Interview with Alisa

Alisa sat down with web marketer Sue Thomson to discuss her career.

Q. Tell me about your career prior to buying your decorating business.

A. In 1989 I was accepted into an interior design program at an Art College in Ohio. Prior to starting college I had a vacation in Florida and on the flight home I struck up a conversation with one of the flight attendants. She asked about my career path and raved about how much fun it was and how much she was enjoying seeing the world. She suggested I look into becoming a Flight Attendant and a few months later I was living in New York, flying 747’s to countries I’d never dreamed of! Some time later I married a pilot and we had a family.

Taking a break from the airline, I worked in real estate with a builder which I really enjoyed because it allowed me to get involved with the design process.

We started a family and I focused on raising the children while, in my free time, decorating homes for family and friends! I had never lost my passion for interior design and ultimately purchased my franchise from Decorating Den Interiors in 2006. Each franchise is privately owned and my business name is All Design Co.

Q. So you’ve always had the design bug?

A. Yes! From the time I was eight I remember cutting pictures out of catalogs and decorating the rooms in our home over and over again!

Q. What are your favorite styles?

A. Early in my career I loved French Country for its refined yet relaxed look. I loved the somewhat ornate pieces, the beautiful mix of distressed wood and painted finishes. As the years go by I find myself being more comfortable with clean lines, a style I call Urban Sophistication. But I still like a touch of whimsical flair. I like homes to be eclectic — sophisticated with a clean yet loved look. I love the interest of pieces that have been collected over a well lived life. The great thing about being an interior designer is getting the chance to work in a variety of styles!

Q. Tell me what a client can expect from you?

A. For me it’s in all the details. I am a good listener and work with my clients to formulate a plan and then take action, keeping them informed of progress, back-orders or delays. I want my clients to relax and enjoy the experience, knowing that I will handle every detail with great care.

Q. How long will a typical full-room project take?

A. Once the decision has been made to proceed with the project, we will purchase the individual items which are either American made or are sourced overseas. Normally I would tell a client that a project will take 8-12 weeks but with the ramifications from COVID, manufacturer and shipping is taking longer.

Q. Why do clients like working with you?

A. I have a positive, can-do attitude. No matter the challenge we can and will figure out a solution. Providing great customer service is very important to me. I truly believe in treating others the way I want to be treated.

Q. Tell me about a favorite project.

A. An older gentleman contacted me. His wife had died a year previously after forty years marriage and he was obviously still crazy about her. We transformed several rooms together and he became one of my all-time favorite clients. It was heartwarming witnessing him slowly regain some happiness over the years.

I have a funny story about our first project together. I was given total control over the project as long as the large pieces of art his wife had loved so much remained in the room. I chose fabrics for different pieces of furniture then selected a beautiful accent fabric for the pillows with a busy, colorful pattern. I presented everything to my client but he called the next morning with some concern. He said he trusted my judgement and design expertise but he wasn’t certain that he could live with that bold, busy fabric covering his sofa! He insisted that if I was certain then he would trust me and move forward with the plan.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the suggestion of his huge sofa covered in that fabric. I quickly assured him that the fabric in question was to make pillows for the sofa. He was so relieved  and we both had a good laugh! I worked with him on several projects as well as returning each year to decorate his home for Christmas.

Q. What type of projects do you prefer?

A. I prefer working on entire room projects. While adding custom window treatments, a piece of furniture, or accessories can make a difference, in my opinion it’s so much more fun for me and my client to start from scratch and build the project together.

Q. Describe your perfect client.

A. My perfect client would be someone with realistic expectations.

Q. Do you belong to a Chamber of Commerce?

A. Yes, I am a member of the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce.

Q. What do you do when you’re not busy with All Design Co?

A. Kenny and I have a blended family of five so most of our free time is spent with family. I have been blessed with four amazing children. My oldest daughter works in eCommerce and my oldest son attends college in Florida and is a great cook! He will be starting Air Force Pilot training after graduation. My youngest son is following in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather and has been accepted in the American Airlines Cadet Academy Pilot program. My youngest daughter is a High School senior and plans to attend the University of Utah next year studying Architecture and Design. It will be exciting if we can work together one day! Kenny’s son is also still at school.

We spend time hanging out, eating great meals with everyone helping out with the cooking. My youngest and I love baking, especially around the holidays and of course we also love decorating for Christmas! We all love to travel and explore new places so we plan trips and whoever can make it joins the party. We love to ski and try to get a beach trip in here and there.

We are dog lovers and have two Cockerpoos and a Bernedoodle who are perfect 4-legged additions to the family.

 

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If you would like to talk to Alisa Lankenau about a decorating project please call (636) 614-6464.