Design by the Jonathans

We bought a condo in a converted church on Wooster square about 5 years ago. The design is lovely and unifque but the living room is quite small with a large granite fireplace and a gas heater inside the fireplace. The heater needed to be replaced but the mantle was built over it so we decided to remove the mantle and fireplace. Lana found workmen who removed the entire fireplace and heater and repaired the wood floor. That left a big gap in the wallpaper and Lana found a craftsman to repair the wallpaper so we did not have to repaper the entire wall. Finally, we used reclaimed wood and had a bench built extending our seating area in the living room. Each of the craftsmen did an awesome job minimizing the disruption to our living space and creating an amazing living area. Even tho this was a relatively small job, the quality of the work was outstanding matching the beauty of our condo.

I had a wonderful experience working with Design by the Jonathans on the remodel of my primary bathroom. I worked with Michelle Moran, and from the very beginning it was obvious that she was really listening to what I wanted: not just the aesthetics, but also the budget and materials. When she showed me her initial designs I was delighted--she'd completely captured the look and feel I'd hoped for, but in a way that surpassed what I could have imagined on my own. This was my first major renovation project, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but Michelle guided me through the whole process. From helping me articulate what it was I was after, to setting up appointments with contractors, to taking me shopping, she just generally made the entire process smooth and easy (and dare I say fun?). I am beyond thrilled with my new bathroom, and I won't hesitate to work with Michelle and the Jonathans again on future projects.

I have been working with Michelle over the last 18 months on multiple rooms in our house (office, dining room, family room). She is incredibly easy to work with —takes high level ideas and is able to quickly and seamlessly bring to life. She is always mindful of my budget and helps maximize my dollars where they matter. I look forward to working with her on future projects!

Working with Lana Nguyen from Design by the Jonathan’s has been nothing short of an amazing process, from initial concept to end. It was a true partnership. The level of detail and expertise that Lana brought to the project was unparalleled, without compromising on our wants and needs for the space. She transformed our bathroom (a master bath gut reno that needed a ton of work) into a serene haven, one of the most gorgeous rooms I have ever seen. Throughout the process, Lana and her team were available to answer questions and deal with issues that came up during the construction phase, and often checked in to make sure that everything was going just right. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to work with true professionals, and Lana and her team were just that. The bathroom is a dream space, came out even better than we initially envisioned, and to say that we are obsessed with it is a true understatement. We look forward to working with Lana on future projects, and recommend Design by the Jonathan’s with the utmost confidence.

Jonathan Gordon is a brilliant designer. Our first major project with Jonathan was our primary bathroom. The transformation is truly incredible (see the before and after photos) Jonathan is so creative and he has an impeccable eye for details from fixtures to finishes and beyond that really elevate your experience in the space. For example, it was Jonathan's idea to put a rain shower head over the shower bench and every time I sit there and rinse the stress of the day away I think of what a genius he is. Jonathan is patient with his clients and takes the time to answer questions and discuss the details. This is especially important for first time home renovators! He also really respects your personal tastes and tries to create a space that reflects that. One thing you may not know if you haven't renovated before is that the decisions you have to make don't stop once the build begins. Questions will come up from your contractor. I really appreciated how available Jonathan continued to be throughout the build. He even met with our contractor to go through some details and questions. It was so helpful to have him as a trusted resource throughout the project. We look forward to working with Jonathan again on another project.

After meeting and interviewing several kitchen designers, we decided on Design by the Jonathans. Jonathan was the only one that sat with my husband and I and discussed every aspect of our project. He was thorough, professional and patient. He explained why our budget wouldn't work for what we were looking to accomplish and he was correct. He was involved in every aspect from the design, to the contractor selection process, cabinet layout, paint colors and finishes. Throughout the whole process, he was accessible and available to address our concerns and questions. It was a very positive experience and my husband and I love our new kitchen. We highly recommend them and are planning to engage them to assist with our Powder Room and Primary Bedroom.

We did a full home renovation with Jonathan and the experience was excellent. Our project included major structural changes as well as extensive design elements. Jonathan was knowledgeable in all areas, which made the project seamless. He's warm, engaging and incredibly easy to work with. Jonathan and his back office were responsive and professional. We're thrilled with his design choices and would highly recommend Jonathan for any renovation project!

