Testimonials

I am so thankful for the recommendation we received for Design by the Jonathans. We purchased our first home, and we needed help with furnishing, creating cohesive spaces and bringing a more modern look to the home without any renovations. Every interaction with the team was professional, yet personable, and efficient.

Monica’s work as our designer has exceeded our expectations. She was able to translate our vague visions and feedback into comfortable, functional, and well-designed spaces for our entire first floor. We appreciated the collaboration from Monica and iterative process that gave us the chance to better define our own style and explore alternatives. She was always patient and brought new insights and suggestions for things that were not even on our radar but have made such a difference in the final product. Monica also served as a resource to help us identify service providers to make the design a reality. The options for tier packages and flexibility of the design team to work with our budget considerations also made interior design more accessible to us than anticipated. We are so happy with the outcome and would absolutely recommend the firm and Monica as a designer to anyone with similar design ambitions.

—M.D. | Madison, CT

Working with Design by the Jonathans was a wonderful experience from beginning to end! The timeline, process and expectations were all explained to us right from the beginning which was very helpful. Working with our designer Michelle was fantastic. She worked with us from beginning to end to develop a dream kitchen that was functional and gorgeous! Michelle guided us on our shopping trips and picked out the perfect wallpaper and much more! Anyone interested in undertaking a major renovation will be in great hands with Design by the Jonathans.

—L.G. | Meriden, CT

Over the past few months I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of working with Monica Velez as my designer as we renovated our kitchen and basement. Monica is amazing! She was by our side through the whole process. She is friendly and customer focused and quickly discerned our style, while offering excellent advice amassed from her own expertise. She went shopping with us, visited the house to oversee and provide input on details, and was in frequent touch via email with suggestions and moral support! I recommend Monica without reservation and would work with her again in a heartbeat! She is a talented and special person and Design by the Jonathan’s is lucky to have her. The whole experience with this firm and with Monica was A+ from start to finish.

—P.S. | Glastonbury, CT

Working with Lana Nguyen from Design by the Jonathans has been nothing short of an amazing process, from initial concept to end. It was a true partnership. The level of detail and expertise that Lana brought to the project was unparalleled, without compromising on our wants and needs for the space. She transformed our bathroom (a master bath gut reno that needed a ton of work) into a serene haven, one of the most gorgeous rooms I have ever seen.

Throughout the process, Lana and her team were available to answer questions and deal with issues that came up during the construction phase and often checked in to make sure that everything was going just right. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to work with true professionals, and Lana and her team were just that. The bathroom is a dream space, came out even better than we initially envisioned, and to say that we are obsessed with it is a true understatement. We look forward to working with Lana on future projects and recommend Design by the Jonathans with the utmost confidence.

—M.H. | Woodbridge, CT

I have been working with Michelle over the last 18 months on multiple rooms in our house (office, dining room, family room). She is incredibly easy to work with, takes high level ideas and is able to quickly and seamlessly bring to life. She is always mindful of my budget and helps maximize my dollars where they matter. I look forward to working with her on future projects!

—K.M. | Darien, CT

I can’t say enough about Design by the Jonathans. We bought a house in CT that needed a TON of work. When Lana and Jonathan came over in those early days, they left us with a vision of the possible. After a year of renovations they more than delivered on that initial meeting.

What did I appreciate most?

Technical expertise: When they say “interior design,” they mean it in all of its complexity. We renovated a kitchen, living room, bedroom, and master bath with their help. They all required incredibly complex construction plans. Walls were moved. Showers and tubs relocated. Fireplaces completely reimagined. They were able to produce building plans that my contractor could refer to while completing the project. The level of detail and thoroughness of these plans undoubtedly sped up completion of the project.

Aesthetics: One of the main reasons we wanted a designer is that making decisions about a “look” for a space is challenging for us. Here, they also excelled. We worked most closely with Lana who was extremely patient with our vacillations and indecisiveness. Lana, and everyone else we worked with, have an incredible eye and ability to imagine a space to not only get the most out of it but to make it look good in the process. When Lana made an argument for two islands in our kitchen, I was taken aback. Now, we can’t imagine a kitchen with only one. Masters of form and function.

