Take us through your design process - how do you begin developing each project?
I feel the most important part of any design process is getting to know your client. What are their likes/dislikes. What are they looking for in a finished product. Finding out what part of the project is most important to them. And last but not least, what is their budget.
How do you work to develop and define your clients’ personal styles?
When I sit down with a client I really want to find out what inspires them and what they are looking for. I find more times than not that as they are explaining what they are looking for they always talk about something in their travels or in their life that has stuck with them and makes them feel good. More times than not, this will give me a starting point to develop the style and in which direction I will take the project.
How do you incorporate clients’ existing items into the plan?
During the interview process with each new client, I feel it is extremely important to review the existing accessories, artwork, special pieces and collectibles in which clients have acquired in their travels around the world. As I start putting their rooms together, this makes it easier for me to incorporate these pieces into the overall scheme of the project. Design is not only about creating a new environment, but making existing items new and fresh again by their placement, yet giving clients the comfort they desire by incorporating their favorite things into their surroundings.
Are there some favorite things you have found? Things you reach for again and again because they seem to always work?
Some of my favorite things I like to utilize in my work are new tiles and mosaics. I find by using them in ceiling treatment and thinking outside of the box in bathrooms and showers you can create such interesting environments that are one of a kind and completely unique. I find myself researching more and more different ways of using these items, especially glass, in different applications.
We know no two renovation projects are alike, but in general, what are the steps you follow in a home renovation project?
In a renovation, each project comes with a different set of circumstances. The first thing that I look at is with my general contractor in discussing how far we can structurally alter the house or a specific room without compromising the integrity of the home. Second, a review of these changes would be discussed with an engineer before the presentation with the client.