Chansaerae Designs Brings Home Visions to Life

By Courtney Williams

It’s not always easy knowing how to unlock a home’s fullest potential. That starts with a vision of what your space could be. We might not always be able to see that vision for ourselves and sometimes we just need a little bit of help.

Sarah Wilson, Interior designer, and owner of Chansaerae Designs, challenges the safety of neutral tones to give her clients a perfect pop of color.

Growing up, Wilson watched her mother’s upholstery work which piqued her early interest in design. Her first unofficial design project was her own apartment, where she would redecorate and re-arrange spaces for her and her roommates. While her interest in interior design was initially informal, Wilson left corporate America to pursue her interior design degree in 2014. Upon her graduation, she started her Chansaerae Designs business, which now serves D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

With a quick look at Wilson’s portfolio, it is easy to see her expertise. She is not afraid to go outside of the box and her clients will appreciate her use of color and bold statement pieces. Though she guides projects as the designer, her work with clients is very much a partnership to understand their individual needs. Her process begins with a consultation to determine how to best deliver what her clients are looking for while providing a blueprint for the finished product.

“We basically spend about two hours talking about the project; asking [clients] questions about how they want the space to work, what are current pain points, what kind of timeline, and really getting to know them as people so that I know what the best design will be to fit their space and also to fit their personality,” says Wilson.

“I’m not necessarily asking questions like what’s your favorite color or anything like that, I’m just really getting a feel for the client because at the end of the day when the project is completed, I want them to feel like the space reflects who they are as a person, as a family. And I want them to be able to enjoy it for years to come.”

So why should you look to Chansaerae Designs to transform a space from dull to dreamy? Because designers like Sarah Wilson know what it takes to get that straightfrom-a-magazine look. This is partly because designers know what small changes make the biggest differences; changes the average homeowner will likely overlook. Of the seemingly minor details within a home,Wilson says the importance of lighting is greatly underestimated. From the vibe of the room to the illusion of space, knowing how to incorporate good lighting is a must.

“Lighting is so huge. People don’t realize how lighting can change the whole feeling of your house…you could go into a paint store and pick a color of paint and bring it back to your house and it could look completely different based on your lighting, based on the temperature of your lighting, based on the placement of your lighting. That’s why sometimes people think paint does not stain the way they thought and it’s really the lighting,” said Wilson.

Chansaerae Designs shows that a pop of color can not only personalize a space but can bring new life and luxury to a home. While her clientele admires Wilson’s extensive color pallet, many homeowners choose to play it safe when it comes to adding non-neutral colors to a home. For some, it may be indecisiveness or the fear of bold colors but for others it is the fear of what happens if they decide to move. Of course, there is nothing wrong with preferring neutral tones, but Wilson says the prospect of selling a home should not discourage anyone from designing their house for them and their families. Her message for hesitant homeowners is clear: live in your house.

“You shouldn’t be worried about what’s going to happen after you decide to sell, after you die or your kids need to sell it, whatever. You spend so much time in your home that you should absolutely live the way that you need while you’re there because guess what? Nine times out of ten people move into ahouse and they want to paint it their own colors. So don’t worry about the people that are coming behind you. Live in your home,” says Wilson, “Unless you’re an investor. and you’re flipping homes, I don’t think that you should be worried about the people that are coming behind you. What if you do your house and you spend the next 20 years there and you’re like, ‘oh,I’m not going to paint because I might sell my house at some point.’ Before you sell your house, you’re going to have to paint anyway.”

As with any design project, the goal is to make every space the best it can possibly be all while adding personal touches that turn the house into a home. If you live within the same four walls every day, it’s easy to forget just how much you can totally transform a space. Sarah Wilson goes beyond regular interior design to offer plans that are unique in style from an expert point of view. Regardless of the size or function of the space Chansaerae Designs exceeds client expectations. To Wilson, the satisfaction of being able to bring a client’s vision to life is the most rewarding part of the process.

Chansaerae Designs

Owner: Sarah Wilson

301-276-7066

SARAH@CHANSAERAEDESIGNS.COM

“All the hard work that we put in comes into fruition,” she says, “A client has a small glimpse based on a 3D model of the potential of their space, but then when it’s done, and they can go in there and touch and feel; it’s the satisfaction for me that they just love the space so much because it just looks so amazing and nothing that they thought. They’re always like, ‘oh wow, this looks like a magazine’ and that always makes me feel amazing. Like, every hiccup, whatever we had to go through to get there is forgotten

When you think of home what comes to mind? As your Interior Designer I like to create a home for you that feels like you. What do I mean by that? I mean that it will be a reflection of your style, your experiences and your wants. But even with that it will far exceed your expectations. Interior design is more than just fluffing pillows, it’s about creating the correct flow and functionality in your home.

Although I’m located in Bowie, MD, I work with clients in Washington DC, and all throughout Northern Virginia.

I love whole home projects but I do work with clients on kitchens and bathrooms.

Want to talk about a possible project?

Schedule a free phone call with me today by clicking on this link.