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Design Concepts
Electrical for Home Addition or Remodel - Install, Electrical for Home Addition, Electrical Wiring or Panel Upgrade,
About us
Design Concepts has been awarded the Super Service Award for the last four years by Angie's List. It is extremely important to us that our clients feel that every effort has been made to provide outstanding service, creative, exciting designs and professional workmanship upon the completion of the job. Thank you, Angie's List.
Business highlights
41 years of experience
Services we offer
Selection & specification of furnishings, architectural & custom lighting designs, artwork & accessory selection, budget review & cost analysis, color & finish consultations, custom furniture & cabinet designs, installation site observation, interior design master planning, pre-project review & material selection, presentation drawings, project management, space planning and furnishing layout plans.
Amenities
Free Estimates
Yes
Reviews
4.726 Reviews
| Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| 92% | ||
| 0% | ||
| 0% | ||
| 4% | ||
| 4% |
Showing 1-25 of 26 reviews
IRENE S.
Feb 2015
Sylvia is very professional and has a great eye for aesthetics. She worked within our budget and managed the project with our substantial input from beginning to end.
Marilee G.
Mar 2014
Hiring a professional decorator saved me both time and money. I hired Sylvia Elliman of Design Concepts twice to help me with projects around my home. The first time was for outdoor furniture and i was so happy with the result that i hired her to help me with my living room. Her insight, attention to detail and responsiveness are the qualities i most appreciated when we worked together. She was always on time and her knowledge of resources was invaluable. Sylvia's sense of color and style are really extraordinary. She seemed to know exactly what was right for me and I am absolutely thrilled with the result. Sylvia can make even a simple project look special when she is done. <br />
Response from Design Concepts
"Your review of my work is much appreciated. Thank you. Your home is truly amazing: so many wonderful treasures within. It is a pleasure to be chosen to be a part of it. Best wishes, Sylvia Elliman Design Concepts Angie's List Honor Roll"
Mike J.
Mar 2014
<p>Sylvia provided detailed design plans for our entire project. She took detailed measurements of all the areas we were remodeling and coordinated all the details with the custom cabinets she helped us select. When the cabinets arrived, everything fit together perfectly and we could not be happier with our new kitchen area. </p> <p>The contractor that Sylvia suggested was excellent. He completed all the required work on time and on budget.</p> <p>Sylvia was also very efficient in using her consulting time and the value she provides was astounding. She managed all the details of our remodeling project and ensured all our wishes and desires were included down to the smallest of details. </p> <p>We now have a home that we love to share with our guests and we could not have done it without Sylvia's creative input and project management skills.</p> <p><br /></p> <p><br /></p> <p><br /></p> <p><br /></p> <p><br /></p> <p><br /></p> <br />
Response from Design Concepts
"Thank you for taking the time to write such a favorable review. I so enjoyed working with you both. To see your project evolve from a hillside cottage into an exciting home with amazing views of the of the San Diego Harbor was a delightful experience for Design Concepts. From the roof terrace to the outdoor kitchen below, this is a now a home with the personality of Southern California - comfortable, warm and bold. Best wishes, Sylvia Elliman Design Concepts Angie's List Honor Roll Voted Best of Houzz 2014"
Eric S.
Feb 2014
I hired the provider because of her reviews on this site. The provider makes a great first impression, but I'm appalled by how she operates. ??I needed help fixing up my apartment, which was damaged by another designer. I paid for 10 hours of time upfront, and she blew through more than half her retainer picking out tiles; replacing tiles in the foyer and kitchen shouldn't have been focused on until a comprehensive plan was drawn up and other design services were first provided. The provider bills herself as a "designer," but never once did she take a measurement or show me a plan. As for the tiles: I saw some samples in the trunk of her car, but I was never provided with details as to where they were ?from or what they cost. I benefited absolutely nothing from that work.? The tiles weren't even all that nice. I was just going to let this go, as I've never written a bad review about anyone before. But a friend's wife with a natural design talent came over recently and within the space of four hours came up with a design plan, reconfigured an entire room, and made my place look and feel like a home. ?The woman also came up with a compelling reason not to replace the tiles as well. In four hours, this person provided considerably more value than the provider. The provider claims to have some 30 years of experience, yet my attorney could find no record of her having any certification. ?Unfortunately, licensing as a designer in California is entirely voluntary, and I've learned the hard way that anyone can simply hang out a shingle and call themselves a "designer." ? I notice the provider always seems to want to have the last word (a warning sign in itself) , so here's mine: If you hire the provider and are unhappy with the work, don't say I didn't warn you. If she worked as hard at design as she does at making excuses, I'd probably not be writing this review. Suffice to say, I'm now deeply suspicious of Angie's List. The positive reviews for the provider are incredibly inconsistent with my experiences. A designer that never takes even one measurement isn't a designer to be taking seriously. Learn from my mistakes: If you hire a designer, ask to see actual design plans they have drawn up before choosing one. And be weary of reviews, even on Angie's List.
