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Lucy Penfield’s

FAVORITE THINGS FOR THIS INTERIOR DESIGNER, IT’S ALL ABOUT COMBINING HER PASSIONS. BY CHRIS LEE

MINNEAPOLIS INTERIOR DESIGNER LUCY PENFIELD

is a force of nature. It’s clear from her signature blend of elegance, exuberance, cheekiness and design savvy. Her work — and her life — is all about pursuing her passions: interior design, art history and design thinking. Formally educated in all three (she completed a master’s in design thinking at the University of Minnesota four years ago), she began her career with legendary Twin Cities interior designer Tom Gunkelman. And her own Lucy Interior Design, now a five-person firm celebrating its 15th anniversary, recently moved into larger digs at International Market Square. As Penfield continues her love affair with her trio of muses, she submerges herself in new creative challenges, always trying novel ideas and dreaming up big projects. “We encourage everyone in our studio to be an eternal student and forever learning,” she says. “It’s lots of fun.”

1 | Puzzles Penfield grew up doing puzzles and loves them to this day. She finds the puzzle fascinating. “It’s like the design process,” she says. “You gather all the pieces that have different colors, forms and shapes. Then you patiently, thoughtfully curate them to put it together. Putting together a puzzle is like putting together a room or a house.” The Karim Rashid puzzle pieces on display in her kitchen represent sight, sound and touch — the three senses most pertinent to a designer who listens to create work that is visual and tactile.

2 | Noodling and Doodling It’s a favorite technique for brainstorming. Penfield often makes sketches, mind maps or design mazes in the early phases of projects.

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