The view from above…
Vastu co-owner and interior designer, Eric Kole, selected modern furniture and textiles to create this fresh, unique dining and living area. The photo above was taken from the second level of the client’s two-story condo. For more pictures from this project, click here.
Thanks UrbanTurf!
A special thank you to the UrbanTurf folks for featuring one of our design projects on their blog. Be sure to stop by their site for daily articles, news, and commentary about the DC metropolitan residential real estate market.
Video: Interior Design Services
5 degrees of inspiration round-up
Last week we checked in with our design staff to find out what inspires them and get their ideas on how to best approach a design project. If you didn’t have a chance to read them, find out what inspires…
Jamie and
5 degrees of inspiration…pt. 5
Interview with designer and Vastu co-owner Eric Kole…
Is there someone or something (architect, piece of art work, painter) who/that inspires your creativity?
I truly admire Russel Wright. He was the original design lifestyle guru. He felt that your whole life should be created as part of a design plan and paved the way for Ralph Lauren, Martha Stewart and everyone else. He did it all: architecture, clothing, books, dishes (for which he is most widely known), and landscaping.
What are your favorite elements/colors to use in a design proposal and what elements/colors do you think are necessary to have a successful proposal?
Lately I’m big on American walnut with grey, white and olive. I’ve finally kicked my cordovan and tan habit! I love using steel as a secondary element in designs (or chrome) and I’ve never been a blue or yellow person. Too traditional and country. What makes a design plan ultimately successful is if the client is happy. And would hire you again.
5 degrees of inspiration…pt. 4
Interview with interior designer Jamie…
Is there someone or something (architect, piece of art, painter, etc.) that inspires your creativity?
I’m inspired by nature. I like for the spaces that I design to feel like an oasis. Organic elements that you find in nature help make a space feel very warm and inviting. Most people tend to appreciate and utilize their rooms a lot more when it feels less like a furniture showroom and more like a home.
What are your favorite elements/colors to use in a design proposal and what elements/colors do you think are necessary to make a successful proposal?
I love to integrate different finishes and fabric textures. Mixing and matching woods and glass; shiny and matte; smooth and textured gives a space depth and character. Typically I like for earth tones to be the base of my designs, and then I use rich colors as accents in the space.
When did you become interested in the design field and how has your career evolved?
I’ve been interested in the design industry all my life. I love any opportunity that allows me to be creative and work with people. I started working at Vastu shortly after graduating from Marymount University with a four-year degree in Interior Design. I’ve learned so much about how to express my ideas, be more confident, and overall be a better designer. I consider myself to be at the very beginning of what I hope to be a very long career, so I expect to continue evolving in this industry over the years.
5 degrees of inspiration…pt. 3
Interview with interior designer Krissy…
Is there someone or something (architect, piece of art work, painter) who/that inspires your creativity?
I find inspiration everywhere; from architects, artists, chefs – pretty much anybody who is truly passionate about what they do. You can certainly tell when a chef has poured his heart into a dish or a craftsman his soul into a piece of furniture. Truly good design requires heart and passion.
What are your favorite elements/colors to use in a design proposal and what elements/colors do you think are necessary to make a successful proposal?
I believe that successful design must be truly personal. Therefore, the most important elements and colors that I incorporate into any design are taken from the client’s personal collection: a favorite piece of art, a family photograph, a beloved collection of any sort, an artifact acquired on a meaningful vacation, etc. All of these can inspire the design of a space; from the colors to the fabrics, to create a desired mood and allow the personality and character of the clients to shine through.
5 degrees of inspiration…pt. 2
Interview with interior designer Sarita…
Is there someone or something (architect, piece of art work, painter) who/that inspires your creativity?
I am inspired by many things. Anything that is beautiful or interesting to me can inspire my creativity. It could be a piece of art (I love modern abstract), a fabric, pretty wrapping or craft paper, or photos of beautiful spaces (I love Metropolitan Home magazine). When I’m designing for other people I like to find something owned by or loved by my client to inspire design ideas for their spaces that really reflect their personality and style.
What are your favorite elements/colors to use in a design proposal and what elements/colors do you think are necessary to make a successful proposal?
Lately, I am loving gray as a neutral base for rooms. It looks amazing with purples, blues, creams, dark charcoal or black. It’s the new beige. Also, I love white…especially white furniture. It’s so fresh and modern and looks great with anything. These days I’m really into pieces that have a combination of wood and white lacquer.
I think VARIETY is the most important element for a successful design. Every space needs variety to avoid being boring. Variety can be achieved with different textures, wood finishes, or wall treatments to name just a few ideas. The second most important element is SCALE & PROPORTION. Furniture should be scaled to the size of the space it is in as well as proportionate to the other pieces of furniture in the space.
When was it that you became interest in the design field and how has your career evolved?
I’ve always had an interest in design, I would say since I was old enough to ask for paint and craft supplies. As a little girl, I was the only child in the neighborhood that rearranged her bedroom furniture every other month. My mother remembers me giving her suggestions for the living room furniture too, I guess it is just something I have always had in me.
5 degrees of inspiration…pt. 1
Interview with designer and Vastu co-owner Jason Claire…
Is there someone or something (architect, piece of art work, painter) who/that inspires your creativity?
Growing up in the 1970s, my house was dark and earthy to say the least. My bedroom was red, white, and blue despite my disinterest in politics, my brother’s room was rust and camel, my parents’ room was celery green, our kitchen was rust, gold, and brown, and our family room walls were covered in rust colored suede! In the 1980s we moved to a house that was entirely gray and white and much more minimal. Minimalism stuck with me – I like it in food, cinema, art, architecture, and design. Traveling around the world has also inspired my creativity. Local interpretations of modernism and minimalism are fascinating to see.
What are your favorite elements/colors to use in a design proposal and what elements/colors do you think are necessary to have a successful proposal?
I like using a warm, neutral palettes and layering neutrals on top of one another. Color typically enters my projects in original art and accessories. It is necessary for clients to personalize their spaces too – so I encourage books, photos, and objects collected while traveling to be used as accessories as well. The result is a warm, modern aesthetic.
When was it that you became interested in the design field and how has your career evolved?
I have been interested in modernism and design since I was a little kid and my family and I used to go into New York to exhibits at the Museum of Modern Art, The Whitney, and The Guggenheim. I loved the furniture and object design floor at MOMA. I didn’t think of design as a vocation until after 4 years of college, 7 years of healthcare consulting, 2 years of business school, and then another year of consulting. Then I [finally] saw the light. I did study art and architecture in college which was fortuitous.
Introducing… 5 degrees of inspiration
This week we are going to touch base with all five Vastu interior designers and learn a little bit more about what inspires them. They’ve also got some great tips for beginning a design project of your own.
Enjoy!
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