Today we’d like to introduce you to Eda Cohen.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
During many years of working with coordinated colors, fabrics and textures as a merchandiser/product label developer in the garment industry, my love and avocation was always home interiors, dabbling in projects of our own and for friends; eventually designing the architecture and interiors of a new build 4500 square foot home in the Hamptons – all the time being told we were in the wrong profession.
When my husband and I made the move to Florida in 2013, we opened Cohen Design & Home Services Group, and I began with the design and home outfitting for small projects, and teaming with established colleagues while I pursued my C.I.D. certification. The years of merchandising and our love of interiors made for a solid transition into interior design.
Our client base is currently concentrated in the Palm Beach County club communities like Mirasol, Ibis, Ballenisles and the Valencias, to condo buildings of West Palm Beach; while we continue to service clients in the Northeast, from New York City/The Hamptons, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
When you do what you love, and you enjoy the people and the details, the results are wonderful and you find yourself with happy clients and a growing business.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The single greatest difficulty, in the beginning, was getting the word out down here in Florida, especially since our first major Florida project was for a distinguished businessman/author who was not only part-time but a single gentleman at that. It’s a rare thing that men might discuss their wonderful interior decorator during a round of golf, so it wasn’t until we had a couple of jobs for couples under our belt that the word began to spread and our business could begin to grow organically.
Going through the learning process of our 3D rendering platform was tough and each rendering is time-consuming but represents a tremendous tool both in conveying the design vision to the client, and the fact that they are important and deserving of this service.
From a general perspective, we found that our years of extensive merchandising experience and understanding of textiles put us at a tremendous advantage. And one of the most invaluable things we bring is that our projects are not defined by our ‘signature’ style, but rather by identifying the design esthetics that will be most pleasing to each individual client.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
– Most important – Fairness:
We value our time spent in service of a client but our fees are reasonable, and through shared purchase discounts we effectively offset the lion’s share of our fees. Further, we do not add or receive any fees or percentages from painters, construction contractors, kitchen/bath companies executing our design work. A huge saving for our clients.
– Maximum 3 Major Projects at any given time, staggered to allow maximum attention to our clients
– 3D Renderings to assist our clients with visualization
– Home Outfitting
For 2nd home buyers in Florida, we offer adjunct turnkey ‘Home Outfitting’ services (coordinated dishes, linens, basic kitchen needs, etc. They come into their home with beds fully dressed, linens in the baths waiting for them.
– Occasionally we do small consultations – someone wants to repaint but needs assistance with color; someone wants some general design input or some hourly accessories shopping at retail. We never say no to a smaller need, but most of our projects are more extensive, and flat-fee based.
Our projects are primarily residential but include some public space work (satellite clubhouse/dental reception office)
I’m most proud of my ability to make the often difficult process of change and decisions fun for my clients. Fact is my own joy in participating in the transition of a space is contagious.
What were you like growing up?
Only child, outgoing, happy, interested in theater arts. Influenced by my grandfather, one of ten children, who came from Italy at age 5, worked as a tailor while he put himself through college and law school to eventually become a Criminal Court Justice, and my Mom (another only child), who never went to college but rose to Divisional VP of a major garment industry buying office conglomerate. Met my husband when we were both very young and have been happily married forever.
Pricing:
- – Minimum $500 consultation fee, credited toward subsequent design project proposal signed
- – Hourly Fee offered at $125 per hour minimum 4 hours
Contact Info:
- Address: West Palm Beach, Fl. 33412
- Website: https://www.cohendesignservices.com
- Phone: 561-493-7525 (office) 516-987-4433 (cell – NY area code)
- Email: coheninteriors@gmail.com
- Instagram: coheninteriors
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CohenDesignandHomeServicesGroup/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/cohendesignsvcs
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cohen-design-and-home-services-group-west-palm-beach-9
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
