Interior Designer: Jill Calo, Payne & Tompkins Design Renovations
By the seamless way Jill Calo blends modern and traditional elements in her designs, one might think the lead designer at Payne & Tompkins Design Renovations in Chardon had been in the business forever. But Calo originally worked as an accountant before going back to school to pursue interior design.
“I wanted to do design when I was 18, but I ended up going into finance,” Calo says. “I would advise others to follow their gut and their passion.”
Calo describes her personal style as updated traditional, but her expertise doesn’t stop here.
“I design anything from modern to rustic based on a client’s needs,” Calo says. “You really get to build a personal relationship with your clients in the process.”
Calo started working with Payne & Tompkins when it was Payne & Payne in 2017 and hasn’t looked back since.
“I love going to work every day — I truly believe I will retire from here,” Calo says. “The best part about the design work that we do is that it doesn’t feel like work.”
The company offers everything from whole-home renovations to kitchens and bathroom renovations to basement upgrades and master suite and porch additions.
“We’re design-build, so design is incorporated in the whole building process,” Calo says.
Top Three Trends
Arches. Incorporate archways and arched cabinets into the home.
Wood tones. Muted earth tones are coming back.
Colors in the kitchen. Instead of a fully white kitchen, people are painting their kitchen cabinets.
10690 Mayfield Road, Chardon, 440-226-5040, payne-tompkins.com
