Desert Design Magazine - Spring/Summer 2022

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF AESTHETIC

Acclaimed for exquisite design and an industry-exclusive gas burner with precision heat controls, the Monogram Professional Range is redefining luxury appliances one detail at a time.

Elevate Everything.

Our Great Community

As I look back at the first half of my term as President, I am constantly reminded of our great community. We came together in the fall for the first-ever ASID Holiday Designer Showhouse, raising $20,000 for Voices for CASA Children and $14,000 for our chapter! Our Mix & Mingle event, hosted by John Brooks, had a record 150 people attending to celebrate our DEA Winners from 2021. The Design Excellence Awards for 2022 has a record number of new entrants, and I am so excited to see who the winners will be at the Gala on August 20th at the Westin Kierland. On a national level, ASID is rolling out its Small Business Tools, including but not limited to Health Insurance Solutions, Investment Services, Legal Services, and Business Coaching! I am so proud of our members, and it has been an honor to serve as your President. We are only half way thru the year and will need all the volunteers we can get for the next several months. Please reach out to any board members if you are willing to lend a hand. Let’s make the rest of 2022 a banner year for Arizona North!

JUNE

THU, JUNE 16th

Chapter Meeting

6:00pm – 8:00pm

Kohler

4513 N Scottsdale Rd #116/SCOTTSDALE

JULY

THU, JULY 14th

Emerging Professionals Event

6:00pm – 8:00pm

Monterrey Tile

225 W Baseline Rd/GILBERT

THU, JULY 21st

Associations Collaborative Social

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location TBD

AUGUST

JENNIFER BIFFER, ASID Arizona North Chapter President

SAT, AUGUST 20th

Design Excellence Awards Gala

6:00pm – 10:00pm

Westin Kierland

6902 E Greenway Parkway/SCOTTSDALE

SEPTEMBER

FRI, SEPT 9th

Industry Partner Appreciation – Bowl-O-Rama

Cham Pang Lanes

Time TBD

903 N 2nd Street/PHOENIX

THU, SEPT 15th

Chapter Meeting – Volunteer Appreciation

6:00pm-8:00pm

Location TBD

continued on page 9

2022– 2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President JENNIFER BIFFER ASID president@azn.asid.org

Founder and President of Duneier Design, Jennifer has designed homes across the globe. Jennifer combines 20 years of experience in the design/ build industry in New York City with her passion for real estate investments. When she’s not working, she chases after her adorable twin boys!

President-elect

KELLY DUNLOP

Allied ASID and Industry Partner president-elect@azn.asid.org

Originally from Sydney, Australia, Kelly moved to the US in 2014. She was the Design Community Chair for the ASID Utah chapter. Kelly became a “Zonie” in January of 2021 and is currently the Design Sales Manager for Cosentino. Kelly has been married for thirty years and has two sons.

Communications Director CHRISTINA DICKINSON ASID communications@azn.asid.org

Christina combines interior design with her obsession for vintage objects as the owner of EmQ Design and Vintage. She also has degrees in literature and incorporates writing about food and design into her practice. Her home is in Flagstaff where you can find her cooking and gardening.

Finance Director

WANDA FREDERICK ASID finance@azn.asid.org

Wanda is a woman on a mission. After a successful career in the aerospace and automotive industry, a transfer into the Valley in the late 90s generated an opportunity to follow her passion, change career paths, and establish Frederick Interiors in 2001.

Director at Large & Industry Partner Liaison

LEANN FERNALD Industry Partner Rep at-large@azn.asid.org

Leann spent her career in industries spanning travel, hospitality and aquaculture before turning her focus to art and design. She founded Ornamentation, LLC and has been practicing her craft since 2003.

Professional Development Director

TERI SMITHERS ASID professionaldevelopment@azn.asid.org

Teri is the lead designer and owner of TLS Interior Design, LLC. She has lived in Arizona for 32 years. It has always been her goal to create spaces that are functional, sustainable and aesthetically beautiful. When she’s not working, Teri loves to travel with her husband and family.

Membership Director

CHRISTINE RHODES Industry Partner Rep, membership@azn.asid.org

Christine plans to grow membership by maintaining current relationships and enlisting new ones by working with a committee to plan and execute engaging meetings/events. Communicating the professionalism of interior design is her goal.

