Ask the Experts – Interior Designers – 1

Lori Dennis – We spend the majority of our lives indoors, which has the potential of being highly toxic. Because of our understanding of this, we try to use as much eco-friendly sourcing as possible. It influences both our small picture and big picture thinking. Who is making the products and where does it come from? How is it impacting that community and the environment? What is the product’s lifecycle? How will it impact our client’s and their family’s health? Of course we specify eco-friendly fabrics, furniture and materials. We also consider the whole house air and water filtration systems, which help to create a clean and healthy home.

Kari Whitman – Obviously, I’m a tree-hugger from Boulder, CO, so we have to be green! It’s trending now, but I was green before it was cool to be green because of my upbringing.

Green Celebrities

Additionally, I have to mention was working with Jessica Alba on her home. She and I are very green: we’re tree-huggers. She’s the real deal: she just doesn’t just talk the talk, she walks the walk. We were buying things off of Craigslist and refurbishing them; reusing decor and buying green products and decor to get a Modern California Bungalow feel. It was a really creative and fun project. It just goes to show that you can still have elegant surroundings when going green. You can really get a unique look.

Rachel Winokur – As an Interior Designer, I love the opportunity to be innovative, resourceful and create beautiful spaces that not only enhance lives, but have as many sustainable design elements as possible. This allows my clients to make an impact on the world through their design choices. The reason I make this powerful statement is that sustainable design is about minimizing our impact on the environment, like using recycled content and sustainably renewable resources.

Our projects include elements that are non-toxic, high quality, durable, low maintenance and support fair trade practices. I love showing clients how stunning sustainable design can be and how it can enhance their lives and those of others. I love educating them about options and the influence they have through their purchasing dollars. It’s a powerful experience for me and for my clients. Together, we get the privilege of making a difference in their lives and in the world.

There are many ways people can be sustainable with decor without a major renovation.

Eco-friendly interior design suggestions

• Rather than replacing upholstered seating, consider reupholstering existing pieces with eco-friendly fabrics like ones that are organic or made with recycled content or sustainably renewable materials
• Accessories are a great way to update a space, so choose fair trade products like GoodWeave rugs which certifies they are made with no child slaves (there are still approximately 250,000 child slaves in the rug industry)
• Used furnishings are a great way to change looks without spending a lot of money
• Adding plants helps clean the air
• Use non-toxic cleaning supplies
• Paint walls with 0-VOC paint
• Retrofit light switches to dimmers saves electricity and enhances ambiance
• Add an under-the-counter water filter vs. buying plastic water bottles
• Simply rearrange existing furnishings and remove clutter

Kandrac & Kole – Interior design is already embracing the concept of “less is more” and “quality over quantity.” Interiors will remain more clean-lined and devoid of clutter, while still incorporating old and new. Mixed metals, natural materials and textures like hides, linens, jute, bone and bamboo will reflect an appreciation of our environment.

Some clients really embrace the movement and others don’t care at all. We happen to be very supportive and believe that green and eco-friendly products are fantastic. They are strong, have beautiful textures and colors and are sustainable. What could be better?

Lori Dennis – Our Hollywood Hills home up on the historic Blue Jay Way will always stand out for me. It was a very high-profile project that went through 3 owners. The architect was fired and I was the last man standing. The final owners had modest expectations that they would have decent results for a reasonable price. We exceeded everyone’s expectations! The budget was tight for a $14 million home but we stayed within budget while creating a warm, modern and classic home. We landed on the cover of a national design magazine and to this day, we have received numerous press and new work because of it.

Kari Whitman – One that stands out is a house I did for a royal family on Mulholland Drive. It was a very rewarding experience, not just because the client was so creative and fun to work with, but because I really got to go in and make the home a reflection of their personality. They shot one of Janice Dickenson’s shows there before the current owners bought it. So, we had to change it from a crazy TV show set with fake fur and flashy embellishments to a beautiful elegant house for a royal family member. I re-did the entire top floor, sometimes even moving whole rooms (including the kitchen and the bedroom). It was necessary to make the flow of the house more inviting.

Kandrac & Kole – We had a client who purchased a beat-up old RV and wanted to gut it and redesign it to be a “mobile boutique.” They wanted to sell apparel and jewelry to sororities at southeastern universities. It was quite the challenge but was a complete blast in the end and one of our most creative projects.

Lori Dennis – When beginning a new project, clients can start collecting images of the look and style they want for their home. Note likes and dislikes, so we can pinpoint a clear vision to springboard our concepts into a custom design. Houzz and Pinterest are excellent resources to gather ideas and inspiration.

Kari Whitman – You just have to take the ego out of it. Be open to creating a space for the client instead of for yourself. I feel that interior designers shouldn’t have a signature style, because every client is different and it should be tailored to them. A designer must get to know the client personally as much as possible.

Functionality is also very important. A lot of interior designers get caught up in design and forget about the functionality of things. You don’t want a house you can’t sit in.

Rachel Winokur – Part of the fun of being an Interior Designer is getting to know my clients and developing relationships with them. Expectations need to be clear to ensure the partnership is workable and leads to a flourishing project and a happy client. The best questions a client can ask me is what their role will be and what is expected of them. Ensuring we’re on the same page is paramount, even before starting the project.

Lori Dennis – Looking for high-end decor. Luxury includes the utmost comfort in any lifestyle and the little things are what you notice most.

• Well-made case goods and cabinetry that add convenience and ease to how you use your space
• Interesting details like inlay or trims that make something uniquely special
• Fantastic lighting, whether it’s big windows for beautiful daylight or a light fixtures on dimmers that make everyone look beautiful in the evening
• Upholstered furniture you sink into with soft textiles that encourage relaxation or long conversations
• Technology that makes living that much easier, like touch-operated sound, lighting, drapery, fireplace and water features

Bringing insides outdoors

Revamping an outdoor living space. There’s nothing more relaxing than being outdoors in a comfortable and beautiful setting – and it’s easy to create. It’s mostly about extending your interior living space to the outside. Think of it as simply taking the walls away from your living room or dining room. You have seating areas, rugs, lighting or lanterns, pillows, accessories or a fire feature – you name it.

Kari Whitman – Incorporating the needs of pets into a clients interior design. I always go for green and stain-resistant. It’s about the products you use. Now, it’s a lot easier with all the ultra suedes, pleathers, and products that are pet and kid-friendly. They’re also great if you entertain and have that crazy friend who spills wine on the couch. You can still have an elegant and timeless environment if you use the right products. I created one place for each of my dogs because they are part of the family.

Rachel Winokur – Finding and selecting manufacturers. I get so excited when I find new sustainable sources! I’m always on the lookout and there are more and more options all the time. Sometimes, I feel like an investigator keeping an eye out for sustainability wherever I am and constantly asking questions. I also document as I discover them, so that I can easily access them for future projects. I learn of these sources from design shows, design magazines and professional memberships. Even if a client isn’t asking for sustainability, as long as I provide them with a gorgeous version of what they want in their budget. Then, it’s a thrill to offer something that is also sustainable – it’s a bonus!

Kandrac & Kole – Helping people. We’re not only perceptive but we probe deeply into our clients’ lives. Every selection we make feels natural to them, especially when it comes to art, patterns and colors. When they walk into their home on the day of the reveal, they realize that the decor is a direct reflection of their life, loves and what makes them happy.