When Taskey moved her business from Rome, NY to Downtown Syracuse, her first office was located in an old firehouse, which is now the beloved Wolff’s Biergarten on Montgomery Street. She moved a second time before settling 13 years ago in her current location on Joy Road in East Syracuse.
“Part of the reason I bought this building is because it has a receiving area for the window treatments,” she said. “An 18-wheeler can just pull up with the product and we can get it unloaded directly into our warehouse. Once the product is checked in by our team, we can arrange installation with the general contractors and/or clients.”
Design Specialists serves clients within a 3-hour radius, with the majority in Buffalo, Orchard Park, and Albany. Yet, Taskey says that her company is still kind of ‘under-the-radar.’
“Not a lot of people know about us,” she said. Those that do, however, keep coming back.
“Some of our clients are at a point where I send them a quote and they don’t even want to see the finishes or the colors anymore,” she said, paraphrasing one customer who told her that ‘in all these years, you’ve never disappointed me so just do what’s right.’ “There’s a trust factor. The longer you work for a client, you build that trust and they pretty much sign the check and send it to you.”
For instance, senior living properties and continuing care communities that have independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care are very familiar with the firm—and very satisfied.
“A lot of those clients, we do everything—finishes, lighting, furniture, window treatments—the whole soup to nuts,” she said. “At this point, really all of our business is referral or the same people over and over again—I don’t have to look for work anymore.”
Other clients include those in the healthcare, corporate, education, and hospitality markets. It’s noteworthy to mention that safety, accessibility, and ergonomics are always built into the designs.
Krista Taskey
President
Canadian-born and Upstate New York-based interior designer Krista Taskey has been designing commercial spaces for almost 45 years. As the President of Design Specialists, Krista has expertly balanced the demands of both interior design and window treatment projects, earning a reputation for her customer-focused approach and exceptional design acumen.
Krista's journey began after graduating in interior design in Canada then working at architectural design firms from Buffalo to Utica, where she developed a deep understanding of commercial design. Her keen eye for detail and distinctive style quickly set her apart, laying the foundation for her successful career.
Laurin Taskey
Office Manager
Laurin has been a cornerstone of Design Specialists since 2013 and beyond as she had been in the office as an infant in a crib when Krista started the business 37 years ago. She brings in her expertise in office management and exceptional customer service to our team. With a background in early childhood education, holding both a B.A. from Nazareth University and an M.A. from SUNY Cortland, Laurin’s career transition showcases her adaptability and organizational skills.
She efficiently manages multiple responsibilities and ensures that operations run smoothly, keeping everyone on track and contributing to the success of the office. When Laurin is not scheduling installations or working with vendors, she enjoys relaxing on a boat, reading at her camp with her dogs, and spending time with her horse, Geewiz.
Ashley Pearson
Interior Designer
Starting in 2022, Ashley’s experience as an interior designer at Design Specialists has grown excelling in textiles and product knowledge for commercial design. Her educational journey began with a Bachelor’s in Painting from SUNY Cortland and then with a Master’s in interior design from Marymount University, equipping her with a strong foundation in both artistic and practical aspects of design. Her passion for refining color schemes, finishes, space planning, and CAD is complemented by her strong project management skills where she honed while working with St Peter’s’ Health and their senior living facilities in Albany, NY. Her favorite projects to date are Beverwyck at St Peter’s Health and Fust Charles Chambers in downtown Syracuse.
Ashley’s commitment to exceeding client expectations and her attention to detail are key drivers of her successful career in interior design. When Ashley is not designing spaces you will find her spending quality time with her two awesome and lovable kids, engaging in activities like board games, cards, drawing, and going to the movies. She also loves running and exploring the outdoors, embracing nature, art, music, and Vegemite.
Gabrielle McCall
Interior Designer/Estimator
Gabrielle began her time at Design Specialists as intern in the Summer of 2022 while attending Cazenovia College. After graduating in 2023, she transitioned into a full-time role as both an interior designer and window treatment estimator. Her background, growing up in a family of builders and teachers, has given her a natural affinity for design and organizational skills. Gabrielle excels in her dual roles, contributing significantly to both interior design projects and window treatment estimations.
Her favorite projects include assisting with St. Peters senior living facilities and Canterbury Woods senior living dining, café, and bar. Outside of work, Gabrielle enjoys spending time with her supportive family and friends, and is often found on the golf course. As a pragmatic designer, she brings a unique perspective to her work and leisure activities.
With some cost trims needed, Design Specialists was able to find helpful ways that still kept the original “feel” of the design we were looking to achieve.
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Their ability to remain flexible and willing to make revisions as needed within a timely manner was key to several project
management solutions. Truly listening to client to understand and interpret their vision conveyed their professionalism.
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Design Specialists meet our desires and concerns while assisting us to find the appropriate interior design solutions to meet our needs.
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