Responsiveness: When you are working on a renovation that’s this complicated, problems arise. Every wall that’s opened is an invitation for a new problem that’s going to cost you money. Design by the Jonathans helped us navigate the many ups and downs of a big renovation project. What did that look like in practice? With shortages due to covid, delays were common on everything ranging from bathroom fixtures to cabinets. The team helped us find workarounds with other vendors or choosing another product that would look equally good. Problem that came up out of nowhere? Furniture choice that had to be made on the spot? I could text or call and get an answer back quickly. Code issues with regards to a complex fireplace renovation? Jonathan himself came with his team to meet with my contractor to talk through the best way forward. An unforeseen issue with the plans that came up when walls started coming down? Lana was there with new plans and fixes that stayed true to our shared aesthetic vision.

All in all, I can’t recommend them enough. If the thought of a big renovation project is daunting, Design by the Jonathans can help. I cannot imagine taking on this project without them. Considering how happy we are with the renovation and the years of my life saved with all the aggravation avoided and problems solved, it was money well spent. I recommend them HIGHLY.

—A.L. | Guilford, CT

I’m extremely happy with Jonathan’s designing of our kitchen, living, and dining spaces. We’re amateur and adventurous chefs who love to cook and entertain lots of guests. We need a beautiful kitchen, and it must be functional to accommodate two chefs with different styles of cuisine. The kitchen turns out perfectly and we absolutely LOVE it. We will not want to change a thing if we have to do it over again! This was the second kitchen renovation and yes it was 1000% better than the first one! We’re surely done with kitchen renovation for the rest of our lives 🙂

For the dining & living room, Jonathan designed different ceiling styles to add height and the rooms look so much bigger. He designed a large entertainment space integrating the kitchen, dining, and living rooms in a very efficient, beautiful flow with styles. He leveraged high-tech software & tools which helped us to visualize the dream so much better. Jonathan clearly checked all the boxes for us and we’re so happy to work with Jonathan. I highly recommend his service.

—L.H. | Fairfield, CT

We had a wonderful experience working with Design by the Jonathans and designer Lana Nguyen on two bathroom remodels. Lana was very responsive, professional, and incredibly helpful with decision-making throughout the process. Her renderings gave us a great sense of what was possible and her eye for materials and finishes resulted in beautiful spaces that bring us joy everyday. She introduced us to fantastic contractors and communicated with them regularly to keep the project on track. This was our first time using a designer and we would hire them again without hesitation!

—E.S. | Woodbridge, CT

Our interior was feeling dated and tired. I was lost and overwhelmed with what to do, so I reached out to Design by the Jonathans. I was so grateful for their quick response. And before I knew it, I was on my way to falling in love with my house again. Michelle Raiti did a great job of bringing out the best in our home. She helped me find a couch, coffee table ottoman, new lighting, rugs, wall color/coverings, window treatments, a refresh of a favorite old wing chair and a major improvement to built in bookcases. I absolutely love the direction Michelle took with our space. She has a real talent for finding just the right colors and fabrics. Best of all, our home still feels like our home, just better. It’s spectacular!

—M.S. | Guilford, CT

Lana Nguyen, designer for Design by the Jonathans, designed the renovation for my Guilford, CT home. The renovation touched upon every room of my home. Lana listened to my style preferences and took them to a higher level. She was very responsive and actively worked to perfect any and all issues. I have received countless compliments on Lana’s work. I am more than happy with the results she provided.

—P.M. | Guilford, CT

Way above and beyond Jonathan Gordon and his amazing staff at Design by the Jonathans have raised the bar. Again and again, they exceeded our expectations. Expert knowledge, sophisticated design sense matched with attention to our esthetic, and attention to the most minute details were just the start of their work with us on a small but truly challenging master bath renovation. Add to that fast and responsive follow-up that demonstrated the highest client service. And of course, and most importantly, we love our renovated bathroom.

