Expert Interior Design Advice from DZN Studio + Home

We welcome Ann Nager of DZN Studio + Home as one of our new retail trade partners and want to share her store profile and helpful interior design advice while we are learning to stay at home.

1) Ann shares the following in her words with her bio highlights and her inspirations for starting her business DZN Studio + Home:

• I knew I wanted to be in design since middle school, my focus was always more interior architecture and workplace from a commercial / corporate real estate perspective.  But after a 30 year career in corporate interiors and workplace strategies  it was time for a change.  My mom and I had talked about doing something together for a while.  It was time to get off the counseling, road-warrior lifestyle and spend more time with my parents and work with my mom. 

 

• We are both passionate about modern design and grew up in a modern style home.  So we decided to fill the gap in Greenville.
• We also wanted to make it easy by providing a combination retail and design studio and technology together to create a unique experience. Helping people create and visualize their new spaces.

2) In this time that we are staying at home to stop the spread of Covid-19, can you please advise on some strategic and simple solutions to make home-work spaces more productive. This would include, best colors, room arrangements, lighting, storage, etc.

 I have been a road warrior and working from home for the past 14 year or so. This came second nature to me.  But what I would say is that working from home takes discipline to make sure you maintain a work life balance.   Maintaining and respecting family time is important. Don’t let working from home blur the two. 

 

3) What is your advice for what can be done in smaller spaces?

With a small home office, keep clutter to a minimum, make sure you have good lighting, comfortable chairs and most importantly get up and move – I recommend a sit stand desk for those long hours in front of the computer on Zoom meetings.

[examples of Casart self-adhesive wallcoverings for a quick, easy, modern look: Faux Grasscloth, Stripes, Faux Bois]

 

 

 

4) How has your business routine changed and how has your business model adapted?

During the weeks our retail store was shut down, we put our energy into updating our website for e-commerce and getting our design studio technology set up.  We are now able to service our clients via virtual design.  We are now taking on our first set projects.  Also in South Carolina we were able to open our retail doors again last week. 

5) As a small business owner, what other measures have you taken or will be taking to cope with effects of current and possible new CDC guidelines and advice for going forward, and in light of CARES (Rescue Stimulus act) to be passed?

Having a retail store we are open to the public so we have taken care to make sure our store is clean and safe. We have changed our hours of operation to allow time in the middle of the day to clean and get ready for the later afternoon / early evening shoppers.  Lots of hand sanitizer and Lysol wipe downs.  Like everyone we keep social distancing, but we are fortunate to have a large showroom so social distancing is not as big of an issue as with smaller more dense retailers.  We are also offering free home delivery, store pick up and private appointments during hours we are not open to the public.  

 

If you’d like to consult with Ann for interior design services, here’s her DZN website and feel free to follow her on DZN’s social media links below:

Instagram

Facebook

Many thanks, Ann! We are happy to feature you and your business and your advice! We know it will help others as they seek your services. We are also very thrilled to partner with you as one of our retailers through your design studio.