“It’s a whole new world of codes and regulations,” the 23-year-old says of the work she does. One of her most satisfying projects was the Hospice House in Scarborough, for which she went with a homelike feel. “It’s the last place they’re going to be,” she says. “We wanted it to be pleasant and safe.”
Metcalf was recently honored for her efforts with the American Society of Interior Designers New England Chapter’s 20 Under 30 award. She was feted at a banquet in Boston along with other winners, but her rise to recognition was quite a surprise. She’s been in the biz for just two years, but her co-workers think enough of her to have nominated her for the honor. She was cited for “giving her enthusiastic best to every project, using her innate talent, taking initiative and showing determination.”
Metcalf calls her affinity for design, color and the like a sixth sense. She knew from an early age that she would either be a designer or enter a similar hands-on career. She studied at Mt. Ida College in Newton, MA before landing at Gawron Turgeon. Her specialty seems to be furniture and finishes, but she hopes to improve her drawing skills. She’s also in charge of the sample library for Gawron Turgeon, which is located in an old schoolhouse on Black Point Rd. (Interestingly, schools are the only buildings the firm doesn’t work on.)
“I coordinate all the appointments for when the reps come in,” she says. “It’s a good way to learn a lot about the products out there.”
When determining what the interior of buildings like the Hospice House or cPort Credit Union will feature, Metcalf must be aware of egress regulations, building safety codes and occupancy loads. She also has to choose products that will stand up to the wear and tear of great amounts of people traffic every day. She and the Gawron Turgeon team get a feel for what the client will use the space for and then choose interior options that fit the concept. It’s pretty cool to purchase furnishings with other people’s money, but there’s never an open checkbook.
“There’s always a budget, which is always challenging,” Metcalf says. “It’s not your money, but you have to spend the client’s money just as efficiently.”
The award was a great bonus, but it doesn’t mean Metcalf will forget about the relatives that can’t choose between a couch or loveseat.
“I’ll help them,” she says. “A lot of them struggle with just the paint.”