—E.R. & D.S. | Dobbs Ferry, NY

We were absolutely thrilled with the work provided. We requested help both with designing home renovations for a contractor (including taking part of a wall out to open up our downstairs), and also with decorating the house (and patio) after these things were completed. We have a simple, modern aesthetic, and found that they understood exactly what this meant, and how to bring a room together within this framework.

The original plans were great, and we went back and forth many times with some additional idiosyncratic ideas and asks. We never felt pressured to accept anything less than what we wanted, and found that the whole team was responsive, motivated, and extremely talented throughout. I am truly happy every day in this house. From the lighting to the design to the furniture, it’s everything that we wanted (and frankly more). We’re so appreciative of all of their work, and I would absolutely recommend them to others who are looking.

—N.M. | Dobbs Ferry, NY

I truly enjoyed the entire process, from conception to execution. My home has a flair that I could not possibly have designed on my own . From a practical standpoint, Jonathan offered options within my budget- and when I exceeded that budget, it was entirely my decision-no pressure. This group takes pride in their work and it shows.

—M.P. | Simsbury, CT

Jonathan did an amazing job designing the tile for our primary bathroom. He was wonderful to work with and really took the time to understand what we were looking for. We could not be happier with the results.

—E.G. | Bethel, CT

Jonathan helped transform our master bathroom into an oasis. He had his work cut out for him as my husband and I have very different styles, but he was great at helping us find an overall vision that worked for us both and elements we both love. The contractors he recommended are first rate and made this project a smooth experience from beginning to end. We are excited to be starting a new project with him soon!

—J.Z. | Woodbridge, CT

We used the Jonathans to make our dream of a kitchen/pantry make over a reality. The computer renditions that he generates made it so easy to see our visions come to life. His expertise in taking our whole first floor to a new level is beyond amazing. I can’t wait to see what he does with our basement makeover!

—M.G. | Milford, CT

I started to work with Design by the Jonathans in the summer of 2021 for the renovation of my 3 bathrooms and 2 powder rooms. Lana Nguyen was the designer & did a super job and was delightful to work with. She has a wonderful eye for design details, listened to our needs, and everything came out lovely. To keep the project on schedule and moving forward, required all the materials to be available on time and the DBTJ staff was most helpful and responsive in coordinating with our contractor and vendors to solve all issues and made sure every outcome was a success- we could not have done this without them. We are happy with the outcome, love the bathrooms and get many compliments from our extended family and friends.

—R.C. | Wilton, CT

Michelle has been very helpful every step of the way. She responds quickly and follows up with all our questions. She is delightful to work with. I highly recommend Design by the Jonathans.

—P.A. | Stamford, CT

We had such a great experience with Jonathan. He was able to show us 3D images of how our kitchen will look after the remodel took place. I know sometimes it’s hard to envision what a space will look like, he takes the guess work out! Jonathan worked well with our contractor and we never had to “hunt him down” to make sure things were taken care of. He was fun to work with and made things super easy! I would ABSOLUTELY recommend Design by the Jonathans to anyone and everyone! I am super happy we had the privilege of working with Jonathan!

—C.D. | Milford, CT

We highly recommend Jonathan Gordon and his team at Design by the Jonathans. From the initial consultation through to the completion of the project, Jonathan was incredibly thorough and detail oriented. He did an outstanding job of explaining the entire process from planning the layout of the kitchen, to choosing a contracting company, to picking details and finishes. He took our vision of a dream kitchen and turned it into a reality! We are THRIILLED with the result! Thank you, Jonathan!

—A.B. | Westville, CT

Jonathan was absolutely wonderful to work with. He gave us brilliant ideas, worked tirelessly, and was always open to listening to what our vision was. The end product was a bathroom that was everything we wanted and more. Our dream bathroom would not be possible without the hard work of Jonathan. We can’t wait to see what ideas he has for our kitchen design!

—M.D. | Milford, CT

I used Jonathan to renovate my new townhouse. I knew when he sat me down to link emotions to colors that I made the right pick. The man is the best in the business! He handled my project like he was working on his own property, taking care of every last detail, ensuring nothing was missed and most importantly: That I was happy. I’ll be using his services for years to come!

