Pat and Susan, dear friends, reached out to me and asked if I could help them transform their OLD CHURCH CONDO into a modern, luxury, inviting stylish gathering spot. They love to entertain and really felt that place was not set up for lots of guests. They purchased the condo (once a church now has two condos) it was already done with a kind of 80’s feel (even though it was done about 2002-2003). Giving me the freedom to get creative, it was an opportunity I really took advantage of – and really pushed the boundaries to create a stunning place that respected the Church’s architectural history and beauty, while also trying to be respectful of not tearing down where it was not needed --to have a more sustainable design approach. Big thank you to John Bessler Photography who took these amazing pictures and my dear friend, Karin Lidbeck-Brent for styling this home with me. Thanks to both of them — it looks heavenly!
MINI MAKEOVER REFRESH PROJECT: UPDATING A ROAD INN/MOTEL, LODGE STYLE
This old-school roadside in near Mt. Shasta, California was ready for a small makeover. The new owner had a modest budget but we (Rosanne Palmisano co-designed this project with me) thought we could make some big changes within that budget, while creating a unique style not seen in the area.
What we loved about this project is we were able to show that you don’t have to tear everything out to get a great look. The headboards, nightstands, mattresses, frames, and carpeting was almost new, so we kept them and designed around them.
We also updated the bathroom by adding open shelving, a wood apron, a clean stone counter top, a datum line of paint, new lighting and relevant artwork. The mirror looks totally different with its new surroundings.
This roadside inn, near the banks of a famous fly-fishing river, The Angler Lodge, in Dunsmuir, California is transformed into a warm and inviting with an old school fishing lodge feeling. Interior Design Team: Rosanne and Joanne Palmisano Authors of Rock Your Rental
RENOVATION PROJECT: COTTAGE REDO
When the editor of Eating Well Magazine asked me to help her with the renovation of her cottage home, I was thrilled. Now, a lovely open kitchen with a deep pantry and warm and inviting colors and materials, it is truly ready to entertain. We turned this long and narrow kitchen into a warm and welcoming space by creating this wall to wall extra deep pantry closet with pocket doors. It stores a tone of stuff and visually shortens it up to make it seem wider. Tricks of the trade. :)
ACCOLADES Featured in Better Homes and Garden 100 anniversary issue and Get Organized Magazine. Photographed by Ryan Bent.
COLLABORATION RENOVATION PROJECT: MOTEL MAKEOVER WITH TRUEXCULLINS INTERIORS
TruexCullins is a firm that I collaborate with on frequent occasions. I’m thrilled they continue to ask me to be a part of their design teams to come up with unique and exciting concepts for refresh projects, such as this one. Once called the Painted Buffalo, now Mountain Modern Motel, this downtown Jackson Hole motel needed some serious love. The investor group hired TruexCullins (who they have worked with on numerous projects) and Kim Deetjen, the interiors principal, asked me to be a key player on the design team. The remodel of the motel was an instant hit! So much so, that they bought the lodge next door and extended it and now have even more room options.
I have worked with TruexCullins on numerous projects and continue to do so. I love collaborating with other firms and enjoy being able to do much larger hotel design projects when I work for Architectural and Interior Design Firms.
Mountain Modern Motel Makeover
AWARDS + ACCOLADES Boutique Design Award, Country Living Magazine, Ski Magazines
and Numerous Other Publications
Other Projects with TruexCullins: Hotel Vermont (Lobby Design Team), Hotel Terra (Current Refresh Team), Hostel Refresh (at Jackson Hole) ,Tram Haus (at Jay Peak) Guest Rooms +plus more.
NEW BUILD: LAKEFRONT HOME MODERN RETRO
This residential interior design project was special because it was an opportunity for Joanne to combine some lovely modern elements, with local product. This modern farmhouse style lake house is filled with light and big contemporary windows. Working with the homeowner on the layout of the space, lighting, finishes, fixtures and furnishings, allowed Joanne and the homeowners to create a space that was not only comfortable but beautiful.
