The Team
A brief chat with Brett Johnson, Owner, Chief Creative Director
What are your thoughts on the ideal client?
Short answer: all clients are ideal in my book but at my core I work best with people who come to us with a desire to make their home more functional and comfortable from both a practical and aesthetic points of view. People come to us with home design dreams, open minds, and a desire to be part of the a team that works together to bring those dreams to life.
Do you have a design philosophy?
Without sounding too much like Plato, my design philosophy is informed by a very simple concept: form truly does follow function. You see, good interior design is unencumbered by tchotchkes and random trendy pieces that make no sense to or have meaning for the people we work with. My design approach is all about creating a sense of place — that each room tells a story about our clients and their lives. In the end it’s all about their definition of livability.
What’s your favorite Maine thing to do?
I love everything about Maine so it’s hard to have just one favorite thing. My family has been in Maine for generations and this state and my upbringing have given me so much joy and solace. I truly enjoy the constant feeling of discovery when I come across a new maker, visit a local farmer, or spend time with fishermen who work our rugged waters. I spend as much time as possible in the mountains, by the sea, and wandering around Bath with Mateo — it’s home and it feels comfortable. That comfortable feeling of place comes through — I hope — in the work we do for our clients.
A brief chat with Alexandra Samaniego, Creative Services Coordinator
What are your thoughts on the ideal client?
Truth be told, I love working with people who want to dive right into the design process with us—Collaboration and Communication are the two C’s that create grade-A clients.
Do you have a design philosophy?
Can I have two? Of course I can so here they are:
1. Never compromise. Luxury living can be created within any budget as long as you know how to create with an understanding of need. Comfort, function, and style should never compete, we put them all together so they live in a way that demonstrates you can have your cake and eat it too while living in a home that truly is a reflection of who you are and NOT who we want you to be.
2. Never cut and paste. Each design is as unique as the person we design for—no two projects are alike and none have a cookie-cutter look. Being different and true to yourself is important in this business. Think of it this way, you know the feeling you get when you arrive at a function dressed exactly like the host? We do too which is why we never present the same outfit as in design, to our clients.
What is your favorite Maine thing to do?
Since I live in D.C. and work remotely I have to say that I live for summer in Maine, my family is there and for each chapter of my life I have sweet memories of cooking lobsters on the lawn and enjoying time with people I care about. Being in Maine keeps me grounded and connected to the things in life that truly matter.
A brief chat with Christine Haviland, Designer
What are your thoughts on the ideal client?
I love working with people who come to the table with an open mind — whether or not they have a specific design concept they want to discuss. Because this process is all about discussion and exploring options. I listen, ask questions, then use my skills and my team’s input to create collaborative designs that bring their spaces to life.
Do you have a design philosophy?
I don’t know if you’d call it a philosophy or a credo but I get great joy out of helping people create spaces that tell the story of how they live, surrounded by what they love that functions with their lifestyle.
What’s your favorite Maine thing to do?
Since we do live in a real four-season state, there’s not a single Maine thing I love, there are many. Our landscapes, beaches, islands and the many architectural styles I see all over make me happy. But if I had to name one thing it’s the beauty I see in seasonal gardens that fill my heart and mind with great inspiration.
A brief chat with Leslie Oster, Store Manager, MSDCO Shop!
What are your thoughts on the ideal client?
I want people to live their best lives in the spaces we create. Like the rest of the team, I work well with clients who find pleasure in collaboration so that we can work together to make their homes their perfect sanctuaries.
Do you have a design philosophy?
I like to design around things I love rather than accessorize with them. I love rooms that are eclectically filled with a client’s favorite possessions that exude warmth and conviviality. I think this quote from Gaston Bachelard’s book The Poetics of Space sums it up perfectly: “house images move in both directions: they are in us as much as we are in them.”
What is your favorite Maine thing to do?
Well a day at Scarborough beach with friends is the ideal. We love to picnic but since I’m also a chef we are not talking a basket full of PB&Js and canned drinks — we tend to go all-in and create four-star dining experiences peppered with wave jumping and naps in the sun.
A brief chat with Mateo Director of Doggie Cuteness
What are your thoughts on the ideal client?
Woof, woof, woof, woof, bark, work.
Do you have a design philosophy?
Bark, bark, bark.
What is your favorite Maine thing to do?
Bark, bark, Brett, bark, woof, Brett.