Michigan design bloggers dole out tips, ideas and inspiration

Darien resident Stacey Bewkes, founder of the renowned design blog Quintessence, and Susanna Salk, a best-selling design author and stylist, will host a discussion centered on their highly successful “At Home With” video series. This series, which they independently create, produce, direct, and host, has garnered nearly 5 million views. Bewkes and Salk have traveled extensively, from Los Angeles and New York to Italy and beyond, gaining exclusive access to the homes and gardens of some of the world's most influential tastemakers and designers. During their lecture, Bewkes and Salk will share insights gleaned from their experiences, highlighting valuable lessons and observations from their encounters. They will also recount memorable behind-the-scenes stories involving the unique personalities who have welcomed them into their private spaces. The event promises a lively exploration of exceptional design principles and stylish living practices, drawn from a diverse range of global inspirations. Stacey Bewkes brings 17 years of experience as an art director at Simon & Schuster to her current role as the creative force behind Quintessence. Her enduring passion for design led her to establish this award-winning online platform, which serves as a trusted source for meticulously researched original content and imagery. Quintessence covers a broad spectrum of design topics, including interiors, fashion, art, architecture, books, film, and travel, providing a comprehensive resource for enthusiasts of style and substance. Her “At Home With” video series, where she handles the shooting, editing, and production in collaboration with Susanna Salk, offers viewers an intimate look into the residences of leading tastemakers worldwide. Stacey Bewkes resides in Darien. Susanna Salk is recognized as a leading design expert, stylist, and stager, in addition to being the author of multiple best-selling design books. Her debut book, “A Privileged Life, Celebrating WASP Style,” achieved unexpected popularity. Her tenth book, “The Power of Pattern,” was published by Rizzoli in October, further cementing her reputation in the design world. Her forthcoming book, “At Home with Dogs and Their Designers in the English Countryside,” which features photography by Stacey Bewkes, is slated for release in Spring 2020. Salk also plays a pivotal role in the monthly “At Home With” video series for the Quintessence blog, where she serves as producer and host alongside Stacey Bewkes. This event offers a unique opportunity to delve into the world of high-end design and personal style through the eyes of two prominent figures in the industry. Attendees will benefit from their extensive knowledge and engaging anecdotes, providing inspiration and practical takeaways on cultivating a stylish home and lifestyle, informed by international trends and expert perspectives. #DesignBlog #Quintessence #StaceyBewkes #SusannaSalk #AtHomeWith #InteriorDesign #StylishLiving #DesignAuthors #VideoSeries

This article features an interview with Meredith Sherrill, founder of Meredith Sherrill Design, presenting her as an 'Interior Designer Crush.' Sherrill's design philosophy is rooted in the ancient Japanese aesthetic of Wabi Sabi, embracing imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness. This is reflected in her use of natural materials, subdued color schemes, and a focus on simplicity in form and function. She often incorporates quirky asymmetrical elements to balance otherwise symmetrical spaces, avoiding a sense of artificial perfection. Sherrill highlights the importance of local sourcing for her projects in Birmingham, Alabama. She procures local Alabama marble for countertops and reclaimed oak or cypress for flooring and cabinetry. The city's vibrant artisan community also allows her to collaborate with skilled craftsmen for custom furniture pieces made from wood, steel, glass, and upholstered materials. For other decor items, she frequents local shops such as Circa, Maison, Design Supply, Roman Brantley, Hiltz-Lauber, and Paige Albright, and enjoys exploring antique finds at The Garage. Regarding current design trends and timeless elements, Sherrill expresses her enduring preference for minimal spaces with natural elements. She views brass fixtures as currently popular but believes they can be timeless if used in solid, unlacquered forms and traditional designs. She emphasizes clinging to classical design elements in architectural structures, asserting that proper scale, proportion, balance, and symmetry in a space's 'bones' provide greater flexibility for soft furnishings and decorative choices. When discussing project challenges, Sherrill notes that all projects have their complexities due to the many moving parts and people involved in construction and design. She finds the most rewarding challenges arise from collaborating with other 'right-brained' individuals like painters, chefs, or photographers. These collaborations push her creative boundaries