I'm extremely happy with Jonathan's designing our kitchen, living, and dining spaces. We're amateur and adventurous chefs who love to cook and entertain lots of guests. We need a beautiful kitchen, and it must be functional to accommodate two chefs with different styles of cuisine. The kitchen turns out perfectly and we absolutely LOVE it. We will not want to change a thing if we have to do it over again! This was the second kitchen renovation and yes it was 1000% better than the first one! We're surely done with kitchen renovation for the rest of our lives :) For the dining & living room, Jonathan designed different ceiling styles to add height and the rooms look so much bigger. He designed a large entertainment space integrating the kitchen, dining, and living rooms in a very efficient, beautiful flow with styles. He leveraged high-tech software & tools which helped us to visualize the dream so much better. Jonathan clearly checked all the boxes for us and we're so happy to work with Jonathan. I highly recommend his service.

We had a wonderful experience working with The Jonathans and designer Lana Nguyen on two bathroom remodels. Lana was very responsive, professional, and incredibly helpful with decision-making throughout the process. Her renderings gave us a great sense of what was possible and her eye for materials and finishes resulted in beautiful spaces that bring us joy everyday. She introduced us to fantastic contractors and communicated with them regularly to keep the project on track. This was our first time using a designer and we would hire them again without hesitation!

Our interior was feeling dated and tired. I was lost and overwhelmed with what to do, so I reached out to Design by the Jonathans. I was so grateful for their quick response. And before I knew it, I was on my way to falling in love with my house again. Michelle Raiti did a great job of bringing out the best in our home. She helped me find a couch, coffee table ottoman, new lighting, rugs, wall color/coverings, window treatments, a refresh of a favorite old wing chair and a major improvement to built in bookcases. I absolutely love the direction Michelle took with our space. She has a real talent for finding just the right colors and fabrics. Best of all, our home still feels like our home, just better. It's spectacular!

I can't say enough about Design by the Jonathans. We bought a house in CT that needed a TON of work. When Lana and Jonathan came over in those early days, they left us with a vision of the possible. After a year of renovations they more than delivered on that initial meeting. What did I appreciate most? Technical expertise: When they say "interior design," they mean it in all of its complexity. We renovated a kitchen, living room, bedroom, and master bath with their help. They all required incredibly complex construction plans. Walls were moved. Showers and tubs relocated. Fireplaces completely reimagined. They were able to produce building plans that my contractor could refer to while completing the project. The level of detail and thoroughness of these plans undoubtedly sped up completion of the project. Aesthetics: One of the main reasons we wanted a designer is that making decisions about a "look" for a space is challenging for us. Here, they also excelled. We worked most closely with Lana who was extremely patient with our vacillations and indecisiveness. Lana, and everyone else we worked with, have an incredible eye and ability to imagine a space to not only get the most out of it but to make it look good in the process. When Lana made an argument for two islands in our kitchen, I was taken aback. Now, we can't imagine a kitchen with only one. Masters of form and function. Responsiveness: When you are working on a renovation that's this complicated, problems arise. Every wall that's opened is an invitation for a new problem that's going to cost you money. Design by the Jonathans helped us navigate the many ups and downs of a big renovation project. What did that look like in practice? With shortages due to covid, delays were common on everything ranging from bathroom fixtures to cabinets. The team helped us find workarounds with other vendors or choosing another product that would look equally good. Problem that came up out of nowhere? Furniture choice that had to be made on the spot? I could text or call and get an answer back quickly. Code issues with regards to a complex fireplace renovation? Jonathan himself came with his team to meet with my contractor to talk through the best way forward. An unforeseen issue with the plans that came up when walls started coming down? Lana was there with new plans and fixes that stayed true to our shared aesthetic vision. All in all, I can't recommend them enough. If the thought of a big renovation project is daunting, Design by the Jonathans can help. I cannot imagine taking on this project without them. Considering how happy we are with the renovation and the years of my life saved with all the aggravation avoided and problems solved, it was money well spent. I recommend them HIGHLY.

Lana Nguyen, designer for Design by the Jonathans, designed the renovation for my Guilford, CT home. The renovation touched upon every room of my home. Lana listened to my style preferences and took them to a higher level. She was very responsive and actively worked to perfect any and all issues. I have received countless complements on Lana's work. I am more than happy with the results she provided.

