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The Principals

Lead Interior Designers. Dottie Hughes, Lionheart Design’s principal designer, isn’t about flash, but about substance, style, and fresh approaches to traditional ideas. She strives to turn every client's dream into an exciting and unique reality, one that is both contemporary and timeless. Outstanding design solutions are only the beginning. By staying as flexible as she is focused, she meets the pragmatic, technical and budgetary demands of builder and client projects.

Dottie has earned a reputation as one of Georgia’s preeminent interior designers. Over the years, her interior designs have been noted for their delicate fusion of contemporary and classic styles, understated elegance and old world sensibility - a creative expression that comes naturally to Ms. Hughes. Born in South Carolina, Dottie began her interior design career in finance, controlling costs and purchasing. She arrived in Savannah and began working in the most respected Landings island community in her retail showroom. By 1997, Dottie had found her way into Savannah’s elite historic interior circles. Today, Dottie’s impeccable understanding of the client’s vision allows her to streamline reviews of the finest fabrics, paint colors, select furniture pieces, art, and conversation pieces. Working with best-of-class workmanship providers, her projects reflect the meticulous manner of small details -- always with the client’s dreams in mind.

"A client needs guidance, a sense of styling from someone who knows," explains Dottie, who understands that no two clients are alike. "One interior theme is not good for everyone. A certain personality has to fit each client." When selecting appropriate interior components, Dottie reminds clients to be adventurous. For an interior to look stunning, "every detail must be appropriate for the shape and style of the home," she says.

As we move into the new millennium, Dottie notes that classic style plays a large part in every interior. The overall look, she says, should be classic and the complimentary pieces can be trendy or contemporary. Dottie cautions clients to begin their search for their dreams several months in advance. "Clients should allow time to order fabric, custom cabinets and the choice decorator pieces," she says.

The result is imaginative designs that are highly regarded for execution and concept, where the smallest details are as well thought-out as the spaces themselves.