Interior decorating, inspired by “home is where the heart is,” specifically around the entertainment aspects of the home, focuses on creating spaces that reflect personal warmth and comfort.
We spoke with Dawn Ianno, owner and founder of Dawn Interiors, a full-service interior design firm located on Long Island, about a recent project that she completed with a local family about their need to create their living space around entertainment.
Here’s what she had to say.
Q: How did you get connected to the family for this project?
A: They reached out through my website for help with their first floor including entry way, 1/2 bath, living room, dining room and a complete kitchen remodel. Little did we all know that this scope would be expanded to a full gut renovation, expansion and excavation.
Q: How have you been expanding your business throughout Long Island and beyond?
A: A lot of my business comes from word-of-mouth, whether it is through existing clientele or contractors and other trades. This in my opinion is the best way to expand a business because I have people that trust my vision who can vouch for my quality of hard work, dedication and knowledge, to others who are interested in my design services.
Q: How long did this project take from contract to finish?
A: I was signed onto the project at the end of February 2022 and after getting the architect and contractor involved my clients moved into their new home November 2023. The scope of the project changed many times throughout the entire process which did put an extension to the original timeline of the project but we could not be happier with the outcome.
Q: What was different about this project than others you have worked on?
A: I would say the scope of this project was a little bit different than other projects I have worked on. Most of the time working on a project, there are unexpected changes during the process whether it stems from something in the demo process or the client’s vision may have slightly altered. But this was different because as we progressed on the project things would come up and we would have to reevaluate certain things to accommodate the needs and desires of the family. For example there are two teenage boys who live in the home and we toyed with the idea of having a shared Jack and Jill bathroom but after a few renditions we decided that it was best they each had their own en suite bedroom/bath styled to their taste. It was also important that the boys had similar square footage in their rooms which led to extending the front of the house over the garage which then led to adding a guest room to the second floor for the grandparents who occasionally stay with the family. Then we decided it was important that the guest room have their own bathroom.
Q: What was your favorite thing about this project?
A: I loved my clients’ sense of style and how they knew what they liked and what they didn’t like. There is a consistency of a cognac color throughout the home with warm wood tones, black, and lots of textures.
Q: What was the most challenging thing about this project?
A: I do enjoy a challenge on a project because it really tests my creativity skills. With this project, we faced a few challenges just trying to get all of the wants and needs of the family under one roof. For example, in the beginning stages of the project, my client wanted to extend the side of the house but there were property limitations so as much as we tried to make it work, we decided we needed to extend the back of the house. We needed to accommodate a pool bathroom, kitchen, home office, and fitness center into that extension. The final result came out fantastic but there is so much space planning and revisions that lead up to that point.
Q: What was a priority for the family? I feel like I heard you talk a lot about entertainment–anything else that really stood out for them?
A: Priorities were a large fitness area, two home offices, en suite bedrooms, basement entertainment area, open kitchen, and of course doggy friendly areas for their three pups (doggy door, and these came after the fact – under the stairs doggy bed, doggy bath).
Ianno’s passion for design started at an early age and continued throughout her education where she obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Interior Design from the New York Institute of Technology. Her early career was spent as an interior designer at several firms, where she became highly experienced with renovations, new construction, architectural detailing, and custom work. She has spent 15 years of professional experience working with various trades and high-end clientele on residential, commercial, and multi-family housing properties.
Dawn Interiors tailors to each individual’s taste. The goal is to create a unique space that reflects your style and a space that functions in your everyday life. Dawn Interiors specializes in full renovations both residential and commercial.
Visit www.dawninteriorsinc.com to learn more.
—Dawn Interiors
