“Carolyn had my best interest in mind from start to finish while always ensuring that my place represented my personality. If it wasn’t for her, I would never have been able to make all these changes. I feel like a new person with a new place thanks to her.”
“Carolyn was great. She helped me organize and prioritize my small, cluttered living space and created a streamlined, stylish result. Finally a space that really worked for me and I could work in that also reflects my personal taste and style.”
“My house looks so much better with all of Carolyn’s wonderful decorating ideas. I love the results. She has transformed my dull living space into a warm and cozy home through her creative use of color, pattern and texture.”
Client Nick Gray's Blog Interview with Carolyn Nagle
A few months ago, I started looking for an affordable interior designer who could help me improve my space. I wanted to create a studio that I could reliably host business meetings and friend meetings.
Carolyn Nagle came to my rescue. I’ve received a lot of compliments and wanted to give her due credit.
Here is an interview where we talk about her skills and what she did.
NG: Hi Carolyn! Can you tell me about yourself so I can share with my blog readers?
CN: My background is in Visual Merchandise (think window display) for many high end fashion companies. This evolved into working as a Creative Consultant on showroom & special event installations. Currently, I work as a Stylist in Fashion, Jewelry and Home Interiors.
NG: What made you want to work on my apartment?
CN: When I first saw your space, I thought that the space itself was great, but felt that it wasn’t being utilized to it’s full potential. And the more we spoke I realized it wasn’t meeting with your desire to have a home with a more loungy feel where people can meet up for brainstorming or just to chill out after a long day. I knew that I could help you with that.
NG: What were some of the challenges of working with the studio space?
CN: There were a few challenges- the first being the layout of the room which needed to be reconfigured so that it was more functional & would allow for more conversational seating opportunities. Then the post-its would prove to be a challenge since I quickly got the sense that they were not going away easily.
NG: Hah! I loved those big Post-it notes. There were some interesting “situations” and strong preferences of mine that you were able to seriously improve upon, despite my initial objections. How were you able to be successful here? Persistence?
CN: Persistence perhaps, but ultimately I’d like to believe that you got the sense that I was trying to help you and not trying to impose my own agenda onto your home. It can be uneasy having someone come into your home initiating changes and I try to be sympathetic to that. Being reminded that it is your home and you could always change it back if it wasn’t to your liking helped you to be open to at least try it out. And each time you would end up liking the change.
NG: What are one or two of your favorite parts of the re-design?
CN: My favorite part of the re-design would be the change to your layout that created a more functional & inviting room. Then I’d have to say the addition of artwork really helped to make a stronger design impact. While the chalkboard painted wall provided a solution for jotting down ideas, lists, etc. in lieu of the post-its.
NG: How did you work around my budget constraints?
CN: I pride myself on being budget savvy and enjoy the creative challenge of maintaining the integrity of good design on limited funds. Sourcing is a huge part of what I offer a client. Since not everyone has the time it takes to seek out the best options at the best prices. Offering this service provides the client with a curated list of options and eliminates this time consuming task from their list of things to do that if left to have to do on their own may cause them to want to abandon the project altogether.
NG: If someone wanted to hire you for a project or a consultation, what is the best way to get in touch?
CN: They can contact me through my website or at cnaglenyc@gmail.com
NG: Any advice for someone who is considering hiring an interior designer?
CN: I’d say- go for it! You can do as much or as little as you want, so there is not a lot at risk to at least checking it out. Also, I would suggest shopping around for the right person with whom you can entrust making these changes with and is considerate of your lifestyle needs, personal taste and budgetary constraints.
NG: What about people who have never considered hiring an interior designer and think they can’t afford it?
CN: My advice would be to try to be open to letting someone help you with your space. You can’t underestimate how making even minimal changes to your space can improve how you feel in your home and can give you a sense of pride that you never could have imagined.