Smooving SM, Construction Design & Vendor Raves

Scope of Work:
Residential design, staging, interior decorating and Smooving SM

We began working with this client eight years ago. They lived in a beautiful mountain home in Evergreen and wanted to have window treatments that would not obscure the view and also wanted some new furnishings and custom bed linens. After a pause, they called again for our help to determine what furniture should stay to stage their home for sale and to enhance the current interior to sell quickly. We also assisted them with evaluating the two homes they were considering purchasing, and we are now helping them furnish the new home.

“I have worked with Gail Doby and Renaissance Design, Inc. for 8 years. Gail helped us with the interior design of our home in Evergreen, and when we decided to move to central Denver, we called her to help us with several different services that eased our transition. She helped us quickly select and install some new furniture and window treatments to spruce up our home before putting it on the market. After we had narrowed our new home search to two homes, we asked Gail to help us evaluate which one would be the best fit for our lifestyle and furnishings. We then asked her to make staging recommendations for our current home and to help us decide which furnishings to use in our new home.

Once we made the decision about which house to buy, she recommended several enhancements to the home and was very helpful with suggestions for negotiating with the builder. We completed the purchase, and then Gail assisted us with furniture plans for the new home, installation of privacy shades for the bedrooms and recommendations for service providers for A/V equipment and movers.

When she heard that I was handling all of the move details by myself, she offered her firm's services to assist me the day of the move. This was a Godsend. She and her assistant, Erin, were there to meet the movers, help direct the placement of furniture and provide moral support. Because they knew exactly where each piece of furniture should be placed, the move-in proceeded smoothly and efficiently. While they were directing the movers, they also helped completely organize the kitchen, which made life so much easier those first days in our new home. Gail and Erin also provided food and drinks for the movers as well as for our family, which reflects the kind of care and concern they display with every aspect of their work.

Since then, Gail and Erin helped determine locations for A/V and alarm system equipment, and then helped place and hang art and accessories. Their guidance and assistance transformed what could have been a completely stressful experience into an exciting transition to our new lifestyle. I have been so impressed with their expertise, professionalism and steadfast good cheer. If you’re planning a move, I strongly recommend you call the professionals at Renaissance Design, Inc. & their Smoov SM division.”

AM – Denver, Colorado

Scope of Work:
Renovation design, interior decorating and Smooving^SM

We assisted this client (and Realtor™) with her home selection, renovation design and interior decorating on her home in Plano almost twenty years ago. When she decided to move closer to Dallas, I helped her choose her new home and then assisted with decorating with custom furnishings after her Smoov SM (smooth move services).

“Gail has helped me over the years with interior design for my home in Plano, TX. When I decided to move closer to downtown Dallas, she and I discussed several options for homes until I found the perfect one for me. She helped me analyze the pros and cons of what was important to me and, on one of her trips to Dallas, she drove me around several neighborhoods to discuss the advantages of buying or building in different areas. The design improvements and staging that she suggested in my Plano home helped it sell very fast.

Before the move she discussed the steps of what needed to be done to prepare. When the time came she flew to Dallas to help me with the move. She helped direct the movers and then she helped me organize the entire house in four days. Gail even had a subcontractor whose job was to hang artwork, and in five hours, all of the artwork was hung. It’s amazing how much that can make your new house feel like home. She also organized the entire kitchen for me - I only had to approve the location of some of the items - other than that, she did it all. Many of my friends have commented on how well my kitchen is organized.

As a single professional with a hectic travel schedule, she was invaluable with her help during this time. Moving is very stressful and tiring so she was a lifesaver. I couldn’t have done it without her.”

DLM – Dallas, Texas

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Scope of Work:
Construction design and furnishing

One of our most gratifying projects was the pro bono design of the Families First Family Center. This project was extremely important and personal to me since my mother was abused. (My husband and I have been volunteers since 1995. He and I chaired and co-chaired two fund raisers, and I co-chaired three additional events. I served as president, vice president of development for two years and my husband provided technical support and website updates for years.) Please visit www.FamiliesFirstColorado.org for more information.

We were there from the beginning – when the former Executive Director, Jo Blum, mentioned that the property was available across from the Children's Center, my husband and I encouraged her to pursue the purchase of the property. I worked on the development team to raise money, products and services for the building.

My staff and I donated $80,000 of services to the design from conception to completion. We assisted with the design of the interior and exterior of the building. We selected furnishings and fixed finishes. We selected accessories and hung artwork. We solicited for donations and discounts from vendors and subcontractors. We worked very closely with the contractor, architect and subcontractors to ensure that that the facility was completed with the best result for the clients – the families that benefit from facilities and the staff that provides the desperately needed services.

“It is with great pleasure that I give my opinions on your services. I very much enjoyed working with you on this project. Your expertise in design, working with contractors and sub-contractors really made this experience a positive one for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Now that we've been in the Family Center for a year I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the "little" things you did to enhance our spaces. The time spent looking at how each area was to be used really paid off - we love it!

