From Vision To Reality: The Extraordinary Transformation By Dawn Interiors

What began as a modest renovation of a first-floor living space evolved into an expansive, full-scale transformation for an East End family. From the initial consultation to the grand reveal, the journey of this project, led by Dawn Ianno of Dawn Interiors, is a testament to the power of collaboration, creativity, and vision.

A Simple Beginning, an Ambitious Expansion

It all started with a simple request. “They reached out through my website for help with their first floor, including the entryway, a half bath, living room, dining room, and a complete kitchen remodel,” Ianno recalled. However, what began as a straightforward project quickly expanded into something more ambitious. “Little did we all know that this scope would be expanded to a full gut renovation, expansion, and excavation.”

Dawn Interiors’ reputation for excellence has played a significant role in the growth of their business across Long Island and beyond. “A lot of my business comes from word of mouth, whether it is through existing clientele or contractors and other trades,” explained Ianno. This network of trusted referrals has been instrumental in their success. “This, in my opinion, is the best way to expand a business because I have people who trust my vision who can vouch for my quality of hard work, dedication, and knowledge, to others who are interested in my design services.”

The timeline of the project was extensive. “I was signed onto the project at the end of February 2022, and after getting the architect and contractor involved, my clients moved into their new home in November 2023,” stated Dawn. The project’s scope changed several times, which extended the timeline, but the result was well worth the wait. “We could not be happier with the outcome.”

Adapting to Changing Visions

This project was unique in many ways, not least because of its evolving nature. “Most of the time, working on a project, there are unexpected changes during the process, whether it stems from something in the demo process or the client’s vision may have slightly altered,” noted Ianno. This project, however, presented constant reevaluations. “For example, there are two teenage boys who live in the home, and we toyed with the idea of having a shared Jack and Jill bathroom. But after a few renditions, we decided that it was best they each had their own en suite bedroom/bath styled to their taste.”

The home’s expansion continued to grow to meet the family’s needs. “We extended the front of the house over the garage, which led to adding a guest room to the second floor for the grandparents who occasionally stay with the family. Then we decided it was important that the guest room have their own bathroom.”

Ianno found particular joy in the family’s strong sense of style and their clear preferences. “I loved my clients’ sense of style and how they knew what they liked and what they didn’t like,” reflected Ianno. The home’s interior features a consistent cognac color palette with warm wood tones, black accents, and rich textures.

Every project comes with its own set of challenges, and this was no exception. “I do enjoy a challenge on a project because it really tests my creativity skills,” admitted Ianno. One major hurdle was accommodating the family’s needs within the constraints of the property. “In the beginning stages of the project, my client wanted to extend the side of the house, but there were property limitations. So, as much as we tried to make it work, we decided we needed to extend the back of the house.”

The result was a stunning extension that included a pool bathroom, kitchen, home office, and fitness center. “The final result came out fantastic, but there is so much space planning and revisions that lead up to that point,” added Ianno.

Meeting the Family’s Priorities

Throughout the project, Dawn Interiors remained focused on meeting the family’s priorities. “Priorities were a large fitness area, two home offices, en suite bedrooms, basement entertainment area, open kitchen, and of course doggy-friendly areas for their three pups,” Dawn explained. Special touches, like a doggy door, under-the-stairs doggy bed, and a doggy bath, were integrated after the main work was completed, ensuring that every member of the family, including the furry ones, felt right at home.

In the end, this project was more than just a renovation; it was a transformation of a house into a home, perfectly tailored to the family’s needs and desires. Through creativity, adaptability, and a commitment to excellence, Dawn Interiors helped turn a vision into reality.

To learn more, visit dawninteriorsinc.com.

Ty Wenzel

Co-Publisher & Contributor

Ty Wenzel, a recent breast cancer survivor, started her career as a fashion coordinator for Bloomingdale’s followed by fashion editor for Cosmopolitan Magazine. She was also a writer for countless publications, including having published a memoir (St. Martin's Press) and written features for The New York Times. She is an award-winning writer and designer who covers lifestyle, real estate, architecture and interiors for James Lane Post. She previously worked as a writer and marketing director for The Independent. She has won multiple PCLI and NYPA awards for journalism, social media and design, including best website design and best magazine for James Lane Post, which she co-founded in 2020. Wenzel is also a co-founder of the meditation app for kids, DreamyKid, and the Hamptons social media agency, TWM Hamptons Social Media.