The Power of the Details

One of the most rewarding aspects of the project was seeing how the new hardware immediately changed the feeling of each space. Chambord crystal knobs paired with Carré back plates introduced an elegant, traditional element perfectly suited to the older home's architecture. Rather than appearing newly added, the hardware seems to belong there, as though it had been part of the house all along.

Lisa achieved the sense of continuity she originally hoped for. As a designer who gravitates toward traditional and classic interiors, she is drawn to elements that respect a home's history and contribute to its story. In her Georgian Colonial, she looks for details that feel authentic to the architecture while working beautifully with the home's furnishings and décor.

The new door hardware became one of those defining details. “Architectural details can really make a space feel complete,” Lisa explains. The Carré collection demonstrates just how much impact a seemingly small design decision can have.

When Quality Makes a Difference

The visual transformation was only part of the experience. Lisa also noticed a distinct difference in the quality and construction of Grandeur Hardware compared with the hardware she had previously used. The weight of the crystal knobs and the way they feel in her hand immediately communicate substance and craftsmanship. Even the interior components stood out when the old and new hardware were compared side by side.

The difference was noticeable enough to surprise her husband, who quickly became one of the project's biggest advocates. After installation, he repeatedly walked through the house, pausing to take in the change and remarking, “Wow.”

His reaction reinforced an important lesson in design: the smallest architectural elements can sometimes create the most unexpected transformation.

Designing a Home Around Its Story

Lisa's approach to design begins with a simple idea: a home should tell the story of the people who live there. When working with clients, one of the first questions she asks is, “Tell me a little bit about you.” From there, she wants to see the home through their eyes. What do they love about it? What memories are connected to the space? How do they want their surroundings to make them feel?

Her own home reflects the same approach. The rooms are filled with pieces connected to her life, travels, interests, and personal tastes. Rather than choosing a single favorite design element, Lisa points to the memories scattered throughout the house. The walls, objects, colors, patterns, and architectural details all contribute to a larger story.

Intentional design goes beyond creating a beautiful room. A thoughtfully designed home should feel personal, reflective, and connected to the people who live within it.

Balancing Beauty and Function

Function is essential in any home, but beauty plays an equally important role. The elements within a space need to work together cohesively, creating movement and vibrancy through color, pattern, texture, and architectural detail. At the same time, the home needs to feel comfortable and authentic to its owners.

This balance becomes particularly important when working with an older home. Lisa loves the history and architecture giving traditional houses their character, and she believes renovations should work with those qualities rather than erase them. Hardware complementing the existing architecture offers one simple way to preserve the home's visual connection to its past.

The Carré collection, with its traditional styling and distinctive crystal details, allowed Lisa to update the interior without compromising the character she loves about her home.

The Return of Character

One of the design movements Lisa is most excited about is the renewed appreciation for traditional homes and the character they offer. For years, she believes, much of this character was lost through mass-produced construction and big-box decorating. Now, she sees homeowners becoming more interested in preserving, restoring, and reintroducing architectural details into their spaces.

The shift represents something larger than a particular decorating trend. It reflects a growing desire for individuality. Homeowners are looking for spaces with a sense of identity rather than simply replicating whatever is popular at the moment. They are embracing history, craftsmanship, personality, and the details making a house feel lived in. Lisa sees this as an exciting direction for residential design.

Designing Beyond the Trend

Lisa’s advice to homeowners embarking on a renovation follows a simple philosophy: start with yourself. Design trends can be useful sources of inspiration, but they should never override personal taste. She encourages homeowners to consider why they are drawn to a particular color, material, pattern, or style and, more importantly, how it makes them feel. A home might need vibrancy and movement, while another may feel best with a quieter, neutral palette. Neither is inherently more correct. The right choice reflects the people who live there.

She also recommends keeping more permanent elements classic and incorporating trends through pieces that can be easily and affordably changed over time. When sourcing materials, she encourages homeowners to think beyond the obvious options and avoid falling into what she calls the “trend trap.”

Anyone renovating an older home should also be prepared for surprises. “Nothing is ever level,” Lisa jokes, a sentiment anyone who has worked on an older house will likely recognize immediately.

Preserving Home for the Future

Perhaps the most meaningful part of Lisa's design philosophy is her desire not simply to decorate her home, but to preserve it. She and her husband enjoy working together to honor the house and help it shine brighter with time. Their goal is to care for the home in a way allowing its character and story to continue long after they are gone. This makes the Grandeur Hardware partnership particularly fitting.

The Carré collection is not simply a decorative update. In Lisa's home, the Chambord crystal knobs and Carré back plates become part of the architecture—small details reinforcing the house's character while adding beauty and function to everyday spaces. The result feels considered and intentional, yet completely natural to the home. Perhaps this is the true measure of successful design: when something new feels as though it has always belonged.

Creating a home is ultimately about preserving the past, reflecting the present, and leaving something meaningful for the future. With thoughtful architectural details and a deep respect for the home's original character, Lisa's Georgian Colonial continues to tell the story of “us,” one beautiful detail at a time.