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valuating her career so far, one client takes the prize as the hardest to please: herself. Living in a studio apartment in the West Village, she and her husband moved north two floors to a one-bedroom after their engagement. Gilbane was eager to make her mark on the space after doing little to her previous studio. Facing a typical contemporary Manhattan rental– a white shoebox with little personality and less than attractive brown, parquet floors–, she knew it was a platform with loads of potential. Yet, being a designer inspired by all fabric, patterns and colors doesn’t always work to her advantage; she quickly found herself in a decision-making predicament. “With clients, I push them to pick a direction by tearing out photos of designs they both love and hate, but when it came to myself I had no idea what to do– I love it all!” she says. Regardless, Gilbane finally figured out her ideal direction, making a decision that hit on both she and her husband’s style but less distinctly on their bank account. “Everything in the home is so much more expensive when you’re buying things yourself !” She immediately set out to cover the flooring, installing wall-to-wall sisal carpeting in the dining room, entry and living room, which not only widened the space but also held a less costly price tag
75
Lonny
february • march
2010
t helps to get a fresh eye on your design choices from a friend, like asking a girlfriend’s opinion when shopping for new jeans.