BIO AND PRESS:
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CLARE DONOHUE
I started drawing floor plans for fun when I was 8 and
have been designing renovations professionally since 1996.
I spent several years overseeing crews and doing the work myself, before deciding to consult full-time. I've experienced the process of renovation from many perspectives: that of client, designer, and contractor. My work and advice have been featured in national magazines and newspapers, including THIS OLD HOUSE and HOUSE BEAUTIFUL. Before switching careers, I was an art director, designing and producing magazines. After working on several home-design publications, a lifelong passion as a "do-it-yourselfer" became my profession. I'm a graduate of the School of Visual Arts and a member of NKBA.
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"KNOWS HER WAY AROUND A JOB SITE"
" 'There's nothing you can do with my kitchen,' is what Clare Donohue often hears when people call her to do something with their kitchen.
They've called the right person. Ms. Donohue's company, One to One Studio, specializes in kitchen and bath renovation, as well as storage solutions and color consulting. (If you're considering a renovation, Ms. Donohue's website is a wealth of concise, straightforward information, particularly as it relates to process and costs.)
Ms. Donohue knows her way around a job site, and around the particulars of New York City renovations. She gets rave reviews for her ability to combine artistic and technical skills."
—Kitchen and Bath Renovation, July 2003
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"CLARE'S DESIGNS ARE CLEAN AND SIMPLE.
She likes both modern and traditional interiors, but in either style her work is warm, friendly, and welcoming.
'I believe in designing for the way people actually live, not some fantasy, although I will always encourage clients to clean out what is unnecessary in their lives.'
Clare consults with clients who are considering renovating and helps develop strategies. 'I seem to attract clients who sort of know what they want, but still need some guidance.'"
—feature, August 2006
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"BRINGS A WEALTH OF IDEAS TO PROJECTS"
"Takes 'one to one' to heart when it comes to working with her clients. Specializing in creative designs for space-constrained apartments, Ms. Donohue translates a customer's self-proclaimed 'vague ideas' into beautiful results. Customers report that Ms. Donohue knows how to get the end result they want. With a style clients describe as sophisticated and elegant, and an admired eye for color, they come back project after project for her practical, down-to-earth approach. " See One to One Studio's rating in The Franklin Report.
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"WILL MORE THAN PAY FOR ITSELF AT RESALE"
"Kitchen renovations are among the most expensive home-improvement projects, but it’s possible to give a tired kitchen new life without breaking the bank. At the most basic, walls can be painted and cabinet hardware changed to freshen the look. At the high end, you can upgrade cabinets and appliances within the same footprint, which saves the expense and hassle of moving plumbing and electrical lines. Even investing in one great feature—a granite countertop, a pro-grade range, or a vintage appliance — can have a big impact. 'A good cosmetic upgrade will more than pay for itself at resale time,' says Manhattan kitchen designer Clare Donohue."
—Simple Kitchen Makeovers, 2003
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"IN A NARROW KITCHEN, HAVE AS FEW
upper cabinets as possible. Get rid of stuff. Choose one set of dishes for all occasions, one sauté pan, and one set of glasses. Live only with what you love and use daily. Think of it as a different kind of abundance."
—Favorite Tricks for Small Spaces
July, 2008
See the article.
"I always hedge my bets toward greyed-down shades, because bright colors that look so happy in the paint store can look bizarre in real life."
—Color in the Kitchen
May, 2007
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"THINK ABOUT ORGANIZATION FIRST,
and materials second. Decide how you want the kitchen to function before making any design decisions. And, of course, configure a budget, but forget about spending a dime on trends—by the time the kitchen is complete, they will be outdated. Instead, get the most bang for your buck by going with choices homeowners generally look for: lots of countertops, high-end appliances, great lighting and efficient storage space."
—Ask the Designers, Q&A, Summer 2006
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"BRINGS PRACTICAL COOKING EXPERIENCE
to her role as a kitchen, bath and interior designer. Donohue knows that complaining about lack of counter space is a lame excuse for not cooking. 'Having worked in plenty of restaurant kitchens, I've seen the proof of what's needed—a line chef can crank out 100 covers in 24 inches of counter space.' "
—The Essential Chef's Kitchen, March 2010
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WHO KNEW 550 SQUARE FEET COULD GO SO FAR?
"Once the homeowner sealed the purchase of her alcove studio, she turned to designer Clare Donohue of One to One Studio to help transform the space. Donohue teamed up with Jeff Blum of SixZero6 Design to devise a thoughtful floor plan and create high-impact visual elements that would achieve the homeowner's wish list.
'My new home ended up being exactly what I had hoped for—sophisticated, comfortable and well suited to a simpler lifestyle. The floor plan, built-ins, and fixtures that Clare and Jeff specified are beautiful and highly efficient; those maximized the space and set a stage that made my selections easy. ' "
Summer, 2008
View the online slideshow.
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KITCHEN AND BATH DESIGN NEWS
“IF YOU GO MODERN,
You’ll get more bang for the dollar. A playful, friendly environment is essential, but avoid obvious child-like elements, such as animal motifs, cartoon characters, too-sweet colors.”
–CHILD'S PLAY,
Designing for the Children's Bath, Sept 2009
Read the article.
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NYC RENOVATION CHRONICLES
In this series, I explore the intricacies of NYC renovations, including co-op and DOB rules, contractor relations, and other issues relevant to city homeowners.
–NYC Renovation Chronicles
Read the series.
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WHAT BETTER WAY TO CELEBRATE
the first truly chilly November weekend than a fireplace renovation! New York City designer, Clare Donohue, of One to One Studio, majorly reworked this fireplace wall. The pristine, modern apartment had everything going for it, except for its out-of-place brick mantel, hearth, and tacked-on flat screen television; that is until Clare stepped in. First, she created a recessed area for the television, minimizing it as a focal point. Next, she refaced the firebox and hearth with an asymmetrical surround of honed charcoal-gray granite. Finally, she installed a salvaged wood mantel just off to one side.
–Raenovate, Nov. 2009
Link here.
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"THE COUPLE TURNED TO CLARE DONOHUE,
of One to One Studio, who gutted the space and installed porcelain tile flooring, white custom cabinets and black honed granite counters. 'Everything that's needed is within reach,' says Donohue. 'All in all, there's a good combination of efficiency and a clean, minimal look that doesn't seem cluttered or overtly functional.' "
—Before and After,
Spring issue, 2007
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COLOR TIPS FROM CLARE DONOHUE
"Rather than painting your ceiling white, use a lighter version of the wall color. In general, go with lighter colors in rooms that get lots of sunlight, and rich 'museum' colors in rooms with little natural light, such as a foyer."
—Shades of Inspiration:
7 Experts Share Ideas for Injecting Color into Your Home,
May 2005
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NKBA DESIGN IDEA CENTER
KBIS is the largest trade show of the kitchen and bath industry, and the NKBA's Design Idea Center is the highlight of the show. It features inspirational rooms that showcase new products. I was invited to design a children's playroom for the 2003 show.
The resulting project was photographed by HGTV, and featured in multiple newspapers and trade magazines, including ProFiles, as well as the Oct. 2003 issue of Child Magazine.
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A HAPPY CLIENT IS THE BEST ADVERTISING
The testimonial quotes that appear at the top of each page of this website are all taken from client surveys, thank you letters, and e-mails.
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