The Haute Design Network by Haute Residence brought together four designers from across the country to sit down and discuss the collaborative effort that goes into to each and every design project.

"It Takes a Village" webinar was hosted by Haute Living Media Group Senior VP, April Donelson and included the following designers: Julia Wong of Julia Wong Designs, Michele Salazar of Cozy Salazar Interiors, Hafsa Burt of hb+a Architects and Michael Miller of Centaur Interiors. Principals and Designers may get all the limelight, but they will also be the first to admit that there is a massive team behind them throughout every step of a design project. Haute Design Experts revealed just how collaborative of a process this truly is.

Here are some of the highlights of the conversation:

April Donelson: Before becoming a designer, did you enjoy working in teams or group projects?

Hafsa Burt: I would say it's just part of the culture, to work in teams. But in college, we would have to work in teams for projects. In most cases, I would lead those design teams. I was able to inspire those design teams. I did not lead by force but certainly by inspiration. So, over time, you just learnt that you have to work in teams. Anybody who is a professional in this environment just knows you cannot exist merely on your single discipline or single focus. And, of course, the more you work in teams, the larger the project becomes and the more production happens and collaboration leads to successful outcomes.

AD: If ____ were not by your side, you would not be able to finish the project. Fill in the blank.

Michael Miller: I have a site superintendent that has been working for me since about 1999. So, we've got about 22 years if history, his name is Pepe. We have pretty much worked on everything together so he's probably done close to 100 projects of ours.  At this point, we're on the same wavelength where we need minimum conversation to understand each other. I can tell just by his face and he knows what to do and he's got it.

He's a working superintendent so he's like a master craftsman but he can do everything: finished carpentry, drywall, painting, taping, electrical work, plumbing work, you name it.

And just to note, I have some clients who we have worked with for a long time, some of which we have done maybe three times for, and we all know that we can even leave Pepe with our kids if we have to go to a meeting or something last minute. So, it's good that the clients have trust in my team where they almost treat us like family.

AD: While collaboration within the execution of a project is critical, do you ever prefer to work in solitude while conceiving a layout design or do you prefer to collaborate then as well?

Julia Wong: I tend to start the design process by myself. I tend to go away to the design center or to my own office and being to put the story together so that when I do meet withy my team, I have a good direction on where we're going. Because there are so many components to the design, that there is not a lot of time to spend on the creative side. We would love if that were the case. People think we just sit in our office and design and go and pick out colors and things like that. The reality is, we have a lot less design time that people imagine.

So, I definitely need to sit by myself first to get my thoughts together, so that when I do present to my team or the client, I have a good sense of where we're going. Once we get the ball rolling, I enjoy the teamwork aspect a lot more.

AD: Who would you say are the unsung heroes in the design industry as a whole, who deserve more recognition?

Michele Salazar: Any one working in production right now, despite who frustrated we may become with that realm of design, they're really getting the thick of it.

When people get fed up or become impatient, they get really upset because this is a very personal business. There are multiple businesses around the world but when it comes to your home, at least for those of us who do residential, it's very personal. So, I think that those who are on the other end of things and dealing with impatient people are the unsung heroes, because for us, the designers, we can relay that unfortunately certain things are out of our control. But at the end of the day somebody is deemed responsible and they do have to answer to these complaints and they are having a tough time right now.

Watch the entire conversation below:

The post Watch: Haute Design Experts Reveal That It Truly Takes A Village appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The Haute Design Network by Haute Residence brought together four designers from across the country to sit down and discuss the business aspect of their Design Careers.

"The Business of Design" webinar was hosted by Haute Living Media Group Senior VP, April Donelson and included the following designers: Rafaela Simoẽs and Laila Colvin of 2id Interiors, Karlee Coble of Karlee Coble Interiors, and Dorothy Alon of Sophea Designs. While interior design can certainly be an artistic and expressive career, when one owns their own design firm, the business aspect of things comes into frame all too quickly. The talented and successful designers explained the intricacies of walking the fine line between artists and business person all at once.

Here are some of the highlights of the conversation:

April Donelson: At what point did you decide to start your own design firm and was there ever a point where you ever thought of designing in any capacity which did not involve owning your own firm?