Student Representative to the Board BROOKE BROWNING Student ASID studentrep@azn.asid.org

Brooke will be graduating this year with a BS degree in Interior Design with a certificate in Event Management. She is excited to work on increasing student participation and involvement with the chapter.

Chapter Administrator SHAWNA REED info@azn.asid.org

Originally from the East Coast, Shawna was raised in Mesa and graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Business Management. She is the proud mother of twins who keep her busy!!

Our volunteer board relies on members to participate on various committees to create the programming and content that makes membership in ASID even more valuable.

Please contact Shawna at info@azn.asid.org and let her know your skills and interest and she will connect you with the board!

ASID ARIZONA NORTH CHAPTER

PO Box 36795

Phoenix AZ 85067 602.569.8916

Info@azn.asid.org

www.azn.asid.org

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

CHRISTINA DICKINSON, ASID

Editorial Staff

EDITOR

PAIGE LEWIS, Allied ASID

ASSISTANT EDITOR

JANET JACKSON, Allied ASID

PROOFREADERS

JEWELL BLAIR, Allied ASID

BETH COCHRAN, Volunteer

MIRANDA GWILLIAM, Industry Partner Rep CINDY LEWTON, ASID

DEB RITCHIE, Volunteer

ART DIRECTOR

LINDA LONGMIRE

ADVERTISING SALES

RICK EMRICH, Marketing Rep for ASID Arizona North Chapter 602.540.9281

Follow Us On

Desert Design Magazine is published by the Arizona North Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). Editorial content and the Desert Design Magazine title are controlled and owned by the Arizona North Chapter of ASID. Reproduction of this publication in whole or in part, in any form, is strictly prohibited without the written permission of the Arizona North Chapter of ASID. The Arizona North Chapter of ASID assumes no responsibility for the validity of advertisers’ claims or statements made in published items.

Submission information for next

Desert Design issue

Submit Date: September 15

Submit to:

communications@azn.asid.org

MissDon’tThis Date!

Topic: Design Excellence Awards

PLEASE

Members in the News

• Congratulations to Claire Ownby and co-entrant, Kalysha Manzo, of Ownby Design. They are 2020 Southwest Kitchen Design Contest winners.

• Congratulations, again, to Claire Ownby and co-entrant, Rachel Stellwager, of Ownby Design. They are 2021 Southwest Kitchen Design Contest winners.

• Mary Meinz, ASID was featured in the January 2022 issue of Phoenix Home & Garden showcasing furnishing challenging largescale spaces.

MAR

Mix & Mingle

The focus of our March chapter meeting was the annual Mix & Mingle event showcasing the winning projects from the Design Excellence Awards. We were honored to have this opportunity to recognize the 2021 award-winning interior designers and industry partners of the Arizona North Chapter and introduce them to the public.

Thank you to our industry partner and Bronze sponsor, John Brooks Inc. for hosting the event in their spectacular showroom at the Scottsdale Design District and for providing attendees with a spread of delicious refreshments. And to our media partner, Modern Luxury Scottsdale magazine, for promoting the event to their readership and inviting homeowners to attend and engage with our distinguished award winners.

Mark your calendar! The 2022 Design Excellence Award Gala will be held at the Westin Kierland in Scottsdale on Saturday, August 20, 2022.

2021 Holiday Designer Show House Update

Last December’s spectacular Holiday Designer Show House was the fundraiser event for the Arizona North chapter 2021 charity, Voices for Casa Children Representatives from the group, Victoria Strayer, Austin Truitt and Robin Pearson, attended the Mix and Mingle event hosted by industry partners John Brooks in their spacious showroom. A check for $20,000 was presented to Casa by Jennifer Biffer, ASID, President, and Susan Solliday, ASID, Holiday Designer Show House Chair.

Design Excellence Awards

The

2022

Design Excellence Awards will be celebrated at the Westin Kierland Resort on August 20, 2022. The evening will showcase our chapter’s most exemplary, and we have a record number of new entrants. This year we updated the categories and the judging criteria, so it will be very exciting to see who the winners are! Festivities begin at 5 pm with a cocktail hour followed by dinner, the awards ceremony, and dancing. Watch your inbox for all the details on purchasing tickets and reserving rooms!

