Erickson Tribune

Eagle's Trace

UPDATED: Friday, May 16, 2008

Imagine the possibilities

Posted on Friday, May 16, 2008
 

Customizing your home

By Sara Martin
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

When it comes to interior design, many people have an idea of the “look” they want for their homes, but they are unsure how to make their ideas a reality.

Whether people have visions of granite countertops or dreams of wood floors, Custom Interiors at Eagle’s Trace can help them create the look they want at a reasonable price.

Designer expertise
“My goal is to help my clients pick the best products for their needs,” says Jeanie Bengel, custom interiors coordinator at Eagle’s Trace.

An allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers, Bengel graduated from The Art Institute of Houston and has six years’ experience as an interior designer. She is eligible for special discounts on design products, and her purchases are tax-exempt—savings she is pleased to pass on to her clients.

About half of the people Bengel works with are current Eagle’s Trace residents, and the other half are future residents who want to customize their apartment homes before they move in.

Personal consultations, quality products, and start-to-finish project supervision ensure that apartment homes reflect each individual’s personality and taste.

“I can help select paint colors or wallpaper; carpeting; wood laminate, hardwood, or tile flooring; granite or Corian countertops; flush-mount sinks; or plantation shutters,” Bengel says.

Cutting-edge upgrades
Up-to-date on the latest trends, Bengel is constantly seeking out products to add to the selections in the Custom Interiors studio. Granite sinks, new on the market last year, are a recent addition.

One of the most popular upgrades right now is converting the closet in a second bedroom to a home office. “We can add electrical outlets, task lighting, and a built-in computer desk to maximize the efficiency of the space,” Bengel says. “One of the benefits of creating a home office in a closet is that when you’re done working, you can close the door, and the room returns to a bedroom or den.”


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Project management
With a host of projects in her portfolio, Bengel is an expert in project management. “We have all the knowledge and experience to get things done in a timely fashion,” she says. “It takes pressure off the residents because we manage every detail of the project.”

When Rebecca Ogle wanted to make some changes to her apartment home last fall, the convenience of having all her design needs met in one location was a big draw.

“It was nice to know that I had one contact person. She [Bengel] followed up on everything,” says Ogle, who added wood laminate fl oors, crown molding, new countertops, a new sink, and a new closet system to her apartment home.

Bengel gave Ogle a schedule of when contractors would be working. “I was amazed that things happened when they were supposed to,” Ogle says. “My daughter and sonin- law were building a home and dealing with contractors at the same time, and they could not believe that my projects went according to schedule.”

All contractors hired through Custom Interiors must meet certain requirements. They have to carry at least $1 million in insurance and have a history of providing high-quality service and craftsmanship.

“This is home”
Ogle, like many of Bengel’s clients, came to her initial consultation with certain requests.

“I wanted to paint the walls brown, but after we looked at paint colors in other apartments, I decided brown would be too dark,” says Ogle. “I was glad Jeanie steered me to the right color.”

Some clients bring in a sofa pillow or a swatch of fabric and ask Bengel to help them select a paint color for their walls. “They want to complement what they already have to make their apartment feel like home,” says Bengel.

For Ogle, making her apartment feel like home also meant finding a home for her shoes.

“I have a cushion that says ‘She with the most shoes wins,’” says Ogle with a laugh. “I’m so pleased with how my closet turned out. Now when people come to my apartment, I tell them they have to come look at my shoes.”

Asked if she’s pleased with the way her apartment home turned out, Ogle says, “Oh my, yes. This is home— absolutely.”



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