Karlee Coble: I started out working for other firms. Right out of art school, I had worked for three major firms before I started my own firm. While there, I learned everything from working with clients, to writing contracts, to learning how to get work, how to maintain work and so on. I found that every project is different and every client is different. So, I kind of worked my way up to my own firm and I got to see everything from other design firms. Once Had my own firm, it was organic and it just naturally happened. It was a point in my career where I was ready to be on my own and do my own thing and serve my clients in my own way. I had all the knowledge from other firms on how to do so. I guess I kind of worked it out backwards but it all worked out and it has been really successful.

AD: In regard to the beginning, the early years, what is the biggest lesson you got or the biggest take away you could share?

Rafaela Simoẽs: I think the biggest lesson I've learned has actually been to learn how to say 'no' to a client when you don't feel the chemistry or when you sense that things are just not clicking and you feel the relationship will not go well. Because I'm a pleaser, I always incline to try to satisfy the client no matter what but at some pint down the road, things get ugly if you avoid saying 'no.' So now, whenever I get that feeling, I would just rather not proceed and I move on.

AD: How do you integrate social media into your business? Do you see it as a positive or negative?

Laila Colvin: I think social media, for our company at least, is so major these days, especially Instagram. I would say we have more than half of our clients coming from Instagram alone. It's unbelievable how Instagram in particular is so important to us.

AD: What is the most enjoyable component of being a business owner?

Dorothy Alon: The best part of this business is the I can drive in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Venice, and I may not know the person who live in this home, but I do know how this house looks on the inside. We also impact the exterior of the house as well so philosophically, it's like we are part of the landscape of Los Angeles. It's exciting because you think of all the people who live in these houses and you don't know their names but I feel as if I am a part of their lives despite not knowing their names and vise-versa.

Watch the entire conversation below:

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While many may think of the design life as a glamorous career path, we know that a lot of sacrifice, time, dedication and talent has to go into it if you want to be successful. Several Haute Design experts took the time to reveal what it is about their job that has them waking up with a smile on their faces every day.

Haute Design: What is the best part about being an Interior Designer?

Kelly Dunn, designer & founder of FATHOM Design Company: The best part about being an interior designer (besides shopping for a living!) is specifically the hunt for unique finds. I love searching for that perfect statement piece and collaborating with other craftsmen/women to create something special. Working with other creatives that love their skill is a privilege and an honor. We push each other to think more outside the box and the result is always stunning. For this bedroom design, I worked with talented glass blowers, lighting technicians and woodworkers to create one of a kind pieces that when blended together, tell an eclectic story.

FATHOM Design Company

To learn more about FATHOM Design and Kelly Dunn's work, CLICK HERE.

Luciana Fragali, CEO & Owner of Design Solutions Miami: I love that I get to solve my clients' problems in such a beautiful way. Each day brings a set of new and exciting challenges. I love that, in this industry, you get to interact with so many different people and teams. From clients, to artisans, to brand representatives, to electricians (who are magicians, by the way), to architects and builders. It is so collaborative and inspiring! Together we make the impossible, possible. We take the well-executed dreams and the crazy structural ideas and poof! We successfully design and deliver projects that are treasured forever.

This career has taught me tough lessons, shown me my full potential and allowed me to have a flexible schedule with my family. I have dozens and dozens of homes that are living proof of ideas I created and nurtured in my head for so long, and many happy clients who get to live their best lives in those spaces.

Design Solutions Miami

CLICK HERE to learn more about Luciana Fragali and Design Solutions Miami.

Hafsa Burt, Studio Head at hb+a Architects: The best part about being an architect is that we’re given tool sets of a problem solver/an inventor that we utilize on a daily basis to imagine new functional solutions and create objects and spaces. I am also able to see a space in my head and get a sense of what works and what doesn’t and I attribute that to my training  and experience as an architect.  Spaces can tell a story and evoke emotions and I love having such an abstract medium of expression at my disposal.

hb+a Architects

Photo Credit: Doug Birnbaum

If you wish to learn more about hb+a Architects and Hafsa Burt's work, CLICK HERE.