—J.B. | Stamford, CT

I cannot say enough about how happy we are with Jonathan from Design by the Jonathans! I contacted him to help me refurnish and decorate our family room and we love everything about it. His communication was always top-notch, and everything was done in a timely manner. We accomplished most of the shopping for furniture, fabrics and decor in a few hours at one store, a task that would have taken me weeks (or more!) of being indecisive. The room looks incredible, and he knocked it out of the park. Not only does it look great, but it is also cozy and comfortable. Jonathan is wonderful to work with, and I look forward to our next project with him!

—J.K. | Wilton, CT

Design by the Jonathans was recommended to me by my realtors. I had just bought a mid-century ranch home that needed new lighting and new painting. I also wanted to renovate the basement. When Jonathan came over, we hit it off immediately. I was really interested in restoring the mid-century character to the home, and he really worked with me to achieve that–advising me on the lighting fixtures that were in keeping with mid-century modern design and working with me to choose room colors from the mid-century modern color palette.

Throughout, I had every confidence that he would deliver the utmost professionalism and exactitude while redesigning my home. What’s even more impressive is that Jonathan not only has keen aesthetic tastes, he has a really gifted mind for structure as well. We discovered a leak in the basement while making plans for the renovation there. He came up with an absolutely brilliant solution to the problem that wouldn’t compromise the aesthetic quality of the space. As a result, my basement study is both beautiful and dry! I can’t say enough good things about Design by the Jonathans. I’ve even recommended the firm to friends in New York!

—R.F. | Hamden, CT

We recently completed several home improvement projects designed by Jonathan, and we could not have been happier. Everything came out beautiful! Jonathan is a very creative designer and his ideas were perfectly suited to our style and needs. The subcontractors Jonathan brought into our home were all very professional and the work they performed was of the highest quality. They were also impeccable in how clean they left the place once they were done. Jonathan was very reachable and accessible to us throughout all phases of the project. Finally, once we came up with a budget for our project, Jonathan kept us consistently informed as to how design-related decisions might be impacting our budget, so that we could take that into account. Definitely a 5+ star review!

—N.S. | New Haven, CT

I found Design by the Jonathans through HomeAdvisor. I initially called to get just to get a sense of what it would entail to remodel my kitchen. However after meeting Jonathan my husband and I knew we had picked the right person. He was incredibly knowledgeable and has an amazing attention to detail. Not only is he creative but he has a deep knowledge about structural needs as well and was able to break down what our project would entail. But probably his best trait is his patience! He was never pushy nor did he get annoyed when I wanted to see thing from a million and one angles. Anyone who’s been through a remodel knows how quickly it can turn into a nightmare but Jonathan was there to guide us and talk us through every step of the way. I know have an amazing open space kitchen that I love! I definitely plan on working with Jonathan again with my next remodel in the meantime I highly recommend him. You’ll be in great hands with Design by the Jonathans.

—D.E. | Trumbull, CT

Working with Design by the Jonathans has been an amazing experience. My home looks beautiful. I called them because even though I have a beautiful space, I kept thinking I could design it myself. But after a number of years I realized that I could not comprehensively, cohesively, and delightfully design a whole home on my own at all! Jonathan collaborated closely with me. We discussed everything so that my thick chicken skull could absorb his creativity. I learned a tremendous amount about how to design space and coordinate colors, styles, patterns, and fabrics. Check out the pictures! They paint a thousand words!! I am 100% satisfied!! I love and am proud of my beautifully designed home!! If you want to discuss further or ask questions about how it was to work with Jonathan, feel free to reach out!!

—M.B. | Riverdale, NY

Jonathan was a pleasure to work with, especially during a time when much of the communication had to take place remotely. His ideas for our master bedroom project were unique, and the end result was stunning. Highly recommend.

—J.S. | Simsbury, CT

The whole experience was efficient and very fun.

—P.V. | Cos Cob, CT

Jonathan’s renditions were specific and exact to what we had in mind for our kitchen renovation. We are so pleased with the outcome of our kitchen. I would highly recommend Jonathan for your project.

—E.M. | Trumbull, CT

Reached out to Jonathan he responded quickly and my job was completed within a week. Very happy with the job.

