redesign with a steam shower addition, 

(LUXURY FOR GUESTS) - No photos yet. Updating bathrooms and bedrooms in a beach area home with a modern touch,  (MADISON). 

Designing a fun and inviting lower level for a young hip family((GRANDE BASEMENT IN THE BURBS) 

 feautred on Houzz.com, http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/18258626/list),  

Designing a fun and inviting lower level for a young hip family((GRANDE BASEMENT IN THE BURBS) 

 feautred on Houzz.com, http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/18258626/list),

Redesign and construction of a large portico and front entrance for a newer colonial home (WOODBRIDGE). 

Work in progress.  Photos will be arriving soon….

Also to top it off, we launched our website! Here is the LINK www.grandeinteriors.com

Each project and family is unique in size, requirements and style.  So every day is different! 

The interesting thing about the work at Grande Interiors is that each day presents a wide variety of tasks to be completed and problems to be solved but along with this is the added bonus of finding the best solution or option for our clients.  

After 10 years of design and client service, three critical ingredients combined always create a successful project.  Listening to the client's hopes and vision for their home, good collaboration with the entire design team and impeccable attention to detail.  Our company mission is to exceed the expectations of our clients … ALWAYS!…Working within our client's homes is a privilege and it is our goal to make the experience enjoyable and the end result amazing! Yes, it's hard work and sometimes very crazy but well worth it when our clients love and enjoy their home!

Join In The Excitement

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

For many of us, this is the time of year for reflection and excitement of things to come.

This is especially true for those who love their work life. I am fortunate to be a person who is passionate about designing and servicing Grande Interiors' clients.  The key ingredients for a successful project are good design, expression of your personal style and functionality…. While keeping all of the those in mind, I am dedicated to making sure that the design process is enjoyable and ultimately exceeds your expectations. 

There are many new products and services planned for Grande Interiors' clients in 2014.

So here is what to expect in January….  Introduction of a custom cabinetry line that offers magnificent

finishes and endless design options.  Now your dream kitchen, bath, media cabinetry or mudroom can become a reality!!!  All made in the USA!!  Check back soon for more info.

If you would like to join in the excitement this year, contact Grande Interiors to help you with your next project.  Lots of photos and info on our new website www.grandeinteriors.com.  You can also find us on www.houzz.com to see our recently featured project and discussion.  Let us help you express your 

Grande Style!

         

The "Real Fun" Begins!

Finally getting settled in to our new place and have decided to do a little updating.  Well, it is never a little when you open up walls.  As is customary, we found unusual ducting, wiring and insulating which made a small project a much larger renovation.  Getting everything completed by the Thanksgiving holiday is the plan.  Now a lot of organized planning, staying within the budget (not that easy since we are down to the bare studs) and patience.....
The crew will remove 30 feet of mirror and all the sheetrock.  Kind of messy but worth it.
New framing and a gas fireplace will be installed next......Just in time for the winter ahead.

It's Been A Whirlwind

Our New Backyard

Like so many of us these days, life is pretty turbulent.   Since my last blog, I have moved to a temporary place, searched out of state for a new place and after much searching decided to make our temporary place more permanent.  Why didn't we come to this conclusion in the first place?  Would have saved lots of hours of hard and exhausting searching.  I am now living in a myriad of boxes with furniture that needs to be removed, recycled or updated.  Paint and wall coverings that need changing. And the list goes on.  So here I am in a place I find many of my clients.... Yes, it is overwhelming at first for everyone (even me) but patience and an organized, realistic game plan will prevail...Hopefully I can please my family as I strive to do the same for my clients...