designingMINDS
appealing. It can be a classic approach
with modern elements.
SH: We have seen a big change in the club-
houses and community spaces we are
designing. They are so much more sophis-
ticated than they used to be. Tenants want
so much more, and developers are willing
to pay for it. They want to be cutting edge
and use the latest, greatest. We love it
because it’s fun.
IA: And how short has the cycle for renovat-
ing and redecorating gotten?
TB: As long as the economy is strong then
it will continue because people get bored
and because of all the things they see
online now. The good thing about these
sites is you’re exposed to more, whereas
you used to have to travel to see new things.
IA: What are some of the best things about
today’s designs?TB: All the different products that can be
used. All the different styles that you see.
And the way everything is being mixed.
It’s eclectic — transitional — you can bend
it more. And even if it’s a purely traditional
— or a very specific style — you don’t have
to be keep everything within that.
SH: Don’t get stuck on a name. There is
such a mix now. It can be fun.TB: There is an art to it. And you have to be
able to allow that art to show. If you try to
be too specific it can be stale. Allow it to
grow and happen and develop. It just gets
better. The nice thing about what’s going
on in the market now is people are allow-
ing us to do that. Every client wants to
come home and feel good.IA: There seems to be a lot of crossover
between residential and commercial design.TB: Commercial elements are being incor-
porated into homes, and residential
details are in commercial spaces. It makes
you feel comfortable going between the
two — from home to a restaurant.
SH: We are fortunate that we have our fin-
gers in all those pots so we can pull infor-
mation back and forth.As for the ongoing debate about open
floorplans versus designated spaces they
both agree it depends on what phase you
are in your life and how you use your
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