Meet the Marks-Woods Design Team!
A few weeks ago, we took over Alexandria Stylebook's Instagram to share the latest trends and products in the kitchen and bath world. Now it's time to meet the women who shared these trends with you. These are the women you will meet with during the design process who will help transform your vision into reality through space planning and material selection. So without further ado, let's meet the Marks-Woods design team!
From right to left: Nadia Wall, Megan Bell, Danielle Steele
Danielle Steele, Lead Designer
What advice would you give an Alexandria homeowner when it comes to figuring out their style and conveying that to their design team?
We like to figure out what does not work in a homeowner's current home. We start with an initial Zoom to assess their needs coming into a renovation. This gives us a starting point. Saying what doesn't work is just as important as learning what a homeowner wants. Pinterest boards are a great way to start and are easy for us to share with each other. Sometimes clients have a piece of art or other important element that they want to design around. Sharing that art is another great way to help us determine the homeowner's style and let us tie it into the design.
How would you describe your design style?
I have an affinity for a lot of design styles. Mid-Century modern is the one I gravitate toward the most. I am drawn to anything with a pattern, especially a bolder, statement-making pattern that draws the eye to something different in a room. Mixing metals is also a great way to add interest in a room to give it that lived in, collected over time look and feel. Who says new can't feel old in the best way possible?
What is your favorite project that Marks-Woods has done recently?
This project is definitely one of my favorites. The homeowners wanted something different and allowed us to really explore the use of patterns and eclectic design choices.
What trends are you in love with right now?
I will always love brass, whether it be a brushed or an unlacquered brass. Natural stone and fluted/reeded cabinetry are great, as are Zellige tiles.
Megan Bell, Interior Designer
What advice would you give an Alexandria homeowner when it comes to figuring out their style and conveying that to their design team?
Don't rush the design process. Take the time to really think about what is going to work for your home and how you use the space. Think about what will be aesthetically pleasing for you in the long run. There are ways to incorporate trends into timeless design that functions for you as your needs grow and evolve.
What is your favorite project that Marks-Woods has done recently?
This historic Civil War home. I love the moody, saturated color we used to paint the cabinetry and wall. I also love the millwork detail and how it adds interest in this monochromatic space.
What trends are you in love with right now?
I love fluting details and am really enjoying that wood tones are making their comeback. Fluting adds nice textural and sculptural moments in a room. Wood tones help to offset the light, neutral tones that feel safe. Wood tones warm a room and make it feel homey.
Nadia, Studio Manager and Senior Cabinetry Designer
What advice would you give an Alexandria homeowner when it comes to figuring out their style and conveying that to their design team?
Start by perusing design magazines, websites, etc., and figure out what you respond to. What do you like? What do you not like? What are you drawn to? Think about how you want the space to feel: calm, dramatic, moody, sexy, light and bright, etc. Look at a wide range of images to get an idea of what you respond to. Look at everything, not just what you think you will like. You may surprise yourself. Design magazines and blogs are a great way to see a cross-section of styles.
What is your favorite project that Marks-Woods has done recently?
I love how this pantry solved a problem in a beautiful way. There was nothing there before, and we thought of a creative solution to give the clients a walk-in pantry to give the clients a division of space between the kitchen and the family room. The millwork detail is everything.
What trends are you in love with right now?
Saturated color and lighter wood tones. I'm really enjoying seeing clients gravitate towards more unique color options for their cabinetry that sparks joy for them. It is more unique and personal color choices in the cabinetry.
Any other design advice or tips for Alexandria homeowners?
My focus is cabinetry and space planning solutions. Don't just look at spaces as they currently are. Look at all rooms and spaces for storage solutions.
Custom cabinetry is a great solution for all rooms out the house, not just the kitchen. Think of a great home office, custom media units in your living room, toy storage in a rec room, built-ins in the hallway. As we are all seeking more functions in our home, going the custom route makes it so you can achieve all of your storage goals, whatever they may be.
