Name: Gina D’Amore Bauerle
Company: D’Amore Interiors
Position within company: Partner
Website: www.DAmoreInteriors.com
Tell us a little about your background in design:
My parents started our company before I was born, so I literally grew up in this business. As a child, I was always around our retail store and alongside my mother learning the art of design. I’m an only child and was eager to become part of the business, but my parents were reluctant to give me too much responsibility as quickly as I thought I should have it! I started my first part time job at the age of twelve as the “gift shop manager”. I had a name tag and everything! By sixteen, they finally let me start selling furniture to our clients. By eighteen, I became my mom’s partner as an interior designer. Shortly after, I started establishing my own client base and working individually on larger and larger projects. I’d like to say the rest is history, but in total honesty this business has taught me valuable lessons that I could never have learned in a classroom. Having years of experience as a young professional kind of sounds like an anomaly, but when your business is your life, it’s easy to start compiling the years. I have college degrees in advertising and marketing, and later went back to school to learn more formal design skills, such as CAD. I am truly blessed to still have my mother and my father as business partners, as well as my husband.
How would you describe your personal design style?
Edgy, Glamorous, Moody, and Bold!
Where does your design inspiration come from?
The people who live in the spaces I am creating! It is important that my designs resonate with them, as it is after all, their private spaces.
In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
Non-conformity and bold colors. Most people are getting tired of boring neutral designs that lack intention and personality, and are openly embracing fun color palettes and design styles that
create positive energy in a space.
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. If you can’t do it at home, then where can you? A good designer learns as much as he/she can about their clients’ lifestyles and
preferences in order to create a design that feels like their own unique space.
How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?
As a first time entrant into this awards program, I am excited to have the opportunity to share my take on design with the world! It’s easy to become small minded and comfortable with what
we’re used to. Being around international designers will not only encourage me to grow as a designer, but will also validate how far I’ve come in my own career.
What projects are you currently working on?
I have several kitchen and bath remodels going on at the moment, all in totally different styles ranging from mountain modern, to steampunk, to transitional farmhouse! I’m also about to begin
a couple new construction custom homes, just in time as I am wrapping up a new build vacation home project that has been in the works for over two years!
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
I am always open to meeting my next great client who I connect with and can create a masterpiece for! I am also trying to find a better work life balance, as it is often hard for me to
make time for myself since I love what I do so much.
Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:
Your most treasured possession?
My collection of Jimmy Choos!
Your favourite holiday destination?
Lake Tahoe
Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
The Banyan Tree Mayakoba at Riviera Maya
Jovanina’s Broken Italian in Denver, CO
The Vanderpump Cocktail Garden in Las Vegas, NV
Your favourite book, film & song?
Present over Perfect by Shauna Niequist
Just Friends
Truth Hurts by Lizzo
Your favourite food and drink?
Tacos and a Hendricks Tom Collins
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
On a date with my little boy! Mom gets coffee, he gets a snack, and then we go buy coloring books and color for the rest of the day.
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
Perhaps an event planner… or maybe a professional break dancer (FYI I do not currently know how to break dance, but I wish I did!)
Maybe even a stay at home mom!
Anything else interesting?
I play volleyball weekly on a coed league with my husband. It’s how we met, and our thing we love to do together.