Greenlawn Rec Room

Photo Credit: Brooklyn East Photography

Chasity Centeno, Principal at Riese Design, recently spoke to Haute Design about the rising trend in clients requesting space reinvention within their homes as a direct consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Haute Design: It seems most, if not every design project in the past two years involved some form of space reinvention in order to adapt to extending periods of indoor living. What are three main aspects you consider as a designer in order to help clients make this adjustment?

Chasity Centeno: Since the onset of COVID-19, spatial needs within the home have changed drastically. Over the last two years we have seen an increase in the need for home offices, recreational spaces, home theaters and gyms. In designing these spaces, to accommodate families, we any child undergoing homeschooling due to school closures, along with spouses whose offices have since closed as a measure of precaution, leading them to work remotely. In doing so, we interview clients extensively in order to hone in on their needs and wants. Considerations can be whether or not they need single or double work stations, storage, multifunctional spaces and things of the like.

HD: Will clients expect these sorts of amenities to be included in homes on a standard level moving forward? If so, how does that change the job of the designer?

CC: Every family is different and every project is different in its own regard, both pre-COVID and during the pandemic. At Riese Design, we accommodate our clients' needs as we have always done as standard practice.

Greenlawn Home Gym

Photo Credit: Brooklyn East Photography

HD: How can designers help make a living space feel more natural and less likely to cause residents to feel cooped indoors?

CC: There is an ongoing trend of incorporating organic elements in order to bring the outside in. In doing so, people feel more connected to the outdoors. Some examples would be using living walls and plants to add greenery and foliage to a home's interior. If there are any renovations where we can add windows to increase the amount of natural light, we incorporate that as well as natural light increases productivity and stimulation.

HD: How did the Greenlawn basement look before the renovation project? What was the biggest challenge throughout the renovation?

CC: The Greenlawn house was a new-build, so the basement was completely empty; it was just a raw, concrete shell. The biggest challenge was space-planning in the most efficient way possible in order to provide all desired spaces for the couple. The spaces included a mud area, a full bathroom, a recreational area, wet bar, theater room, living room, snack bar and home gym, while also providing the maximum amount of storage.

Greenlawn Home Theater

Photo Credit: Brooklyn East Photography

The post Riese Design’s Chasity Centeno Knows the Secret to Residential Space Reinvention appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Kelly Dunn’s obsession with authentic expression is unparalleled and is the driving force behind her award-winning firm, FATHOM Design Company. Kelly is sought out by her colleagues as an expert on out-of-the-box solutions and blending colors and textures in imaginative ways that breathe new life into the world of interior design.

Kelly Dunn recently sat down and spoke to Haute Design to share some of her driving design principles.

Haute Design: What is the earliest memory you can recall where you knew you wanted to become a designer?

Kelly Dunn: I was a young teen when I would constantly rearrange the furniture in my bedroom. Sometimes the layout didn't even make sense, but I desperately needed my space to feel fresh and exciting. I would also rearrange my family's living room when my mom was out for the day, always promising to put everything back if she didn't like it, but I had to play with it and try new things.

HD: If you could name three design principles you live by, what would they be?

KD: 'AUTHENTICITY ALWAYS.' If your space does not reflect who you are to the core, something will feel off and you will always be frustrated.

'HAVE A CONVERSATION PIECE.' It continually breathes new life into your home.

'PLAY.' Introduce new colors and textures. Experience them, be curious. You may discover a whole new side of yourself that is waiting to be expressed.

HD: You have stated that you are bored by trends. How crucial is the client's input to the ideas and design you put forth in any given project?

KD: Client input is critical. It's their space, so it must resonate with them. If they are leaning heavily on trends, I try to dig a little deeper to discover what it is they're attracted to. Then I show them variations of what they're looking for that acknowledges a certain trend but is ultimately expressive of their true identity. This balance always produces spectacular results.

Photo Credit: FATHOM Design Company

HD: Is there a particular color or material you gravitate toward (consciously or subconsciously) throughout your work?

KD: There isn't a specific color but I personally gravitate toward dark and moody aesthetics. It certainly pops up in most of my work but ultimately, I focus on what is the best design representation for my clients' personal style.

HD: Has there been one particular factor to your work which you have implemented as a result of the COVID pandemic?

KD: The biggest hurdle the design community is still facing is that shipping is at least three times longer, production is either nonexistent or takes up to eight times as long and it has been difficult finding quality installers and finishers. Our clientele has been stir-crazy for so long and it's hard for them to wait on their finished spaces.

HD: Where do you see FATHOM Design Company in five years?

KD: Taking on more restaurant and hotel projects and expanding beyond NYC.

To learn more about FATHOM Design Company and book Kelly Dunn for an upcoming project, CLICK HERE.

The post FATHOM Design Company’s Kelly Dunn Shares Her Interior Design Principles appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.