Private Client
RENOVATION PROJECT: OLD BARN TURNED INTO A VACATION HOME MODERN RUSTIC
This unique private vacation home started out as a 1800’s post and beam barn that someone had turned into a hunting cabin in the turn of the century. When the owners’ bought it — it was seriously run down and not touched since the 60’s.
When working with the owners, it was important to understand why this old barn cabin was so special to them. Once we understood what the property meant to them and how they wanted to feel when they arrived, every design decision, always came back to that. A space that was once so dark but had so much charm in the structure, was really brought to life by allowing the post and beam to shine.
We wanted to hold onto the history of the space while making more modern and inviting. The addition of many large modern-style windows to bring the outside in, and the comfortable furnishings, such as leather club chairs, high back dining chairs, warm rug, and textile touches, gives barn cottage a modern farmhouse look.
The mix of old and new, with modern design elements and sense of openness, has really embraced the charm and history of this once old barn— turned cabin — turned vacation home.
AWARDS and FEATURES: Dwell, Country Home Magazine, Farmhouse Style Magazine, Fine Homebuilding, Photos by Lindsay Selin
RENOVATION PROJECT: VACATION RENTAL REDO OLD WORLD CHARM
We have renovated numerous short-term rental properties. This third project with the same clients, is a renovation of an outdated home to convert into an income-producing short-term vacation rental. Full budget-friendly renovation of guest rooms, kitchen, living room with the addition of a deck, bedrooms and master bathroom. We have done so many projects, we actually wrote a book about it. Rock Your Rental!
AWARDS and FEATURES: New York Time , Domino, Apple News, Apartment Therapy, Vermont Ski and Ride and many more. Photos by Lindsay Selin.
RENOVATION PROJECT: BARN INTO WEDDING VENUE + HISTORIC INN/BED and BREAKFAST RENOVATION, MODERN COUNTRY CHARM
Bear Mountain Inn, is a four-season lakefront bed and breakfast in Waterford, Maine. Joanne will with the owners, Julie and Brian on a total renovation of their historic inn in the lakes district of Maine. This renovation project — a combination of simple decorative changes to some structural changes and additions is now approachable, hip, and relaxing place for today’s modern traveler while keeping its charm and cozy character for a unique lodging experience.
We worked on the complete renovation of inn, including the lobby, restaurant, barn wedding and event area and guest rooms, with reconfiguration of some spaces to include additions of bathrooms into the rooms as well as modern services and amenities.
AWARDS and FEATURES: Best of New England, Yankee Magazine, Couples Choice Awards, Wedding Wire, Decor Maine, Yankee Magazine
RENOVATION PROJECT: HISTORIC INN, RESTAURANT and PUB, INDUSTRIAL RUSTIC CHARM
INN + RESTAURANT + PUB
The Mad River Barn in Waitsfield, Vermont (or "the Barn", as people call it) is an Inn, Restaurant, and Pub located at the base of the Appalachian Gap, serving skiers, cyclists, and craft beer enthusiasts. It is a historic 18 room inn that Joanne helped bring back to life with a rustic industrial design to connect the past while delivering a more unique and modern experience for the guests, including recycled, vintage and salvaged materials.
After the renovations it was named one of the top new ski places to stay by Outside Magazine. All rooms were totally renovated, including the lobby, restaurant, pub and game room.
Joanne's expertise in salvage design was also important, as the owners wanted to ensure the Barn retained its connection to the past, while at the same time, delivering a more modern experience for guests.
Guest and visitors alike still like to tour it just to marvel at the design, commenting on all of the creative design elements located throughout. One of the elements most frequently commented on is the restaurant welcome sign, where "The Barn" is spelled out using old plumbing handles and bits of copper pipe. Another favorite is light fixture Joanne made out of bed springs from the 1950's, which believe it or not, were still in use when the new owners acquired the property.
