During International Women’s Month, St. Albert Gazette is celebrating women that are making a difference in our local business and community landscapes. Meet Lori Drinkwater from Fresh Look Design.
Fresh Look Design leverages 19 years of experience to deliver timeless, stylish and cohesive spaces for homeowners in St. Albert and Edmonton. Lori Drinkwater always had a passion for design, from a young age, organizing the pillows on the sofa, while her brothers and sister went out to play. She became a certified interior decorator in 2003 and a certified stager in 2016.
“Through my interior decorating services, we help homeowners become proud of their home, have a place where they want to spend time in, express their style and show their unique selves,” says Drinkwater.
One of her newest services is e-design.
“E-Design, or online design, is interior decorating using technology to provide my customers with visuals,” says Drinkwater. “With e-design, they can see the products in their space before they commit to a room (or rooms). It helps them see the pieces in a space plan and 3D Room Design Board, so they can see how the furniture and accessories look together. This service helps them stick to their budget, have a cohesive style and know what the end result will look like.”
She smiles, “We are in the early stages of the e-design launch, but my first client loved it as it stayed within her budget and elevated her room. She found the process to be fun and easy.”
Staying ahead of the curve with technology is just one factor in Drinkwater’s success. She adds, “I have always treated our clients how we want to be treated – with excellent customer service. My clients like that we involve them, as much as they would like to be, in the decision-making process. We really listen to what the clients want and then I make it happen. I love seeing the look on my clients’ faces when they see their rooms reimagined into a warm and inviting space.”
She’s not just improving homes, but communities as well.
“Fresh Look Design has supported many organizations through decorating Christmas trees, stages, entrances, halls and tables to promote their charitable organizations,” says Drinkwater. “However, the one organization closest to my heart is the St. Albert Kinnette’s Christmas hamper campaign. Whether it is volunteering organizing their boxes for their hamper donations and/or contributing what I can, I feel this is a much-needed charity for our community.”
What does being a woman in business mean to Drinkwater?
“Being a woman in business means serving my clients with professionalism, wonderful customer service and giving back to my community. We inspire other women in our community by reminding them that they can make their dreams come true by working hard and getting an education.”
Fresh Look Design was honoured to have received a St. Albert & District Chamber of Commerce award in 2009 for a home-based business.
Drinkwater adds, “We were also nominated for a small business award in 2019 for a small business with 1-9 employees. We have been a member of the St. Albert & District Chamber of Commerce since 2007 and have used this platform to keep up-to-date and voice our concerns with what is happening in our business community.”
She is excited about the future.
“We are in the process of launching our online design service and have an e-commerce store with beautiful artwork and accessories on the website. We also offer a service called Room Redesign that decorates your home using what you own. If you want to bring it to the next level, we can provide new artwork and accessories.”
Learn more on the Fresh Look Design website. You’ll also find the company on Facebook and Instagram.