Pictured from left to right: Susan Solliday, ASID, Victoria Strayer, President and Chair of Governance and Executive, Austin Truitt, Development Coordinator, Robin Pearson, Executive Director and Jennifer Biffer, ASID

APR Chapter Meeting

Thank you to Kristina Bedoe and the entire team at Expressions Home Gallery for hosting our April chapter meeting. It was a fun night filled with laughter and learning. Eighty percent of ASID members are small businesses and as many of you know, ASID National is rolling out a Small Business Tool Set. This includes health insurance, legal services like contracts, insurance services including liability insurance, business coaching, and human resources services. National has teamed up with Corepath to provide these services and Peter Rowe presented their intended offerings to the chapter. The result was a fantastic dialogue on what our members want most and how Corepath can pivot to provide that. It was a great night that provided support and insight from both sides. Truly a collaborative conversation which is what being part of an association is all about. For more information check out the National website or even better attend Gather in Miami in September!

SPR/SUM 2022 CALENDAR

OCTOBER

THU, DATE TBD

Chapter Meeting & CEU - Colormix

Scottsdale Design Center – Alyshaan Fine

Rugs & Sherwin Williams

5:30pm-8:30pm

15125 N. Hayden Road/SCOTTSDALE

NOVEMBER

THU, NOV 17th

Chapter Meeting – Mix & Mingle w/

DEA Winners

Sub Zero Wolf Cove

6:00pm-8:00pm

15570 N. 83rd Way/SCOTTSDALE

DECEMBER

THU, DEC 8th

Holiday Party

6:00pm-9:00pm

Location TBD

Alyshaan Fine Rug Design Contest from Colormix 2022

And the winner is...Madi McNeal, Junior Designer at Alisha Taylor Designs. Madi won the Alyshaan Fine Rug Design Contest that was announced at Colormix last fall. Her beautiful design, “Dauntless Dreamland”, will be fabricated into an 8x10 rug. Congratulations!

Saeed Aslam congratulates Madi McNeal

Donuts and Dialogue

A

Roadmap

to Success –

Navigating the Design Excellence Awards Submission Process

The Stone Collection team welcomed a diverse group of ASID members in March 2022 to discuss submitting Industry Partner projects for the ASID Design Excellence Awards. Leann Fernald Ornamentation, a multiple award-winning Industry Partner and Director-at-Large, inspired us by sharing her personal experiences and practical, proven tips for entering and winning the competition. Kelly Dunlop, Allied ASID, IP for Cosentino, President-Elect, shared the perspective, “Think of the submission fee as part of a wellspent marketing budget.” The media and marketing exposure alone are well worth it. Award winners are featured in Modern Luxury magazine, recognized at our annual Design Excellence Awards Gala, celebrated at our annual Mix & Mingle event attended by chapter members as well as the public, and featured on our ASID website.

Audience members of all appellations shared their experiences in the hope of creating a level of comfort and confidence for even more members to enter their work year. Some tips include:

• Images are critical, use a qualified professional photographer

• Check the categories, they change each year

• It’s NOT an insider’s game, products/projects are judged by other ASID members across the country

• You can’t win unless you submit, correctly

• Reference the judging criteria while you are creating your submission

Lauri Howell, Allied ASID Interior Designer/ Project manager The Stone Collection

“Enter your project if your project qualifies,” was the advice of Jeffrey Bennett, Monterrey Tile. Paula Quan, Associated Sales Decorative Plumbing Inc. and past Director-at-Large reminded us, “Don’t be your own worst critic and talk yourself out of entering.”

We left the meeting excited to submit and share the best of our work and are crossing our fingers in the hopes of taking home a win at the August awards ceremony.

Thank you to our hosts Lauri Howell, Architectural Design Representative, and the hard-working team at The Stone Collection for the amazing breakfast feast, the warm welcome and informative behind- the-scenes tour of this amazing slab and tile showroom.

ASID Media Sponsor Spotlight

Aesthetically Beautiful Work

There are days where I wake up and cannot believe we get to call this beautiful place home. Having lived in a few different states, I can wholeheartedly say Arizona is a special place. Whether native or transplant, our surroundings play a huge part in why we choose to spend our time invested in our local communities. From the manicured landscapes to the world-class architecture and design, aesthetically this place has it all.

