joann.mikellian.1481695

JoAnn Kathryn Mikellian, ASID

The Idea! Place

Annapolis, Maryland

Project type:

About

I am NCIDQ-certified. I voluntarily took the 2-day NCIDQ exam (did not have to—have been working in this field for a long time and could have been grandfathered); passed it on first sitting, which very few designers are able to do. This means I have been tested for competency in all areas: space planning, lighting, acoustics, color theory, materials and fire safety, and barrier-free design. In addition to interior design, my educational background is fine arts and psychology, at George Washington University and Maryland University. I have been working in the interior design field since 1968, first with the Montgomery Gallery in Gaithersburg, MD, then with the S.D. Jeffrey Associates in Bethesda, MD, and starting my own business in 1972. I have been involved in creating design solutions for model homes, personal homes, offices, a few stores and a church; my real love is personal residential design.

Services Offered

I believe that our interior spaces deeply influence our quality of life—how we feel, how we interact with others, and how well we function. I see myself as one who engages the client in the process of organizing and creating an environment that not only facilitates everyday affairs, but also expresses who they are, inspiring them to become all they can be. I ask that clients become involved, and to that end I have developed a list of topics for thought before we actually meet to work on a space. This saves the client design time and helps us set direction for our work together. We can then direct the project to short-term spruce up work, or longer-term full plans that include drawings to scale, architectural detail, and new color schemes. I look to gain clients as friends and associates in the exploration process over a lifetime. Many of my clients have been with me for 20 years or more, and now I am working with their children on their homes.

Awards

There's no information available.

Fee Structures

I am more interested in helping others create beautiful, functional interiors that contribute to their quality of life, than in becoming rich and famous. To that end, I still charge only $95. per hour, and do not charge for travel time or backup telephone time. I want us to explore ideas and really enter the process. For me, it is like putting together a thousand-piece puzzle, and I find that a great deal of fun. I also want my clients to know exactly how costs are derived, and I charge wholesale cost plus 30% for items purchased from The Idea! Place, my firm. This is like a 40% reduction in price from retail list. For the design time charges, I will give you information on items found so you can purchase them anywhere you so desire. I feel that we designers are basically consultants, and that obligates us to be up-front with our clients, and let them know the process of cost structure and making a living. I want our work together to create a win-win situation for all of us.

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