This is my first time working with a designer. I’m a first-time homeowner and this was the first big project. It was tremendously fun working with Lana. Her ideas were masterful, yet she was willing to take my novice suggestions and roll with it. We made lots of last-minute changes, and it still went so smoothly. The icing on the cake came at the very end when she added a few knickknacks and pillows, and the room really came to life. Our family spends hours a day in this small new attic playroom, TV room, exercise room, and sleepover room. It has raised our family bonding to a higher level.

Way above and beyond Jonathan Gordon and his amazing staff at Design by the Jonathans have raised the bar. A special shout out to David Rubin, who helped us deal with several unexpected thorny complications. Again and again they exceeded our expectations. Expert knowledge, sophisticated design sense matched with attention to our esthetic, and attention to the most minute details were just the start of their work with us on a small but truly challenging master bath renovation. Add to that fast and responsive follow-up that demonstrated the highest client service. And of course, and most importantly, we love our renovated bathroom.

We were absolutely thrilled with the work provided. We requested help both with designing home renovations for a contractor (including taking part of a wall out to open up our downstairs), and also with decorating the house (and patio) after these things were completed. We have a simple, modern aesthetic, and found that they understood exactly what this meant, and how to bring a room together within this framework. The original plans were great, and we went back and forth many times with some additional idiosyncratic ideas and asks. We never felt pressured to accept anything less than what we wanted, and found that the whole team was responsive, motivated, and extremely talented throughout. I am truly happy every day in this house. From the lighting to the design to the furniture, it's everything that we wanted (and frankly more). We're so appreciative of all of their work, and I would absolutely recommend them to others who are looking.

I truly enjoyed the entire process, from conception to execution. My home has a flair that I could not possibly have designed on my own . From a practical standpoint, Jonathan offered options within my budget- and when I exceeded that budget, it was entirely my decision-no pressure. This group takes pride in their work and it shows.

Our bathroom renovation design with Jonathan was fantastic. He guided us through the initial conversation, helping us discuss what we were looking for, and ultimately delivered a great vision for how to layout the space. Detailed measurements, drawings, and rendered designs we so helpful in making decisions on the design. We will absolutely work with them on our next project!

Jonathan did an amazing job designing the tile for our primary bathroom. He was wonderful to work with and really took the time to understand what we were looking for. We could not be happier with the results.

Michelle was so responsive and gave me great ideas for kitchen tables and lighting. She made great suggestions and followed up with pictures of options which I’ll be pursuing soon. So easy to work with!!

Jonathan and his team provided superior service with our large renovation (kitchen, living room, bathroom). Jonathan's attention to detail in his measurements and blueprints made it easy for our contractors. His vision of how we would use the space continues to impress, even 6 months after finishing construction. He was able to guide us in the design and shopping phases within the style that we were seeking. We certainly have the "wow factor" and sincerely enjoy the redesigned space.

Jonathan helped transform our master bathroom into an oasis. He had his work cut out for him as my husband and I have very different styles, but he was great at helping us find an overall vision that worked for us both and elements we both love. The contractors he recommended are first rate and made this project a smooth experience from beginning to end. We are excited to be starting a new project with him soon!

We used the Jonathans to make our dream of a kitchen/pantry make over a reality. The computer renditions that he generates made it so easy to see our visions come to life. His expertise in taking our whole first floor to a new level is beyond amazing. I cant wait to see what he does with our basement makeover!

I have really enjoyed working with Kristen at Design by the Jonathans. She gave me several options to pin point my style and I was easily able to review potential items on their user friendly design software. Kristen's ideas are very inspired, and I was constantly amazed with the boards she came up with. Truly talented. Delivery and payment were also very easy. Overall the process was painless and fun and I couldn't be happier with the way my house looks!

Working with Kristen was the adventure of a lifetime. It took nine months to transform our living space and she patiently and expertly guided us along every step of the way. Like expectant first time parents, we had no idea what we were in for. We needed extra coaching as we acquired new vocabulary such as mood boards, gallery walls, finials, and side panels. We purchased a color wheel and were soon tossing around color theory words such as Monochromatic and Triadic. Kristen is a master of colors and textures and her selections lightened and brightened every space in our tiny home. For the first time in our lives, Brendan and I feel a comfort and joy in our surroundings. We thank Kristen for being able to use pieces of art and furniture that have special meaning for us to create a look that truly reflects our values, personalities and experiences, both as individuals and as a newly married couple. Working with us was no small task. Covid and several unexpected illnesses and deaths in the family quickly drained our limited budget and made our accessability feel choppy. Kristen helped us prioritize our goals and tasks which she had previously outlined in her meeting notes and punch list. In addition, she made herself accessible in creative ways and went above and beyond to work around our limitations. Next year we hope to pull it all together by installing recessed lighting, refinishing the kitchen cabinets and adding traversing drapes to the sliding doors.

