Maria Roa

Maria always knew she wanted to work as an interior designer even though she started out in a completely different field. She decided to study design principles, form and function ,color theory and furniture history.

What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is collaborating with clients to help them achieve a space that’s reflective of “who they are” and how they live in their homes.

Why is Safavieh Special?
Safavieh is special and unique in that it allows the designer client a collaboration to bring residential and commercial interior designs to fruition in a “one-stop shop” environment as Safavieh has everything from specialty brands to custom one of a kind pieces and there is no need to shop anywhere else for a high level of expertise design and furniture brand knowledge

Describe your relationship with your clients.
My clients enjoy working with me as I listen to not only their desires and needs but also understand that someone that doesn’t do this for a living often doesn’t really know what they want. I typically set out to ask a bunch of questions that help the process much less stressful for them which is often the case when there are large purchases involved.

How do you make life easier for your clients?
My clients are relieved with the level of detail and organization I offer and admit that it would be nearly impossible to do it all themselves.

Jill Siegel

Jill specialty is commercial designers as well as handicap environments.

What is your decorating style/specialty?
I would say my favorite style is transitional when it comes to furnishings. I think it allows the customer to enjoy their environment whether living or working for a longer period of time.

What is your favorite part of your job?
I enjoy meeting new people and seeing their reaction when you accomplish what they are looking for in there interior.

What is the item in your home that you treasure most?
The item in my home that I treasure most is the grand piano in my living room. It was my grandmothers who played and she left it to me when she passed. We both had a love of music and we both played the piano. No matter where I live that piece will always come with me and be worked into my decor.

How do you make life easier for your client?
I make life easier by eliminating so many choices. It gets overwhelming and confusing and sometimes you have to narrow it down for them. Clients appreciate that most of the time.

Fernand Roderick

Fernand began his creative life as an artist until the theatre world captivated him and sent him around the world from Europe to Asia and the Americas. His love for design started with theatre sets in creating moods for the story which continues today with clients worldwide.

What is your decorating style/specialty?
I strive to design unique interiors that will have a positive impact on my clients’ lives by offering a balance of creativity, collaboration and forward thinking with a structured, organized and detailed mentality; enabling them to deliver focused development, follow through and total completion to each aspect of the design.

Describe your relationship with your clients.
Great designs, whether personal spaces or commercial properties, begin with a comprehensive understanding of clients’ needs and expectations. My ability to develop client relationships are based on respect, trust, and confidence has been the key to my success as a designer.

Why should a designer work with an interior designer?
Skilled at creating beautiful designs under a variety of budgets, styles, timeframes, and requirements, I guide my clients through every phase of the design process. My mission is to assist both residential and commercial clients in creating timeless spaces. Whether classic or contemporary, across a vast range of styles, I balance colors, textures, and lighting to create a space that reflects my clients’ personalities and suits their design needs.

Midori Owaki Weiss

Midori has a master’s degree in Anthropology and enjoys traveling and visiting art museums.

What is your decorating style/specialty?
I prefer the minimalist style using natural colors and textures.

What is your favorite part of your job?
Helping customers to find the best pieces for their homes.

How is your favorite room in your home decorated and which room is it?
Our bedroom is decorated with Asian modern minimalist and gold accents.

What type of client benefits most from your style?
Those who wish to add color and functionality to their home.

How do you encourage clients to make bolder choices or step out of their comfort zone?
I show them the benefits of looking outside their experience to make their home more beautiful.

What accessories are a must?
Lighting is vital.

Christina Todd

Christina lived in Florence Italy while studying interior design abroad her junior year of college. The experience forever changed her outlook on interior design and life in general. The juxtaposition between the brilliance of renaissance classicism mixed with the genius modern design seen all throughout Italy inspired her design approach.

What is your decorating style/specialty?
Luxurious, chic, interesting, yet simple, clean and calming. Using textures, patterns and materials gives my work dimension and makes odes to tradition, while modern forms, color and lighting exemplify contemporary design, which creates an elegant modern cool aesthetic while remaining classic and timeless.

Why do your clients adore you?
My good energy. They instantly recognize my pure and positive, peaceful yet high energy, and they love that. I’m extremely detail oriented and architecturally experienced, so they sense my comfortability on any design project. They love that I’m sweet and to the point and ultimately provide them with exquisite design solutions. Also, they’re able to feel my spirit embodies art and design.

