Bickerstaff Residence
“There are lots of things in life you can’t control,” Charlotte Bickerstaff says with a chuckle, “but hair color and home décor are something fun I can change.”
Keeping it Contemporary
The Bickerstaffs moved from Rancho Mirage, California, to North Texas a few years ago. As a principle with Bickerstaff, Whatley, Ryan & Burkhalter, Consulting Actuaries, David moved his practice from the firm's Southern California office to their Dallas office. The couple loved the contemporary style they lived with in the desert, and decided to go forward with the modern look when they chose Ali Manteghi to custom-build a new home in Frisco.
After a few unfulfilling stops at other furniture showrooms, the Bickerstaff's arrived at Cantoni. Marty Buchanan greeted them and asked if they’d been working with a designer. Charlotte’s candid response? “No, we’ve been trying to avoid hiring one because it’s been our experience that they don’t listen to what we want.”
We’re pleased to say that Marty won the Bickerstaff’s trust with a combination of talent and Cantoni’s Triple C, customer-first philosophy. (Cantoni. Customer. Commitment.)
“Charlotte and David knew they wanted sleek sophistication, and they were impressed with the Cantoni Collection and our ability to customize just about anything,” explains Marty. “They brought in their floor plans and chose a color palette of serene white with warm gray, black and accents of red. We proceeded with a furniture plan for all the rooms.” In the end, 90% of the furniture and art for the nearly 6,000 sq. ft. home was custom-ordered from Cantoni, including rugs and bedding.
The Bickerstaffs are a busy bunch, and after just one or two meetings with designer Marty Buchanan in person, the project proceeded with communications via house calls, phone calls and email. As for her experience working with our design pro, Charlotte says this: “Understandably, most creative individuals have egos, but I was pleasantly surprised that Marty was so open to working with a headstrong client like me. She was gracious and easy to work with, and we 
shared a great rapport.”
Marty believes that the key to successful projects and client relationships lies in the consideration and adherence to the overall design intent. Whether incorporating existing furniture with new selections, or starting with a clean slate, Marty’s strengths are listening to her clients needs, paying careful attention to all details, and delivering superior service.
“My clients spend so many hours, even years of their lives in their homes or offices,” she says. “If I can make their spaces better and more enjoyable, it’s a rewarding privilege.”
Photos by David DeLeon.
