Tag Archives: South Jersey

South Jersey Spotlight on Staci Greenberg, Interior & Design, LLC

Staci Greenberg of Interior & Design, LLC makes your space livable and workable!
Staci Greenberg of Interior & Design, LLC makes your space livable and workable!

I have fond memories of getting to know Staci Greenberg through her involvement as a co-founder of South Jersey’s the Business Mingle. When it comes to interior spaces, Staci is the ultimate creative talent and a true “designista.” She’s staying faithful to her entrepreneurial roots with the next iteration of her company–Interior & Design, LLC.

By All Writes: Why did you decide to start Interior & Design, LLC? When did you found/start it?

Staci Greenberg: I have been an interior designer for close to 35 years, with a practice that included both residential and commercial clientele. During our most recent recession, I was affected like many other businesspeople. I made my way back to my roots, designing for the hospitality industry. However, like all true entrepreneurs, the pull of doing it “my way” kept nagging at me.

And then I met Rose Pili, who has become my source of renewed inspiration. With her background in all things NOT interior design (such as administration, organization, and an equal desire to accomplish tasks), she is the perfect complement as my design associate. I took our meeting as a sign it was time to move forward with starting up my new design practice.

Rose keeps me on my toes, so much so that we’ve begun our own podcast series called The Inside/Outlook. Rose and I chat about all things interior design. Links to our podcasts will be available on the blog page of the Interior & Design website. The hope is that people will feel inspired to comment or post questions regarding the conversation they heard.

We intend to devise an opportunity to correct much of what the public is shown on programs such as HGTV (Home & Garden Television) regarding how to create good interior design.

BAW: What residential and commercial services does Interior & Design, LLC offer its current and potential clients?

SG: My approach to interior design has always been to view each project as an exercise in the art of “solving the puzzle.” In other words, I create a functional, useful space to meet the unique needs of its occupants. I passionately believe that every space has potential. I maximize the functionality of living or work areas that were previously underutilized to give my clients exactly what they want.

Each client space is a jigsaw puzzle with many pieces representing all the different components (flooring, furnishings, lighting fixtures, wall coverings, custom design build-ins and more) a designer uses in a project. It always starts with the architecture. What about it doesn’t work for you? What can I do to change it so that it does work for you?

I present drawings and samples so my clients can understand what the change will look like. If I handle the purchasing (i.e., supplies and materials), clients get an inside track to quality designer furnishings and fixtures that are available only to industry professionals.

BAW: Who makes a good client for you?

SG: I can help anyone wishing to renovate a space, regardless of residential or commercial status. Both large-scale projects as well as revitalizing just one room provide their unique challenges. Whether a client has a residential or commercial need, trust in our relationship is essential. Clients must believe that I hear what they’re saying accurately and that I will create the exact space they need.

BAW: What is your ultimate “happy moment” when working with your clients?

SG: That moment for me is seeing the look on a client’s face when any preconceived notion he or she might have had is instantaneously replaced with “I love it–it works. This is exactly what I wanted, and more.” I have found that many clients find visualization challenging or are unsure of what they want. These are the exact reasons why they hire me!

For the residential client, working with me is an intimate experience. For the commercial client, the budget and compliance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA) are typically key concerns.

ADA compliance refers to the laws ensuring that design and functionality accommodations for those who require it (people who are blind, deaf, or wheelchair-bound) are accessible in public spaces. I am equally dedicated to providing the same services for any residential client in need of functional independence in the home.

BAW: If you could relocate Interior & Design, LLC to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

SG: Since I like where I am right now, I’m not tempted to relocate my business. I enjoy traveling, so nothing would make me happier than having a client located in, let’s say, Italy or Hawaii. I can work anywhere! In fact, several years ago, I had a client living in Los Angeles. Everything was handled remotely. In this age of technology and friendly skies, there is no reason not to be able to work on a far-flung design project.

BAW: What are your favorite books (or who are your favorite authors) to read and why? Please share generously!

SG: I do love to read. But like so many other businesspeople on the go, I listen to audio books. My current “read” is Russell Simmons’s Success Through Stillness (Meditation Made Simple). It’s narrated by Herbert Point-Du-Jour (believe it or not).

Other books that have been a part of my diverse reading palette include: Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses (I could not finish it); Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth and Winter of the World; and even the infamous Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy by E.L. James (fun reading, although I consider these books at the lower end of the literary spectrum).

 

Do you have an unrealized ambition for your living or work space? Are you unsure of how to express it? If so, Staci Greenberg is the interior designer for you. Please reach out to Staci by phone (856-269-0707) or by email (staci@interioranddesign.co). Sample the Interior & Design, LLC blog, Staci’s podcasts, and more when www.interioranddesign.co launches in June 2014.

For the social-media crowd, design your own personal connection with Staci Greenberg on Twitter or Google+. Additionally, Interior & Design, LLC now pins evocative, well-designed spaces on Pinterest.

South Jersey Spotlight on Lichtman Associates Real Estate, LLC

Sandi Lichtman of Lichtman Associates Real Estate is one of my favorite Realtors in Southern New Jersey. I think it’s because she’s equally passionate about taking care of her clients’ residential needs and giving back to the South Jersey community (via her volunteer and donation collection efforts). Also, when Sandi sends one of her “helpful… Continue Reading

South Jersey Spotlight on Cupcakes by Ruth!

I’ve known Ruth Scott for years now through a previous nonprofit commitment. But I didn’t realize she’d become a rising cupcake entrepreneur until earlier this year. Cupcakes by Ruth! has become the go-to cupcake supplier for local events sponsored by Blue Moon Premium Olive Oil and Vinegar, Aenigma Jewelry (both in Collingswood), Girlfriendz Magazine, and… Continue Reading

South Jersey Spotlight on The Networking Exchange

I’m determined to break out from my blog’s all-female guest post bias. It ends this month with Keith Reynolds of The Networking Exchange (TNE). I’ve never seen anyone run a business networking group with as much heart and determination as Keith does. If you’re a southern New Jersey or Philadelphia business owner, you should meet… Continue Reading

South Jersey Spotlight on Mindy’s Magic Touch

The local South Jersey business I’m promoting this month is not a magic shop, and it has nothing to do with a Magic Fingers bed. Mindy’s Magic Touch is an entrepreneurial business run by Mindy Kleinman, head artist and gift designer. Mindy and I met way back at one of those “Mommy & Me” classes… Continue Reading

South Jersey Spotlight on MH Design Company

This month’s “South Jersey Spotlight” interview features Michelle Helfrich, owner of MH Design Company in Cherry Hill, NJ. Michelle is a talented graphic designer that I met at a local NJAWBO dinner event way back in 2008. Since then, we’ve worked together on some marketing collateral projects, and  we continue to share micro business owner… Continue Reading

South Jersey Spotlight on Esther Greenberg, Massage Therapist

As promised, I’m launching a blog post that (hopefully) will frequent my wee blip on the webosphere radar screen once a month. I tend to be loyal to those who help me by providing friendship, good karma, meaningful strategic connections, and warm project leads/referrals. Using my blog as the conduit, I proudly produce the results… Continue Reading