Chasity Centeno, Founder and Designer at Riese Design: The best part about being an interior designer is creating spaces for clients to enjoy for years to come as well as building great relationships throughout the process. Not only do we address the client's pain points, we also deliver a product that is both functional and beautiful. As a result, at the end of the project you have someone you can call a friend. Personal relationships are key and each client should be treated in a way that makes them feel as though you, yourself are investing in them. At Riese Design, our clients are part of a family!

Riese Design

To learn more about Riese Design, CLICK HERE.

The post Haute Design Experts Reveal Their Favorite Part About Being Interior Designers appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Food and fine cooking are at the heart of Italian culture. So, when architect Tomassini Francesco, Chef Lucio Pompili, and Pedini were given the opportunity to design an Italian kitchen, they all agreed that it should represent these values.

Pedini's Cookeat kitchen is the perfect fit for families who like cooking and eating together indoors or outdoors. It's a contemporary take on the traditional family-style kitchen, with ample space for everyone to gather around. This makes it an excellent choice for parties and celebrations, especially for families that enjoy spending time with friends and neighbors and sharing meals by the pool in the summer or as they sit by the fire pit in the colder months.

Photo Credit: David Rousso

The Cookeat kitchen design includes a generous central island that is perfect for, well, cooking and eating. The central island has seating options on either side, cooking and prep stations on both sides of the island, and plenty of space to keep everything organized. This is more than just an ideal layout for families who like to cook. It's practical, inviting, and made to complement both modern and traditional home designs.

In a Cookeat kitchen, every time you get together and spend time cooking and hanging around the table becomes a memorable event. It is an invitation to a unique culinary experience inspired by Italian culture. It was created with the idea that the kitchen table is a central meeting place for conversation, sharing, laughing, and learning.

Photo Credit: David Rousso

The Cookeat kitchen was showcased at the original Eataly, the Italian food market and mecca for culinary excellence, where it was praised for its fundamental appreciation for culinary art and intelligent design.

The Cookeat collection was designed to help you feel comfortable and happy in your kitchen, which is why it can be shortened or extended as needed. You can customize the worktop, white goods, bases, and finishes so you can create the kitchen you need for your everyday use and special occasions.

Photo Credit: David Rousso

To learn more about Pedini's Cookeat kitchen, contact your nearest Pedini showroom, or visit the Pedini Miami website, and discover how you can transform your home with a multi-functional kitchen your family and guests are guaranteed to love.

The post Pedini Cookeat Kitchen Design Is Ideal For Families Who Cook And Eat Together appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Temporary Wallpaper

Wallpaper once was a simple feature of a home that has now turned into a key creative staple in home design. From intricate patterns, colors to visuals that tell a story, wallpaper is an essential feature in 2021 that enhances any room. Wallpaper selection creates a sense of depth, style, and visual interest.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Fashionable Healthy Kitchen Appliances

In light of the pandemic, people have turned to a wellness living lifestyle reflected in their kitchen design. Wellness kitchen appliances make healthy living easy and effortless. Going into 2021, kitchens have transformed to include storage for whole foods, prep spaces, and innovated appliances to make healthy meals... can you say 'air fryer'?

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Maximalism

A few years ago, the minimalism trend hit the design market. Originating in the '60's, the idea of having a stark white room with only the bare essentials was all the rage. Now, since Covid hit and everyone has been stuck inside, they realize they actually would like more colors. Maximalism is making the comeback with people putting mismatched furniture with wacky colors all over their house.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Plants

Greenery in the house is nothing new, but it has especially started trending since quarantine. As people were stuck inside, a little greenery helped bring the outdoors in to them, and make them feel less alone. Many new plant moms and dads were born in this era, and this trend will continue throughout the year.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

The Color Green

Green has made its way back to the interior design world. Whether plants or kitchen cabinets, green brings a sense of relaxation and wellness to any home. Many designers have moved from whites and neutrals to pops of color. People strive for a healthy living lifestyle, and the green pop of color is perfect because it enraptures nature, wellness, and health.

What design trends do you see being popular in 2021?

The post Top 5 Design Trends Of 2021 appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Cari Giannoulias of Cari Giannoulias Design, Chris Goddard of Goddard Design Group, Odalys Hernandez of House of Odalys, and Giselle Loor-Sugerman of B+G Design were hosted by Haute Living's Erik Haase. The hour-plus conversation featured each of the panelists detailing the current state of the interior design industry during quarantine, trends, their individual companies' current projects, as well as their advice for newcomers to the industry, and more.

