Devonshire Can Design A Home That Works for You

Last fall, Devonshire at PGA National, the Erickson Senior Living community in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., welcomed Laurie Lovely as the new personal move consultant and custom interiors coordinator.

With a degree in interior design from the Rhode Island School of Design, Lovely previously worked in retail furniture, helping clients design their homes to reflect their unique tastes and preferences. In this previous role, she was presented the opportunity to partner with Devonshire and design two model apartment homes.

“It’s a big decision to move, no matter where or when,” says Lovely. “I think seeing the freshly designed model apartment homes - with colors and finishes working in harmony - makes it easy for people to envision their new spaces as the final step of the moving process.”

Devonshire’s Sales Director Christine Hansen recognized the positive impact Lovely had on the community and its prospective community members. Hansen approached Lovely and asked her to join the Devonshire team.

“It was immediately obvious that Laurie Lovely appreciates and respects the needs of both our current and future community members,” says Hansen. “In this new role, she is providing the highest level of service before, during, and after a successful move in.”

Recently, Lovely sat down with the Tribune to discuss her new position and the many resources she provides to both current and prospective community members.

Tribune: In your role, what help do you provide people moving to Devonshire?

Lovely: My job is, ultimately, to create a partnership with an incoming community member or couple. Once that partnership is established, my goals are twofold: to make the move to Devonshire as stress-free and seamless as possible, and to ensure that the Devonshire apartment home they move into reflects their own unique personality and style.

Ideally, I like to begin the partnership by visiting prospective community members in their current home, which helps me get an idea of their personal style. It allows us to work together in identifying the objects they love and wish to bring with them.

During our meeting, I also provide information on the wide variety of resources available to them through Erickson Realty and Moving Services, including real estate agents, downsizing experts, clean-out services, packers, and movers. Everyone I refer has been handpicked because of the quality of services they provide. They’ve all gone through a screening process and have worked with Devonshire before.

The most important thing for people to remember is that I will be with them for support during every step of the process - from the moment they choose Devonshire until the day they move in. I take care of all the planning, the phone calls, the scheduling - all of it. My job is to ensure that the apartment home they selected is exactly how they want it before they move in: A true reflection of themselves.

Tribune: Can all Devonshire apartment homes be customized? In what ways?

Lovely: Every single apartment home can be customized. For some, that may mean choosing new cabinetry or a particular countertop. For others, it may mean adding window treatments or laying a different type of flooring. Other options include paint, lighting, and fixtures.

I encourage prospective community members to utilize our on-campus design center to review the many options for customization. All of our selections are top-of-the-market and provided by trusted vendors. Because we work with premium vendors that are specially contracted with Devonshire, they know not only our buildings, but each individual apartment home floor plan.

Tribune: Is the design center also available to current Devonshire community members?

Lovely: Yes! I encourage all of our community members to stop by the design studio and explore the many opportunities available to add fresh, new upgrades to their apartment home.

I’m currently creating a new set of design options, reflecting current market trends. For instance, a popular cabinet color paired with a coordinating granite or quartz countertop and matched with a complementary paint color. Of course, there is flexibility built in, but I’ve seen how helpful it is to provide real options put together in a way that makes sense.

It’s an exciting year at Devonshire! We have several upcoming events for priority list members highlighting all of our offerings. I encourage people to contact me as soon as they join. The earlier we begin our partnership, the more time we have to spend creating a beautifully designed apartment home.

To learn more about affordable, independent senior living at Devonshire, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.