Closing escrow and getting the keys to your new home is one of the most exciting moments of your life, but the duties of home-ownership that come next is where the real work begins. Laurie March started Laurie March Design to help her clients balance this crazy world of designers, contractors and construction and to help them achieve the main goal: creating a home that truly feels like home.

I was able to get the busy project manager to take some time out of her schedule and answer a few questions about her projects, design, and Los Angeles,  as well as advice for first-time homeowners:

Take Sunset: What do you like most about what you do?

Laurie March: I’m a problem solver. I love the challenge of a home, the hidden history, the unreached potential, and the things you can do to make your surroundings support your life better. The busier we get as people, the more expectations we have of our home and how we want to feel in it at the end of the day. Contrarily, we become less able to do much of the maintenance necessary to upkeep a condo or home ourselves, regardless of what HGTV shows would tell you. I love helping homeowners feel like they are taking great care of their biggest investment, and that they are living to its full potential.

TS: What are the biggest challenges you face on a daily basis?

LM: One of the biggest challenges my company faces is working through the negative feelings homeowners have about contractors. Often people have been burned in the past by a disastrous working experience in a remodel, and they bring these emotions and expectations into working with the next guy. We work to educate homeowners every day about the process of a remodel, the costs, the steps, and expectations. Everything goes smoother when both sides have clear goals, know the milestones and language, and can get excited together about the progress.

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