Andrea Dolson of New Leaf Interiors, Traverse City, MI

Designer: Andrea Dolson
Firm: New Leaf Interiors
Location: Traverse City, MI

Andrea was drawn to interior design by her love of working with color, textures and the way a space makes a person feel when they are in it. She feels it is hard to define her design style, but leans more towards transitional with a blend of earthy rustic natural and a mix of luxury. We asked Andrea some questions to gain better insight into her professional style.

Q: What’s a must-have item you include in your designs?
A: Plants. Weather real or faux, bringing nature from the outside into your home is essential for Zen and balance.

Q: What is a design trend that you love at the moment and what trends are you most looking forward to in 2023?
A: A design trend I love is using dark bold colors in furniture and wall, door and trim applications. I am also loving the upcoming trends of bringing warm wood tones back into the home.

Q: Every room must be fun to design, but do you have a favorite?
A: I really don’t have a favorite room, but if I had to choose, I’d say I love creating a cozy great room. I love rooms that have multiple uses where the whole family can congregate at once. I love the challenge of designing these spaces and making them cozy, inviting, and functional.

Q: What is the most highly requested room design from your customers?
A: Great rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.

Q: Can people with smaller budgets afford interior design help from a professional?
A: Absolutely! As a designer that works by the hour, I work with all budgets and do my best to provide design ideas to accomplish goals of all sizes.

Q: Is it worth it to get interior design advice for a small living space?
A: I don’t think any space is too small for good design advice. A designer can help you with creative ways to design a small space to help you utilize all the square footage in the best possible way. We can see spaces differently and help you plan for the best use of your space and money when redesigning.

Q: When you design a room, what is the most important advice you give?
A: Make sure you have a cohesive flow within the house. Don’t just consider one room on its own but think about how that design will flow between the other spaces of your home. You want to create a cohesive home that feels like it was created with a similar design style in mind, even if it wasn’t all designed at the same time.

Q: What is your best piece of advice to offer someone who wants to redecorate a room on their own?
A: Select your focal point piece and build from that piece. Something like a colorful fabric, a large art piece, an area rug, a vintage chest, and pull styles, colors, and textures from it that will coordinate with in the space and within the home.

Q: What questions should a customer expect an interior designer to ask?
A: A good designer should ask you all the questions. My job is to get to know you, how you want to live in your space and to bridge the gap between your design desires and make them a reality. In the end, you should have a beautifully designed home which is uniquely you.

Q: Do you provide online interior design services as well as in person?
A: Although most of my projects are with clients homes locally, I do work with clients across the country with an online design studio which is accessible to all clients anytime online. I can manage any project and keep every aspect of the project organized and all in one convenient location.

Flash Q&A:
Current Facebook fan of: Green Healthy cooking. I love all the healthy homecooked meal recipes.
Current Instagram crush: Tilebar. I’m inspired by unique tile applications in design.
You have a weakness for: Natural walnut wood. I love to use it in any application possible.
Long-term trend predictions: Natural textures and earthy colors being brought indoors.
A trend that’s just a fad: Everything in fashion and design has it’s place in time and everyone has a design style that they love that is lasting to them. So it’s hard to say what trend is a fad and what has staying power while living in the trend. Only time will tell what this centuries next fad will be.

Please provide your social media links and how prospective clients can best reach you.

Website: www.newleafid.com
New Leaf Interiors Facebook: www.facebook.com/NewLeafInteriors
Andrea Dolson New Leaf Interiors Facebook: www.facebook.com/AndreaDolsonNewLeafInteriors/
New Leaf Interiors Instagram: www.instagram.com/newleafinteriordesign/
New Leaf Interiors Houzz : https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/new-leaf-interiors-pfvwus-pf~880933941