create your space to
THRIVE
Sandy Kozar, Owner/Principal Designer
Rachael Sheridan, Interior Designer
“A great interior designer possesses extraordinary listening skills.”
S
A N DY KO Z A R , ow n e r of Decorating Den Interiors, is an award-winning and professionally trained designer, and her talented design team has been featured on HGTV as a Pro Network Designer, Best of Houzz three years in a row for customer service, and Dream Room Winner. Featured in “The Kitchen Bible” book by Barbara Ballinger and “Love Your Home,” a book by Carol Donayre-Bugg, Sandy has also been featured in well-known trade publications such as Elle Décor and House Beautiful. Her creative planning and design of residential homes is well-known and respected throughout the Knoxville area for the past 12 years, and she remains a frequent cont ributor to Ever y thing Knox ville magazine. We talked to Sandy about how the
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pandemic has affected peoples’ home décor needs, how she and her team go about filling those needs, and the most rewarding parts of being an interior decorator. EK: Before beginning a home decorating project, what should people look for when considering a professional interior designer? Sandy: Whether you are redecorating your existing home or beginning from the ground up with a new home, the greatest challenge starts with choosing the right interior designer. Good listening skills are crucial to working with clients. We have found that many people just can’t articulate exactly what they want; they just know what they DON’T want. It’s up to us to not only listen to what the client is saying, but also guide them through the millions of design options to discover their own unique style.
We know every project presents its own unique set of circumstances. We take the necessary time to help establish the scope of your project with the style you desire; our initial consultation is always complimentary. Your designer should ask you questions about your overall project goals, your family and lifestyle, personal preferences, and a budget should be discussed. Beyond listening skills, look for a professional interior designer that is a capable facilitator and communicator. EK: What design changes have you witnessed in light of the pandemic and the trend towards working from home? Sandy: If you thought you knew your home backwards and forwards before, odds are you’ve come to know it even better post the pandemic lockdowns! Many of us have been working virtually since early 2020.
Before people knew it, their jury-rigged office setups that were supposed to be temporary have become permanent. Along with the blurring of boundaries between home and office life, clients aren’t getting the decompression and relaxation needed when “off the clock.” Many struggle with the difficulty and frustration of trying to channel creativity and productivity when their surroundings seem to constantly stunt both. Our solution - make a room or space beautiful and functional. A place that allows you to thrive, rather than just survive, and boosts your mood to provide both style and comfort all in one package. One way or another, your home is an expression of yourself and your current well-being. You share it with your family and friends, experiencing both the highs and lows of life within its walls. Spending so much extra time inside your home can highlight the interiors that don’t yet live up to your personal vision of comfort and beauty. EK: We’re sure you are exposed to many design trends. How do you aid your clients in choosing what is right for them? Sandy: We focus on lifestyle designs - not everyone wants to incorporate the latest trends into their design. We do keep up with the trends by attending Market several times a year and by analyzing what we are seeing from our suppliers around the world. If a client desires a specific trend, we will do that on a smaller scale. As colors, styles, and trends change, it allows the client to change without completely redesigning the room. It’s an exciting time as a designer, as there are so many different styles and colors available to fit anyone’s taste. As degreed professional designers, our team possesses the education and experience required to design beautiful and functional spaces for our clients. We typically focus on the quality of the products and services each client desires to realize the greatest impact for their budget. We can offer our clients a curated collection of fine furnishings, upholstery, custom window treatments, accessories, art, and more, with access nationally and internationally. EK: Decorating Den Interiors has been a successful business for more than 10 years. What is most gratifying about interior design? Sandy: From the beginning of each project to its conclusion, my design team is there with our clients every step of the way, listening carefully to ensure their vision becomes a reality, but also keeping them up to date during every step of the process - one of the things we take very seriously. Constant and clear communication skills with each client are essential our success. Whether we are redesigning one room at a time or an entire house, we work to keep every project moving smoothly and efficiently. We love helping our clients get the most from their home by making it an accurate representation of their unique tastes and preferences. Very rewarding! Excited yet? Call the Kozar Design Team today at 865392-6222 or visit SandyKozar.DecoratingDen.com to take the first step in making your home the beautiful reflection of you and your family that it’s meant to be.
Decorating Den Interiors Kozar Design Team 865.392.6222 SandyKozar.DecoratingDen.com skozar@decoratingden.com March 202 2
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