Testimonials

We are so pleased to be able to work with Nancy Bradley. Soon after we moved into our 1920s bungalow, we knew we needed assistance to make the house our home. Going with The Sum of Its Parts was the best decision. Nancy was very budget conscious as she helped us determine a design plan for the main areas. She used what she could, reworked some, and sourced the right furniture and lighting as needed. Then came the bathroom! Nancy brought our ideas to life within our budget, replacing the tub with a walk-in shower, installing new flooring, moving fixtures around, and making the whole room shine and fit the house. We could not be happier with her past work and definitely plan to continue the partnership.

We moved into a house in New Bern, NC in 2014. I had a lot of work done but it was not good work. Enter Shawn and Nancy who have great ideas, are very budget friendly, and as I look around there isn’t a room they haven’t worked on. I haven’t felt any need at all to redo any of their work, and will ALWAYS use this duo for any design and work in my house. I have been complimented on my design flare, but I must give all the credit to Sum of its Parts. Wish I had found them sooner!

You can spend days, weeks, even months researching and planning, then all that again looking for the best products and prices. You can give yourself a massive headache trying to make it all come together.

Or you can call Nancy Bradley.

Do yourself a favor — make the call. She’s worth every penny (and she should charge twice what she does, but call before she finds out!).

Nancy planned and consulted with me. Corrected so many of my initial ideas on color and cabinet. As it worked out the tile and color scheme were she suggested were perfect for me. Her selection of vanity, hardware and cabinet were great and very cost effective.

Nancy and Shawn did the work of a bathroom replacement in a week. The tear-out, floor leveling and were very important, as well as the smoothing prep on wall and ceiling. I simply love my shower with the modern shower features. That hardware is superb and very affordable. I have a chair in my new shower with sliding glass doors and grab bars – I feel complete safe sitting and using the long hand-held hose attachment. It’s a wonderful control panel. I finally got a commode in the style (modern square) I asked for.

The cost came in right on target. I had an unexpected electrical wiring issue involving the attic. Very affordable. Professional electrician and tile men. Shawn is the consummate professional. Work completed on time. He re-hung my bathroom door as well! I would highly recommend The Sum of Its Parts to anyone doing a new or remodel project.

Nancy has been guiding me through a kitchen renovation for the last few months and all I can say is I can’t believe this is my home now!! Her expertise, professional contacts, personal skills and keen eye for the subtle things is remarkable. Naturally the kitchen has led into her helping with other parts of my home. Before I met Nancy I had a house….now it is becoming a home!!

Nancy Bradley isn’t one of those designers who makes you feel like you can’t hire a designer because it will lead to big spending and a home that doesn’t even feel like your own anymore, or that you can’t live comfortably in. She doesn’t just come up with a design plan and a big scary shopping list (that possibly have little to nothing to do with your taste, home, or personality). She figures out what you’re like and doesn’t apply her style over yours, even if you have unusual taste!

She scours online and local sources, sometimes going out of her way for something unique and perfect. Plus she’ll re-style or re-purpose something (including your own things if you’re okay with that) in order to not only save you money but also make your project truly amazing and just right.

Nancy is creative, resourceful, inventive, handy, and efficient. She works quickly and finds the best tradespeople for the jobs she can’t do herself. Nancy Bradley is worth every penny.

Nancy Bradley designed and managed a project for our kitchen where we were looking to maximize storage and update cabinetry. This was a challenging endeavor, as our kitchen is very small in an even smaller house. We were looking for high end, yet affordable, cabinetry which may seem impossible, but Nancy made it happen. The cabinets are structurally solid, with quality finish, soft door closures, and pull out shelving.

Although Nancy designed the layout of the cabinetry, she also secured the materials, and hired the installer. She is well connected in the industry. Nancy has an eye for design, but with tape measure in hand, she understands practicality, and will not sell you on something that simply won’t work – she’s honest!

Lastly, Nancy is a skilled communicator. She carefully listened to our needs and delivered on an amazing result. So if you are a potential client with a spouse with strong opinions, Nancy is your designer!

So here I am again to review Nancy Bradley from The Sum of its Parts, once again she has gone above and beyond. Just the fact that I am a repeat customer speaks to her talent and creativity while still being very budget-conscious.  She has been working on a complete design/decorate/upgrade for us and it is amazing.My husband and I are quite opposite in our likes/dislikes and somehow she manages to find a very happy middle ground for us.

We couldn’t be more pleased with the results, every room lets us feel completely relaxed and content. As I continue to work with her I understand more and more how important it is to feel happy in your home, it is your space and your haven. She has brought to my attention that sometimes small changes can make a big difference and also what may seem like overwhelming obstacles can actually be manageable. She very skillfully guides you through designs while going over different options so that you are completely satisfied with the result. My advice to you is, if you do not feel that your home is your haven then you need to work with her.

P.S. I don’t have meltdowns in Home Depot anymore because I have taken her advice and I don’t go there unless I have her physically with me or on the phone with me. Actually, I am quite happy to not have to go there at all ☺. 

