When seeking out a local designer to kick off my series "Mission: Design", I wanted to find a local Interior Designer that could inspire readers with design ideas, both big and small.  DC Metro area Interior Designer Hillary Staats immediately came to mind.

Hillary Staats signature style is both classic and romantic with an emphasis on pure sophistication.  Staats adds her creative and innovative decorating style to every design endeavor.  Her rooms come to life with rich fabrics, beautiful window treatments and thoughtful furnishings that are mindful of design form and family function.

Staats, who had been an Interior Designer for over 20 years, has had a few reincarnations in the design field.  Hillary has a notable design resume that includes 7 years at Sage Design in Great Falls.  Hillary then branched out on her own and launched BiQuintile Designs in 2008.  BiQuintile Designs gave Hillary the opportunity to work in concert with her husband, builder Tommy Staats of Staats Developers.  Staats, hungry for a brick and mortar site, has now merged BiQuintile Designs into her latest creation, a boutique aptly named Sanctuary on Church.

When Hillary started BiQuintile Designs she had an office space, but no real connection with the everyday public.  Staats missed the welcoming presence of a retail storefront.  Inspired to create a lifestyle boutique and full service design firm in one, Sanctuary on Church was born.  Together, with her new business partner, Christine Sonu, Sanctuary on Church recently opened its doors in the oh-so-charming town of Vienna, VA at 109 Church Street, N.E..

I recently sat down with Hillary Staats and Christine Sonu and tapped into their interior design expertise with a series of questions for DC Metro Mommy readers.

• 1. Where is a good place to begin designing?

HS: Space planning is crucial.  You need to evaluate a room and develop a plan for its best use.  I see clients with primo real estate such as a formal living room and it is going unused.  Why not transform the space into an elegant home office?  Once a space has been defined you can then select the appropriate furnishings.

• 2. When working with a limited budget what should you spend your money on to get the most bang for your buck?

HS: Paint!  Do your research, find the perfect color.  Don't simply settle for white.  You can make a dramatic impact for very little money with the right color selection.

Hillary's Top Color Picks: (All Benjamin Moore:  Smoke, Alexander Beige, Carrington beige, Richmond Gold, Kennebunkport Green)

• 3. What do you drawer on for inspiration when designing a space for a client?

HS:  I try to get into the client's head.  There are so many different styles that exist.  I try to reveal the client's fantasy room.  To get to that point it is critical for clients to develop a better understanding of their own wish list.  I encourage clients to go through 20+ magazines and start assembling a bank of photos that represent their desired design style.

After some research and discussion, I can establish a design direction with a client.  Ultimately your home should be your Sanctuary and it should be a soothing place that you want to come home to.  Every client should be able to realize their design dreams.

• 4. I am beginning see the inspiration for the boutique's name. Moving on, what is the biggest reason to use a designer?

HS:  People can often times make mistakes when creating a room.  I had a client who had purchased a substantial amount of furniture from Ethan Allen.  The problem...her tastes leaned contemporary and her furnishings didn't reflect that part of her personality.  She has been living with a furniture esthetic that simply didn't make her happy.  The epiphany didn't come until after we sat down and looked at her design wish list.  It can be an expensive lesson.  Interior Designers can help you avoid these types of costly mistakes.

An Interior Designer will identify project goals, manage the design process and provide ample design resources that will allow for one-stop shopping.

• 5. What type of services do you offer?

HS:  Projects run from big to small.  Some of my clients simply want to add touches to their home for style and comfort.  Conversely I have clients who need assistance with large scale home renovations and with a full design treatment.  I am currently working with one customer to decorate a 10,000 sq ft. home.

On the lighter side, an in-home consultation starts at $300.00.  I will come to your home for 2 hours and do a space, color and function evaluation.  Accessory appointments start at $175.00/hr.  I will go to a store(s) with you and act as a personal shopper and provide guidance on décor purchases.

• 6. Tell me about Sanctuary on Church.

HS: I wanted to offer people a boutique experience.  The store serves as a working design studio and a retail boutique.  The shop will offer weekly Friday night happy hours that will allow customers to linger through the store, enjoy the beautiful furnishings and décor as well as view the Sanctuary Design Resource Library.

In the coming months, Sanctuary on Church will start to offer free seminars such as Table Top Design, Color Selection, Space Planning and Outdoor Settings.

• 7. Tell me more about the Sanctuary Library.

HS: The Sanctuary Library will feature our favorite furniture and accessory pieces that we hand-selected from the vast collection of catalogs available to designers.  Good, better and best will be represented to allow customers to see a full range of furniture and home décor options.

• 8. Your furnishings and décor are stunning and I love these amazing European inspired vases filled with fresh flowers that appear throughout the store. The peonies are gorgeous! Are they for sale?

HS:  I love fresh flowers.  They complete a room.  I have always had fresh flowers in my home.  I set them in a common area where they can be enjoyed by everybody or by my bedside table.  They are also a perfect hostess gift.

Sanctuary on Church sells bouquets of fresh flowers on Fridays and Saturdays.  Simply stop by the store and we can make an arrangement for you.  Prices range from $45.00 to $65.00.

• 9. Can you provide some low cost recommendations for budget challenged consumers?

CS: Home Goods is always a great resource.  They have a wide assortment of home products with very reasonable price points.  We have used Arhaus Furniture for some furnishings.

As we closed out the interview, I had an opportunity to further chat with Hillary's partner, Christine Sonu.  Christine, a McLean native, is a rare breed.  She left a high powered career as a lawyer in New York City to pursue her passion of interior design.  After relocating back to Northern VA she interned with Staats and ultimately became her partner.

Christine was excited to share that in time Sanctuary on Church will be conquering the web as well as social networking sites. You will soon see a complete website for Sanctuary on Church that will include a design blog.  The boutique will also be on Facebook and Twitter.

The shop, overflowing with flowers, bold patterns and exquisite furnishings is intoxicating.

What I loved most about Sanctuary on Church was the welcoming atmosphere.  Whether you are there for a design consultation, buying a bouquet of fresh flowers or simply looking, you are sure to receive a healthy dose of hospitality and, of course, design style.

Don't miss the grand opening of Sanctuary on Church on June 19, 2010.  To contact Hillary or Christine, call (703) 865-6477 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .