The charm of gianna interiors in North Andover is its showroom, a meticulously designed space full of polished wood, lush sofas, and bold chandeliers. The styles on display range from elegant and formal to cozy and casual, with lots of playful, colorful options in between.
But the heart of Gianna Interiors is tucked away on the second floor, in the company’s offices. It’s there you’ll find the design library, a set of shelves holding hundreds of books featuring samples and pictures of upholstery, carpet, wallpaper, window treatments, furniture, lighting, and draperies. And it is there that the company’s designers go to find precisely the right look for each client. “We try to find materials and items that are kind of different,” says company co-owner Keira Favazza, flipping through a book of unu- sual beaded glass wall coverings.
The company started last year, when Favazza joined her friend, entrepreneur Cliff Braga, and veteran interior designer Suzanne Carver. The seed was planted when Braga and his wife hired Carver to do some work in their home; Braga was both impressed and inspired.
Braga had extensive experience in the restaurant industry but was looking for opportunities in other fields. He envisioned an enterprise that would bring together Carver’s depth of experience and knowledge, Favazza’s designing talent, and his business skills.
Carver and Favazza agreed, and Gianna Design Group, named after Braga’s daughter, opened at the end of November 2013. Initially, the three partners just offered design and architectural services, working out of Carver’s existing office in Essex while they renovated the space in North Andover. The goal is to offer “interior design, residential design, and a place to actually see the product—everything under one roof,” Braga explains.
The showroom features many looks Favazza describes as transitional, incorporating elements of traditional style and twists of modern inspiration. One dining set has a retro elegance punctuated with pops of bold orange; near the entrance, a whimsical wooden chair features carved gold wings as armrests. Favazza stocks the space with pieces she ikes and keeps an eye on trends; metallic details and rustic dining tables are big right now, she says.
The group’s design philosophy is about figuring out—and delivering—exactly what the client wants. And some- times this approach means working at a deliberate pace, taking the time to find just the right colors, finishes, and acces- sories, Favazza says. “We don’t try to do everything at once,” she says. “It’s not like on HGTV.”
Gianna Design Group also aims to make the process of renovating and decorating less stressful for its clients by working for a flat fee rather than charg- ing an hourly rate. When customers don’t have to worry that every consultation and phone call is adding to their bills, they— and the designers—can relax and spend the needed time making the right choices, Favazza explains.
It is this personal attention that has the young business growing quickly. “People don’t want their houses to look like every- one else’s,” she says. giannadesigngroup.com ??