—L.P. | Wallingford, CT

Jonathan was absolutely wonderful to work with. He gave us brilliant ideas, worked tirelessly, and was always opening to listening to what our vision was. The end product, was a bathroom that was everything we wanted and more. Our dream bathroom would not be possible with out the hard work of Jonathan. We can’t wait to see what ideas he has for our kitchen!

—T.D. | Milford, CT

You cannot go wrong using Jonathan. I have used at least 3 interior decorators over the past 10 years and what set Jonathan apart from the others was his ability to really “see” my vision of the space and THEN expand upon my vision with ideas of his own that were completely in alignment with what I wanted. At our first meeting I found myself saying, “YES!” to almost everything he suggested. He is truly a master in design ideas. I absolutely love my space. He helped me design my living room/office, kitchen and dining room in my condo.

My place is now completely unique from my complementary paint colors, to the chandelier in my office space, to the stainless steel highlighting my gas fireplace, to my tin ceilings, to my custom handmade walnut coffee table, to my custom dining table from Turkey! Jonathan also designed my lighting in every room . Even my Kitchen has bling (which I love!) and tons of light so I can see what I am cooking now. I have fantastic rope lighting in a recessed tray ceiling in my living room and super cool track lighting in my dining room. He is a genius in design. If you want something truly fantastic and unique, call Jonathan, you will not be disappointed.

—M.C. | Milford, CT

My husband and I brought our home almost 10 years ago and completed several projects but then stalled. I suffered 9+ years with a poorly designed master bathroom. On a whim I started looking for Interior Decorators and found Jonathan. The process to redo a bathroom was overwhelming at times but Jonathan was there to reassure us all would turn out fine. Somehow he was able to combine the needs of both my husband and I to produce a master bathroom that we both love. We have several other projects that we wish to complete and I have no doubt they will come out as we envision with his expert help and organization skills. I would highly recommend Jonathan.

—E.F. | Beacon Falls, CT

I had never used an interior decorator either locally or through home advisor so I did not know what to expect. Jonathan is extremely knowledgeable and pleasant to work with. He is well organized and manages time very well. He is working with us on our living room and dining room…furnishings and decor from scratch. We are so very pleased with the results and would highly recommend Jonathan.

—C.R. | Madison, CT

Jonathan’s step by step approach took an overwhelming (to me) project and made it easy. The contractors he found to complete the work were fantastic and the end product is perfect. From the start, he proved his listening skills and never pushed his vision but focused on mine. Shopping for furniture and design accessories was a pleasure – there again he was focused on what I liked and envisioned versus his “design plan.” The redesigned family room is exactly what we were looking for – and better due to his knowledge and finesse. We would definitely use him again and recommend him highly.

—N.G. | Fairfield, CT

If I could give a rate above an “A” Jonathan would truly get it! I have never met anyone so professional, so dedicated and so knowledgeable in what they do. It was an honor to work with him. Not only did Jonathan address our concerns about adding a garage and porch and maybe an update to our kitchen, he pointed out to my husband and I that both our ideas could work for the redesign project. I cannot praise Jonathan enough! Thank you Jonathan!

—J.R. | Bristol, CT

It was a pleasure working with Jonathan. He took the pain out of the process and made it so easy to work with him. His recommendations were spot-on and we are so happy with the outcome. The bathrooms look amazing. We would use him again for any design project in a heartbeat!

—K.C. | Bristol, CT

Very personable & responsive to our questions. Jonathan has an excellent eye for design and was able to work within our budget.

—R.O. | Monroe, CT

Jonathan was excellent to work with. In addition to providing us with a very attractive design for our great room, he connected us with other professionals whose services have also been excellent. Jonathan has integrity, is trustworthy, and was responsive to our concerns. He was willing to offer assistance with projects which were beyond the original scope of our contract. His personality made him easy to work with and his prices were reasonable. I would not hesitate to recommend him.

—J.J. | Hamden, CT

Jonathan put together designs for our kitchen and bathroom suite. Great to work with – we loved his ideas and he’s always been responsive to any questions we’ve had as we make our way through the projects.

—J.P. | Bristol, CT