Julie Bell, Partner We shape our buildings and afterwards, our buildings shape us"
Winston Churchill
Design Philosophy
Julie brings a comfortable approach to design. She feels that the key to a good designer is to be a good listener, to interpret her client’s personal style, taste & then turn that vision into a reality. Good design is as much about your day to day lifestyle as it is about creating memorable spaces that reflect your own personality.
Specialties
Julie’s portfolio ranges from luxury HOMEARAMA show homes to urban studio apartments. She has recently launched Clubhouse openings and riverfront high rise models in addition to designing jewelry stores, salons, restaurants and private corporate offices.
No Design challenge is too small.
Background
A New York native & University of Kentucky graduate with a degree in Interior Design, Julie’s 25 years experience & countless recognition awards, have made her a recognizable name in the Cincinnati marketplace. But her greatest reward comes from her satisfied clients.
Traveling is her passion with Italy & France being her favorite destinations. If you would like a touch of Tuscany or Provence in your life, call Julie.
Her love of new construction lead her to build her second new home. This one in the Hyde Park/Mt. Lookout area. She is excited about returning to this desirable area of town where she once lived.
Giving back to her community & her industry, Julie has dedicated the last 7 years as a child advocate for Pro-Kids & has continued involvement with the Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati.
Here are words about her clients’ experiences:
“When we decided to build a new home, we identified Julie Bell as someone we wanted to work with even before we had decided on an architect or builder. We actively solicited her input on various aspects of our new home while working out the design with an architect, and we relied heavily on her input and guidance to help us design, finish, and furnish virtually every aspect of its interior. We cannot say enough nice things about Julie; in our new home building experience she’s definitely one of the nicest, most competent people with whom we worked. We recommend her highly.”
Jim and Kathy Maurer
“Julie Bell & Amy Holt of the Interiors team have become a major part of our Great Traditions team for the last eight years. Their talents, creativity and attitudes are first class.
We feel Interiors has met our challenge to create not only attractive upscale interior design, but targeted merchandising, which appeals to diverse buyer groups, including empty nesters, young professional couples, and singles.
With the leading edge design of Interiors, our popular model homes feature light and airy colors, textures, furnishings and accessories. This refreshing look has been very well received by our model home visitors.
Julie and Amy have merchandised several of our HOMEARAMA Show Homes, winning Best Interior Merchandising awards from the Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati. Two of those also won the prestigious People's Choice Awards.
Julie and Amy are invaluable assets to our Great Traditions team."
Nancy Paul, Partner “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like,
Design is how it works.” Steve Jobs
Design Philosophy
Nancy’s acute listening skills and intuitive, probing questions bring to light clients’ visions. Oftentimes, the home or workplace picture is not clear in their minds. That’s when trust, what Nancy feels is the cornerstone of the design process, reveals the layers of ideas her clients’ want to express. Her 29 years of referral success demonstrates, not only her ability to interpret her clients desires, but a legacy of exceeding their expectations.
Specialties
The walls of Nancy’s office could easily be covered with awards for her work in 26 years of HOMEARAMA and showcased in Greater Cincinnati’s most notable projects including South Shore, The McAlpin, Long Cove, Harbor Greene, Bradford Place & Performance Lexus. Whether working on an individual’s home or a corporate client’s project, Nancy begins the process of drawing out their ideas and incorporating them into an overall design that concludes in a project that masters the balance of Form & Function. At the same time, she is ever mindful of keeping the project on schedule and in budget.
Background
Nancy graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BA in Elementary Education. When her youngest child was 1 year old, she returned to school to study Interior Design at Florida Atlantic University. Nancy started her design career in Florida in 1980 and then moved to Cincinnati in 1983. She quickly gained acclaim through her work with many of the area’s premier home builders. Larry Paul, Nancy’s husband and one of those premier builders, has partnered with her on many projects over the years and they currently live in their favorite joint venture, a home they spent a year renovating.
Nancy’s two grown children reside in Cincinnati. Her daughter’s affliction with Crohn’s disease has spurred her involvement with the local Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. She hopes their efforts to raise money for research will lead to better treatment and ultimately a cure.
When Nancy finds time away from these endeavors, you can find her at Kenwood Country Club sharing a round of golf with her husband and friends or in her garden, applying her creative design techniques, with the color and textures of her fabulous outdoor rooms.
Here are words about her clients’ experiences:
"Reflecting on 20 years of successful team work there are many compliments I could bestow upon Nancy Paul; creative, insightful, stylish, consistent, etc. However, her most admirable qualities have been her loyalty and personal character which place her in the elite group of her profession. Nancy always delivers!
Bernie Kurlemann, Kurlemann Custom Building Group
"Over the last several years, we not only admired the unique designs by Nancy Paul, but also had the privelege of being her client. Our relationship began in 2001 when we built our first "custom home". From the beginning of the year long process, she remembered very specific details. Nancy took the "empty" palette and made it a home, but she gave it life. The thing we admired most about Nancy is that she was confident, she always had direction and she was open to our opinion, even if it was negative. Our appointments were very productive and efficient. Nancy knows people, who along with her advice can do wonderful things to help you make your house a home. We sold our first home, which had wonderful reviews due to Nancy's touches everywhere and called her to help us with our 2nd custom home. My husband and I look forward to another many years of working with Nancy as she does her magic in our home."
Belinda and Jeff Meade, Clients (and friends) since 2001