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I N T E R I O R D E S I G N 99 Miccaro Designs Home. It's a word that means different things to different people, but for Michele Buchamer, home means comfort, security, respite, and love. Inspired at a young age by the distinctive Mediterranean- style home she grew up in, Michele's foray into the design world was sparked by her mother who invited her to redesign a powder room as a teen. From then on, it was just a matter of time before Michele's creativity found fruition in her own firm, Miccaro Designs. Her style is reflective of her clientele's tastes, but is best described as classic and timeless. Thus her clients love their home for years to come—the designs never go out of style. But it's Michele's down-to-earth, cost-conscious approach that brings homeowners back to Miccaro Designs as their lives evolve. Michele takes a hands-on approach to everything she does, from hand-drawing designs during the conceptual phases to personally meeting contractors when it's time to lay tile, hang draperies, or move furniture in. Her social personality and straightforward approach to challenges allow homeowners to relax and keep everything in perspective as they move through the project. Her belief is that good design isn't always dependent on large square footage or big budgets, but more about the functionality and harmony that one experiences with their personal sanctuaries. In the end, the focus of Miccaro Designs is all about how owners feel about where they live. There's nothing as satisfying to Michele as a homeowner who says they've fallen in love with their home. LEFT: The breathtaking 4,511-square-foot condo was once two units on the twelfth floor. Walls were removed, windows replaced, and ceilings were redesigned to accommodate recessed lighting throughout the new open floorplan. In the living room, a linear custom walnut veneer and crema marble fireplace anchors the design, which also includes custom furniture and an Aubusson tapestry carpet. Photograph by Paul Van Buekenhout NORTH VANCOUVER

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