I don’t know exactly where to start, It’s been a journey, here’s “Our Story”… We were blessed with an incredible opportunity to purchase a home in Trent Shores, which happens to have the sweetest neighbors anywhere!

We had never renovated a large project before, we knew we needed advice, so I began a search for someone and through a friend we found Nancy and Shawn.  

Nancy has a reliable system and thinks outside the box. There is no “can’t” in her vocabulary.From our first meeting, she was intuitive to my personal style, which is so important to me, because I know what I like, I just don’t know how to put it together. From paint colors to molding, to lighting and kitchen cabinets, granite, and backsplash, from curtains to fireplaces to furniture choice and placement, from bedrooms and bathrooms to widening doorways to tearing down walls, ever paying attention to all the details, she absolutely went out of her way to complete our desired look.In addition, she kept track of the different contractors and their scheduling.

Another important mention is that she found several pieces of used furniture that we loved and had them redone by a trusted refinisher. Endless are her resources and ideas. She was immersed in every aspect of our project, even the running around picking up odds and ends that becomes so monotonous. 

Since working with Nancy on this first house, we have utilized her skills on 2 other homes. I love that she is flexible and can handle the large jobs, but also the smaller projects too, like when all you need is a “new look.” I still call on her for small finishing touches, like blinds for French doors, and there is no waiting, she jumps on it immediately by emailing a link, and even comes over to install, if needed.  

If you have any decorating needs, small or large, I definitely recommend Nancy Bradley with “The Sum of its Parts.” Her rates are fair and she is absolutely awesome!!!

Nancy helped me break out of my rut and find new, colorful and beautiful pieces to update my living and dining rooms. She is a joy to work with and besides finding lovely pieces she always respected my budget. She found great craftspeople to help with the project. As a professional she is great and as a person I just plain loved working with her.

What a wonderful job! We gave her the keys and sailed away for 6 months and came back to our dream home. Nancy worked her magic on 2 bathrooms, popcorn ceilings throughout that were replaced with beams, and a closet removal and quartz kitchen counter update. On budget and on time!

Great communicator
Reliable
Very reasonably priced
Prompt
Responsive
Works within your budget
Always gives 3 choices when choosing an item
Hard worker who is delightful and upbeat
I highly recommend Nancy Bradley.

Hello! I can not recommend Nancy highly enough for jobs big and small. I moved into a 2-story home about 2 years ago and had a lot of “stuff,” but no idea how to make it all work in my new space. Over time, Nancy has helped me display my best and favorite art and other pieces, find the right new items to optimize the look and functionality of my living space, and create beautiful window treatments using a combination of custom fabrics and ready-made items.

While I love playing with colors and fabrics and patterns, and know what I like when I see it, I really need help from a pro on how to best use the space in a room and make everything come together in a beautiful and totally livable space. Nancy has been an invaluable help in making my entire downstairs absolutely lovely! I get nonstop compliments on how gorgeous it is.

She does not take over, she listens to your ideas, looks at what you have, and works with you in partnership to deliver amazing results. And she is super cost efficient, delivering real value – I’d say amazing value – for her work. I can’t wait to tackle my upstairs next with Nancy!

If you are like me and prone to meltdowns in Home Depot then you need enlist the services of Nancy Bradley. She very quickly determined what needed to be done in my living room and kitchen. She presented a range of options that even I could understand (even after my meltdown).

My home now has a nice flow – (fen she, fen shway –  they call it, I really don’t really know). I do know that I feel much better about my home and in my home. Your home should be your haven and Nancy understands this very well. She works quickly and is very budget conscious. I suggest that if you are even thinking about going to Home Depot then STOP and just call her.

Nancy Bradley is an outstanding interior designer. She did a mini-makeover of my very plain, boring bedroom. She brought over her magic bag of accessories (curtains, pillows, art prints, wall mirror, vases, etc.) and did her magic. She truly captured the “French Country” feeling I was looking for. I give Nancy 10+ stars and two thumbs up. She’s the Fairy Godmother of Interior Design and Room Makeovers!

My wife and I have worked with Nancy for a couple of years now on smaller projects. Recently our house was flooded and she helped us from start to finish. She is very organized and capable of keeping up with many tasks while  staying on track and on budget. I personally never thought we could afford an interior designer but her prices are reasonable and you get a lot for what you pay for. I believe we would have spent more money if she did not help us, not to mention all the stress she took off our backs.

She is also very good at figuring out your style, helping you make good decisions, and explaining why choices are right or wrong.  She is fun to work with and has a great since of humor! I am a very particular electrical contractor with high standards and not too many people really impress me but I am here to say that Nancy is a real super star. She would be a great choice for your interior design needs.

We hired The Sum of Its Parts to do what seemed like the impossible; give our old home a facelift without breaking our wallets.

Our house is 40-plus years old and had never had work done to it. I hired them to create a modern, open concept, living space for our family, that met our needs, tastes, budget and would ensure that the ROI worked for resale.

We were not easy clients. Besides the budget and tight timeline to complete all bathrooms, kitchen and living areas, we wanted to be as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible. We asked that they buy recycled and reclaimed furniture and use environmentally sensitive products and finishes for paint, flooring, textiles, etc.

