Lillian August is an unparalleled, one-stop design resource for homeowners who want to love how they live. What better way to love your home than to focus on the room you spend the most time in? We talked to Senior Designers Richard Cerrone and Nancy Galasso about their design ideas and how to get started.
What would you define as the single most important room in the house and why? The Living Room: It is where you create the most important moments with friends and family.
How do you typically begin the design process with your clients? First, we get to know the client and ask questions: How will you live in the space? Who will be using the space? Are you a collector? We like to know as much as we can so the design of the room reflects the family’s personality. Then we get a sense of their taste. Sharing images via Instagram and Pinterest is helpful, and nothing beats walking the 100,000-square-foot Lillian August Design Center to see what they naturally gravitate towards.
What is most important for clients to consider when designing their living room? It helps to know what color palette the client likes and to involve them in the selection of the rug, as it is often the most important design element in a living room. A beautiful rug truly grounds the room. We are lucky to have an incredible rug gallery at Lillian August with a knowledgeable team.
How does your approach to designing a living room reflect your company’s philosophy? Love How You Live is the trademarked Lillian August philosophy and that sentiment applies best to the living room, where the focus is on living. That means furnishings that are comfortable, inviting and that look so fabulous that you love them. As a family-owned business (started by Lillian August 30 years ago, with Connecticut retail locations run by her sons, Dan and John Weiss) the idea of loving life and spending quality time with family is a defining part of Lillian August.
Lillian August: Design Center, 32 Knight St., Norwalk, CT 203-847-3314
Greenwich Atelier, 195 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich CT, 203-489-3740
Stamford Warehouse Shop, 47 John St., Stamford, CT, 203-847-1596
