I first contacted Joanna Cohlan of Fresh Eyes For Your Home for design, decorating, and project management services approximately one year ago. At that time, the main bathroom of my Dobbs Ferry home was completely demolished, due to a serious plumbing issue. I had neither the time nor inclination to find and deal with contractors or vendors; select all new fixtures; comparison shop for pricing; agonize over paint colors. In addition, my previous decorating choices were disastrous. Nothing ever turned out the way I visualized it, and again and again, I had to "live with" costly and ugly mistakes. Through Angie's List, I found Joanna, who was able to come to my rescue. My husband and I were so pleased with every aspect of our bathroom, and the relative ease of the project, that we hired Joanna to completely renovate, design, and decorate a two bedroom apartment we purchased in Manhattan this January. This decision was the best we could possibly have made aesthetically, economically, and emotionally.
I cannot say enough about Joanna and her work. My one concern about this review is that it is so consistently and overwhelmingly positive in every respect that I worry people won't take it seriously. From the first phone call, and continuing without exception to the present, Joanna has been responsive, attentive, communicative, flexible, prompt and "on the ball" in every sense, all the time. Her professionalism has been exemplary. She is perceptive and a quick study, and is always respectful of my budget, looking for ways to most efficiently use her time. She's a smart and creative problem solver, and her sense of space and its use is uncanny. Her design and decorating ideas are brilliant. The sales and management personnel at my new coop, and the contractor on the job have asked for her card on numerous occasions. The apartment is beyond beautiful: sleek, clean, modern, yet warm and inviting! Lots of unique touches, and a bit of whimsy. A huge bonus: she is funny, personable, unpretentious, easy to talk to.
(My writing of this recommendation was just interrupted by a phone call from my apartment's management department. Once a year, the bank holding the underlying mortgage of the coop visits. Management would like to show them my apartment, since "we like to show them the nicest apartment in the building").
With both the apartment and bathroom projects, Joanna demonstrated a knack for quickly and accurately assessing the situation, and her clients's needs, and desires. Her catch phrase is an enthusiastic and confident "Got it!" And she really DOES get it! By asking all the right questions, listening closely, and getting to know me she perceptively and accurately assessed my overall style, priorities, preferences, and taste. Leading the way with her own talent, creativity, expertise, taste and vision, she was able to translate some vague notion in my head into a beautiful, cohesive integrated reality. Any number of times, in some mysterious way, she was able to hone in on items that I really loved, that I never in a million years would have considered without her guidance.
If needed, she is able to supply outstanding contractors with whom she works, at discounted prices. She works extremely well with these, and with independent contractors, gaining their respect and trust, and thus, their cooperation. However, when necessary, she can be direct, honest, demanding and tough.
Joanna's very reasonable fees were made even more reasonable when one factors in elements like efficient use of her time; contractor and decorator discounts; and avoidance of costly mistakes. She advised me as to what aspects and items were worth investing in, and which were worth skimping on, which resulted in considerable savings.
In summary, Joanna is more than able to take on both major and minor construction, design and decorating projects which are fraught with frustration, aggravation, confusion and expense,and turn them into "no problems". She made the decorating aspects of these projects, which are usually disappointing and frustration to me, into gratifying and enjoyable experiences. The result: a very stylish, elegant, high-end looking apartment with creative and clever use of space and built-ins, and all within a serious budget, without grief, doubt and aggravation.
Thank you Joanna!!!