Living by Design

A living room designed by Richard Cerrone and Nancy Galasso of Lillian August

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 familyโ€™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.

A great room designed by Richard Cerrone  and Nancy Galasso of Lillian August
A great room designed by Richard Cerrone and Nancy Galasso of Lillian August

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 companyโ€™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.

The Lillian August Design Center in Norwalk has a dedicated Project Area where the companyโ€™s more than 20 interior designers meet with clients
The Lillian August Design Center in Norwalk has a dedicated Project Area where the companyโ€™s more than 20 interior designers meet with clients

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

You may also likeโ€ฆ

Four tips from the pros on choosing the right rug for your room
Interior Designer Amy Aidinis Hirsch gets playful with scale, pattern and colorย 
There are lots of reasons to start this yearโ€™s home improvements now.