What to Expect at Your Initial Design Meeting

Last month, we talked about “How to Present Remodeling Ideas to a Designer”. Now you’re ready (if not, catch last month’s article at bellavistacompany.com) to communicate your preferences, your hopes, and your expectations to your design team.

Our residential design specialist, Rob Little, and interior design specialist, Whitney Dunn will come to see you in your home. Their visit is all about learning what matters to you, so they can design the perfect living spaces for you and your family.

Assessing Your Functional Preferences

In a walk-through, Rob will ask about how you live, and what we can do to improve the functionality and aesthetics of your home. He’ll learn what you like and dislike about your oor plan and the ow of your home. If you’re like many of our neighbors, you might like to open the oor plan for entertaining guests. Or you may want to create a larger, contemporary and functional kitchen or bathroom and in the process increase your storage and closet space.

If you’re outgrowing your home, you may need to expand it for a new baby or in-laws. If it’s dark, you may want to increase the natural light that comes into your home. Architecturally, you may want to match the level of design sophistication in our area. Since we’ve remodeled so many of this area’s homes, we can help to revitalize yours, keeping it consistent with the local standards, while incrementally raising the design bar.

Assessing Your Design and Finish Preferences

Whitney will determine your style in order to make sure that when the home is revealed, you get the “wow” factor you deserve. Your photos and binders will really help to show her what matters to you in terms of overall style, feel, ow, and nishes. You don’t need to be uent in design speak; Whitney is an expert in interpreting everything you share.

Your style may be contemporary, classic, or even rustic. You may prefer a feel that is bright and welcoming, family-friendly, or in harmony with nature. For the nish-out, you may prefer stain-grade or painted cabinetry, stainless steel counters or marble, oak oors or porcelain tiles, and elegant or modern xtures. All of these elements work together to enhance the way you live and clarify your sense of style. When your home re ects who you truly are, it becomes a major source of happiness in your life. Getting you there is what makes this stage of the process so enjoyable.

Comments And Letters

Reader comments

“Ever tried to leash a cat? Me either!” —Kelly Hanna on Put your cat on a leash it’s the law (via Facebook)

“Never been but menu looks seriously underwhelming. Was hoping for something more interesting here. That spot is just begging for something like Bolsa or Breadwinners or Mercury Grill.” —Mack on Sounds like Zoë’s Kitchen is coming to Lakewood (via Advocate Daily Digest)

“Frankly, with some of the amazing bridges and walkways appearing all over town I would prefer to see a well-designed artistic pedestrian bridge.” —Fred Theobald on Dallas Arboretum requests permit for underground walkway on Garland Road (via Facebook)

“I will definitely miss that mariachi band! My favorite in Dallas.” —belmont on Lakewood Cantina Laredo is closed (via Advocate Daily Digest)

“Fingers crossed for an open house?” —leia on Buy the Stanley Marcus home on Nonesuch for $5.4M (via Advocate Daily Digest)

“Can’t wait ... for the traffic problems that it’s gonna cause at that intersection.” —Jeff Brandt on Chipotle breaks ground on Richmond-Abrams location (via Facebook)

ONLY IN only in lakewood

On most mornings, this white heron can be found fishing at White Rock Lake, which has made it something of a neighborhood pet to people who exercise there regularly: Danny Fulgencio

Comments And Letters

Angelo’s suddenly closes, landlord showing the space

Just a week ago, we were was sitting in Angelo’s talking with owner Bernadette Fisher about her plans for the winter menu. We chatted about the history of Angelo’s, gossiped about how other restaurants in the area seem to be doing, and speculated about the fate of the Balcony Club.

According to landlord Cathy Patterson with Greenway Investing Company, Fisher was locked out due to the “non-payment of rent” for several months, and the restaurant officially has closed.

To say Angelo’s Italian Restaurant was a “Lakewood staple” or a “neighborhood institution” would be an understatement. Restaurants like Angelo’s and Cantina Laredo (which also is no more) make Lakewood what it is; they are Lakewood. But, as is painfully apparent everywhere we look, Lakewood as we know it is changing — rapidly.

Here’s what our readers had to say about it:

“Sad day”—mike via Advocate Daily Digest

“That’s high-dollar real estate in East Dallas. See the trend small mom-and-pop diners closing.”—frack via Advocate Daily Digest

“Oh no, another one bites the dust.”

—Rebecca

Tolentino

via Facebook

“Well, frankly that sucks. Angelo’s is a great place to get some food and have an intimate dinner. Their garlic rolls are amazing.”

—mdmost via Advocate Daily Digest

“Kinda glad this one is gone, seemed like they stopped caring about the food.”

—Andy Thompson via Facebook

Talk to us. Go online to comment on our stories, and your words could appear in the magazine. Got story ideas for us?

Email Editor Brittany Nunn

bnunn@advocatemag.com