Designward Inc.

We highly recommend Bonnie Ward. We gave her a very challenging design puzzle in remodeling the small kitchen in our 35 year old home. We had very specific desires about how we wanted the kitchen to function, and Bonnie listened carefully. She accurately transformed our requests into a spectacular work space that performs beyond our challenged and limited expectations, all the while creating more storage without moving walls. Her design was completely different from the direction we imagined, but has turned out visually and functionally far superior to our initial ideas. As we approached the time to place orders Bonnie carefully "value-engineered" in clever ways, reducing the cost while not sacrificing function or quality. She was always conscious of our budget, and while we spent more than our original intent, Bonnie helped us understand the reality of current remodeling costs while simultaneously making sure we got maximum value for every dollar spent. In addition to excellent space planning skills, Bonnie's esthetic sense helped guide us to choices that complimented and resonated with the existing style of our home. She spent time during construction in project oversight, and worked well with our contractors to keep the project moving. Her communication skills, combined with her knowledge, experience and keen sense of humor were instumental in the success of the construction team and the outcome. We trust Bonnie implicitly, and wholeheartedly recommend her for your next home project.

We originally became aware of Designward in 1990 when they helped my mother upgrade flooring finishes and blinds at a house she had recently bought. Even though there were no other changes, the house was totally transformed by these modest updates. We later bought a nearby house that the realtor described as “a funky little cabin with jaw-dropping views.” He didn’t mean “funky” in a good way, and he was right on both counts. We loved the views and got by with the funkiness, but when it became clear that the plywood siding (!) was starting to delaminate we knew to go to Designward for help reconfiguring the placement of doors and windows (which did the views no justice) before putting on new siding. Bonnie asked what we liked about the house: the views and the wooden ceiling in the main room. Period. She laid out all our options, but basically her take was “You’re better off rebuilding than remodeling. Remodeling will cost 50% more, and you’ll still have the house’s same constraints.” We were already apprehensive about the cost of new siding and moving (and replacing) doors and windows, so we initially had some major trouble wrapping our heads around the idea of a complete rebuild. But once we made a list of what needed to be repaired, replaced, redone, and remodeled (everything), we realized that Bonnie was right. The planning process was fun and a great learning experience. Designward provides 3D walk-throughs of the various options under consideration. I pride myself on my ability to read floor plans, yet when I saw the 3D version, I immediately realized we were being penny wise but pound foolish by not putting in more windows to the views. Time and again we were spared mistakes by elevations and 3D walk-throughs that Bonnie seemed able to refine and revise in no time at all. Designward has decades of experience and knows whom to recommend and, perhaps more importantly, whom to avoid. When it came time to put the project out to bid, Bonnie had three contractors for us to talk to, and we had the feeling that any one of them would have been just fine. We were extremely happy with the contractor we ended up using. Often with architects, you look at a house and know immediately that’s a so-and-so house. Not with Designward. They are fluent in many architectural idioms and the clients’ vision drives the project. We highly recommend Designward for any size project. You will get the house you envisioned, but better.

Bonnie Ward is an experienced and very capable interior and building design professional. She helped us renovate our main house, including a new master bathroom, and then a year later, designed and supervised construction of our separate 1000 sf studio and guest house. We highly recommend Designward Inc.

Bonnie did a fantastic job designing the addition and re-model of our house. She had great ideas, was flexible, responsive and easy to work with. I would highly recommend her to others.

We found Bonnie halfway into our attempt to supervise the building of our new home on Orcas from 1000 miles away. She stepped in, found ingenious solutions to our contractor's errors, helped us make final decisions on items that had stymied us for many months, recommended small design changes that made significant improvements aesthetically, and generally helped restore our sanity that had been challenged by a large and complicated project. Bonnie is a pleasure to work with, her design aptitude and construction knowledge are impressive, and her taste--which she never imposes--is exquisite. We genuinely wish that we had retained her from the outset!

I love to design, decorate and do my own painting and sewing. When tackling our living room I could not afford to make a mistake both energy wise and financially. Bonnie came highly recommended in our community. From the first time I met her I knew that we would work well together. She embraced my vision for the room, which was to create a library tone in the room with nothing matchy matching. We have an amazing view of the sound from our living room, which I wanted to enhance. We went to the design center and found a rug, furniture and fabrics in two days. Her suggestions like furniture placement, our chandelier and lots of little touches totally enhanced the feel of the room. I felt like I was directing the décor and making all of the big choices but she was by my side the whole way. Together we came up with a room that fits our needs and is a wonderful place for people to gather. We are as comfortable and happy today as we were the day it was completed. She has totally transformed many of our friends homes each reflecting the owners. I recommend her at the highest level!!

