Building Dreams and Designing for Real Life

By Doug Puppel
Photos courtesy of Urban Ranch General Store

For interior designer Durette Candito, an effective space begins not with the latest trend or color, but with the person who will call it home.

Candito, owner of the eclectic design boutique Urban Ranch General Store, will be a featured panelist at Building Dreams Las Vegas. The Oct. 15 luncheon and networking event presented by Chic Compass brings together professionals from the housing, design, construction, real estate and business communities.

“A home purchase is typically, not always, but typically the biggest purchase anyone makes,” Candito said. “I think it’s important to design to the client’s lifestyle in that moment. Trends do not take precedence.”

That philosophy will help shape Candito’s contribution to the Building Dreams panel, where professionals from different corners of the housing industry will share their perspectives. Candito sees value in bringing those professions together, provided everyone appreciates the expertise each brings to the table.

“My most cringy moment is when a contractor makes a design suggestion on one of my jobs,” she said, recalling the familiar refrain, “‘Well, on my last job we installed something like this…’”

Preparing a home for the resale market, for example, requires understanding which design elements will have broad appeal while respecting the expertise of the real estate professional.

“It’s my job to make their process easier to sell a beautiful property, and give my client more value for money,” Candito said.

Building Dreams also has a purpose beyond cultivating connections. The event benefits The Just One Project, a nonprofit that provides food and essentials to Southern Nevada families.

“The Just One Project is near to my heart,” Candito said. “I don’t believe anyone should have food insecurities, and it breaks my heart that the situation exists.”

For Candito, participating also continues a long relationship with Chic Compass. A longtime advertiser with the publication and former board member of the Forgotten Song Foundation, she has known publisher Ann Parenti for years and admires her commitment to causes that need support or greater visibility.

“She is a force to be reckoned with,” Candito said. “Everyone should know someone like Ann.”

For more information about Building Dreams Las Vegas and to purchase tickets, visit chiccompass.com/events.