Response from Design Concepts
"Thank you for your comments. Sorry your travel schedule precluded us from being able to get on the same page. I am glad you were able to complete the project. Best wishes, Sylvia Elliman Design Concepts"
LANI S.
Nov 2013
Syliva was a great asset and motivator for the gr5and cahnges made to our home. We call her the "house whisperer" her taste in design and color selection was spor on! She is timely, polite, and incouraging for the whole process which took us longer than we thought but are so pleased, with everything.
Response from Design Concepts
"Thank you for taking the time to review my work, especially during this very busy season. I admire your zeal and courage as so many difficult and costly issues were revealed when the walls were opened. To be told that it all was worth it when the project is completed is the reward a Designer most appreciates. In this case, the kitchen area is remarkably improved and will endure for another 30 years without looking dated. It is that good and quite lovely, I might add. Kudos to the owners!"
MARTIN G.
Nov 2013
We met in our home and at some local stores and the SF design center. We hired an electrical contractor to replace and add in-ceiling lights. We hired a painter to paint. But most importantly we replaced most of the furniture and the window treatments. It all looks so "put together" now without looking like it should never be used. I'm certain we would never have found the fabrics that we ended up using and loving, nor would we have picked the color scheme by ourselves. She listened to us, brought in some ideas, had us make some choices from what she felt would work. It's really nice now. <br /> We will use her again when we embark on another project. <br />
Response from Design Concepts
"My clients wanted their large open concept Living/Dining area to be used in many different ways, because there are times when it's just the family hanging out and there are other times when there are a lot of people over. So I made sure that there is a variety of comfortable seating that is interchangeable and easily moved.It was important to pull the room together with balanced fabrics so that they played off each other no matter where they were in the room. I never want a room a room to feel stuffy. This room says "welcome, we are glad you are here.""
Jeannine K.
Nov 2013
We contracted Sylvia Elliman of Design Concepts to do the Interior <br /> Design for our condo in San Mateo. We are delighted at the final <br /> result of the fantastic project Sylvia was able to create. She has the <br /> ability to combine concepts, styles and colors with harmony and <br /> elegance, influenced by her classic evolving style. Working with Sylvia, <br /> I thoroughly enjoyed each stage of this project. The result is a very <br /> special condo that expresses who we are in ways we could not have <br /> imagined. <br /> With her exquisite sense of style and color and keen <br /> diplomatic skills, Ms Elliman was able to guide us toward the right <br /> choices in everything. She figured out how best to lay out our space and <br /> which colors and details from tile to trim, would make our condo seem <br /> spacious and contemporary, yet - also comfortable. Sylvia's counsel on <br /> what furniture to keep and what to buy was perfect and indeed, opened <br /> my eyes to a new, more modern look that still accommodated some antiques <br /> we already had. <br /> I highly recommend Sylvia Elliman of Design <br /> Concepts to anyone looking to design a space that people will notice as <br /> having been given considerable thought and with a prevailing subtle <br /> elegance, whether contemporary or classic in design. <br />
Response from Design Concepts
"The client's condo has spectacular views of the Bay Area. I wanted to create an intimate interior as interesting as the view, relaxed but quintessentially American modern. A big room demands a big sectional with enough room for casual entertaining or just a cozy evening watching a great movie which was the first piece of furniture that I designed for the Living area. I chose a warm palette that soothes the bright light that pours through the 10' high windows and softens the sleek style of the very modern cabinetry, tile, stone and glass used throughout the space. The clients had very specific concepts of what they wanted their home to look like when it was completed and I thoroughly agreed with their concept. My greatest joy in designing is defining spaces that fulfill the needs and desires of my clients while adding some unexpected touches of my own that pleases them even more."