What should you expect from a design consultant? That question raises many responses. Here’s what I’ve learned on my journey..... Someone who gets “inside your head” and delivers more than you could have been imagined as you awkwardly articulated what you were looking for is what you should expect. That’s precisely what Kristin did for me. COVID shutdown allowed me the time to search the internet for a designer who could create a design that a) incorporated two distinct styles (modern vs traditional) b) was elegant but livable, and c) repurposed existing pieces to leverage that “curated over time” look instead of a shipped in x days “insert any furniture store” look. The COVID shutdown in early 2020 allowed me the opportunity to spend endless hours looking at portfolios of designers in the coastal CT region. Something kept bringing me back to this particular designer’s portfolio (Kristin Wall). Why? When I looked at her portfolio compared to others (ones who were very popular in this area) I was drawn to the diversity. It was clear that she respected the client’s perspective. Other portfolios were very similar (boring) ....the same design concepts used over and over. Kristin’s portfolio clearly demonstrated that the client’s perspective drives the outcome, not the designer’s style or preference. Did I choose wisely? A resounding YES! My advice to anyone looking for that partner who will respect your vision and someone who can “get in your head” to see what you are visualizing but cannot articulate as clearly as you want, Kristin is your gal! On the other side, if you really do not know what you want or cannot make up your mind, but know what you like, she’s also your gal. From the first view of fabric and furniture choices, I was impressed with her ability to give me options that met and exceeded my expectations. We have since moved on from the first major project to the “next one”. I anticipate that Kristin will be that partner who helps me transform every room in this “oasis by the sea”. Whatever style or design you have in mind, do yourself a favor, include her in your search. I can confidently say that you will not be disappointed.

We highly recommend Jonathan Gordon and his team at Design by the Jonathans. From the initial consultation through to the completion of the project, Jonathan was incredibly thorough and detail oriented. He did an outstanding job of explaining the entire process from planning the layout of the kitchen, to choosing a contracting company, to picking details and finishes. He took our vision of a dream kitchen and turned it into a reality! We are THRIILLED with the result! Thank you, Jonathan!

Our experience with Design By The Jonathans has been an absolute amazing one. All of Jonathan’s work is well thought out, high quality, and creative. He is professional, organized and responsive to any questions/thoughts in a timely manner. We recently had our kitchen/living room redone and are in love with how everything came out. We will definitely be using him for future home projects!

Jonathan was a pleasure to work with. He was so helpful and his suggestions were perfect. He really took the time to understand what we were looking for and even offered ideas we hadn't thought of. He saved us time and we ended up with a finished project that was so much better and more beautiful than it would have been if we have tried to do it all on our own.

The Jonathans LLC designed a wall with a barn door and window above it, to create a new room in my condo, and I was very pleased with the outcome. They designed and created the beautiful barn door. They have been very helpful when I called them about some other idea's too. Jonathan is friendly and talented designer, it was a pleasure to work with them.

I can't say enough great things about Jonathan! My husband and I are finally getting the kitchen we always wanted. We have always done our own renovations but my husband had met Jonathan and we decided to give it a try with a designer. I am so very happy we took the chance. Once completed our kitchen/living room will be amazing. We are 90% completed and it is already unbelievable. Jonathan is easy to work with. He will suggest things that you would never think of. He helps make a decision when my husband and I are not agreeing. Always available for any questions. The vendors he recommended are wonderful. Jonathan is knowledgeable and has tons of ideas. We had another designer come in and she was very expensive and I felt she couldn't really vision what we wanted. Jonathan walked in an immediately had ideas and was very reasonable on price. I would strongly recommend Design by the Jonathan's to anyone.

Jonathan took the vision I had for our living room and made it a reality. He shared his tips and introduced us to local antique shops and professionals. Old furniture touched up and reupholstered along with unique touches, like Moroccan window screens as valances, make the room feel personal and inviting. I would work with Jonathan again and recommend him in a heartbeat.