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Great Falls Distinctive Interiors
44675 Cape Ct
Ashburn, VA 20146
Uber
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About Us
Services
Testimonials
About Us
Alice Busch Principal
Allied Member ASID, IFDA
Whether it is a superbly appointed mansion along the banks of the Potomac River or a rustic retirement retreat nestled in Vermont
an opulent Manhattan hideaway or the offices of a distinguished Senator on Capitol Hill, interior designer Alice Busch creates environments with a connoisseur's eye for color and enduring taste.
Known for integrating European panache with contemporary sensibility
and capturing the unique personality and dreams of each client, this highly creative designer spearheads a multi-million dollar enterprise involved in every facet of design.
Principal of Great Falls Distinctive Interiors, lnc.
the company she founded in 1989, Busch's first design studio was based in the upscale milieu of Great Falls, Virginia. 25 years later in 2012, the continued success and growth of the business had resulted in a 3rd move to a new corporate headquarters and design center in Ashburn, Virginia. The site also houses a beautiful custom built showroom which includes individual room vignettes to suit all styles and tastes. Great Falls Distinctive Interiors caters to clients worldwide, as well as the trade and is recognized as one of the leading interior design and architectural detailing firms in the region.
Described once as someone who throws out construction terms with an ease other designers only have when discussing sofa fabric
for Busch all interior design begins with a building's structure. She regularly consults in the pre-construction phase, fine-tuning blueprints with the architect to enhance a room's focal point by adding unusual features. This same attention to excruciating detail carries through in Busch's collaboration with general contractors, painters, plumbers, electricians, tile setters, marble specialists, landscape architects and other construction trades.
The daughter of an American Naval attaché
Busch spent the first years of her life living in Greece, often tagging alongside her mother, an interior designer, into the homes of her distinguished clients. Busch's interest in design was further enhanced by her father. "Many of the homes we lived in my father had built from the ground up. He took me under his wing, exposing me early on to all the details and decision-making that goes into building fine homes." Adds Busch, "He had only daughters, so in some ways I filled the shoes of the son he never had."
The family eventually settled in Potomac, Maryland.
Busch went on to study psychology at East Tennessee State University and later interior design at Mount Vernon School of Design. For more than a decade, Busch worked in preconstruction and interior design with various area developers before launching her own design firm.
Today, she resides with her husband in Leesburg
Virginia in their newly redesigned "petite Italian villa," the favorite gathering spot for her four sons [two of whom are directly involved in the business), two stepdaughters, and many grandchildren.
Ms. Busch's strength always begins by getting a sense of the client's physical, emotional, and psychological needs. "Once that vision is there," she says, "the rooms just start talking to me."
And what a conversation it has been.
Ms. Busch's work has been seen in Architectural Digest and she has graced the cover of Home & Design Magazine many times.
Additionally, her work has been featured in other publications including Luxury Homes, Washington Spaces, Chesapeake Home, Capitol File as well as the home design book series, The Perfect Home: Leading Residential Interior Designers (Sandow Media Corporation, lune 2006.) Busch's design savvy advice has also appeared in The Washington Post, The Washingtonian, Chicago Tribune, and other leading newspapers. Busch is an Allied Member of ASID.
Lucas J. Trunnell, Managing Principal
Assoc. AIA, Allied Member ASID, LEED AP BD+C
Managing Principal of Great Falls Distinctive Interiors, Alice Busch's son Lucas Trunnell joined GFDI in 2005.
Lucas gained his Bachelor of Architecture and Minor in Business Administration from the University of Miami in Florida. This architectural training with its focus on classical proportions, naturally introduced a new vision and value to the services GFDI offer. Lucas has been influenced by a number of experiences both before and during his education including a summer spent in Greece at the age of 16.
While in school, Lucas studied in Rome where he discovered his admiration for architectural detailing and urban planning.
Lucas also gained invaluable knowledge and experience whilst working as a designer with the world-renowned urban design firm Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company in Miami before joining GFDI.
Officially, Lucas and his mother have only been working together for 6 years, but unofficially it has been much longer.
He remembers working alongside his mother ever since he can remember. This included drafting with her for many years and the development of his first set of blue prints at the age of 9. Lucas regularly worked with Alice at her first Studio in Great Falls. Despite his mother's strong early influence, Lucas takes a different, but complimentary approach and brings his own design style to the firm, contributing to the company's continued success.
During his time at GFDI Lucas has built up his own client base and designed and managed a number of key projects for the company.
His role as managing principal includes responsibility for all aspects of running the business including marketing and finance. Lucas's early involvement with design, book keeping and warehouse management for the company has given him a solid base, understanding all aspects of the company.
During his time at GFDI Lucas has built up his own client base and designed and managed a number of key projects for the company.
His role as managing principal includes responsibility for all aspects of running the business including marketing and finance. Lucas's early involvement with design, book keeping and warehouse management for the company has given him a solid base, understanding all aspects of the company.
Lucas recently enjoyed renovating his own 1940's colonial home in Arlington VA, and on weekends he enjoys biking and, when he gets the opportunity, whitewater rafting.
