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Sandra Espinet

Sandra Espinet lives in the coastal town of San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico, where she owns and operates SQUARE ONE Interiors and Gallery, a full service high-end residential design studio and storefront gallery. She received her Associate of Arts Degree in Interior Design from the New England School of Design in Boston and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design from the American College of Art in Atlanta and a Masters Degree in Production Design from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. Espinet draws inspiration from her extensive travels to South America, Northern Africa, Europe and Asia, as well as her experiences living in several countries throughout the world. Her work has been celebrated in several interior design books including Mauricio Martinez’s "Houses by the Sea."



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Designer Insight

Recent Posts

When the boss was away, the staff trimmed pay... and a few other items

July 22, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (4)

"We all know that things are slow. I was away on a shopping trip recently and my staff of 12 had a meeting. They’ve seen a lot of designers and builders going under and have therefore become a little nervous about job security. So they decided to get together to talk about ways they could save money for our design firm. I came back two weeks later to find out everyone had not only taken a voluntary 5% paycut, but they also:

 

+got a big water cooler and have stopped buying bottled water (saves $80/month)

+stopped buying the “good” coffee creamer and now buy powdered cream (saves $120 per month), 

...Read More


Recent Posts

Weathering the economic storm

April 15, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

I see it as "survival of the fittest".  Those who have always delivered excellence in design will survive with a few adjustments; those who were never very successful will struggle or close their doors. Work is available out there; knowing your client and their needs is one of the best ways to stay alive.

I have found our best pool of new business to be all of our old and existing clients. They continue to work with us and give us repeat business because they know our performance and track record. They are the ones who recommend us to their friends and who talk about us at cocktail parties.

The only way to improve business even in good times is to continually stay on top and do great work. Work done well speaks for itself and is the best marketing an interior designer can do. --Sandy Espinet




Recent Posts

Sign of the times: decorating on a budget

January 25, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

To my friends who are on a budget and say they can't afford a full service design firm yet they want their home to look great, my advice is always this: don't buy cheap junk that will fall apart or be thrown out in two or three years just for the sake of furnishing a room. It's better to live in a clean sparse space and slowly fill it with fun, great pieces that you love looking at. There are great deals to be had at resale stores and small antique shops. And for those willing to do a little work, flea markets are filled with great finds that just need a little love and care to bring them back to life. Also, look into buying showroom samples, and ask sales people in stores to show you the best deals. --Sandra Espinet

 

 




Recent Posts

Retail rescue – ideas for driving sales in a tough economy

December 10, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Apart from my interior design studio, I also own a retail store called Square One Furniture based in the seasonal resort town of Los Cabos, Mexico, where we only have six  months in which to make or break the year. We give people a reason to come in by continually reinventing our interiors. Apart from the staples we’re known for -- fabulous lamps, bed linens and unique imported accessories -- we always have fun new items displayed in the front to lure customers in. We’re also very involved in the community and donate to various organizations throughout the year. Emailing clients with photos of new arrivals has been successful for us. We’ve developed a large base of repeat clients over the years and we keep in touch via email, sending them updates or discount coupons to use on their next visit. When you know someone on a first name basis, your emails bypass the junk mail and people respond to it. --Sandy Espinet


Recent Posts

Redecorating ideas for an Obama White House

November 22, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (31)

Such a young, vibrant family would be fun to work with. Without knowing the Obamas personally, I don't know what color palette I would select. However I do feel that a new modern look that reflects his platform of change would be appropriate. I would stay away from the traditional look that has been so predominant in D.C. A bold new candidate with fresh ideas should reflect that with contemporary pieces that show his position. I would lean towards Holly Hunt and strong American designers such as Nancy Corzine. Furnishings would include modern American pieces with elegance, scale and comfort. It is almost impossible to be in the White House without being surrounded by history and precious antiques. I think having the personal quarters of the first family reflect a more personal and realistic view is also calming and helpful for their inner peace. --Sandra Espinet






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