and encourage her to think beyond conventional solutions to meet unique client needs. Sherrill finds professional joy in clients feeling happy and comfortable in their finished homes, as creating functional and livable spaces is her ultimate goal. She particularly enjoys space planning and renovation projects, finding satisfaction in reimagining dysfunctional floor plans and solving spatial puzzles. This process of transforming existing spaces to better suit client needs provides a sense of accomplishment. The Birmingham design scene is unique, according to Sherrill, due to its wealth of architectural treasures, both old and new. She values the ability to physically observe and study the scale and details of diverse architectural styles in person, which she believes offers a more profound understanding than images alone. Her inspiration comes from creative individuals who encourage new perspectives and, significantly, from travel, where she collects details like shutter colors, light fixtures, and everyday objects. Mentors who influenced her career include architects Paul Bates and Jeremy Corkern from Bates Corkern Studio, where she began after design school. She also credits her internship at McAlpine Booth and Ferrier (now McAlpine) in Nashville, where Bobby McAlpine and Ray Booth instilled in her the importance of attention to detail. Her design philosophy is encapsulated in five words: Clean, Comfortable, Functional, Lovely, and Intriguing. #InteriorDesign #MeredithSherrill #DesignAesthetics #WabiSabi #LocalSourcing #HomeDecor #DesignTrends #ArchitecturalDesign #BirminghamDesign #CreativeProcess #SpacePlanning

Rachel Halvorson launched her interior design business in Nashville following the 2008 recession, a period that initially seemed inauspicious but ultimately proved to be a pivotal moment for her career. Having recently graduated from an interior design program at the University of Georgia and gained experience working at a home retail store and a local design firm, Halvorson found her schedule reduced to four days a week due to the economic downturn. This unexpected free time allowed her to begin taking on small, independent design projects. She recognized a growing demand in Nashville for fresh, contemporary designers, contrasting with more traditional styles, which positioned her perfectly to meet the evolving market needs. Her strategic approach paid off, enabling her to transition from her full-time job to focusing entirely on her own firm. When project leads slowed down in 2010, Halvorson demonstrated her adaptability and resourcefulness by re-engaging with a former customer, country music star Ronnie Dunn, from her retail days. Dunn, who was undergoing a significant renovation, readily welcomed her services. This connection proved instrumental, with one of her early projects subsequently featured on the cover of *Garden & Gun* magazine, generating a significant influx of new client inquiries. As her firm expanded, Halvorson realized that creative work and strong client relationships, while crucial, needed to be supported by robust business practices to sustain growth. She began by hiring administrative staff to manage the increasing workload and streamline operations. To further refine her business strategy, she sought advice from fellow designers met at High Point Market, collaborating rather than competing to gain insights into effective management. Implementing these structural changes allowed her to reclaim time for creative endeavors, emphasizing the importance of intentionally carving out time for design work to prevent burnout and ensure the quality of her output. Halvorson's narrative highlights her resilience in navigating economic challenges and her proactive approach to building a successful design practice. She discusses her strategies for handling clients with limited budgets and the experience that led her to establish her own construction team. A central theme of her success is her philosophy of leveraging community and collaboration within the industry, rather than viewing other designers solely as competitors. This collaborative mindset has been key to finding her niche and fostering growth in the dynamic design landscape of Nashville. #interiorDesign #businessAdvice #entrepreneurship #designIndustry #nashvilleDesign #careerGrowth #communityOverCompetition #podcast #tradeTales

