Laila Colvin and Rafaela Simoes

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

While 2id Interiors has stood out as one of Miami's premier luxury interior design companies, perhaps most are not acquainted with the 2id origin story. Co-Founder and Creative Director, Rafaela Simoes shares the beautiful origin of her amazing partnership with Laila Colvin.

Do you know those people whose parents went to school together and created a bond where it would make it inevitable for their children to become best friends? Eventually, those children grow up side by side and dream of becoming partners and building their own company when they get older.

Cool, isn't it? Well, guess what? That's not our story.

Our mothers did indeed know each other for many years. They went to school together in Brazil. However, we defied the odds and both our mothers' efforts to get us to meet one another and we did not instantly form a friendship. In fact, we never met each other while we lived in Brazil. Incredibly, our story only began once we both ended up moving to the U.S.

Laila realized we had both moved to Florida and her mother convinced her to give me a call. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. We immediately bonded over our similar backgrounds and our shared passion for interior design.

I believe we were meant to support each other here in the States and eventually work together, even though it was never in either of our plans. One of the magical things about life is that it is unpredictable. Because not only is she now one of my best friends, but she is my pattern in work and in life. We even got pregnant almost at the same time and now our kids have grown up together.

Working as a duo can be challenging, but for us it is a blessing. Since day one, we had similar visions for the business and every obstacle we have overcome since then has only made us better partners. We recognize our individual limitations and we respect what each other brings to the partnership.

Laila is more pragmatic, practical and rational. She is better with numbers and budgets, so she is the one who brings some sense when we are going too far and keeps us on track with finances. I am more emotional, intuitive, approachable (but not early in the morning, please) and outspoken.

Working as a pair allows us to share our tasks, while each of us specializes in areas we're best at and enjoy most. By sharing the labor, we can lighten the load. This allows us to take time off when needed, as we know there will always be a trusted person to hold down the fort and this has certainly had a positive impact in our personal lives.

2id Interiors

Photo Credit: 2id Interiors

Another advantage of our partnership is that we have a multidisciplinary approach with our clients. We work in a way that allows them to not get confused with both of us. If Laila begins a conversation with a client, she will be the one that will continue assisting them in that manner in order to ensure clear communication. The same applies if I am the one to begin the conversation. This avoids confusion and clients always know who to speak with. That said, we always share and discuss key pieces of information for every project to make strategic decisions that are best for the business.

All of these processes ensure harmony and clear results. I believe that our skill sets combined is what makes up the 2id recipe for success, along with the amazing team that we have, not behind us, but rather working by side by side with us. This way, we create a stronger, more balanced, and happier workplace.

The story of how we became 2id Interiors

The name of the company was something we struggled with. It was difficult to think of a name that included both of us and that also sounded good. I previously had my own company, the RS ID, which stands for Rafaela Simoes Interior Design. Laila made its logo and I was so in love with the "id" component that when it came time to think of a name for our company, I was not giving up on it.

We brainstormed ideas to include our initials but nothing was working out. Eventually, Laila had the idea of adding the number 2, to "id," symbolizing two interior designers, as a provisional name, but of course, it ended up being our permanent name. It's simple and conveys the idea that we are two people in this amazing journey together.

The post Partners At Work And In Life: The 2id Interiors Story appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Moka Living Space

Photo Credit: Pedini Miami

Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Pedini provides customers with Italian-designed furnishings of the highest standard and style. Pedini's process gives clients the most personalized and trustworthy service in the industry while keeping them informed each step of the way. Pedini Miami's design team aims to create the best possible design solutions mixing superlative functionality and design with top-spec materials for the ultimate living statement. Pedini Miami's design style aims to be functional above all else so that their homes are not only aesthetically pleasing, but suited for clients' everyday life.

Moka Kitchen Space

Photo Credit: Pedini Miami

Pedini Italian kitchens flawlessly integrate and cantonal and stylish kitchen into every modern Miami home. Each kitchen within Pedini's extensive collection showcases an exciting place to cook and allows clients to simplify the design, selection and improvement process.

The Moka kitchen collection, for example, is a flexible and functional system with simplistic cabinetry to complement the architectural details of the client's living space. The Moka Collection is Pedini Miami's most popular due to the fact that it is a design system with infinite compositional possibilities. Thanks to the wide range of finishes and careful technological research, Moka represents the perfect link between kitchen and living.