Bonnie was just fabulous to work with! We had a small cabin that needed to be taken down and rebuilt, and she was very helpful throughout the whole process. Everything from design to permitting to final construction went great with Bonnie at the helm. The finished product is simply amazing, and we couldn't have done it without her!

Bonnie Ward has for years been at my side for all our interior decoration needs.. Her eye for design, color and use of space has been the cornerstone to each of our remodels throughout the years.. A great part of the charm of our Orcas home is because of her efforts..

When we bought our Orcas Island home we knew changes were needed to its decor. Prior remodels lacked continuity; some changes were beautiful, many were dismal. Before discovering Designward we worked with a few designer with varying results ranging from lackluster to disastrously expensive disappointments. We now had new furniture, purchased or designed, but still nothing seemed to flow. We turned to Designward for help. Our first project was to upgrade the guest suite; the bath’s harvest gold tile and brown wallpaper had to go. Bonnie suggested that the area reflect the Japanese influence of the house. She promptly came back with drawings, plans, and recommendations for a builder, tile setter and cabinetmakers. They converted the ugly dark bath into a bright, beautiful, award winning space (1998 Bath of the Year/Seattle Homes & Lifestyles) that functioned perfectly and appeared much larger. She also created a lovely bedroom by adding a few new pieces to the existing furniture and choosing fabrics and colors that totally transformed the space. We were so very pleased that we moved into the guest room and went on to redecorate the master suite, three more baths, the studio, office, and even the courtyard. Bonnie worked well with both of us. She is a good listener, very diplomatic, flexible, and understanding. She brings to her work not only creativity but the education and experience to give the client what they really want and need, even if they are not aware of it when they begin the process. When we bought a 60 year old ranch house in California we planned to use a local designer for the total renovation. After consulting several people it was quickly apparent to us how spoiled we had become by Bonnie’s professionalism and creativity. We found ourselves saying “It is too bad that Bonnie isn’t here.” We knew that Designward could do the job but they were working on a large project and wouldn’t be available to work with us onsite for several months. Unable to wait, we called Bonnie for advice. She agreed to look at our preliminary drawings and give us her suggestions. Using our photographs and drawings, (several telephone calls and e-mails later), she produced a computerized walkthrough and new plans for our home. The renovation included major interior and exterior changes; the interior was basically gutted. She designed an amazing kitchen and another beautiful bath. We were given a handsome entry, a wrap around porch and a bright new sun room. By eliminating a dark central hall we gained closets, a pantry and bookcases. The final bonus was that despite our move from a large open Northwest contemporary home to a 1440 square foot vintage farmhouse the furniture, accessories and fabrics that Bonnie had chosen for the Orcas house work wonderfully in the new ranch setting that she designed. Another fine service that Bonnie rendered was to consult on a home that we were interested in buying. She did a preliminary design and cost estimate which we used to determine that the time and cost would be more than we were willing to invest. Over the past eight years we have been extremely happy with Designward’s services. The results of their efforts have been beautiful and functional and working with them has been a pleasure. Don and Bonnie visited the ranch recently and saw for themselves the results of their efforts made from 1500 miles away. We plan to enjoy our home for years to come, but if we ever have another home anywhere we know who will design and decorate it.

I first started working with this company twenty-five years ago with the most recent project in the final stages of completion. The work has ranged from architural advice to kitchen remodeling and furniture selection. I have always found the design professional, to be knowledgable, friendly and patient. Work was finished within the estimated time frame and within the estimated cost. I will continue to reach out to Designward as need arises. I highly recommend Designward for any and all design and decorating needs.

Bonnie Ward is an outstanding interior designer. She has an excellent sense of color and spatial relationships. She listens to her clients' needs: working with Bonnie is always a very pleasant experience. I cannot recommend her highly enough. Thank you. Barbara Bedell

We have worked with Designward, Inc. for 23 years remodeling a house built in 1932.This included tearing down walls, installing new windows, designing a new deck, redesigning a master bedroom, master bathroom and guest bathroom, picking out paint colors, etc. The last major project was designing a new kitchen and laundry room 2 years ago. It is Barbara's "dream kitchen". Bonnie Ward saw to every detail on this project with no problems. Designward also helped us purchase new furniture throughout the house. Designward is pleasant to work with, listens to ideas the homeowner has in regard to the project and tries to incorporate them into a reality. I highly recommend them. Clyde & Barbara Teague