Live Beautifully

Design has always been something tangible, but it’s making the transition to the digital realm. That shift in the industry has been slow but steady. Chip Wade, owner of Wade Works Creative, Emmy-winning HGTV host and expert craftsman, joined the conversation today to provide insight on the intersection of technology and design. Wade has a long history of working with his hands, growing up in a family of designers. He started his career as a structural engineer in residential housing, then found himself able to merge all the areas of creation on HGTV. “I’ve also been interested in what can be done with materials,” he said. “Creativity stems from what is possible. It’s crafting the roadmap to creation.” He’s been able to do that on TV for the last 15 years, working on over 3,000 renovations. He then started his own firm because of the exposure. The firm now works on hundreds of projects a year, but he soon learned he could either be on-site in a construction role or do everything else. “I wanted to be flexible in design focus. That then turned into doing a lot of 3D virtual content,” Wade said. He launched a production company that partners with home design brands developing content for them, helping them tell their story to consumers. “You can’t fake understanding the purchasing journey of a consumer. It’s always changing, and because we’re serving consumers in the real world, it allows us to stay relevant and create content that resonates with them,” Wade said. Wade talked about trends in design, as well, and how innovative materials are providing both style and durability. The other big trend in design is virtual experiences, made even more necessary due to COVID. “These interactive and virtual experiences season the physical environments that have become stale. Now, brands are realizing the opportunity,” he said.

Patti Johnson loves the juxtaposition of the before and after comparison of a room when she finishes a design. “I really like to take walls out,” Johnson told Daniel Litwin on a recent episode of Live Beautifully. “Maybe a wall could have been placed better, and we can improve traffic flow – it’s just going to help them live better.” Johnson elaborated on her process and her motivation for her interior design career. She said that, in the past, some contractors may have pushed back or been difficult on a site. It’s important to treat contractors with respect, but to hold them accountable. With Johnson's company, Patti Johnson Interiors, a job starts with a client contacting her, and then she will decide which crew she will bring with her to a site. “It’s important to have trust,” she said. “If they work with me long enough, they may know which decision I would make.” Johnson did not start her career looking to own her own design business. Rather, her career materialized from humble beginnings when she was working as a designer at a furniture company. Now, Johnson mostly handles renovations. She enjoys making people’s lives “more at ease” by reducing clutter and improving flow. Her motivation comes from incorporating an entire space, from the windows and walls down to the window treatment and the art – everything must work together. “I think that I look at the entire space, even if [a client] invites me to look at just a single room,” she said. “I will assess the entire space and make a decision from there.”

On this episode of Live Beautifully, a HanStone Quartz podcast, host Daniel Litwin spoke with Jordan Victoria, founder and principal at Atelier Jordan, a Georgia-based interior architecture design and lifestyle company. Victoria has design in her DNA. She grew up in a household with parents in the built environment. Victoria’s mom was a realtor, and her father ran a construction company. But interior design was not always Victoria’s passion. “I’ve always had a desire for fashion and music,” Victoria said. And it was the music industry where Victoria started as a performer and producer for many years. But Victoria’s career eventually made its way back to interior design. How did she know she was on the right track? “When I went back to school to pursue my design degree and finished one of my hand draftings, I took it down to one of my dad’s job sites," she said. "I showed him the drafting, and he teared up. He said to me, ‘you’ve found your passion.’” Looking back, Victoria realized design always influenced her. At a young age, she was drawing up blueprints and designing her own home. “I always had a huge imagination,” Victoria said. “I turned my walk-in closet into a school.” The problem for Victoria was finding the path to hone all her passions into the one thing she loved to do most. The right direction took some time, but the creativity was there from day one. Victoria credits her parents for fostering her creative side. “My parents gave me the outlet to be as creative as I wanted to be," she said. "They never stifled that.”

