Olamar Interiors

Olamar was hired in August of 2020 – here are the pros & cons I experienced during the project. Pros: 1) Paola is very talented, she really does want to help, 2) when she is focused, really does deliver 3) Tries to make things right whenever possible. Cons: 1) Paola was overwhelmed easily 2) Communication & follow up were a constant challenge, even though acknowledged by Paola and Carly throughout the project 3) Details were often missed This 26-month project should’ve taken no more than 1 year or so with the amount involved, things constantly fell through the cracks, & it was hard work to constantly follow up. Paola did hire Carly to help, but there were still communication challenges. -The install day did not go as planned and Paola did step up to make sure things went well even though I was not able to be present. I appreciated that. - The art & window treatment installation were done over 3 visits due to a lack of inspection of the items prior to delivery. Many of the items were either the wrong items or they were damaged. -Carly had insisted on helping with the removal of a piece of furniture, when it was time to follow up, there was no response. -There was damage to the sofa, and it took about 1 year of repeated attempts to get follow through with that. -While wrapping up final billing, Paola had not accounted for the many changes that took place. These should’ve been documented throughout the project to avoid the uncomfortableness and drain of going back and forth. The entire project was exhausting to get the desired outcome.

Working with Olamar Interiors was a wonderful experience. Paola and team really helped make the process associated with designing a custom home painless. Paola accompanied me to the design studio, where she worked her magic and knew exactly which selections would meet my design needs. It allowed me to sit back and enjoy what would normally be a very stressful trip. There were so many questions that I hadn't anticipated, seriously so many questions about every detail. Our build took such a long time (thanks to permit issues and oh yeah, COVID) but Olamar Interiors was with us for the entire journey. Even as items fell out of stock, they were quick to respond to my inquires and help stay on track. As our build was coming to an end, I continued working with Olamar Interiors to help us design and furnish a few rooms and we are in love with the final product. We thought we knew what we wanted but Paola came up with ideas and furniture pieces and wall paper that we would have never considered on our own. It all came together beautifully and I can't thank Paola and her team enough!

My family recently completed a large renovation project with Paola. Due to the layout of our kitchen we knew we wanted a professional to help with our design. Our contractor, Jeff Bounds with Precision Home Solutions immediately recommended that we contact Paola. We met with her a few times to discuss the project along with our style. Paola has been such a joy to work with and the fact that she truly listened to us to work through every last detail made this project so much more enjoyable than it could have been. She was able to find options that made my husband and I both excited about the outcome - and trust me when I say that is no simple task! We are very casual people and we wanted our home to be comfortable and livable rather than a showcase piece. Paola’s vision, passion, and determination turned our home into everything we wanted it to be and more. I could not have hand picked a better professional to work with on our renovation. I’m looking forward to signing her up again when we are ready to take on the basement. Pictures coming in a few weeks.

We recently completed a big home renovation to include the complete redesign of our master bath/walk in closet, new kitchen backsplash and flooring, replacing the fireplace surround in the living room, updating two other bathrooms and completely gutting the laundry room. After an initial meeting and completion of a questionnaire, Paola McDonald, owner and lead designer of Olamar Interiors, presented a professional proposed design that included floor plans, computer-generated sketches, furniture, artwork, and product and color samples. Her solution was creative and captured our requirements (eco-friendly, sustainable, healthy products and finishes) and our aesthetic (modern design) perfectly. Paola remained involved throughout the entire process (to include coordinating with the general contractor). She was responsive, flexible and very easy to work with. Her goal was to ensure that we loved the final result. And we do!

Paola did a fantastic job of designing options for our space that met and exceeded our expectations. She was very diligent about keeping within our budget and was open to using existing furnishing where possible. She has a great style and was able to interpret our taste and preferences into several beautiful designs. We are thrilled to be working with her.

When my husband and I bought a gorgeous property in Northern Virginia (with a house that needed some TLC) we knew we needed to hire a talented designer to help us both during renovations and to complete the interior work following completion. We have worked with interior designers before, both for our other homes and for my private office, and had a fantastic experience. So, we knew we had to chose wisely. Jack pot! Paola has more than delivered (in a super fun way, too) on everything that we have asked for. She took our dreams for the home, metabolized them through her amazing talent and obvious training, and gave us more than we ever could asked for. Every one of our initial "descriptors" for our project are being realized. She listens intently about every aspect of the project (from budgetary concerns to final aesthetic), and perhaps just as importantly, she understands how you and your family work within this process, making it a fun rather than stressful experience. Plus, she is always on time with proposals, and always thinking ahead to ensure that your project comes in in time and within budget. Paola has an exquisite design sensibility, an incredible sense of proportion, and a beautiful understanding of color and product selection; all of the reasons we hire experts to do the job that we just can't do. We wanted a home that was based on a Modern Farmhouse aesthetic, that is masculine, cool, a bit hip, elegant, congruent throughout, and that will not date with time. She is delivering on all fronts in an extraordinary way. And, as you can see by her gallery, she is not a stranger to other aesthetics. She is versed in many traditions, color palates, and environments. We could not be more please with our very lucky selection of Olamar Interiors, and look forward to continuing to work with Paola for a long time to keep making this dream home our forever home.

