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Categories
Interior Design
Services & Specialties
Practical, smart interior design
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RECOMMENDATION
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4.5]
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WORK QUALITY
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COST EVALUATION
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VALUE ANALYSIS
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ADD YOUR REVIEW
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FR Review:
Evelyn Benatar is that rare interior designer who "gets it" - her clients, ranging from wall streeters to suburban parents, all say she has helped them identify and develop their own style, with glowing results. Not a stylistic dictator or antique snob, Benatar is praised by references for her ability to listen and understand the client's perspective. Generally speaking, the finished designs are in the Transitional or Contemporary style, but Benatar is flexible - she has successfully done more traditional projects, and is willing to take on new and exotic challenges (does your husband need a "man cave"? Benatar can provide). As a professional, she is roundly praised by both sides of the "Client/Contractor" equation, with all agreeing that she is firm but fair.
Benatar's first career was in fashion, and she still relies on this experience today - she often turns to the fashion world for cues on the next design trend. From there, Benatar studied at the NYSID and went on to work at Schumacher, where she stayed for six years. Putting in significant time at a fabric showroom gave her a strong sense of the mechanics of the business, and allowed her to make great contacts. Clients today report that Benatar "knows how to get the most out of the D&D building." After working for Susan Morrow, she formed her own business in 1998, and has been running a tight ship ever since - she maintains a small office with one assistant.
In general, Benatar has around ten projects going on at a time. Most are residential projects in New York (or close by), often for young families. She has helmed many whole-home, large projects, such as a complete gut of a 1929 home in Kings Point. Costs are charged on an hourly basis only, with Benatar's rate coming in commensurate with her high level of experience. It's not cheap, but references praise her efficiency, and doing away with markups ensures that Benatar always has the client's best interest at the forefront. Overall, she is praised as "a great listener with great taste."
Representative Client Comments:
"She's such a great communicator, she always knows how to explain her decisions in a way that makes perfect sense." "Evelyn has a ton of patience, which is very helpful when dealing with small armies of subcontractors." "Not ultra traditional and not ultra modern, a nice transitional style." "I loved the fact that you paid her directly for her time and the discounts were passed on. No fuzzy math." "Evelyn did in four hours what our last designer took four months to do." "She has great resources, and knows how to use them." "The whole inspiration for the room revolved around one pillow. She was able to create a whole space out of that one element!"
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