How do you live beautifully? Everyone has different inspirations and details that make their approach to design, life, and beauty uniquely theirs. A single color or architectural element can launch a thousand ideas for a creative person like Laura Hoover, the principal and director of interiors at D3 Studio in Charlotte, North Carolina says she finds beauty in the small details of life. For this new episode of Live Beautifully a HanStone Quartz podcast, host Daniel Litwin sat down with the designer whose work includes restaurant interiors, from small juice bars to high-end dining, as well as commercial and office interiors. Along with her colleague and D3 Studio founder Scott Betzold, the D3 team brings combined expertise from work in branded environments, mixed-used buildings, master planning, and strategic office planning. Hoover has been working as an interior designer for more than 13 years in Charlotte. She says the city's rich history of industry has been an inspiration, but it's a history not obvious to outsiders. "Charlotte really owes its size and growth originally to the textile industry boom in the late 1800s," Hoover said. "We have so many old buildings that are inspiring, but I don't think we have a reputation for that. I think we have a reputation as a shiny new city and we tear down a lot, but Charlotte really has a rich textile industry." As Commissioner & part of the Design Review Committee for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, Hoover is working to save more old buildings and uncover the hidden beauty within them that might not be obvious to the naked eye. In this episode, Hoover discusses how she works with clients who don't know what they want and shares a building's surprising architectural element that was nearly blocked in with walls. "This is stuff you just can't pay for," Hoover said.

On this episode of Live Beautifully, a HanStone Quartz podcast, host Daniel Litwin sat down with Joyce Fownes, principal, office director, and interior studio lead for Corgan. In her 40 years designing for corporate commercial spaces, she's seen commercial interior design evolve both in its technology and its thoughtful approach. Drawing by hand with no 3D tools available, designers' ability to "visualize architecturally was very limited," Fownes said. "Our approach to design was relatively simplistic," she continued. "Clean, beautiful but it was not very far-reaching. We didn't really talk about the brand of a client, or really understand what the company was all about. I hate to say this but it was superficial." Today, Fownes said designers have to understand who the client is and what they do. "There's a richness to understanding who they are trying to bring to work and who they're trying to keep happy at work," she said. "It's about the health and wellness of a client and constituents." While many corporate headquarters draw inspiration from one another, it can also create a feedback loop of repeating styles and materials. That's why understanding a company's purpose and DNA is key to personalization. "At IMG College, there's no question what they do, so every material you see in a sports facility is embedded in that space," Fownes said. "Autotrader is very much about the car and movement. Carter's baby clothing has a very airy, warm environment.

In the world of social media influencers, the stakes are high and the territory confusing to maneuver. But it doesn’t have to be, said Elle H-Millard, interior designer and insider for the National Kitchen and Bath Association. In this episode of the AEC Podcast, host Shelby Skrhak sat down with H-Millard to sort through the truths and myths of working with social media influencers in design, and tips for becoming one too. “Long gone are the days of print ads,” H-Millard said, remarking that even attention for digital ads is waning. The social media influencer said it’s important to remember that quality is better than quantity when it comes to measuring an influencer’s social following. H-Millard explained in her case, when she posts about her favorite products or manufacturers such as HanStone, her followers‘ followers can make all the difference in influencing others in the industry. This is especially true in design, where the industry runs on trusted word of mouth suggestions from other professionals, and influences are extremely visual. For that reason, keeping your social media accounts updated and current with content posts and social interaction is imperative. But she acknowledges that’s no easy feat — posting interesting and relevant content to all your various social media accounts. Her advice: Do the best you can.

Plenty of trends come and go within the realm of home design and interior decorating, but how do you balance the hot trends with functionality, especially when designing for a family? How is this family-focused design evolving season to season, and which materials are the most popular for those designs? On today’s MarketScale AEC Podcast, Kim Spradlin, owner and designer at The Minimal Animal, and winner of Survivor Season 24, about interior home design. Survivor was a wonderful fit for Spradlin, who knows how to make the most out of the least number of things, as the name minimal animal would suggest. She has made a name for herself and her business by not only being a minimalist, but by using other beloved elements, like vintage ones, in conjunction with a minimalistic flair. Spradlin has also had to adjust her designs based on the makeup of users, and in her own case that meant making things suitable for her three young children. “Everything was brass and glass and super fussy and having this troop of toddlers take over my home, it really has changed the way that I approach design. Form really does follow function in our home,” she said. “If it’s something that they’re destroying, it really doesn’t have a place here anymore.” A big part of finding that balance comes down to the materials. Spradlin found that quartz, specifically from HanStone Quartz [https://www.hanstonequartz.com/], was appealing to clients for its natural look, but also its durability. "It gives that organic feel, but also it gives you the functionality for a family where you can literally just go to town," Spradlin said. For Spradlin, everyone has a different idea about what minimalism is, and for her, it’s about the ability to work with each individual client to make a space that's clean, aesthetically up to date, but functional. Her experiences on Survivor have given her a unique perspective on adaptability. “It was really about being adaptable, the way I played Survivor, and that really translated into the home,” she said. “It’s all about being fun, functional, and enjoyable.”

