Because of the web, anybody can ask any query — and get a fast reply.
Westport Entrance Porch is Fb’s supply for locating plumbers and airport drivers. Right here at “06880,” I subject queries like “What’s up with these library steps main all the way down to the river?”
However let’s say that you must know methods to gentle your eating room. Take away canine poop stains from a rug. Or model the highest of an vintage icebox.
These design questions — and lots of, many extra — are requested and answered on the Designport Fb web page.
Launched by Westporter Jen Berniker, it turned a judgment-free zone the place anybody can talk about any large (or little) difficulty that owners face.
Jen Berniker (Photograph/Maya Porrino)
Now she’s expanded. Designport has advanced to incorporate a web site, e-newsletter, video content material and Instagram (@my_designport).
Designport (a mixture of “design” and “Westport”) started through the pandemic. Berniker — a Brown College graduate, and former producer and author for life-style tv reveals on HGTV, TLC, PBS and CBS (with a couple of private renovations underneath her belt) — typically fielded questions from pals: The place ought to I store? What ought to I select? Who ought to I rent?
Observing paint chips, tables with out chairs and dysfunctional work areas, she had the identical questions.
So she launched a Fb web page. It rapidly turned a spot the place everybody from do-it-yourselfers to professionals shared recommendation.
Screenshot from the Designport Fb web page.
Berniker — an knowledgeable author and photographer — started posting tales and ideas. Looking for one thing extra everlasting than social media, she launched the web site.
It’s targeted on Fairfield County (and a bit past). However it’s attracted curiosity from far past.
Latest tales included tips about gardening in a drought (from Westport Farmers’ Market director Lori Cochran) and a tour of artist Yvonne Claveloux’s house. Landscaping ideas come from native execs like Allison Feuer and Maura Cotter.
Berniker has additionally carried out “Saturday Snoop” video house excursions with Westporters like best-selling writer Jane Inexperienced (her “secret backyard”), CTBites blogger Stephanie Webster (“Consuming In”), and photographer Stacy Bass, plus different feminine entrepreneurs and artistic varieties.
There are before-and-after tales, from owners and inside designers.
She partnered with Aitoro and Ring’s Finish, for “ask the knowledgeable” Q-and-As.
Berniker additionally organized an artwork drive for work to brighten places of work at Bridgeport’s Heart for Household Justice.
Her aim is to “uplift, uncover and promote up-and-coming artwork and design expertise, and reduce the stress of homeownership, whereas connecting like-mined neighborhood members.”
Within the works: native useful resource lists.
You’ll nonetheless should go to Westport Entrance Porch to search out these airport drivers. However inside decorators, panorama professionals — possibly even plumbers — will make Designport an much more helpful vacation spot.
Yvonne Claveloux’s home and art work, on the Designport web site.
