Room Re-dos by Mompreneur Andi Carvalho

One of the most rewarding entrepeneurial experiences is to be able to harness your creativity, get paid for doing it, and make people happy along the way! Marin mompreneur Andi Carvalho has carved out a niche for herself doing room re-dos for local clients. Sort of a less formal version of interior decorating, her room re-dos make use of the homeowner's existing furniture, art, and decor, all skillfully and creatively rearranged to give the room in question a whole new look. Andi also tackles more traditional interior design and home staging. If you're interested in her services, she can be reached at (510) 418-7202. Local references are available upon request.

We caught up with Andi and asked her a few questions about herself and her business as part of our ongoing "mompreneur" series.

Q: Please tell us about you and your background.

A: I have lived all over the Bay Area—San Francisco, the East Bay, the Peninsula—but have lived the longest in Marin; the last seven years in San Rafael with my husband and three sons.  After college, I spent many years managing stores for the Gap, and managing store operations and communications at the corporate level. I have a degree in merchandising and have spent five years staging high-end homes in the city, North and East Bay. 
 
Q: How did you get started in room Re-dos?

A: I have always worked with fabric, color, and people. Staging was a natural path, where listening and transformation became second nature. In 2004, I decided to explore helping people who were looking for a change, but didn't want to break the bank. I found it to be my passion!
 
Q: What's your favorite thing about doing what you do?

A: Helping people. It is such a pleasure to work with people in the community who want a new space but don't quite know how to start. Most people have beautiful things and style—they just need a fresh eye and encouragement to achieve the look they want.
 
Q: What was the most rewarding project you’ve worked on so far?

A: Working with a couple who have older kids, dogs, and a tiny budget. They both came to the house with a definite sense of style—on opposite ends of the spectrum! There were early design issues that could not be changed; but new paint, seat covers, and their gorgeous artwork made the space inspired. They have worked so hard raising kids it was time to start creating the warm space they craved and deserved. Pleasing all parties was fantastic!
 
Q: What kind of fun activities do you like to do with your children?

A: Enjoying the outdoor side of Marin! With three boys, physical activity is key. From Heart's Desire Beach to Tennessee Valley—we love to explore.

Q: What do you love most about living in Marin?

The ability to take our family to the Discovery Museum in Sausalito, the Marin Farmer's Market in San Rafael and Powell's Sweet Shoppe on Grant Avenue in Novato—all in one day!