Interiors Scottsdale Scottsdale Art + Gallery Guide

Custom Publishing

While aesthetics and design are closely related attributes, they are key elements when working in a creative field. While I am not an interior designer, magazine publishing also has a lot of the same characteristics when a final product is released to our audience, the client. With many moving parts behind the scenes, the planning, budgeting, and execution are only a few pieces of the puzzle. The design, photography, layout and overall look of the finished product plays a profound role in the overall success of the issue, our project.

Anyone can take photos, write articles and place them on paper. However, not everyone can organize and produce a gorgeous publication. Same goes with interior design; anyone can place product, move furniture, re-do entire spaces. However not everyone can pull it all together and produce great design, creating an environment that pairs gorgeous aesthetics with smart, usable design.

This is why I love working with ASID. We have the same vision and drive to produce aesthetically beautiful work, while meeting the technical details of every client and project. What is so interesting to me is that (like with magazines), the sheer breadth of beautiful design created by you is astounding, and that’s something to be celebrated.

LAUREN STURMAN Group Publisher Modern Luxury Scottsdale

MONTERREY TILE

Since 1988, locally owned Monterrey Tile has been known for selection and value; and since 2019 as an importer and distributor of design and architectural elements. With the addition of the brands Landmark, Milestone, American Glass Mosaic, Forest Elements and Del Conca USA, we’ve built a solid foundation of products that are MADE IN USA. In addition, we recently added lines from Anthology Tile and Walker Zanger; who together have over 3,000 items to peruse.

Thanks to you, we’ve outgrown our slab warehouse in Chandler and this winter will be moving to a brand new building near I-10 and Sky Harbor that will house an even broader selection of natural stone and quartz slabs, as well as an upscale designer showroom.

We have an array of divisions of the company that many are not aware of:

• Designer showrooms in Gilbert and Tolleson

• Contractor tool & sundries sales in Gilbert, Chandler and Tolleson

• Retail Distribution to over 180 dealers from Flagstaff to Tucson

• Indoor showplace in Chandler with thousands of slabs of marble, granite, quartzite, travertine and limestone as well as LX Viatera and Vita Bella Quartz.

• Manufacturing division where we make custom medallions, mosaics, trim and pool coping.

In the four years that have passed since changing our route to market from retail to distributing wholesaler to the trade, Lisa Giacomino and Jeffrey Bennett have assisted architects and interior designers across Arizona find just the right thing for their projects. From a single room remodel to hotels, restaurants and medical facilities, this duo of “A+D Solution Providers” have almost 50 years of experience between them to locate most any tile or stone you need. When you want Arizona style, call Monterrey Tile.

SOLSTICE STONE

MONTERREY TILE SOLSTICE STONE

V

ance Leninger, a Residential Architectural and Design Representative at Solstice Stone, brings a fresh perspective to the Valley’s design community by delivering unique and innovative natural stone and tile solutions to his clients.Vance joined Solstice in 2021 after excelling in sales for nearly eight years across the tech sector. He inspires a fun “start-up” feel at Solstice Stone that adds a positive energy and liveliness to the team.Vance has particularly found a niche in servicing his designer and architect clientele with white glove service; he takes pride in his response time and ability to deliver samples in a timely fashion. He enjoys proposing new products to his clients and giving them an exclusive “first look” when Solstice Stone debuts new collections. If you have an inspiration photo,Vance will begin the hunt and source materials very similar to what the end user is looking for.

His family has been rooted in the natural stone industry for over twenty years, and he enjoys working alongside his father, Ron Leninger, who has been a contractor rep for Solstice Stone and Arizona Stone covering North Scottsdale. Together, they provide excellent, unparalleled service for both the architect/design community for specifications and the general contractor/installer community for implementation of specifications.

Solstice empowers its clients to unleash their creativity by providing an unparalleled, dynamic palette of materials and textures for vertical and horizontal architectural applications. The Solstice team guides its clients’ vision from design to completion. Solstice is distinctly positioned to deliver on the most bespoke and complex of plans, with a dedicated international sourcing team constantly traveling the globe to hand-select newly discovered materials and oversee product creation.

BOBIER SALES VILLAGIO

BOBIER SALES VILLAGIO

Bobier Sales is an independent manufacturer’s representative proudly serving the plumbing trade since 1954. Providing top notch customer service is our primary focus, and our internal team of 26 offers expansive product knowledge and sales support working with showrooms, specifiers, and distribution.

