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| A variety of decorative objects adds texture to a bookcase in Chandler’s office. |
Tom Chandler’s day begins while most people are still sleeping. Usually awake by 3:30 a.m. and at his Riverdale office by 5:00 a.m., Tom fills each day with as many meetings, consultations, installations and classes as possible. “I tend to exhaust everyone around me,” he says. It’s not unusual for him to work six days out of the week, along with an evening or two. Tom jokes that he’s been exhausted for 40 years, but in truth, he just loves what he does.
Joining the design business 30 years ago, he initially worked out of his car, charging $15 an hour. But it wasn’t long before word spread of Tom’s keen eye for design and his unmistakable attention to detail. He opened Chandler & Associates in 1980, and the Chandler School of Interior Decorating in 1981. His design firm has grown exponentially throughout the years, and he now employs a 16-member team. “It really takes a team to accomplish what we do,” he says. “Every person has a specialty, whether it be fabric, logistics, accessories or floral design, and combining all of these aspects promises well-designed homes for our clients.”
Tom and his team enjoy all sizes and specifications of projects; however, their true talents are utilized from the ground up. “We love to get in on a project in the very beginning phases,” he says. “We’ll work on floor plans, traffic patterns, paint, wallcoverings and more, leading up to the finishing touches of furniture placement, accessories and florals.” It’s this attention to detail that makes Tom and the team famous for their installations. “The full installations are always great to work on,” he says. “We ask the homeowners to leave the house for a day or two, and we arrive with truckloads of artwork, furnishings and accessories. This gives us time to work with the home, furniture placement, create lighting schemes and truly get the feel for the space and how everything works. When we are finished, we completely stage the house, including candles and flowers, for the homeowners’ arrival. The entire team gathers in front to welcome them home. It’s quite a production, and it’s always fun to see their reactions.”
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