Describe your relationship with your clients.
Magic. My clients value my authenticity as a person and designer, so we’re able to connect and create an inspirational synergy from the beginning of the design process that lasts a lifetime. We inspire each other in many ways, and they appreciate the beautiful, luxurious spaces and lifestyle we create together.

How do you make life easier for your clients?
I help them create their dream vision by inspiring their imagination through developed, detailed, and functional floor plans, as well as sharing the best product options from the best design resources for their wants and needs. I also create renderings, additional design drawings, prepare cohesive mood boards and select finishes that helps walk them through the entire design process. Having a plan and vision, as well as knowing your best options, eases client’sinds on some big decisions.

Susan Mandel

Susan enjoys nature, photography, refinishing and repurposing furniture, museums and art history.

What is your decorating style/specialty?
Whether it’s transitional, glam, rustic farmhouse, French country, coastal or simply incorporating old with new for an eclectic style, you’re in my wheelhouse.

What is your favorite part of your job?
The favorite part of my job is building a relationship with the client, listening to their needs and translating them into a beautiful, functional, enviable space.

Why is Safavieh special?
What I love the most about Safavieh is that my clients don’t have to venture to many different locations because we represent all of those companies all under one roof right here. With our furniture selections, Lighting Center, Rug and Flooring Center and vast selection of accessories designers and customers can enjoy one-stop shopping.

Why do your clients adore you?
My clients love my passion for design and that I will research every available option until it’s perfect. They complement my keen eye for detail, stellar customer service and fun personality – I create an “adventure” for them. I’m attentive and responsive to their calls, texts and emails and they know I’m always available to them.

Describe your relationship with your clients.
The relationship with my clients is built on trust which is essential. My easy-going demeanor and sense of humor make it easy for me to be relatable. I pride myself in my relationship building skills and am proud to say most clients have become good friends I’ve maintained over the years.

How do you encourage clients to make bolder choices or step out of their comfort zone?
Through the use of technology I am able to ease clients into making bolder choices by showing them the “big picture” of how the room will look once all the elements are combined. This relieves any qualms they would have had initially.

Why should a customer work with a designer?
There are many elements and principles incorporated into a great design that one would only acquire from studying interior design. Designers know all the intricacies that go into a great functional design as well as all of the tricks of the trade. Would you perform your own root canal?

Eric Lysdahl

Eric has been an interior designer since 1997 and has designed projects in London, Paris, the South of France (St Jean Cap Ferret), as well as Caribbean projects in Grand Cayman, and The Grenadine Islands as well as in NYC/ CT/ The Hamptons. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Elle Décor, House Beautiful, Traditional Home, and Interiors Magazine to name a few.

What is your decorating style?
I am equally versed in all decorating styles from modern to traditional and the spectrum in between.

Why do your clients adore you?
My clients adore me because I am easy to talk to, have a sense of humor and above all listens to their needs.

What type of clients benefits most from your style?
Clients benefit from my style if they keep an open mind and listen to what I advise. As an experienced designer I have access to resources that most people wouldn’t have on their own, thus opening the client up to a world of other possibilities.

What accessories are a must?
He believes accessories whether pillows or picture frames are the jewelry of the room and should be the best you can afford.

Vincent Paganelli

Vincent enjoys traveling and exploring other cultures which opens his mind to a world of opportunity and creativity.

What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is selecting fabrics and textiles as my background includes over 20 years of fabric experience.

Why do your clients adore you?
My clients appreciate my creativity and genuine desire to please my customers .I make sure to take care of all the finishing touches as well as complete the space, my design work allows the personality of his clients to shine in their homes.

Describe your relationship with your clients.
Honest, open genuine and their faith in my abilities plus my genuine desire to please my customers while also avoiding costly errors.

Why should customers work with a designer?
To avoid costly mistakes.

Ester Bedard- Stamford

Been with Safavieh 12 years, owned an antique store and an avid collector of antiques and antique dolls and has 6 children

What is your favorite part of your job?
Getting to know my customers and being able to satisfy their vision.

When and how did you realize you wanted to be an interior designer?
Putting together and decorating my own home and my friend’s homes. I enjoy beautiful things.

Why do your clients adore you?
My honesty, kindness and my warmth- I am here to do the best for them.

What are your hobbies?
Organization, Staging and decorating.

Ronnie Blassberg

Ronnie enjoys cooking, especially Italian food. She also loves art, music and painting. “My father was a concert pianist so I love all music.” Ronnie has been with Safavieh for six years.