The expert interior designers were hosted by Haute Living's Erik Haase. They engaged in a lively chat about life during quarantine, current and future trends, and how they have adapted their businesses to continue servicing clients.

Watch the webinar below.

Highlight quotes from today's webinar:

Cari Giannoulias: "(On advice to young designers coming up) You can't keep looking at Instagram and think you're going to learn about design. Soak it in by learning from a professional... Work has picked up a little bit. I think it's because people are sitting at home now and thinking of projects that they hadn't gotten to yet. Our furniture makers and vendors are pretty much shut down, so that has been a challenge, but we are in the planning phases, and then we will get to the actual work once we can get back to factories and on sites."

Chris Goddard: "When I started my company (in Arkansas) 30 years ago, there was not much out there as far as design. We were removed from everything. I saw a need and a demand for luxury and more high-end items. I found that the more you talk people and educate items, the more perceptive they were to them."

Odalys Hernandez: "Vendors are still sending out samples, so I have sent these to clients. Since everything may be lifted a little bit this (coming) week in South Florida, we can start doing certain things. I'm going to go to a client's house with mask and gloves to take photos to start selecting her accessories. We have to get back to it somehow, little by little." 

Giselle Loor-Sugerman: "We moved our offices (recently) which was challenging. We tried to take as many precautions as possible, wearing our masks. We also didn't have a lot of people helping us. It was us doing it because we didn't want to put our staff through that... Zooming with our staff and seeing their faces, that interaction is really important."

Contact us to get in touch with our Haute Design partners.

Top left: Cari Giannoulias, top right: Chris Goddard, bottom left: Giselle Loor-Sugerman, bottom right: Odalys Hernandez

The post Haute Design Network Partners Talk Interior Design During Quarantine appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The expert interior designers were hosted by Haute Living's Erik Haase. They engaged in a lively chat about life during quarantine, current and future trends, and how they have adapted their businesses to continue servicing clients.

Watch the webinar below.

About the panelists:

Sandra Diaz: Principle architect at EOLO A&I Design, emphasizes emotion, detail, and craftsmanship in her award-winning work.

Odalys Hernandez: Founder and Principal of House of Odalys, creates gorgeous residential interiors in Miami and internationally.

Joe Human: Founder of Designs by Human, inc, bringing specialized design to everyday life, recently featured on “HGTV”.

Giselle Loor-Sugerman: Co-Owner of award-winning, South Florida based B&G Design, founded in 2006. Over 40 years of combined service along with partner Brett Sugerman.

Kristen McKinlay: Owner of Mckinlay Rose Interiors, a trusted full-service design firm with over 20 years of highly qualified experience.

Top center: Odalys Hernandez. Left to right: Giselle Loor-Sugerman, Joe Human, Sandra Diaz, Kristen McKinlay

Highlight quotes:

Sandra Diaz: "After all these times, we have to stop and think more about how we are going to be better with ourselves and everyone else. We need to reinvent ourselves, how we interact with clients, doing designs from a more holistic point of view."

Odalys Hernandez: "I feel that our work may double or triple because of this lengthy period of time of everyone staying home. Kitchens are getting worn down and people will need new ones."

Joe Human: "People are finding flaws that they'd like to fix. People are finding out more about their homes and how they want them to look."

Giselle Loor-Sugerman: "Our clients are eager to continue with their projects. We are excited to get back on that... Your home should be a sanctuary or a retreat. It should evolve with you."

Kristen McKinlay: "We are adjusting and coming up with new ideas. I'm getting calls for home offices, study rooms, outdoor kitchens. We are designing them now and give clients the emotional support so they know that, even though it's taking a bit longer, it will get done."

The post Watch: Top Interior Designers Talk Industry Outlook During Quarantine And Going Forward In Webinar By Haute Residence appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Bringing together a homeowner with a first-class design professional is similar to online dating. It's all about genuine connection and personality. Albeit, the process of finding the perfect interior designer takes more than swiping right.

