We sit down with Amanda Faber, Olivia Paul, Jess Leeper and Lauren Hillock, a few members of our Interior Design department, to learn more about their design ideology.
Journal
What makes the Northworks’ interiors team unique?
Because we work closely with the architects every day, we are immersed into each project at a deeper level. It allows us to have a thorough understanding of the interior elements of the design as well as the architectural ones. We also have a unique ability to help clients visualize our designs by not only making renderings but also providing an array of material samples for clients to touch and see so they feel confident in the decisions we are helping them make about their space. In addition, the Northworks Interiors team is versatile. We make cohesive material, lighting, and furniture selections and have the technical skills to produce realistic illustrations and construction drawings.
What is your current favorite interior design trend?
This season we are seeing a lot of moody colors come into play. One of our favorite examples is “Railings” by Farrow and Ball. We love color and are a fan of painted cabinetry and patterned wallpaper. We also cannot get enough of the natural-looking zellige tile trend and are a sucker for brick floors, which we find timeless. While each project as its own unique aesthetic, we find that a modern mixture of wood, white walls, black accents, and clean lines is perfect to soften the space.
Here’s a look at some of our favorite projects…
Desert Retreat
Joshua Tree, CA
“The client has unique taste and a vast art collection, so we really enjoyed the challenge of finding furniture and fixtures that were authentic, interesting and mixed well with other styles of art and design. We relied on inspiration images from the client, conceptual renderings, finish samples and a lot of close communication with the client and vendors to make informed decisions. It really is a desert retreat!”
-Olivia Paul
Two Lights
Chicago, IL
“This project was a fun one! Keeping the palette light and bright while figuring how to incorporate pops of pink and teal. After the space was open we made some alterations, which happens sometimes in restaurant projects because you get to see how the space is being used and what it could be missing. We added roller shades to the windows to block traffic views and added acoustic treatment along with a banquette at the entrance to fit larger parties”
-Amanda Faber
New Residence
Jackson, WY
“We are currently in the process of developing the interiors of this project and we love how our design is going to amplify the beautiful mountain views. It is a fun challenge to create a space that finds a perfect balance between clean modern lines and warm natural elements.”
-Jessica Leeper
Valley View Residence
Jackson, WY
“For this renovation we used a refreshed material selection, furnishings, and layout to maximize the client’s desires. The main priorities were to create a bright and open retreat to maximize views of the surrounding landscape. We added large glass doors and windows oriented to face the mountains, throughout the house. The minimalistic panel style creates a smooth transition from indoor to outdoor living.”
-Lauren Hillock
Can you walk us through your design process?
In the initial stages, we get to know the clients and find out what they like and how they will use their spaces. We review precedent imagery to identify the preferred design aesthetic and details. This information fact finding leads to one of the most excited phases of a project- 3D renderings. We use those renderings as a jumping-off point to the “Look Book” where we start adding actual selections to a presentation for materials, fixtures, and furnishings. We keep a library of vendors that we search through to get a feel for who would work best for the project. Collaboration with Northworks’ talented staff of architects and consultants is a constant source of transformation. Each person comes with a unique perspective and knowledge of design principles to transform a client’s dream into reality.