What is your decorating style/specialty?
I have an open mind when it comes to style.

Each individual sends a different message.
I listen more then I talk.

What is your favorite part of your job?
I like meeting and working with people. I am blessed to be doing something that I love. This is not a job, it is an opportunity to express who I am. My clients usually become my friends.

Why is Safavieh special?
We are a team. When someone enters our showroom they are surrounded by inspiration created by love.

When and how did you realize you wanted to be an interior designer?
When the Beatles arrived in America it changed America and me. I blossomed as a person with a passion for design and art.

Why do your clients adore you?
My outgoing personality and confidence in what I do creates a bond that my clients trust

Why should a customer work with a designer?
Most individuals need another set of eyes to help them see the whole picture.

Lois Ferkov

Lois is a twin and enjoys yoga, fine dining, and cars. She’s a real New Yorker and has been designing for Safavieh for 8 years.

Why is Safavieh special?
We have all the tools here to create that WOW factor in home interior design.

Why do your clients adore you?
I help my clients realize their own inner style and set it free. My clients return to me year after year.

What accessories are a must?
Lighting and mirrors can help enhance and enlarge a space.

Sandy Dabrow

Sandy is open to all concepts, styles, technology and people. She loves art, going to the museum and traveling; Paris, Italy, and Mexico among her favorite destinations. She also loves natural pieces of glass and stone and how they can add warmth to a room. Sandy has been with Safavieh for five years.

What is your decorating style/specialty?
Whatever is in fashion. I love color, new items, and upholstery in blues, greens and silvers.

When and how did you realize you wanted to be an interior designer?
When I bought my first home I fell in love with the idea of interior design.

How is your favorite room in your home decorated and which room is it?
My living room is eclectic. Its an accumulation of a chinoiserie check, Hickory Chair sofa, antique xatan chairs and a Lucite table.

Why do your clients adore you?
I am honest, low key and not pushy.

What is one item in your home that you cherish and why?
I have four special Lalique pieces left. The rest I gave to all my children.

How do you encourage clients to make bolder choices or step out of their comfort zone?
Talk, talk, talk, and then talk some more!

Why should a customer work with a designer?
A designer can help with sizes, especially in making things work in small spaces. I have a certain taste level and cannot sell furniture that I don’t personally like.

Iris Carias

Iris likes running and walking her dog. She speaks Spanish and has worked on projects both big and small. Iris has been with Safavieh for 4 years

What is your decorating style/specialty?
I really like to mix things up.

What is your favorite part of your job?
I like pleasing my clients and seeing their faces when a project is completed. Their expressions are priceless.

Why is Safavieh special?
We have styles and price points of furniture for everyone.

Why do your clients adore you?
I give them what they want. I create harmony because I’m patient, attentive and a good listener.

Why should a customer work with a designer?
A designer can clear up a client’s confusion. I am able to do this by guiding them and helping them select particular items and a color scheme.

What accessories are a must?
Window treatments!! They dress up and complete a room.

Michelle Townsend

Originally from France, Michelle has been with Safavieh for eight years. She speaks French, works with clients from all over the globe and has traveled around the world more than once. She’s an avid collector of mineral, stones and fossils who also loves gardening, horses and
sightseeing.

What is your favorite part of your job?
I truly enjoy sketching, color matching and working with fabrics.

Why is Safavieh special?
We have every facet of the design to work with for every project.

When and how did you realize you wanted to be an interior designer?
In my early 20’s I changed from being a science and math major to architectural design at La Boule in France.

Describe your relationship with your clients-
Friendly and open.

Why should a customer work with a designer?
Designers know what is needed to finish a room.

What attracted you to interior design?
It was my best friend’s experience at Les Beaux Arts. She came out a completely different person.

Melissa Sarhane

Melissa is Moroccan, she’s an artist and former custom design specialist for a rug company. Melissa speaks French, Spanish and English and has been at Safavieh for six years.

What is your decorating style/specialty?
Modern with a Moroccan twist and touch.

When and how did you realize you wanted to be an interior designer?
Since I was 10 years old I’ve had a passion for art. Interior design is a marvelous extension and expression of my love for art and design. .

Why do your clients adore you?
I’m patient, responsible, charming and committed to assisting them with every aspect of their projects.

How do you encourage clients to make bolder choices or step out of their comfort zone?
I find that many people are afraid of color, so I always ask them, “Is there a particular color that makes you happy?” After that we talk about the many options for using it.