AWARDS and FEATURES:7 Best New Hotels in Ski Country, Outside Magazine
New York Times, Ski Magazine, Seven Days, Vermont, Vermont Ski and Ride
Mad River Barn: Inn + Restaurant + Pub
Photos by Susan Teare
RENOVATION PROJECT: MOTEL MAKEOVER with BAR and PATIO, COZY CONTEMPORARY
VERMONT MOTEL MAKEOVER
One of my favorite things to do is Modern Motel Makeover Design Projects. As an interior design for boutique hospitality properties, I find that we have to be creative on smaller budgets — which is always a fun challenge.
This project was a total renovation of a Vermont motel, Main and Mountain Bar and Motel. Turning an old managers apartment into a hip bar, updating all guest rooms of the motel, including halls corridors and creating a coffee room.
All aspects of the Interior design, including original concept, layout of spaces--including transform an unused manager’s apartment and small lobby into a bar, and overgrown front lawn into patio space with a gas fireplace, and custom furniture pieces, were designed by Joanne Palmisano. Joanne worked closely with local artisans and tradespeople to create unique and custom pieces.
This motel has received numerous accolades and won Vermont’s best new hotel in 2019 by Yankee Magazine, New England Editors.
AWARDS and FEATURED.
Vermont’s Best New Hotel 2019, New England Editors, Yankee Magazine
Country Living Magazine
Washington Post
Vermont Ski and Ride Magazine
and numerous other publications
RENOVATION PROJECT: HISTORIC LAKESIDE RESORT, COTTAGES, LODGE ROOMS, RESTAURANTS, LOBBY and OTHER SPACE. HISTORIC COTTAGE STYLE
BASIN HARBOR RESORT
Open since 1886, Basin Harbor Club is a historic 700 acre resort on the shores of Lake Champlain. Family-owned, the fourth and fifth generations are now making changes to meet today’s travelers needs.
With over 74 individual cottages, 4 lodge buildings with numerous guest rooms in numerous historic building, Joanne Palmisano is creating a design and style that speaks to the history of the resort. Joanne scoured the attics of the resort to bring in some of their own historic pieces, while also bringing in other unique touches. Joanne reused some of the furnishings and gave them a painted cottage look. The cottages are given a charming cottage feel, while the guest rooms in the main lodge have a more elegant, yet comfortable and inviting, look and feel.
This is an ongoing project.
AWARDS and FEATURES: Wall Street Journal, Historic Hotels of America, Travelers Choice, Trip Advisor, Couples Choice, WeddingWire and numerous other features
RENOVATION PROJECT: OLD WAREHOUSE TURNED RESTAURANT, WOOD FIRED PIZZA COUNTER SERVICE, INDUSTRIAL MODERN STYLE
PIZZA RESTAURANT
Pizza 44 is a counter-service wood-fired Pizza Restaurant. When the owners, Tim and Doug, (BFF’s for 44 year— hence the name) decided to open up a counter service wood fired pizza restaurant they contacted Joanne right away. Basically Tim called and said — “Hey — want to do a Pizza Restaurant?” and Joanne said “Hey — Ya!”. (Tim and Joanne had already worked on two places together — he is the owner of Archie’s Grill and The Scoop (two other interior design projects of Joanne’s).
The empty warehouse space was in the same building as Queen City Brewery. Working together, they came up with a layout and concept for the space. Instead of trying to hide the character of the warehouse, Joanne decided to incorporate it. She added additional reclaimed brick walls, left piping exposed, and created a look and feel that worked with the building’s design.
From rustic wood tables, to contemporary plywood panels on the wall and marble counter tops to custom bends and striped tables… every details was thought out.
Joanne also create a few of the details herself — from making some of the pizza peels on the wall, to the painted stripes on the tables. Joanne design is such an experience that the owners say it is helping driving business.
AWARDS and FEATURES…
Seven Days Magazine