Today, we are joined by Rachel Street, host of the DIY Network’s Philly Revival. Rachel has a lot to share with listeners today as she talks about what it takes to flip homes and why the Philadelphia real estate market is so unique. Rachel has had an exciting career path. Her dream was to be an opera singer, but in her youth, she had her first brush with construction working on carpentry projects with her dad. After a career as an opera singer in Italy, Rachel came back to Philadelphia and jumped into real estate. Rachel said, “I came into the real estate industry doing underwriting for commercial properties, but I had a real interest in residential. So, I became a residential broker and got started renovating houses as a contractor.” While Rachel was busy starting her business renovating and selling homes, she learned a lot about what works. “Most renovators think that neutral is the best way to go and that everything should be cookie cutter. I think the opposite. I am focused on design-driven renovations. I look for personality and charm in houses and try to bring that out,” Rachel commented After building a successful career, the opportunity to host a DIY show came, and she was excited to share her vision with others. She also found that there were other women working in construction. “Before the show, I hadn’t met many women in the field. Now, I’ve been able to grow a community of women who have the same love for renovating that I do,” Rachel shared. She also loves working in Philadelphia because of its culture and history. “There are so many unique neighborhoods and older homes to renovate, which I love. I want to honor the history but also add in some modern elements,” Rachel said. Get some inspiring ideas as to the trends Rachel is seeing in home design, and why she thinks color is critical to a successful flip by listening to the full podcast.

In the age of Instagram and Pinterest, everyone fancies themselves as an interior designer. Though these digital media outlets are certainly ripe with visual inspiration, professional interior designers take home design to a richer level, crafting rooms that are far more than just pretty pictures. On this first episode of “Live Beautifully,” a HanStone Quartz podcast, we spoke with Lisa Brooks, founder of Lisa Brooks Designs. She divulged her creative process in designing homes and kitchens, and where she derives inspiration on a daily basis. “I look to all kinds of inspiration,” Brooks said, a Georgia-based interior designer. Whether it’s the color of the sky, a moving song, or the feeling you get when watching an incredible sunset, Brooks always keeps her eyes open and pulls inspiration from the beauty in the world around her. But more than deriving inspiration from the environment, Brooks is also inspired by the clients she works with. “That’s what it really comes down to, getting to know your client,” she said. Designing a kitchen for a pair of chefs versus a couple of world travelers is wildly different, and calls for a deep analysis of the homeowner’s lifestyle. “I do try not to get too trendy,” Brooks said when confronted with social media trends. As a classical designer, she aims to design a room that will age beautifully along with the homeowner. Driven primarily by lifestyle and function, she also takes into account the home’s intrinsic architecture. Brooks is an award-winning classical designer but still admits that trends are creeping into the industry that are sure to change how we live in our homes, specifically with smart homes, connecting our home’s temperature and appliances to our smartphones. Additionally, she is seeing an influx of mixed metals, glass options, pops of color, and alternative countertop materials make their mark on new designs. Regardless of what’s trending, Brooks takes all of her inspirations and funnels them into her designs, “because you’re creating memories,” she said of the designer’s role in making a custom space for the homeowner.

