Margaret Milano

“Both my wife and I work out of our home and we can both work in this new office space quite comfortably based on the layout designed by Margaret. The work was very well done with a great attention to detail. The fit of the all of the components is seamless. The end result is stunning. It’s such a pleasure to work in this room now that the new office has been installed. I am very happy with the entire process.”

– Stuart B. from Topsfield, MA

MY FAQ’s:

 “How do you first approach a space? In other words, what’s the first thing you think about when you first see a client’s closet space/storage problem?”

I always have a discussion with my client first to get a sense of their expectations for their space. I like to know their wants and needs and then when I see the space I can have a good feel for how best to accomplish their goals.

 “What is the biggest design obstacle you’ve overcome? i.e. awkwardly angled walls, electrical sockets in bizarre places, big collections in small spaces.”

Every project comes along its own set of challenges (most often fitting everything a client wishes to in a small space) but my very first project with Closetfactory was an attic space in an old home that the client wanted to turn into a Dressing Room. Every wall had some sort of obstruction and the space had multiple angled ceiling heights. In the end, we were able to design a space using every bit of creativity and good design principles to squeeze every inch of functional space. The client loved the space and was able to get everything they wanted into the storage. My only regret is that I never got a photo of the completed job.

 “Since collaboration is such an integral part of the design process, how do you like to engage or connect with clients in order to help them realize their vision for a space?”

I am a big proponent of my client making an educated decision for the design of their space. I first prefer to listen to my client’s hopes and dreams as well as their organizational needs. Then while standing in the space, I like to discuss the mechanics of helping them to reach the full potential of these dreams. Keeping in mind that this is their home and they will be utilizing it every day, I approach the discussion by educating them on good design principles so that can make a decision on what is best for their habits and budget.

 “How are you inspired by a home’s existing décor? Is there anything specific that you look for during an in-home consultation?”

When I enter a client’s home, I am always looking around to get a sense of their aesthetic style. (I promise, I am not looking to see how clean or neat you are J) I am looking for things like crown molding for a more traditional aesthetic or modern elements that will show a more contemporary style. Colors and finishes also help me to develop a sense of what to recommend/discuss for the project space.

 “What are some ways a custom designed home office can improve productivity? In other words, how does the right type of home office help people do business?”

Offices are one of my favorite spaces to design – they provide the opportunity to truly help a client get organized and improve their lives. Home offices are no longer just utilized once a week for bookkeeping or a place to store household bills, many clients now work out these spaces as a remote location. Being able to find everything that you need and easily keeping the space neat and organized is key to allowing productive work time to combine with a household aesthetic.

 “What are some modern organizational trends, or what’s a trend you’re looking for?”

The biggest trend that I am seeing is that people are more aware of organization and its necessity. It is no longer “just a closet.” Being able to find what you need, when you need it, in an organized space is becoming much more important to lifestyles today. Modern life has become much more fast paced and homeowners are realizing that a well designed space – be it a Master Closet, Child’s Closet, Office or Garage – can help to improve their daily life.