How thorough (and detail oriented) both you and Erin were during the process. I appreciated the time you both took in showing me samples, suggesting websites, shopping and listening to the needs of our staff and integrating those needs into the space, and at-times guiding us to a positive solution.

The Family Center is warm, welcoming and beautiful! This was the goal we had when we started to created the same warm welcoming feeling we have at the children's center that you also helped us remodel with a kitchen that was donated with the exception of $200. I think we did that and then some. The moldings, granite, amazing donor fireplace and specialty tile work in the bathrooms, (just to name a few details ) really give the Family Center a special feeling. Professionals and parents comment on how much they enjoy coming to the Family Center.

Your designs, ideas and suggestions exceeded my expectations. I was having difficulties visualizing how some of the residential features would work in our office space. You blended them beautifully. The lights, pictures, soft, calm colors on the walls and wood accents really work.

Our space is professional, fun, upscale, durable. I really enjoyed working and learning from both of you. It was a wonderful experience that I've shared with many people. Great job! Thank you.”

Mary Hencmann, Executive Director, Families First – Denver, Colorado

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Scope of Work:
Renovation and custom furnishings

I helped this client select this home eleven years ago. She has a busy lifestyle and high-rise living in downtown Dallas was the perfect solution for her. However, this added a significant level of complexity to the renovation of her home. We actually replaced windows (on the 19th floor), changed electrical, painted and then completely furnished her home with custom designs and artwork. Eleven years later, she asked us to refurbish her home as well as completely organize everything for her. We re-carpeted, painted, added a stone entry, changed electrical again and coordinated the organization and cleaning of every square inch of her home.

“You can’t imagine how much I appreciate your help and support during "project update." I know the job grew from our original scope of painting and minor repairs to a complete refurbishing of my whole house.

When Gail helped me select my home eleven years ago, we picked the perfect place for my lifestyle - constant travel and entertaining. Everyone always comments on the many custom features you helped me design, including my fabulous desk & chest, coffee table, lighting….well actually all of my furnishings. I still love my home - so much in fact that I am keeping everything the same as much as possible.

You were so helpful with flying here to meet with the subcontractors, select materials and schedule the work. You also helped to organize the chaos so that I could continue my work, plus you've enhanced the current furnishings to provide more function for my office area with the design of a custom bookcase. You have coordinated all of the work from a distance, and it has been a breeze for me.

As usual, you and Erin are fun and energetic to work with, which makes the whole project much more enjoyable. I don’t know what I would have done with out you, there is no way I could have done this alone; you have handled every last detail, and from out of town to boot! I can’t wait to have my first party!”

CLK – Dallas, Texas

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Vendor Raves

We feel very strongly about developing and maintaining strong, friendly, collaborative relationships with our clients, and also with our vendors, subcontractors, builders and architects. It takes a team to create a project that is well-planned and well-executed. You get farther with honey than vinegar, as the old saying goes. When challenges appear, a great team will work together to make things right. We greatly appreciate our friends in the business. We have happy clients as a result of our outstanding support and service team.

“RDI is known as one of the leaders in the design world in Denver. Each project that I have worked on with you is rewarding. Your professionalism is the key. There is always a good understanding of the design and style you are achieving for each client. After almost ten years of working together, I can say that the quality and execution of your designs is top notch! There is always attention to every detail and your services are personalized and thorough.”

Jo Katsaros - Hoff-Miller

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Subcontractor & Contractor Raves

We have worked for many years to find the best of the best subcontractors and contractors. The renovation and construction process has its share of challenges, and when you have people working with you that understand what you want without having to go through lengthy discussions about what needs to be done and how it needs to be done to satisfy our clients, it makes the process much easier (i.e. a better end result for our clients with quality assurance).

The hallmark of excellence is respect for our clients, courtesy, honesty, integrity, great problem-solving, teamwork, collaboration as well as a good sense of humor. It is understood that we require excellent workmanship and willingness to do what it takes to make our clients happy.

Everyone would like access to our coveted list of trade resources, but those relationships are the result of years of vetting and experience – they are the secret to our success and they can only do so many projects a year. You will just have to try us to find out for yourself.

“RDI is very knowledgeable about tile selection and installation. They are detail-oriented with their tile designs – more so than most designers that shop for tile without understanding how the design will work on site. We have worked on several projects with RDI over the years and have always found the relationship to be positive. We even completed the tile installation for her personal master bathroom.

There is very good communication between RDI and the subcontractors. Their designs are detailed, well thought out and the final product is always first class. Impressive and always beautiful.

RDI's work goes beyond the average designer to give a more complete product that is well-conceived. RDI stays with the project and doesn't quit after the initial selection and design. This shows in the details of the final project.”

RC – Tile Subcontractor

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