For more than 25 years Leslie Ryan and Libby Gallant have been business partners and best friends.
The pair operate Ridgewood Designs, an interior design and decorating company that came about after the two women met and realized their mutual love of home decorating.
Both have Bachelor degrees in business and a mutual love of designing.
Today, Ridgewood Designs is a highly respected and sought-after design firm that has deep roots in West Hartford, a broad customer base and a wide network of contractors and tradesmen that Ridgewood Designs works with closely.
Leslie and Libby work as a team throughout each project and closely with their clients and local business partners, bringing a special touch to each and every project, Leslie says.
“The benefit of having both of us, working closely together, is that we can often see things that the client, and sometimes even the contractor, can’t see or might think of,” Libby says.
The secret to their success, Leslie adds, is simple.
“It's our dedication to a successful client relationship through listening to what they value most. We practice clear and transparent communication. We infuse laughter and humor because it comes naturally to us, it puts clients at ease and builds trust. Working together for 25 years, we have seen it all! We have been invited to clients' birthday parties and family events because we have become part of their family.”
“We communicate effectively and consistently with clients,” Libby adds. “We try to anticipate clients' needs and be proactive so they feel valued and important because they are. We have regular check-ins with clients to meet their evolving needs, challenges and goals.”
The pair’s opposite personalities and skill sets also sets Ridgewood Designs apart, Leslie adds.
“We make a good team that covers all the bases.”
Those diverse talents include design and mechanical skills, maintaining client relationships, and need awareness, design theory and knowledge, classic design and trends, construction and engineering knowledge, problem solving and project management.
As business partners, the pair say, they each connect in some way to all of their diverse client base.
“Half of our clients gravitate to and connect with Libby and the other half lean toward me,” Leslie says. “There are many different personalities out there.”
While every client is unique, Ridgewood Designs has a system for how they approach each new project.
“Once we meet a new client and get to know them through conversations, concept dream boards or Pinterest pins exchange, we can begin to understand their goals and dreams,” Libby says. “We try to make them feel at ease through our easy-going spirit and our years of experience and knowledge. We always try to give clients more than they expect.
The company’s close working relationships with local contractors and tradespeople also sets them apart from other designers, Leslie adds.
"Once we know what a project entails, we pull together our team of experienced, dependable contractors. They know we have high expectations for them and they treat each project like it was their own home. We are the control center on every project.
“Above all we try to make each project fun and bring our different perspectives and personalities to the arena,” Libby adds.
Ridgewood Designs has an office and showroom within the Design Center in the Parkville section of Hartford.
Patrice Neidle, a former client, says Libby and Leslie have a true Yin and Yang dynamic.
“They also have a really strong work ethic and the customer service they bring to the client is amazing.”
Ridgewood Designs
Libby Gallant, Leslie Ryan
Design Source CT, 1429 Park St., Hartford
Phone: 860-559-5109
Online: Ridgewooddesigners.com
Email: Leslie@ridgewooddesigners.com
“We make a good team that covers all the bases.”
