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.

Photo Credit: Greg Lotus

Haute Design: Who or what made you look at interior design as a potential world to enter?

Odalys Hernandez: I went to college with the intent of becoming a fashion designer, but after one class of art and furniture history, I was hooked and changed my major to interior design I had seriously considered going for fashion design, I loved sewing and pattern making, but back in the day, believe it or not Miami was a good three years behind the fashion scene. All we had were sewing factories in Hialeah.

We had a counselor talk to my Home Economics class. When she mentioned and explained interior design, it totally clicked.  I would always drag my parents’ furniture around to give our home a fresh look. As a kid, I would make sure my voice was heard when my mother would reupholster anything in the house or have drapes made. I had always related fashion to interior design without really having a clue.

HD: When did you start your career in interior design?

OH: In 1982, I graduated from college, got married two weeks after, and by the end of that year was working in commercial interiors.

HD: When did you decide it was time to open your own firm?

OH: After 16 years of owning a high-end furniture manufacturing company I walked away from it leaving it to my now ex-husband (2nd one!). I decided to return to my true passion, which is interior design. House Of Odalys was incorporated in 2017.

HD: What projects have been highlights for you so far for House of Odalys?

OH: My best project so far was a dream job of being able to design and select everything and the client giving me the green light. It was a small job but very rewarding.

HD: What do you wish to do in future projects that you have not had the chance to do so yet?

OH: The dream job would entail to travel to other countries and buy precious objects or art for clients. I could see myself in Paris at an auction house bidding for that perfect sculpture.

I once owned an antique store. I traveled to England and bought a 40-foot container full of French and English antiques. I can truly say that was my favorite thing to have done for work. Now, I would not want to do a whole house with antiques. I have fine-tuned my taste to being more on the eclectic side.

Photo Credit: Greg Lotus

For more on Odalys Hernandez and House of Odalys, visit http://www.HouseOfOdalys.com.

The post “Designer Talk” With Odalys Hernandez Of House Of Odalys appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.