This article showcases six distinct interior design projects by local Rochester designers, highlighting their unique approaches to transforming living spaces. Each project demonstrates how designers blend client needs with creative vision to achieve functional and aesthetically pleasing outcomes. Bob Breissinger, owner of Designers Library, details a kitchen remodel in a Perinton ranch house. The original kitchen was dark and enclosed, prompting a complete overhaul. Breissinger's team removed soffits, gutted the room, and eliminated a wall between the dining room and den to create an open floor plan. This transformation allowed for two islands, a 36-inch stove, a prep sink, and various ovens. White perimeter cabinets, white and amber-gray granite counters, and glass-fronted, lit cabinets contribute to a light and airy feel. Walnut-stained oak floors were matched to existing den floors, creating a cohesive look. The project dramatically changed the home's feel and functionality, making it ideal for cooking and entertaining. Ayse Lewis, an interior designer based in Canandaigua and Rochester, shares her personal project: an 800-square-foot cottage on Canandaigua Lake that she transformed into a 2,000-square-foot, two-story home. Lewis, who always envisioned living on a boat, retained the original footprint due to legal requirements but maximized the lake views with numerous windows. Her design features a non-traditional nautical theme, incorporating colors from nature with touches of red and black. The master bedroom offers spectacular views, with a black-and-white zigzag rug evoking waves and pinkish-yellow lighting creating a sunset ambiance. The all-white, open-plan kitchen takes advantage of the lake views, designed to let natural outdoor colors infuse the space. Lewis emphasizes meaningful design that balances aesthetics with practicality, especially for a home frequently visited by grandchildren. Margit Jacobson, an interior designer and senior project manager at Leighton Design Group, discusses designing a grandchildren's suite in a Canandaigua Lake house. This project creatively utilized existing architectural elements like a pickled-wood ceiling, wood floors, and sloped roof angles to create specialized children's spaces. Jacobson focused on making the room functional and whimsical. She designed a reading nook with a daybed and open storage in a corner, alongside Dutch doors concealing a playroom. A built-in desk with a continuous paper scroll for art projects and a metal board above it offers creative outlets. The closet was converted into a nursery with wallpaper, built-in storage, and a chandelier, transforming it into a magical space. Jacobson highlights the satisfaction of seeing children actively engage with the room as intended. Robin Muto, owner of Robin Muto Interiors, addresses the challenge of merging disparate aesthetic preferences of a husband and wife in a Pittsford home. Muto, an interior and lighting designer, navigated the couple's preference for French Country (feminine) and industrial urban (masculine) styles. Through inspiration photos, she discovered common ground in the color gray and a rustic, warm aesthetic. The project, a whole-house interior design completed in two phases, prioritized the family room as a stylistic anchor. Muto opted for simplicity, focusing on color and texture rather than elaborate patterns. Elements like plain natural linen drapes, a traditional English sofa in linen velvet, a shabby-chic linen sofa, an industrial coffee table ottoman, and burgundy chairs were combined to create a handsome yet inviting space that satisfied both partners. Heather DeMoras, from Heather DeMoras Design Consultants, recounts the renovation of a 1901 Queen Anne home in Canandaigua. The goal was to preserve its Victorian charm while updating it for modern living. DeMoras conducted extensive research to ensure period appropriateness, incorporating Victorian and Arts & Crafts styles for a more casual feel. Period hardware, lighting from Historic Houseparts, and Bradbury & Bradbury wall coverings were selected, with colors inspired by the home's stained-glass windows. The kitchen was expanded by integrating the butler's pantry and a smoking room, featuring hidden appliances and custom cherry cupboards. Bathrooms incorporated Carrara marble, hand-painted subway tile, and oil-rubbed bronze fixtures. In the bedroom, a fabric matching the wall-covering was used for curtains around a bay window, creating a cohesive and anchored look. Jason Longo, founder of JDL Design, shares a career-defining project with a client in Henrietta. This client, a positive and resilient woman, sought a light, efficient, and eco-friendly home with warm colors after her husband's passing. Longo, who went full-time with his design company around this time, collaborated closely with her. The project involved improving the entry by creating a foyer and separating it from the new dining room (originally the living room) with a wall. The great room became the new living room. Longo reconfigured windows, added walls, and installed a flat wall of windows with an alcove in the dining room, alongside built-ins and an arch-top alcove. In the living room, square windows were replaced with a small arched window above a tiled fireplace, flanked by new windows. The client's trust allowed for significant structural changes. Longo reflects on her profound impact, as she validated his work and inspired him, even as she battled terminal cancer during the project's completion. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #KitchenRemodel #LakesideLiving #ChildrensRoomDesign #VictorianHome #DesignChallenges #ClientRelationships #SpaceTransformation