INTERVIEW WITH ELLIE CULLMAN

trying to design a home with only our own ideas and opinions”, Ellie Cullman replied regarding her firm’s culture.

“At Cullman & Kravis, we try to avoid having a signature look in our designs because every project is completely unique and reflects our clients’ vision. However, we always strive to create homes that will stand the test of time. Much of our work is rooted in classic principles of design while embracing modernism. We love the alchemy that happens when old meets new”, sums up what is Cullman & Kravis’ design signature today.

Regarding the way the firm approaches a project, Ellie Cullman told us that “the most successful projects come when the clients bring the team together from day one – architect, designer, builder, landscape architect. When we are all on the same page from the start, we are able to work together and create a cohesive home from the inside out. When we are able to do this the first thing to consider is the floor plan and flow of the home.

Once that is solidified we consider all of the finishes – from floor to wall to ceiling (never forget the ceiling!). Choosing lighting, rugs and fabrics usually comes next, and in some cases we need to base schemes around a client’s existing collection of furnishings and art”, she told us.

“The final layer – pillows, art and accessories are just as important as the rest to create a fully livable and beautiful home!”.

“Timeless, elegant and dynamic” were the words chosen by Ellie Cullman to describe Cullman & Kravis’ designs. “As we mentioned, our work is rooted in classic design and therefore doesn’t follow of-the-moment trends. We strive to create rooms that will never go out of style. We also design spaces that, while they are comfortable, are still tasteful and refined. Lastly, mixing antiques with contemporary lighting and art creates an exciting tension that brings a room to life”.

She was a bit hesitant when we asked about her favorite project to date:

“That is like asking someone to choose their favorite child! We have been extremely lucky in the 4-decade history of Cullman & Kravis to work on some truly incredible residences, and with some extraordinary clients. In some cases, we have been asked to design homes for multiple generations of a family”.

The main message of Cullman & Kravis’ creations is that “as important as it is to look to the future of design, it is equally as important to remember the past and the tried and true principles of design”, Ellie Cullman told us.

“Our work is always founded in classic traditions, whether in scale, spatial planning, color palette, etc., but we are constantly searching for the newest designs in lighting, furnishings and art”.

When asked about the future, she told us that “next steps are to transition our company to the incredibly talented next generation. I feel we have a specific and effective way of designing homes that reflect our clients aesthetics while adhering to the lessons we have learned in the 38 years of our practice”.

To conclude, we asked Ellie Cullman about advice for young professionals. “Seek out inspiration whether in your own city or travels abroad. There is so much to be learned and seen by exploring what surrounds you. Seeing the history and craftsmanship of the past can greatly inform your design style. While the internet is undeniably a valuable resource for us, it is so important to get out of the office – not only to see things in the ‘real’ to get an idea of scale and quality, but for inspiration. And always carry a tape measure!”.

To introduce Britto-Charette briefly is to say they are a high-energy, multilingual design team and thrive on creating luxurious interiors. The unique projects they have created through the years have placed them atop of an interior design pedestal in Miami. Britto-Charette interior designs reflect the modern and luxurious tastes and designs of David Charette and Jay Britto. What David loves the most about his work is the possibility of being creative. The fact that David and Jay are surrounded by people ”at the top of their game” excites and motivates them further. And, of course, having their own business. The most challenging part of David’s career, and, as he stated, exciting, was when he was working with another architecture firm and was sent to the Middle East to work on the Princess Noura University. Since it was a ”fast-tracked project”, things were done really fast. I was working with people in the San Francisco office, but I was in Beirut, so I had the challenge of trying to coordinate meetings that were 10 hours apart. We worked six days a week, ten hours a day which made it challenging to stay motivated. – David Charette All of this commotion was during the recession, which, in David’s opinion, brought out the worst of some people during competitive times. It was tough for David to remain positive while facing some unprofessionalism, and to be far away from family and friends during that time took a toll too. Finding the core group of people with whom he could speak with was essential, and helped him through the times, alongside traveling in his free time. Which was also a great inspiration source for him. When David began his career, he always saw himself design skyscrapers and doing urban planning, but know he wants to do it all David always pushes himself into learning new software and methods, reading, traveling and to become a ”lifelong learner”. David feels happy and motivated when he sees solutions that he thought about years before, or when his predictions become reality. It motivates him to keep pushing the