Lorraine G Vale

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We are in the throws at LGV creating a beautifully sophisticated wreath for the 6th annual 2011 Festival of Wreaths at Charleston Place. ASID designers in the area will create a holiday themed wreath. If you’ve not attended-make a point of going this year where you can bid on your favorite wreath. Proceeds from the auction will benefit MUSC Children’s Hospital. This is your chance to own a beautiful wreath, spread holiday cheer and make some kids happy. Sounds like a great start to the holidays! Come join us!

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Our ANNOUNCEMENT CARDS have arrived and look fabulous thanks to FUZZCO.

When we first approached the issue of creating announcemnt cards, for our new name, we knew we wanted them to be different. We wanted our cards to stand out of the crowd. We wanted them to get Oohs and Ahhs. We wanted our contacts to show their friends and those friends show their friends. We wanted the name Lorraine G Vale to spread like a wild fire.

To get our point across we kept the design of the card clean and simple. The front, announces our name change to all of our contacts. Sure a lot of our past and present clients, vendors, reps,etc. know that we have changed our name. We however did not want to leave anyone out of the loop. The back, is of the same ‘criss-cross’ pattern that was found in our recent ad in Charleston Home and Design. There is just something about the pattern that draws you in. It’s almost like a blanket that you want to nestle in with a cup of coffee. This is exactly how we want our clients to feel when we design their home. We want to give them a place they can retreat to after a long day, grab a blanket, a warm cup of joe and relax.

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Here’s the scoop-

Several months ago we worked with an architect on a home in Kiawah, who then asked us to work with him on the interior for a new restaurant he designed in the Cigar Factory. For ‘House Interiors’, our firms previous name, commercial design was entering into a whole new foray. House Interiors pretty much states that we do house Interiors. We were then approached by one of our residential clients to redesign the reception area of his newly acquired company. He knew our design capabilities and was confident that we could take on his commercial venture using the same talent and skills. Walking into the project, we proceeded to take the outdated and tired space and turn it into an eye popping, cutting edge, industrial space that now welcomes global clients (see Commercial Transformation on our website: http://lgvale.com/case-studies/commercial-transformation/ ).

Loving everything about the business of commercial design, the time came for me to realize that ‘House Interiors’ no longer fit the description of what we do-both residential and now commercial design.

Re-branding a business isn’t exactly an easy transition. So much needs to be done that involves more than changing a name. We needed a new website, new logo, business cards, announcements, letter head, credit cards, checks…the list goes on and on.

First things first, we were on the search for a brand and website designer. After much research, we realized that Fuzzco was the company, without a doubt. We knew that they themselves were on the edge of something great. They are young, confident and have a way of approaching a project that is slightly off kilter. That appealed to me right away. It would soon prove to be an obstacle-

We needed a new name that didn’t clearly state “We design for houses only” and it was obvious to everyone but me that the name be eponymous. “Too egotistical and self centered…Every designer has their name as their brand name.” I balked. I then realized there was a reason for that. It clearly was the only way to go. After much thought and conducting mini focus groups, LORRAINE G VALE was created.

Then, of course, the new name needed a new logo. Passing on many attempts for being too off kilter, Fuzzco hit the right cord. It was modern and classic, clean and simple. I loved it!

Then, they advised that I needed a ‘mark’. A sort of abbreviated logo that could be used as the ‘t’ for twitter or the ‘f’ for facebook. I didn’t even know I needed a mark, didn’t know what it would be used for, but what I did know was how I wanted it to look. An entire weekend was filled with emails of suggestions for my new mark. I just wasn’t feeling it, until they sent the one that very simply suggests a floor plan of a small room with 2 open doors and LGV in the center. Simple, modern and to the point. That just said it all for me. I now have a mark!

Once, the concept of the new brand was established, with modern and simple styling, the website just feel into place from there.

It was truly a concerted effort between me and Fuzzco, but in the end the results are stunning. The brand integrity is maintained in every direction. We are now poised to take on any project, residential or commercial, with pride and confidence.

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