Laurie W.
Aug 2013
Sylvia is enjoyable to work with & has a lot of experience. She is easy to contact & always prompt. She listened to all our ideas & incorporated them into the design project. If any problems came up, she always helped to get them resolved.
Response from Design Concepts
"[member name removed] are perfect clients: responsive, open-minded to change, extremely pleasant and readily available. There home was lovely,and is only MORE so now. It has been an extreme pleasure working with [member name removed]. My only disappointment is that the house is almost done and she will no longer need me to work with her. Sylvia Elliman Design Concepts Principle Designer"
Elizabeth B.
Aug 2012
I was satisfied with the remodel planning, however the design fee is pretty high for my situation @ $250.00/hour. The project described above has required 8 hours so far. But the entire project is quite a bit more expensive that I anticipated, not just the design fee. It seems to be a universal experience. My advice: Select a designer that listens carefully and understands what you want to achieve. Be candid about your budget, be clear on your priorities, and pick someone you are comfortable working with.
Response from Design Concepts
"This substantial remodel had several logistical problems that had to be overcome in order to satisfy the client's needs and desires to update the kitchen. The main floor is an open "farm style" floor plan with very restrictive architectural elements. Storage was at a minimum and the utilitization of the integrated square footage was awkward at best. In short, the house and the extraordinary view of the forest was controlling its owners. Design Concepts believes a home, like clothing, should not wear you. A home should be effortless, flattering and a source of comfort. To this end, I redesigned the focus of the space, provided more than ample storage, preserved the view and received approval for the plan by the owners. In this capacity, my function was that of an architect providing workable construction plans that could be addressed by professionals in the field. Consequently, my fee was higher than my normal fee for Interior Design. A redsign of this magnitude is expensive, time-consuming and totally worth the result in the end. The house has wonderful potential and it is my goal to provide complete satisfaction from design to completion."
Priscilla T.
Mar 2012
Sylvia visited my home in Los Gatos several times, taking pictures, coordinating various fabric samples with new furniture choices. There were e-mails and phone calls keeping me informed on status of orders. I loved her choices.
Sarah E.
Sep 2011
The remodel went pretty well with some minor delays due to tile ordering problems. Sylvia was professional and helpful during the project.
SHANNON J.
Jun 2011
My project required some creative thinking, which Sylvia provided, and the outcome is wonderful. <br /> <br /> Her attention to details was exactly what I needed, in addition to her knowledge of what would work, and what would not work. I highly recommend Sylvia to anyone who is planning a remodel project. <em> </em>
SHANNON J.
Jun 2011
While designing timeless, beautifully classic, or contemporary evironments, Sylvia's keen sense and element of surprise keep her projects intriguing. <br /> <br /> As a designer myself, I have learned from working with Sylvia over the years as I watched her develop exquisite pallets for her clients, combining various materials and finishes for the projects. <br /> <br /> I always look forward to working with Sylvia on each of her new client projects. Sylvia's natural talent and years of experience have made her a very fantastic designer. I highly recommend Sylvia to anyone that is looking for a Professional Interior Design Service Provider.
JEAN M.
Jun 2011
The project took seven months but went smoothly enough.
JOEL B.
Sep 2010
She was easy to work with, she had a very good eye for color and very good taste. She quickly understood what we liked and dislliked and showed us things to our taste.
ANN D.
Sep 2010
I can recommend Sylvia without reservations. She is very professional and very experienced.
Joseph S.
Jun 2010
We found them through Angie?s List and we tried some other companies before we chose Design Concepts. We thought they were the best at the time but we wouldn?t use them again. We were being told one thing in terms of the prices we were being quoted and we learned that wasn?t the case. We like the design but we don?t like the fact that the prices that we were being quoted included kickbacks to the designer. It was in the designer?s best interest to pick the most expensive items. The basic price was fair for the services offered.
Response from Design Concepts
"Design Concepts appreciates constructive criticism but not inaccurate postings that damage our highly valued professional reputation. For example, we question a grade of "A" for responsiveness yet a "D" for punctuality. Design Concepts is never late and it is not our practice to select the most expensive materials to increase our bottom line. However, we do select the most appropriate materials for the project and insist that the materials and the cost be approved by the client before an order may be placed which was the case in this matter. Also, our service contract clearly states that all design plans and materials are the sole property of Design Concepts and cannot be implemented without our specific permission. We do not appreciate the theft of intellectual property. We are responding to this report because it is the first of its kind in the 30 years we have been in business."
