Trying to furnish and decorate a home can sometimes seem to be an overwhelming task.
Maybe you just moved here and brought some treasured family heirlooms that might seem a bit out of place in a contemporary desert setting. Maybe you are buying your first home, and have an odd assortment of family castoffs you would rather donate to charity. Or maybe you’re starting over in the home of your dreams, and want everything to be just perfect. No matter what your situation, letting an experienced interior designer work with you can make all the difference in the final result.
“We’ve had frustrated homeowners come to us because they are just stuck about deciding what to do,” said Ryan O’Meara, head designer and co-owner of Palavela Home in Old Scottsdale. “Or worse, they come in after already having spent thousands of dollars on new furnishings, only to find that they didn’t fit properly inside their rooms, or that the balance of pieces, or colors and fabrics, were not as they imagined they would look,” continued Ryan, the award-winning young designer who opened his shop in 2007, after retiring as an Olympic skater.
“Sometimes people feel a bit intimidated to work with a designer, but a good designer will know what things will work together even before they arrive in your home,” Ryan said. “This is where a trained professional can save you time and money.”
In addition, Ryan revealed the fact designers have access to many furniture and fabric lines not readily available to the public. Also, because of designer buying discounts, these higher quality pieces may not cost much more than those found in local furniture stores, and you will have a look no one else has.
At Palavela Home’s 4,500 square-foot showroom, Ryan has assembled a variety of sample room designs decorated with one-of-a-kind furniture pieces, accessories, antiques and art, all of which are for sale. He invites everyone to come in and look around. “Sit on the furniture, touch the fabrics,” Ryan suggested. “Get a feel for us and how we do things. It’s all very casual. And let us know how we can help you.”
Consultations are always free at Palavela Home. “We will come to your home, show you our portfolio of styles we’ve already done, and get a sense of who you are and your wants and desires for your home and lifestyle,” Ryan stated with confidence. “If you see something you like in a magazine, cut out the pictures to share with us.”
To prevent clients from being overwhelmed, Ryan believes in starting slowly. If you are doing a whole house, he likes to put together a general plan, and then create a timeline for how and when to do everything, so it is as comfortable as possible for the occupants.
When you are ready to go ahead, Ryan designs the plan, whether for a room or a whole house, and will bring photos of furnishings, accessories and samples of fabrics for homeowners to choose. If you want to incorporate your heirloom pieces, or a favorite painting or sculpture, into the design, he can create an eclectic mix that will blend the old and new together. “The result will be uniquely you,” Ryan promised.
Ryan can be reached at Palavela Home, 6939 E. First Ave., in Scottsdale, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call (480) 946-1006. Visit www.palavelahome.com to see examples of Ryan’s work and showroom offerings.