Why should a customer work with a designer?
A designer can help a customer to think outside of the box and expand the possibilities for their project.

How do you make life easier for your clients?
I make sure to take care of all required measurements and I do all the proper research for them.

What attracted you to interior design?
I started with rugs, custom coloring them. This experience got me excited to design from the floor up to the ceiling.

Stephanie Stephens Gans

An army brat, Stephanie relocated 16 times and says, “Our furniture never caught up with us.” Stephanie was first a textile designer, and now she paints watercolors.

When and how did you realize you wanted to be an interior designer?
I knew when I was nine years old that I wanted to become an interior designer. I love changing lives by changing interiors.

Why do your clients adore you?
Oh, that’s easy. I am talented smart and funny!

How do you encourage clients to make bolder choices or step out of their comfort zone?
I suggest to them, “Always think bigger than you can imagine,” and then I help them to do so.

Why should a customer work with a designer?
Working with a designer makes the process of interior design much more economical and offers a client many choices.

James Butler

James has been with Safavieh for 6 years. He loves music, especially classical music and jazz. James studied voice and piano in college and in addition to his love of the arts, you’ll also find him using his creative talents in the garden and landscaping. James has been a Connecticut Certified Interior Designer for 15 years.

What is your favorite part of your job?
Home visits and then making a “scale” floor plan after determining customer’s needs.

When and how did you realize you wanted to be an interior designer?
In 1970, while working in the Bloomingdales’ display department.

How is your favorite room in your home decorated and which room is it?
My great room is my favorite room in the house. The style is traditional yet eclectic. This is where I showcase my antique clock collection, including my 1890 French Empire clock

How do you make life easier for your clients?
I help them develop their expectations and then help them find what they need to make their expectations an interior décor reality.

Natalie Brown

Natalie loves babysitting, adores her grandchildren and playing mahjong. Her husband is a representative of a leading furniture manufacturer. Natalie started working part time at Safavieh 11 years ago part time, which she says, “Grew into fulltime so I would stop eating and spending money.”

What is your favorite part of your job?
I enjoy working with my clients to help them create their own dream décor; especially in pulling a room together with just the right colors, furniture and fabrics.

How is your favorite room in your home decorated and which room is it?
My family room. It is casual yet elegant; leather sectional, swivel chairs, whimsical accessories. It’s a room where everyone feels comfortably at home.

Why do your clients adore you?
I listen to their needs and wants and then I guide rather than push them in a particular direction. I tell them, “This is your house, not mine. It needs to be what you love.”

Describe your relationship with your clients.
Well, I think my relationship with my clients is a good one because they keep coming back!

Kosh Palmer

Kosh has been with Safavieh for nine years. She was born in India, schooled in England and went to design school in the United States, an obvious indication of her love of traveling. Kosh is fluent in English, Hindi, and French.

What is your decorating style/specialty?
Mine is a modern approach to neo classic period style and design.

What is your favorite part of your job?
Helping clients to decipher the vision they have for their space.

When and how did you realize you wanted to be an interior designer?
When I was 19 visiting the Hermitage in ST. Petersburg Russia.

Why should a customer work with a designer?
A designer can help them bring their vision to life.

What accessories are a must?
For me its antique candle sticks and candelabras.

Beena Ramachandra

Beena is an extremely caring home gardener who loves tending to flowers and vegetables almost as much as creating inspired interior home design. Beena came to US from India 30 years ago has been with Safavieh for six years

What is your favorite part of your job?
Making the people I meet happy.

When and how did you realize you wanted to be an interior designer?
At the age of 16, growing up in India, I became more and more thrilled over wearing colorful scarves and exotic jewelry. It wasn’t long before I knew that I wanted to bring fashion to furnishings as an interior designer.

How is your favorite room in your home decorated and which room is it?
The living room is my favorite. It’s exotic, ethnic and filled with my mask collections that I have accumulated over the years while traveling all over the world.

Why do your clients adore you?
I listen to them.

Why should a customer work with a designer?
A designer can help customers avoid the problem of having a hodgepodge look to their home décor. With a little
assistance from a designer their ideas and décor preferences can work and flow together beautifully.

How do you make life easier for your clients?
I help them to avoid making basic mistakes that they may not consider; mistakes that could possibly take away from the look and feel they are trying to achieve.