WALLACE M.
Jun 2010
Services are highly knowledgeable and professional. Excellent vendor contacts. Pleasant to work with. Completely satisfied with results.
Sarah E.
Apr 2010
It went very smoothly. Slyvia managed all of the inevitable glitches.
Jennifer F.
Feb 2009
As with any project of this size, there are unforeseen snags and hiccups; Sylvia's professionalism was instrumental in keeping the project moving forward. Without her, we would have been able only been able to achieve results half as good with twice the effort. In the end, we have ended up with a home that is coordinated throughout and uniquely us. Syvia kept us involved in every step and worked hard to ensure the final result fulfilled our vision of the home we wanted. We would highly recommend using Design Concepts.
SHANNON J.
Aug 2008
The biggest compliments we receive are on the copper countertops and lighting which was one of the many design elements provided by Design Concepts. The new kitchen lighting that Design Concepts helped us select is wonderful. At night the amber glow of the lamps and the spot lights on the copper countertops makes for a very warm and celebratory atmosphere. We wouldn t hesitate for a moment to use the professional services that Design Concepts provides, and we recommend them without question.
SHANNON J.
Jul 2008
Wow, what luxury! Wow, what functionality! My study is very classy and roomy. I still need a rug, computer and desk chair, but the effect is clear. The layout is very good. My floor lamp gives excellent light for reading and can be dimmed for TV watching. I have a vast amount of bookshelves and file storage. The blinds look good, are easy to operate and fit the need well. Thanks very much for all of contributions that Design Concepts provided to this Phase our our remodel project. I could not be happier! We are looking forward to having Sylvia Elliman help us complete the other areas of our home remodel project in the coming weeks!
SHANNON J.
Feb 2007
Sylvia gave me the confidence to get started with my kitchen remodel. Once I felt confident in her ability to understand my wishes, I was excited to move forward with the other improvements we ve made to my powder room, dining room, living room, and master bedroom suite. Sylvia helped me manage each stage of the project and I couldn t be happier with all the help she has provided. Sylvia helped me select new carpeting, which I ve used throughout the ground floor level of my town home. She selected a pale, gray frost tone carpet to complement the other colors used in the kitchen, living room, dining room and powder room. When we finished getting the carpet laid, the entire downstairs area of my townhouse had an entirely new look, which is the sophisticated, modern and very exciting look I was hoping we could achieve. I would recommend Sylvia without hesitation.
ANNETTE B.
Sep 2006
Sylvia is amazing!! She is an expert at choosing the right colors for your room and she does it quickly and with certainty. She is very conscientious regarding your budget and will help you use items you already have in your home to place them more effectively to give your room "that punch" that makes it standout. She has an incredible "eye" for style, whimsy and design. A great sense of humor and direction. Many people have come into my newly painted rooms and are amazed at the difference she has created. She takes what you have and makes the most of it. I recommend her with the utmost confidence that you will be genuinely pleased. A *****experience!
JOEL B.
Jun 2006
We recommend Sylvia Elliman and Design Concepts without hesitation. She is extremely reliable and managed our entire remodeling process (4 large rooms), from concept to completion. Sylvia helped us envision things we would have never considered on our own. Plus, her discounts on furniture and furnishings more than compensated for the cost of her services. Thanks to Sylvia, our master bedroom is now one of our favorite rooms. She helped us transform our old style bedroom into a modern master bedroom suite. We now have a room we truly enjoy, a result of her ability to listen and understand how we wanted to live in the space she was helping us create, and her extraordinary attention to detail from conception to project completion. We could not be happier with the finished product that Sylvia helped us develop. We are confident that Sylvia can help anyone achieve their remodeling goals. She listened to our wishes and helped us achieve the style of home we always wanted.
Licensing
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FAQ
Design Concepts is currently rated 4.7 overall out of 5.
Yes, Design Concepts offers free project estimates.
No, Design Concepts does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.
No, Design Concepts does not offer emergency services.
No, Design Concepts does not offer warranties.