TEAM WORK: “Sometimes, interior design can be an intimidating process, and people don’t know what to expect. At Sophia Rose Designs, our clients are very important, and they can count on us to help them. We are there for them, and are glad to take on all kinds and sizes of projects.” The Sophia Rose Designs team includes from left: Carly Tipton, owner Lisa Sprague, Sally Wood, and Barbara Shearn.

Lisa Sprague, owner of Sophia Rose Designs, is embarked on a new adventure. In 2014, she purchased the longtime Saums Interiors business in Hopewell, and looking to put her own stamp on the operation, re-located it to Pennington.

“All my previous experience came together so I could take advantage of this opportunity,” explains the area resident. “I had spent 15 years working on various interior design projects and kitchen and bathroom remodels, including designing and coordinating numerous projects, from powder rooms to house additions to outdoor living space. I felt the timing was right to establish my own business.”

So, last October, Ms. Sprague opened Sophia Rose Designs, named for her two daughters, at 1 Tree Farm Road, located in a small shopping center on Route 31 North in Pennington.

The focus of her new business is kitchen and bathroom design, and she has assembled a professional team, including interior designer Barbara Shearn, as well as builders, contractors, and sub-contractors.

Staying Put

Ms. Sprague has a home contracting license, and coordinating the projects and working closely with clients is her specialty. “I’m the project manager. I work with the clients and coordinate everything from beginning to end, and I develop a strong, close relationship with the client.”

Homeowners are often opting to stay put and upgrade their existing space rather than move, she adds. Kitchens and bathrooms are especially popular remodels, and very important in terms of resale if the clients decide to sell later.

“Many people are remodeling instead of moving today. People are enjoying being home and entertaining at home,” points out Ms. Sprague. “Upgrades and new additions are very popular. The kitchen is the heart of the home. People just like to congregate there, and you want it to be warm, welcoming, and functional. Also, some of our clients are serious cooks, and it is important to them how things are arranged. We talk about this in the planning stages.”

Indeed, Ms. Sprague spends a lot of time with clients determining their life-style and the extent of time spent in the kitchen and their likes and dislikes.

“We offer a full range of design and decorating services, from planning and drafting to shopping and decorating. Lots of things are in fashion now, and it can be eclectic. For example, I’ve just been working on a kitchen with a rustic floor and contemporary cabinets.

“Also, there’s a new floor product, which is ceramic but looks like hardwood. It’s great for the kitchen or bath. You don’t have the problem of constantly having to wipe up any water that has dripped on the floor.”

Traditional Look

“Both traditional and contemporary styles are favored now, and you also see a transitional look, that is, a combination of both styles.”

Ms. Sprague notes that she continuously researches the latest advances in kitchen and bathroom design and products. “There are many, many wonderful choices today in cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, and also in paint, wallpaper, and window treatments.”

Both light and dark cabinets are popular, with maple wood cabinets a real favorite in the kitchen. “You can do so much with maple — paint, stain, and glaze,” she explains.

For countertops, granite is very popular both for its look and durability. Others include marble (especially for the bathroom), quartz, and Corian, as well as laminate.

In the case of backsplashes, which are so important in the kitchen, tile is always in demand, and other choices are granite and wood.

Among the cabinet lines available at Sophia Rose Designs are Kraftmaid Kitchen Cabinets and New River Kitchen Cabinets; in addition, Stanley Furniture, Sherrill Furniture, Robert Allen Fabrics, and Thibaut Wallpaper are offered.

Open and Spacious

Islands are a big item in many kitchens these days. “Many clients like to have an island,” points out Ms. Sprague. “They are so useful. You can do whatever you want with them. They can be used for storage, as a cook-top, or dining area — whatever you want.”

Kitchen design, as well as design generally in houses today, often focuses on an open, more spacious motif. Residents are opting for an uninterrupted flow from room to room. “A more open feeling is popular today,” observes Ms. Sprague. “One way to make existing space more effective is to take down a wall.”

The bathrooms of today are a far cry from those of years past. “Bells and whistles” abound, with choices galore. Lighting, cabinetry, countertops, and especially, the variety of showers offer customers tremendous variety.

“In the bathroom, we see a pull away from jacuzzis now,” reports Ms. Sprague. “Showers are very important today, with a lot of frameless models with more glass, and a big variety of shower heads, including waterfalls, cascades, and sprays.”

Helping the client to find the best kitchen or bathroom within their budget is a priority for Ms. Sprague. “Budget is a number one concern, and the cost of labor and materials a major factor. I help them select something within their price range. By the way, if you want to make a change with the least cost, it’s by painting.

“I like to work with the customers so much. I like to help make them happy, and I love winning their trust when they see we’re going in the right direction. The finished product is very important to us, and we’re involved every step of the way.”

Room Settings

“It is also very important for me to have good people working with me,” continues Ms. Sprague. “I am only as good as the team, and we have a great team at Sophia  Rose Designs.”

The attractive showroom offers a variety of room settings, and many samples, including wallpaper and window treatments, for customers to inspect. There is also a selection of retail items, focusing on home accessories, as varied as candles, lamps, and rugs.

“We plan to add a lot more merchandise, including artwork, dinnerware, etc.,” says Ms. Sprague. “We will also be offering Le Cadeaux Melamine dinnerware, appropriate for indoor or outdoor dining.”

Selected items are on sale, she adds, and Sophia Rose Designs also offers “Buy the Look” options, including accent furniture, artwork, mirrors, lamps, and design ideas to help customers plan their own room settings.

“For clients, a new bath or kitchen can be a dream come-true,” points out Ms. Sprague. “For us, every day is a new adventure. Nothing is really the same — different projects and different people. I am looking forward to establishing our business in the area. This is a great location, very busy, with a lot of walk-in traffic. We are sure people will enjoy visiting our showroom.”

Sophia Rose Designs is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 to 5. (609) 730-4171.

Website: www.sophiarosedesigns.net.