What are your favorite pieces of furniture/ accent pieces?
I like accent pieces to complete a look. A great chair can add punch to a room. Wall art can make a huge
impact when entering a room and can really help to complete the entire look of a room.

What attracted you to interior design?
Colors. I love colors. I grew up with spice colors and like to amalgamate them together.

Karin Krinsky

Karin has been designing for over 15 years, four of them with Safavieh.

What is your decorating style/specialty?
My style is elegant and fresh. I like to throw in a piece or two with a different flair that
makes a statement.

What is your favorite part of your job?
The install; when vision comes to life.

Why is Safavieh special?
It is like being in the city (NYC) without having to take the trip.

Why do your clients adore you?
I become their friend, not just their designer. They also know that I will do anything for my
clients.

What is one item in your home that you cherish and why?
Greg, Morgan, Brody (Husband, daughter and dog)

What type of client do you work with best?
I have worked with Taylor Swift, Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Coliccio, Steven Van Zandt, Paul
McCartney and many other famous people. They all knew that I would get the job done.

What accessories are a must?
Large cocktail table books, lamps and artwork

Lorraine Gordon

Loraine started at Safavieh when she was 19 and has been designing for over 13 years with Safavieh. She especially enjoys working with space plans and fabrics. When she’s not designing she loves playing with her son, playing softball and going to flea markets. Lorraine counts many celebrities among her clients.

What is your decorating style/specialty?
My personal style is eclectic casual. I like my homes to feel comfortable yet attractive. I like each home to be unique, no cookie cutters.

Why is Safavieh special?
We carry all the best lines that our clients want and need.

What type of client do you work with best?
I love working with people like me, especially young families.

What accessories are a must?
Pillows! They are a great way to add color and they can instantly change and update a room.

Dwayne Thomas

Dwayne says, “I am a jokester. I like to make jokes and make projects fun and enjoyable.”
When he’s not working with clients Dwayne enjoys going to museums.

What is your decorating style/specialty?
I like to design with a timeless aesthetic coupled with some current trends to keep it fresh.

What is your favorite part of your job?
The end result; when everything comes together, the furniture, rugs, window treatments, accessories, and the client is overwhelmingly pleased.

Why is Safavieh special?
We have unlimited resources and possibilities at Safavieh that can please everyone’s taste and style.

When and how did you realize you wanted to be an interior designer?
My very first client purchased everything that I had picked out for them. That’s when I knew that I had discovered my passion

Why do your clients adore you?
I make it enjoyable for them to spend their money.

How do you encourage clients to make bolder choices or step out of their comfort
zone?
I tell them to open their mind to their own possibilities. I break them out of their comfort zone one step at a time.

Esther Rubin

First born to a family of Holocaust survivors, Esther has traveled throughout Europe, Alaska, Canada, Caribbean, Israel, and Mexico. She loves spending time with her husband and family, enjoys tennis, walking and reading. Esther has been with Safavieh for eight years.

What is your decorating style/specialty?
My style is tailored to the needs and wishes of my clients. I particularly enjoy symmetry and balance.

What is your favorite part of your job?
Creating a customized environment that my client will love.

How is your favorite room in your home decorated and which room is it?
My living room is eclectic, has elements of traditional with transitional, and flows together wonderfully well.

Why do your clients adore you?
I enjoy people. My objective is to create and have fun.

Describe your relationship with your clients.
My relationship starts with establishing a friendship based on trust.

Why should a customer work with a designer?
To eliminate mistakes.

Colleen Kiel

Colleen has been with Safavieh for nine years. “This is my third career. I was a magazine publisher, a singer and now I’m an interior designer,” notes Colleen. “I still sing in semiprofessional female chamber chorus that sings internationally, and have done so for the past 20 years.” Colleen also loves to swim.

What is your decorating style/specialty?
Modern but colorful.

What is your favorite part of your job?
Unifying all the elements of design into a beautiful interior.

Why is Safavieh special?
The beautiful furniture of course, and the rugs!!!!

When and how did you realize you wanted to be an interior designer?
A friend commented on my home and encouraged me to use my talent. Next thing I know I’m attending the Parsons School of design.

Describe your relationship with your clients.
Friendly but professional.

What is one item in your home that you cherish and why?
The view of the Hudson River.

Why should a customer work with a designer?
A designer can bring a more cohesive flow to the entire look and feel of a room.

How do you make life easier for your clients?
By being creative and well organized.