Olamar redesigned my kitchen, master,and bathroom in a small condo. They created space saving designs for small spaces and worked with me on my budget. The kitchen design was incredible and turned a completely disfunctional space into our favorite spot in the condo. Highly recommend.

Paola and her staff were great to work with on our family room and our basement. We tried to work with our general contractor on our own but found that we were all getting frustrated. When finishing a new space there are so many things to consider that we didn't think of. We paused the project while we worked with Olamar Interiors to make critical finishing decisions. The end result was a pleasant second half of our basement remodeling that turned out beautifully.

I am a kitchen designer that supplies cabinetry to many interior designer. One of the things that separates Olamar Interiors is their ability to plan and be on top of things before they happen. We all know that construction projects bring on things that were unplanned, but her team comes with several solutions to turn challenges into opportunities.

I have known Paola for 12 years. I was her first client and she designed the renovation of my house. I redesigned it a couple years ago and hired her again. She implemented the feng shui protocols and effects in such a creative way and captured my personality so well. All of this was not easy while staying in a conservative budget. I have since referred her to clients of mine for a commercial office redo. I highly recommend her!

Paola and her team were amazing to work with and transformed my house. Paola made it super easy to make my selections on everything from furniture to accessories. She went above and beyond accommodating my busy schedule and added every extra touch I imagined. She blended to comfort and style to everything. Her service was unbelievable, including responding to my texts late in the night:) I would highly recommend Paola and Caitlin (her assistant) to anyone looking to hire a designer who really listens to her clients and delivers in every way.

Olamar Interiors is a wonderful designing studio! We've worked alongside Paola and the crew for a number of years providing cabinetry. Olamar has a very unique and creative design process. In addition the level of professionalism is exceptional. It's always fun to be a part of their projects!

Paola from Olamar Interiors worked with us over a period of nine months, from the time we bought our condo (October 2015) to moving in full time In July 2016. She set the stage with painting (wonderful shades ranging from dove grey to a variety of greens ), lighting (innovative fixtures which we thoroughly enjoy) and builtins (she designed a breakfront in the living area, bookcases and cabinets in a workspace, painting stacks in a storage room). She helped us select living room furniture, designing the sofa herself based on our specific requirements. Paola respected our desire to be fully involved in the decorating process and worked within the limitations of our living far away and our desire to incorporate furniture, artwork and accessories from our old home. She was a pleasure to work with.

Our first project working with Olamar Interiors was to turn our townhouse into a modern, more contemporary looking home. We looked for someone who would take the time to understand what we were interested in, could stay within a planned budget and yet be flexible and easy to work with. Paola McDonald owner of Olamar Interiors was wonderful to work with. Paola's level of professionalism is impeccable. She takes responsibility for every aspect of the project. It was obvious throughout the project that our satisfaction was her first and foremost priority. Paola spent a lot of time talking with us, getting to know our lifestyle, habits, etc., to understand what we wanted for our townhouse. She asked for a specific budget, as well as a timeline in which we hoped to have the project completed. After the initial meeting and measurements Paola presented a very professional, comprehensive, and extremely detailed plan, which included not only an overall concept, but every detail down to specific furniture pieces, colors and textures, fabric samples, paint samples, tile samples, art pieces, architectural details, fixtures, etc. From these we could pick what we liked or didn't; however, because she had taken so much time with us at the initial meeting she was uncannily accurate in what our tastes were. We found that Paola was very knowledgable with architectural detail and requirements making it easy for her to work with general and specialized contractors. We were also very pleased with her ability to select and match color schemes. Throughout the project we were very happy with all the people at Olamar Interiors that we came in contact with. They were all responsive to any questions or concerns we had. We could not be more pleased that we found and worked with Paola and her company Olamar Interiors. We were so happy with this first project we have used Olamar Interiors for two additional homes. Our last project required major architectural redesign as well as a total interior makeover. On both of these projects we were just as thrilled with the process and results as we were for the initial project.