This interview originally aired on MarketScale's AEC Podcast. In the world of social media influencers, the stakes are high and the territory confusing to maneuver. But it doesn’t have to be, said Elle H-Millard, interior designer and insider for the National Kitchen and Bath Association. In this episode of the AEC Podcast, host Shelby Skrhak sat down with H-Millard to sort through the truths and myths of working with social media influencers in design, and tips for becoming one too. “Long gone are the days of print ads,” H-Millard said, remarking that even attention for digital ads is waning. The social media influencer said it’s important to remember that quality is better than quantity when it comes to measuring an influencer’s social following. H-Millard explained in her case, when she posts about her favorite products or manufacturers such as HanStone, her followers‘ followers can make all the difference in influencing others in the industry. This is especially true in design, where the industry runs on trusted word of mouth suggestions from other professionals, and influences are extremely visual. For that reason, keeping your social media accounts updated and current with content posts and social interaction is imperative. But she acknowledges that’s no easy feat — posting interesting and relevant content to all your various social media accounts. Her advice: Do the best you can. For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the AEC Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

This interview originally aired on MarketScale's AEC Podcast. On today’s episode of the AEC Podcast, we were joined by Rachel Street, host of the DIY Network’s Philly Revival. who pulls from her experiences as a design professional to explain what it takes to flip homes and why the Philadelphia real estate market is so unique. Street’s career path has been pretty unconventional. Her dream was to be an opera singer, but in her youth, she had her first brush with construction working on carpentry projects with her dad. After a career as an opera singer in Italy, she came back to Philadelphia and jumped into real estate. “I came into the real estate industry doing underwriting for commercial properties, but I had a real interest in residential. So, I became a residential broker and got started renovating houses as a contractor,” Street said. While she was busy starting her business renovating and selling homes, she learned a lot about what works. “Most renovators think that neutral is the best way to go and that everything should be cookie-cutter. I think the opposite. I am focused on design-driven renovations. I look for personality and charm in houses and try to bring that out,” Street said. After building a successful career, the opportunity to host a DIY show came, and she was excited to share her vision with others. She also found that other women were working in construction, and needed media that represented their work authentically. “Before the show, I hadn’t met many women in the field. Now, I’ve been able to grow a community of women who have the same love for renovating that I do,” she said. Street also loves working in Philadelphia because of its culture and history. “There are so many unique neighborhoods and older homes to renovate, which I love. I want to honor the history but also add in some modern elements.” Give this podcast a listen for inspiring ideas on the trends Street is seeing in home design, how sleek materials like quartz (from companies like HanStone Quartz) are powering the design-driven renovation mentality, and why she thinks color is critical to a successful flip.

This interview originally aired on MarketScale's AEC Podcast. Plenty of trends come and go within the realm of home design and interior decorating, but how do you balance the hot trends with functionality, especially when designing for a family? How is this family-focused design evolving season to season, and which materials are the most popular for those designs? On today’s MarketScale AEC Podcast, Kim Spradlin, owner and designer at The Minimal Animal, and winner of Survivor Season 24, gives her tips and best practices for quality, usable interior home design. Survivor was a wonderful fit for Spradlin, who knows how to make the most out of the least number of things, as the name minimal animal would suggest. She has made a name for herself and her business by not only being a minimalist, but by using other beloved elements, like vintage ones, in conjunction with a minimalistic flair. Spradlin has also had to adjust her designs based on the makeup of users, and in her own case that meant making things suitable for her three young children. “Everything was brass and glass and super fussy and having this troop of toddlers take over my home, it really has changed the way that I approach design. Form really does follow function in our home,” she said. “If it’s something that they’re destroying, it really doesn’t have a place here anymore.” A big part of finding that balance comes down to the materials. Spradlin found that quartz, specifically from HanStone Quartz, was appealing to clients for its natural look, but also its durability. “It gives that organic feel, but also it gives you the functionality for a family where you can literally just go to town,” Spradlin said. For Spradlin, everyone has a different idea about what minimalism is, and for her, it’s about the ability to work with each individual client to make a space that’s clean, aesthetically up to date, but functional. Her experiences on Survivor have given her a unique perspective on adaptability. “It was really about being adaptable, the way I played Survivor, and that really translated into the home,” she said. “It’s all about being fun, functional, and enjoyable.”