We work with residential, multi-family, single family for rent, hospitality, and commercial markets in Arizona. Our robust inside sales team and active outside sales group have you covered with expertise in specifying the most recognizable brands in the world including, Brizo, TOTO, Delta, Newport Brass, Maax and more.

Andrea Fuqua and Rachel Trimble joined both Bobier Sales and ASID, as National Industry Partners at the Bronze Sponsorship level with TOTO and Brizo. These women have lived in Phoenix most of their lives and understand the ever-changing landscape. They bring their strong entrepreneurial backgrounds, business acumen and flair for design from their previous industries and are delighted to be warmly welcomed into the ASID community in Arizona.

Brizo, a luxury designer’s dream, continues to expand their stunning collections. We are thrilled about the new offerings of finishes, designs and customizable handle options that compliment your customer’s individuality.

TOTO offers the WOW factor to our residential and hospitality designers alike. Exclusive technology used by TOTO is unparalleled in today’s market. Innovative styles, advanced Washlet options, Neorests, and the already iconic Floatation Tub continue to dominant the luxury lavatory market.

Andrea dedicates most of her time to our showroom segment, while Rachel focuses on working with residential designers and secondary specifiers within the A&D Community.

If you haven’t been into our Villagio showroom lately, you haven’t seen all the latest and greatest “cool stuff’. Here at Villagio, we have made considerable inroads into creating a great tile experience for our design trade clients and make the tile specification and buying process easier than ever. We have added additional Tile Stylists to collaborate with custom builders and designers in the tile selection and design process.

Our large format showroom that opened in 2019 has expanded to over 400 tiles on display 24x48 and larger. This one-of-a-kind showroom has flip displays that show the tile both vertically and horizontally and can double as a design presentation table.

In addition to the continual updates to our flagship showroom in the Scottsdale Airpark, we have added a Villagio Tile Studios to-the-trade location in Old Town Scottsdale. Our Studio location features 1001 tiles on display and samples available upon request.

We have focused our floor tile selection on products produced in North America. This means that the majority of our new floor tiles have quick-ship capability without the long wait of overseas shipping issues.

We strive to make the buying and specification process a great experience. We invite you to make an appointment to and discover how Villagio can help create a great experience for your clients.

Beth Zink Art

Beth Zink is a well-known professional artist and welcomes clients to her beautiful studio in Cave Creek. She enjoys working with designers to create the perfect artwork for both residential and commercial installations. Her enthusiastic and pleasant personality make her well-suited for working with clients and designers alike.

Desert botanicals, landscapes, and sunsets are her specialty, but she is willing and able to paint any subject matter in her recognizable style. A valley resident since 1986, Beth has created hundreds of paintings for corporate boardrooms, hospitals, country clubs and residential collections. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Art from Bethany College.

Recently, Beth was voted “Best Artist” in Phoenix Home & Garden Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Her works were selected for museum exhibits “Flower Power” and “Cowgirl Up,” and Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale. She has also been featured in American Art Collector, Southwest Art, Phoenix Home & Garden, So Scottsdale and Images magazines.

Contact Beth for a complimentary consultation. She looks forward to working with you!

Julie Dasher Rugs

Founded in 2008, Julie Dasher Rugs has grown to be a trusted, go-to source of custom rugs for interior designers across the U.S. and internationally. With our rugs placed in over 26 countries, we offer unique and beautiful designs handmade with world-class quality. With over 400 designs on our website, the designer can choose a pattern, colors and size and offer a unique custom rug to their clients. Hiring weavers in Nepal, India, Turkey and Afghanistan, the goal of Julie Dasher Rugs is to work with women weavers and purchase their rugs directly from them, eliminating brokers in the supply chain. We also donate a percentage of our profits to GOODWEAVE, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending illegal child labor in the rug making industry. We are new to the Scottsdale area and are excited to be part of the outstanding ASID community here.

NEW MEMBERSHIPS

NEW INDUSTRY PARTNERS

A-List Designers

Ambreen Rashid (737) 275-4557

amber@alistdesigners.com

www.alistdesigners.com

Online Designer Portal

Local

Dunn-Edwards Paint Corp.

