Christmas at Callanwolde Designer: Robin LaMonte

Callanwolde is proud to have so many talented ASID Georgia Chapter interior designers working on this year’s Christmas at Callanwolde annual fundraiser, and we want to share their expertise and love of their field through this blog.  Every day we will highlight one of the wonderful designers to get a feel for their style, personalities and inspirations.

Robin LaMonte

Company: Rooms Revamped, Inc.
Designing: The Music Room

ABOUT

Robin LaMonte, Associate ASID, creates timeless interiors that encompass a wide spectrum of design aesthetics. From traditional to eclectic, her design solutions garner high praise from her clients.

Q&A

Tell us about some interesting projects in your portfolio.
Prior to moving to Atlanta last October, I was one of 45 designers chosen to participate at the 2012 Mansion in May Designer Showhouse in New Jersey. The showhouse was a 32,000 square foot, 65-room English castle called Glynallyn, complete with a dungeon, in Morristown. It is considered the finest example of English Tudor manor in the United States. Glynallyn was built from 1913 to 1917. And now my first designer showhouse in Atlanta is another example of English Tudor! It was meant for me to decorate Callanwolde for Christmas!

What do you love most about your job?
This is my second career after being a flight attendant for Republic Airlines (now part of Delta). I have been very fortunate to have careers where I loved going to work.  As an interior designer; I work with a team of professionals who deliver quality work to my clients. I love making new friends with the clients who have hired me. We are a team from the moment we shake hands until I walk out the door after the final inspection. My clients value my professional skills and get we still keep in touch after the project is completed. I was a part of their family. They follow me now on my blog, website, Facebook, and other social media. We still keep in touch.

Tell us more about your company and how you started?
I started my business in 2002 after staying at home and raising four children. I was on the board of directors for two local charities in New Jersey and was always volunteering my decorating services pro bono for needy causes. I went back to college to complete my interior design associate degree; having a flair or knack for decorating isn’t enough for me. I am a proud member of ASID, where we put education and experience first and foremost in our profession.

What’s a favorite Christmas memory?
I have been celebrating Christmas for the last 30 years with my husband’s large Italian family in New Jersey.  They do a very traditional Italian Christmas Eve with lots of seafood, pasta, pizza, wine, and always lots of love and laughter. The Italians love their feast of seven fishes for Christmas Eve!

My husband’s father always dressed up as Santa, delivering presents to all his grandchildren, which always scared the littlest grandchild, especially when they sat on his lap. They never knew it was “Papa,” and they always had these strangest stares on their faces, which was always a good laugh for the adults.

Do you enjoy decorating for the holidays?
I enjoy Christmas decorating, but I do my decorating for my home before Thanksgiving because I was busy in New Jersey decorating a senator’s home, restaurant, and the USGA Golf Museum. In fact, my house is now completely decorated because I will be featured in Cobb Life in December for holiday decor.

I also appeared on a segment for Good Morning America years ago for holiday decorating. They wanted to film me decorating a client’s home. They spent 8 hours filming for a 5 minute segment!

What’s your favorite paint color right now?  What pairs well with it?
Blue is going to be huge in 2014! I love deep saturated blues paired with pure white, coral, lime green, and black as accent colors. You should see how dramatic cobalt blue is in a room! That is why I love decorating the Music Room in Callanwolde. On the Chinese toile wallpaper we see blue everywhere mixed in with the corals, sage greens of the room.