We met frequently, reviewing and refining the plan, timeline and budget. The Sum of Its Parts was considerate and sensitive with every decision they made to ensure that our vision for our home was met. They met our deadline and budget as discussed and they kept us abreast of the process with on going updates.

The outcome was a new house, I could never have imagined on my own. As soon as we walked in I was home and a year later we continue to be happy, entertain friends, and live healthier lives due to the look, feel and functionality of our new living space.

We are so grateful to A Sum of Its Parts and highly recommend them.

Nancy completely transformed my two living rooms and my patio. I was on a tight budget, and Nancy was able to design and decorate within my budget. In one living room she used much of my existing furniture but painted, or freshened it up to look more modern. She chose long curtains that were amazing. She explained how lighting could also help me get the result I wanted, and she updated fixtures and added a lamp. I liked the color of paint that was on the walls, so she chose items and redid some of the furniture to coordinate with that. It was awesome how she was able to design and put a modern room together using so much of what I had!!!

My other smaller living room was tricky. I needed seating, but the space was small. She showed me pictures of some ideas. I chose to purchase a small L-shape leather couch. She chose pillows for the couch, and then made pillow covers for my 2 other chairs that we used in the room. She and her husband created a beautiful juniper and antler coffee table for my space and I fell in love with it! To help me save some money, she repainted the painting I had above the fireplace !!!!! It was awesome! She found a less expensive solution to solve our window cover issue. She created rods from wooden dowels that she stained, and added beautiful curtains. I LOVE LOVE LOVE MY 2 LIVING ROOMS!

Our backyard was plain and not a space we enjoyed being in. We have a vintage metal awning/patio cover that was just ugly. Nancy, chose all the colors and she stained the plain, gray concrete a golden color with another stain over it to make it look similar to a polished stone. Wow! What a difference this made to have some color in the yard. She installed 4 drop cloth curtains around the patio that somewhat hide this crazy awning. These curtains are tied to the awning posts, but can be opened to give us shade, or hide the crazy shed in the yard!! I was so happy!

We used the existing iron/glass patio table and 6 chairs. To help save money, she said it was easy to keep the cushions and work with that color scheme. Because it’s a long narrow patio, it can feel squished, so she created a beautiful sitting area off the side of the area with 3 of our patio chairs, and an awesome log table that her husband made for the space!

She added used items like, stones and earth colored pots and iron decorative items around the entire patio. Wow!! The potted plants were awesome. She suggested some string patio lights, but that I could add those later due to my budget. She tied the corner patio in with all of this , buy making new slip covers for the cushions, adding a few pots and a few decorative pieces that she had found and rearranged the area. She suggested staining the existing hot tub to “go” with the house and coordinate with the 2 patios. She suggested I do this part so I could use the budget money for other things. I love our back yard!!! I now have a backyard that looks like a beautiful space you want to spend time.

After each project was completed, or I had run out of money due to tight budget, she would leave me with a small list of things to add later when I could. This was awesome. Nancy showed me how on any budget, things can still be done and remarkable spaces can be put together. She was always enthusiastic towards the challenges I threw at her, and somehow always came up with solutions. I like that she was up front about pricing and worked with me to achieve the results we got. I had not found this with the other companies I had called. She assured me she could help. I was not reluctant at all for her to come take a look at my first project.

I recommend Nancy to anyone looking to give their spaces a “facelift” or completely remodel their space. I appreciated how Nancy was able to understand money concerns and provide solutions that I was comfortable with. She is so creative, trustworthy, honest, reliable, efficient with time, considerate while working in your home, and she is a master in her field!

Nancy Bradley is a master with color, texture and space. She is able to visualize a finished product before she begins. Nancy uses items you already have and desire to use and puts them together with items carefully chosen to accentuate the desired look. Nancy’s creativity is immeasurable.

Nancy works with you to discuss and determine what you would like and is transparent when communicating price and time. She is professional and dependable. Her goal is to see you smile at a finished product that you will enjoy and be proud to show off. She definitely succeeded with me!!

This space went unused for almost eight years! It was too small for a dining area…but perfect for a bar. Nancy repurposed my coffee table to match the bar and bring the living room together with the bar area.

Nancy doesn’t spare any detail. She brought several choices of pillows and window panels for me to choose from.

I highly recommend Nancy for ANY job, large or small!

Nancy Bradley performed a much needed makeover on my bedroom! She refurbished pieces designed specifically for the space. Nancy chose a color combination that is calming, beautiful and perfect for me. The pieces she added worked well with the items I already had. I would recommend her work and knowledge any time.

Thanks Nancy !

My husband and I recently decided to redo our living room with the help of Nancy Bradley. She worked with us step by step. We were unsure of what we wanted exactly but she was able to put together a plan. All we knew is that we wanted to brighten our living room. She helped us visualize what we wanted and we went from a dark room to a bright and tranquil room. We loved everything she put together!

Nancy’s fun loving personality was such a pleasure to work with! Her keen eye for style and her ability to create a beautiful transformation on a budget is amazing!!! We highly recommend Nancy Bradley.