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"Good design is a matter of good taste".   And from this simple truth, Stephanie Portaro, now in her 10th year at Furnitureland South where she has consistently ranked at the top among the company's almost 200 Sales and Design Consultants, has satisfied thousands of clients with "every style and budget level" conceivable.  In a recent issue of Architectural Design profiling the "top 100 AD Designers", this same mantra held true among a good number of those designers.  Formal education and training is important, notes Stephanie, but without a natural instinct/talent for the art of interior design, the final execution will never be as impactful. But even with this innate ability, there are other just as important factors that a designer must possess in order to achieve as she has...key among these are access to a broad range of product and an understanding of what a client is looking for in defining his/her individual style.

Drawing on the resources of Furnitureland South's buying power and size as the World's Single Largest Home Furnishings Showroom with one million square feet, Stephanie has more product availability than any designer showroom complex in the country...from New York to Los Angeles. To complement this, add the over 12 million square feet of product in High Point's trade showrooms, and one can easily see the vast resources from which she can specify. This is especially important when working with such a diverse range of both style and budget requirements.  Many times, a client and project are limited to what a designer has access. This is never the case with Stephanie working from Furnitureland South's vast resources.  Whether it is casegoods, upholstery, lamps, pictures, accessories, bed linens, bedding, rugs...no matter the product and pricepoint, she knows and can individually select each item for its own contribution to the final look.

When asked what she considers are the key elements of her success beyond "good taste" and product knowledge, Stephanie is quick to respond "connecting with my client in finding out exactly what is desired in defining their interior environment.  I start with asking the client to show me some of the furnishings on display (which are obviously numerous with 1 million square feet of showroom) that they like. From there, we build that feel into a total look.  I can recommend and guide a client to any number of looks, but when the client visually identifies with that particular style, the process becomes a lot more personalized.  Of course, many times my direction identifies the style the client is seeking, and then it's a process whereby the client knows and likes the look when they've been shown it. Other times, I work with favorite pieces a client already has and wants to keep.  Every client is unique, even when style preferences may repeat, and I pride myself on giving every client the personalized and individual attention necessary when making such an investment in their interior furnishings.  In the end, it's less about what I might like and more what the client likes.  What I bring to the process is the right scale, balance, color, and choice that ultimately must fit in the client's budget."

Having firmly established herself with nearly 10 years of design work that has been built largely through client  referrals, Stephanie works primarily by appointment.  And she highly recommends anyone shopping at Furnitureland South to do likewise.  That way, proper planning on both the part of the client and Sales & Design Consultant can be maximized.  The more information made available before and during the design process, the more successful the final project will be.  Floor plans, paint colors, tear sheets from shelter magazines appealing to the client...anything that helps define the parameters of the project are all helpful.  "With the right amount of planning and a clear understanding of the design process", says Stephanie," I can make furnishing the interior and exterior of your home an exercise that will promise to yield great satisfaction for many years to come...it's all in how you embrace the process."

Click any of the projects below to view Stephanie's designs