Initially I contacted several design firms but was unable to find one willing to help me as most of the interior design work had been completed by another decorator. All of the more costly items, including furniture, rugs, and window coverings, had already been purchased and installed. Fortunately, I found Paola and Olamar through Angie's List, and she agreed to meet with me to discuss what was needed to finish the design. Our meeting at my home was brief and yet so productive. Within a few weeks, Paola met with me again to go over her design plan which captured exactly what I'd envisioned (although I had difficulty actually communicating what I wanted). Her design was comprehensive, and her plan integrated beautifully with what my previous designer had done. Also Paola's design presentation was so well-done and clearly showed all accessory placements within each room along with color photos such that there were no surprises save for the beauty of the finished design. I absolutely love spending time in my living room and master, and I have received numerous kudos from both my family and friends - the most recent compliment came from a plumber who said my living room just "welcomed him in". My modest little Cape Cod now has a "wow" factor and sparkles with color and warmth, and I am pleased beyond words with Paola's handiwork. Not only is she a talented designer, but she was a delight to work with - an attentive listener, responsive to my wishes and prompt in delivery. I also interacted with Paola's staff - her assistant Jamie kept me informed of purchases and schedules every step of the way, and Henry provided the "heavy lifting" skills needed to install mirrors, paintings and light fixtures. Every interaction with Paola, Jamie and Henry, spoke volumes about the care and attention they accord their customers. My whole experience with the Olamar team has been positive, and I will definitely use Olamar's services again. I only wish I could give Olamar Interiors more stars as its service and its people are exceptional.

Quality job with quality professionals. Inventive, creative ideas. Professional and attentive. We had an major issue with a vendor I introduced and Olamar interiors did every thing above and beyond to insulate me from how awful this vendor was. They remained professional and apologetic when no apology was necessary. The final product was better than expected and as a result I hired them for another project. I have referred them to friends and will continue to do so. Highly recommend.

Olamar Interiors designed and decorated most of the main level of my home and it was a delightful experience. Paola McDonald, owner and principal designer, understands that a home should be functional in addition to being beautiful and it is obvious she loves her job. Her work is fueled by her client’s vision of their space and she listens very carefully to what they want. Beyond being talented, she is the ultimate professional and provides what I would describe as impeccable customer service. She holds a considerable amount of respect and influence in the industry which allows her to get the job done, and she doesn’t back down when the going gets tough. Our home is now a comfortable haven that we love to spend time in and are proud to share with family and friends. It is exactly what I wanted but didn’t know how to achieve on my own. I recommend this company very highly and intend to hire them again soon.

The interior design team created a complete plan for our daughter's bedroom, bathroom and walk-in closet. We were presented a detailed layout, sketches of the room, fabric samples, and list of items to purchase. They handled the ordering and subcontracting for painting, curtain installation, construction of custom furniture, and delivery. Paola and her staff were wonderful in creating a unique bedroom for our two year old daughter. She spent the time to find out our color and style preferences as well as our daughter's favorite things. Paola is very talented and designed custom pieces of furniture for the room that fit within our budget. The design features plenty of storage for toys, a play area, book shelves and a reading nook. Additionally, Paola was able to maximize the space by adding a built in desk/shelves and a large built in dresser. The room is very functional, and the style will grow with our daughter into her teens. Paola and her staff were very professional. They coordinated meetings and the installation around our busy schedule. We couldn't be happier with the final result, and our daughter loves her new room. We highly recommend Paola and plan on using her services in the future for another part of our house.

We hired Paola to design the main living space in our house, our basement. It was a challenging project, because of the strange shape of the room. Paola asked several questions about our tastes, our budget, and what we were looking for. She came through with an excellent design that was well within our budget, and perfectly matched what we were looking for--comfortable, contemporary, wood tones, and everything. Once we approved the design, her firm took care of every other detail. They dealt with contractors, and put all the furniture and furnishings in place. We're very happy with the result.

Overall: We had an excellent experience working with Creative Elegance Interiors. The designer, Paola, really listened to what we wanted and came up with unique ideas that we would never dream of. The designer was accessible, easy to work with and very thoughtful in all of her choices. I highly recommend her. Our Design Challenge: We just moved into a new house and needed help furnishing our sunroom and living room and "finishing" a family room. We already had some furniture pieces that we liked but we were really struggling with "how to make a room work". Our style is warm, modern/contemporary. Creative Elegance Interiors' Met the Challenge: The designer and her staff were fantastic to work with. All promised timelines were met and the entire project was within budget! It was amazing and exciting to see the transformation from initial design concept to delivery. We would never have been able to do this on our own! We continue to receive many compliments from friends and family.

I asked Paola to provide a design for remodeling my bathroom with the goal of replacing the tub with a shower. My only request was that she retain my Mexican hand-painted ceramic sink. As the room is only 5 X 7, she had quite a challenge to update the room, giving an impression of more space, on a very small budget. Her design was perfect. All the materials to be used were low cost but did not look low cost. The finished product was well within my budget and looks great. I get many very positive reactions from family and friends. It is very impressive.