Lucas is an Associate Member of AlA, Allied Member of ASlD and is a LEED AP BD+C.
Services
Great Falls Distinctive Interiors, Inc offers a full-range of Architectural, Pre-Construction and Interior Design Services. These services include, but are not limited to:
Custom Home Design Services
GFDI has worked for our clients in collaboration with architects, contractors and builders for over 23 years to bring to fruition carefully planned and tailored custom homes. Our extensive experience designing homes for many of our clients, plus our focus on detail and perspective, allows us to help you design the home of your dreams. We will act as your advisor and advocate and work with you on all aspects of your exciting project from the ground up. Our custom services include Pre-Construction Consultation and Interior Design Consultation as detailed below.
Pre-Construction Consultation
GFDI's Pre-Construction consultation service allows us to work with you through all of the numerous and sometimes seemingly overwhelming project decisions in a logical and methodical manner. Our services include extensive review, and assistance, during all architectural / building plans, plumbing selections, electrical selections, flooring selections, tile and marble selections, built-in designs, space plans as well as exterior selections. Our experienced knowledge of the construction and design industry will effectively coordinate with your builder or general contractor for the project. Using this service will make your project a rewarding and fun experience. All our clients tell us it makes a huge difference to their sanity and their finished project.
Interior Design Consultation
At GFDI, we will want to hear your ideas and will also spend time getting to know you and understand your style. We want to interpret your style and allow your space to reflect your character. Our new design center, housing extensive fabric, furniture and carpet libraries help us to do this and also enables you to work through colors, fabrics and texture options face to face. Our fully adaptive presentation room lets us move fabrics and designs freely. In one snap shot, you will know how your home will feel in a selection of fabrics and finishes. Using this information we will create customized space plans for individual rooms or your entire home. This service includes a detailed set of space plans with furniture, rugs, drapes, paint and accessories. It also includes numerous fabric/furniture selections along with an itemized estimated budget detailing your purchase options.
Design Center and Showroom
Great Falls Distinctive Interiors opened their new design center and showroom in spring 2012. The custom built premises feature a range of unique room Vignettes, each of which showcase a different design style ranging from classical to ultra modern and everything in between. The large showroom allows you to consider different options, styles, finishes and selections in a stress free and comfortable environment. It is the perfect place to start your interior design experience... let the journey begin.
Testimonials
Jason and Christy
Hi Alice and Luke, We wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for the incredible job you did on our house. You all are simply amazing! You have an incredible ability to transform an idea into reality and your approach and attention to detail translated into a phenomenal experience from start to finish. We specifically have to mention the exquisite transformation of our master bedroom! WOW...it is stunning! The design is truly one of a kind and created the high-end and luxurious retreat we were looking for. We are thrilled with the results and can't wait to start our next project with you guys!! Best wishes.
Mike, Kelly, Laura, and Sarah
Dear Alice, Now that we've settled into our new home, the girls and I want to thank you, Luke, and your entire team for all your had work. It was a long journey to go from construction details to interior design conception, to selections, and finally to installation. Nonetheless, it was a very exciting process, the enjoyment of which was heightened by the knowledge that we were in expert hands. The time and effort that you and your staff devoted to the process is reflected in the final product. You were able to deliver exactly what we requested -- an upscale look that didn't compromise on comfort and livability. The girls love the colors, textures, and fabrics in their bedrooms and the incredibly comfortable sofas and pillows in the Great Room. I, however, can't limit myself to a few "favorites." Instead, I just want you to know that I am vey, very happy with the place that we now call home. Once again, thank you for all your help!
Deb
Hi Alice, First, I have to apologize because this is long overdue... Steve and I want to thank you so very much for the gorgeous candle holders you sent for the holidays. They are beautiful and sending them was so thoughtful of you. More importantly, we owe you the biggest thank you for making our house feel like the home we have dreamed of. You went above and beyond for us and we appreciate it more than you know. You, Jenn, Luke and all your staff are always gracious and professional and made us (and Avery!) feel welcome in the office at all times. Avery still asks when we are going to visit Alice which speaks volumes and is also very cute:) All of you have been so kind and patient with us and it has not gone unnoticed. On a personal note, I have to say that I have a great deal of respect for you. Not only for your amazing talent and your eye for all things beautiful... You are one of the most dynamic women that I have ever met. I believe that there are very few people in this world who are born to shine, regardless of circumstance. No doubt, you are one of them. You are a perfectly balanced person in my eyes and I wish the world had more of you. So thank you!! Thank you for everything. Steve, Avery and I will look forward to seeing you and more of your gorgeous work soon. All the best.
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General Info
Hours
Monday:
8:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday:
8:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday:
8:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday:
8:00am - 5:00pm
Friday:
8:00am - 12:00pm
Saturday:
-
Sunday:
-
About Us
Great Falls Distinctive Interiors has decorated residences for high-powered CEOs, ambassadors and professional athletes- as well as young couples creating their first homes together. No matter the scale of a project, GFDI is known for integrating European panache with contemporary sensibility in our residential designs.