The Moka also incorporates Pedini's eclectic and industry-leading cabinet offerings. Their cabinets are at the root of design and technology in service of functionality. The Miami-based firm creates appliances that can serve multiple functions for a luxury home.

Moka wall units

Photo Credit: Pedini Miami

Omnia Gemini Closet

Photo Credit: Pedini Miami

When it comes to Pedini's walk-in closets, the Gemini collection is second to none and technology is the star of the show. Its prerogative is one step ahed of the rest thanks to an ultra high-tech integrated lighting system, producing a visions that clearly exploits each and every detail. The extremely versatile rack solution enables clients to create the closet of their dreams by combining the classical lines of the frame with the design of its last generation components.

The secret lies in the closure mechanism which features sliding doors, as well as how the color is matched. The flamed oak wood pairs effectively with the grey metal finish of the aluminum component. Its beauty is enhanced but the smoky glass effect mirrors.

Bathroom Gola

Photo Credit: Pedini Miami

Pedini Miami provides luxury Italian sensibility to its custom bathroom cabinet pieces. An excellent example of this, is the Gola bathroom collection. Gola is an elegant and timeless design that interprets contemporary style. The sleek patterns breathe own new life, complemented with lacquered colors and accessories.

Eclipse Bedroom Furniture

Photo Credit: Pedini Miami

The Ambra collection of the Eclipse bedroom furniture offerings by Pedini Miami boasts an original, tailored design. With its simple, clean look, Ambra features a series of integrated, curved drawer handles that add a sense of warmth and welcome to any environment. Ambra also comes with a set of specific features, such as metal or self-standing feet, making for a super chic environment.

So, from the kitchen, to living spaces, to closets and bedrooms, Pedini Miami has functional and flexible furnishing that will suit any kind of client or lifestyle. If you wish to learn more about Pedini Miami, CLICK HERE.

Moka Living & Kitchen Space

Photo Credit: Pedini Miami

The post The Complete Pedini Miami Custom Home Experience appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

I find the inspiration for my designs just about everywhere.  Living and working in a beach environment provides tremendous inspiration. The colors of the water and beach and the way the light reflects them - even in the winter - are amazing. I'm always looking through all types of magazines and the internet. There is inspiration everywhere!

What other designer’s work do you admire?

I admire the work of so many designers. Barclay Butera is one of my favorites, as well Barbara Barry and Kelly Wearstler.

Are you looking forward to following any new designs trends this year?

As far a design trends for the coming year, I am looking forward to the use of color. I still love to use neutrals as a base, but with pops of color everywhere. So many of the new fabrics I have seen incorporate such beautiful combinations of color.  It makes me excited to get working with them!

How do you intend to take your design expertise to the next level?

I intend to take my design expertise to the next level by keeping up with the newest techniques and products available, and also by continuing to branch out into other areas, specifically the city. I also plan to expand my current body of work with more commercial design, i.e. restaurants and retail stores.

Visit Maria Toczylowski's Haute Design Network profile here.

The post Maria Toczylowski of Beach Dwellings Design Talks New Design Trends, Inspiration, and Design Expertise appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

I often find inspiration in nature patterns, textures and colors I observe.  I love dining out and traveling where I also see great design ideas.  Estate sales and vintage shops often showcase designs that stand up over time.

What should a client expect from you should they choose you as their interior designer?

I am very open to a client's individual tastes and lifestyle needs. I love that challenge of marrying function and style.

What other designer’s work do you admire? 

I love Clodagh, Kelly Wearstler and clothing designer, Erica Tanov.

Are you looking forward to following any new designs trends this year?

I am hoping the color gray that I see everywhere will lead to a softer, warmer color palette this year. I am excited to see an influx of pale pastels mixed with earth neutrals. I am also really into copper, brass and faceted stone (still)!

What characteristics does your dream client have?

My dream client is trusting, happy, open and a good communicator.  Most of my favorite clients are busy people who enjoy the design process and participate but don't mind stepping away to be happily surprised and impressed on installation day!

How do you intend to take your design expertise to the next level?

I will be consulting with more corporate clients and designing custom furnishings and products.

Visit Kimberly Rider's Haute Design Network profile here.

The post Designer Kimberly Rider Talks Color Palettes, Dream Clients, and Design Inspiration appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.