The method of forming the perfect personal relationship with your interior designer is heavily dependent on trust and compatibility, and involves a three-step process: (1) the primary focus should be on matching you, as homeowner, with your ideal designer, (2) then introducing that designer to your contractor to develop a business rapport, and (3) most importantly, involving your designer in your house project prior to any building plans being drawn.

Find the Right Online Designer Database

Sotheby's International Realty

There are actually a number of databases to find design professionals online. Use databases that have a number of filters to help you as a homeowner find the right person for you, efficiently and expeditiously. First, check out databases that seek out the best designers, with renowned reputations, who solely assist homeowners with domestic projects. Second, compare those designers and read reviews.

Sotheby's International Realty

A superb interior designer will save you months of chasing down product samples, and prevent some potentially costly blunders. The designer will listen to you, incorporate your ideas into the project, and undertake other work as well, e.g., purchasing paints, selecting fabrics.

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Introduce Your Designer and Contractor Early On

Your contractor and interior designer must work closely together. As such, begin by choosing a designer that is compatible with your contractor, who should also be a pro who primarily specializes in domestic projects.

Once you’ve gathered a few names, spend lots of time walking prospective designers through your home so they know your taste.

Clearly communicate your likes and dislikes, and you'll immediately determine which designers and contractors are good listeners and communicators, both of which are essential for you getting what you want.

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Hire Your Designer Before Plans Are Drawn

Be sure you hire your interior designer before building plans are drawn. Things go seamlessly when the designer is brought in at the inception of the project.

The designer’s input, e.g., how much wall space a window treatment needs or the window height required for a certain table, is critical in creating your desired work product.

Hiring your interior designer early on helps your contractor straight away to know which design elements will affect your home's structure. Interior designers can work to prevent cost overruns and any costly alterations. Great designers assist in keeping the project timelines timely. And as you know, time is money, and money is time.

Except as noted, all images courtesy of  Christie's International Real Estate

The post How to Pair Homeowners With Perfect Interior Designers appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Guests enjoyed mingling with one another as they sipped glasses of Bertaud Belieu Rosé and specialty cocktails from Marion. The drinks were perfectly complemented by delectable canapés highlighting the restaurant’s exquisite cuisine including a refreshing Bruschetta topped with fresh prosciutto; Asian spring rolls; rich Truffle Pizza; crispy Beef Empanadas; Chicken Satay Skewers and more.

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

The French hot spot served as the perfect location to enjoy a night of networking within a lively atmosphere. The Haute Residence network is actively growing, with its original broker network blossoming with realtors in key markets throughout the country, and has recently expanded to include Haute Design—an exclusive network of the nation’s top interior designers—and the Haute 50 Developers—inviting only 50 of the premier developers in the country to join the network. Here, members of all platforms came together to discuss the real estate market, current and future projects and potential collaborations with one another.

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

For more information on becoming a member of Haute Residence, please visit http://dev.hauteresidence.com/become-a-partner/.

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

The post Inside Haute Residence’s Exclusive Cocktail Party At Marion Miami appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Regularly Featured in design publications and named by House Beautiful magazine as one of their “rising starts of design” in 2012, Celia is known for elegant style and luxurious interiors.

After over a decade in the industry she has worked on projects in Miami, Brazil, Argentina, and enthusiastically enjoys designing furniture for her clients. Celia Domenech has polished her personal style since arriving in Miami from Brazil in 1998.

Growing up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Celia was immersed in design since childhood. From the age of nine Celia would go to work with her mother at an interior design studio sketching projects from her own imagination. At seventeen, she enrolled at the Balas Artes University where she received her degree in Architecture and Urbanism while working for one of Sao Paulo’s most prestigious interior designers, Anna Maria Vieira Santos. After graduation in 1993, Celia opened her own residential firm, Living Interior Design and commercial firm P-Link.

Celia’s driving force behind her success is her passion for interior design; for color, and composition, as well as working with her clients to achieve their dream environment. Celia’s absolute goal is “to be able to really get the essence of my client’s expectations. To ultimately make them feel at home in whatever style it may be. Study which colors, materials and styles please them most. Study the environment (natural lights and surroundings) and finally make them work harmoniously).”

For more interior designers, click here.

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