This is a letter of reference for Diane Portugal, of Diane Portugal Interiors, in San Francisco. Diane is working with my husband and I on the design of our home which is under construction in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It is a rustic, log and wood frame. The home is a 2600 square foot 2 story home situated on 36 acres, in the heart of Teton County, surrounded by 3 mountain ranges. Diane has consulted on the architectural design details, interior lighting, as well as materials throughout the home, furnishings, and floor and window coverings.

Diane and I have been working together since the beginning of 2006, before the home was under construction. She has been a partner and advisor throughout the entire process. She has provided insight and advice whenever we have asked, and made us think differently about ways to do things, opening our minds and educating us on how to pull things together in our dream home. Diane, my husband, and I have spent hours together reviewing the design, colors, materials, furnishings, and rugs. She and her husband even made the trip to Jackson Hole to see the home and spend time shopping and buying furnishings in the local area.

Diane has a generous nature; she is patient, the consummate professional, and always listens first to what we want. She always offers visual and tactile options that have been right on target, making it very easy for us to make joint decisions. She knows our budget and always works within the guidelines provided, utilizing existing furnishings with the new. She is very well organized, with a keen attention to detail and is always responsive to our needs. She has excellent communication skills and we never feel that she is pushing her ideas on us. On the contrary she works hard to makes sure she is responsive to what we want, and then guides us to the right decisions.

In the past, I have been intimidated by the thought of using a designer and worried that it would be cost prohibitive. Diane has changed my mind. She is a pleasure to spend time with, easy to know, and has saved us money along the way. We will probably have a working relationship in the years to come as we plan to build a guest house and a barn in the future, which will also require her talents to keep the consistency that we are looking for in all structures.

I would recommend Diane to any of my family and friends; she has been a huge support and sounding board throughout the process and is a great friend now.

—Wyoming homeowner