Sarah Jones

sarah.jones@dunnedwards.com

www.dunnedwards.com

Paint Regional

Estetik Décor

John Amiri (805) 390-7843

johnamiri1@gmail.com

www.estetikdecor.com

Furniture/Decor National

Estima USA

Kristin Batsche (714) 519-8753

kristin@estimaus.com

www.estimaus.com

Tile Local

Got Legs Furniture & Décor

Jim Piscopo (480) 375-5454

jim@gotlegs.org

www.gotlegs.org

Furniture/Decor

Local

Innovative Wine Cellars

Sanford Horwitz (480) 538-1288

sandy@winecellardesigns.biz

www.winecellardesigns.biz

Custom Wine Cellars

Local

RM COCO Decor LTD.

Tricia Youngblood (573) 803-4965

triciay@rmcoco.com

www.rmcoco.com

Textiles/Fabrics National

SFERRA

Karen Messick (404) 822-2878

kmessick@sferra.com

www.SFERRA.com

Linen/Bedding

National

The Elegant Window

Ray Krick (480) 854-3078

ray@elegantwindow.com

www.elegantwindow.com

Drapery/Blinds/Shutters

Local

The Howard Elliott Collection

Leah St. Clair (773) 231-8970

leah@howardelliott.com

www.howardelliott.com

Home Decor Regional

Thomas Printworks

Rob Lowe (602) 710-4884

roblowe@thomasprintworks.com

www.thomasprintworks.com

Printing

Local

Two Hawks Design & Development

Stevie Kamp

(480) 304-5049

stevie@twohawksdesigns.com

www.twohawksdesigns.com

Custom Home Builder Local NEW MEMBERS

• Jennifer Howard, ASID

• Jaclyn Luke, ASID

• Anita Elton, Allied ASID

• Sherry Hackett, Allied ASID

• Jennifer Tibbitts, Allied ASID

• Susan Weiner Wallace, Associate ASID

• Fatima Altaee, Student ASID

• Heba Barazi, Student ASID

• Delaney Barber, Student ASID

• Kendra Boothman, Student ASID

• Meredith D. Chairez, Student ASID

• Marissa Chavez, Student ASID

• Skyler Christensen, Student ASID

• Beth Cochran, Student ASID

• Michelle Cordova, Student ASID

• Paige Dressler, Student ASID

• Jennifer Fueger, Student ASID

• Ethan Fuller, Student ASID

• Lindsey Grzenia, Student ASID

• Courtney Haws, Student ASID

• Liz Hoerner, Student ASID

• Karen Allen-Jones, Student ASID

• Madison Leyvas, Student ASID

• Claire Makoviecki, Student ASID

• Monica Martinez, Student ASID

• Cole Pankey, Student ASID

• Katie Parrish, Student ASID

• Rileah Ramirez, Student ASID

• Elena Reinhardt, Student ASID

• Jewel Riley, Student ASID

• Sandra Rogers, Student ASID

• Alexia M. Sanchez, Student ASID

• Kara Sepal, Student ASID

• Natalie Springer, Student ASID

• Shannon Stockmar, Student ASID

• Ashley Taber, Student ASID

• Nghiep Truong, Student ASID

• Amy Weinstein, Student ASID

• William Wheeler III, Student ASID

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF

Good DESIGN

Good design is actually a lot harder to notice than poor design, in part because good designs fit our needs so well that the design is invisible, serving us without drawing attention to itself. Bad design, on the other hand, screams out its inadequacies, making itself very noticeable.” The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman.

As interior designers, we know that every time we set to work on a project what feels like a million decisions come before determining what the thing is going to look like. We assess the needs of our client through a program. Once we have that nailed down, we research how we can best meet those needs. We specify personal safety, physical safety, durability and cleanability of materials. Once we have the technical details ironed out, we can begin to adjust the visual pieces, evaluating what principles and elements of design we want to focus on, and how we will use them to illustrate our proposed concept. And then, and only then does the final aesthetic begin to take shape. Despite all of the work required to reach that point, most outside of the profession zero in on the aesthetic––some even believing that's all we do.

There are designers out there who have staked their career on an aesthetic, maybe none more famously than Frank Lloyd Wright himself. His approach to homes and interiors changed over time from a mostly traditional approach to his Prairie School designs, to the tactile concrete blocks of his later homes. His devotion to his aesthetic of the moment often mattered even more to him than the technical performance of the home as anyone who has ever toured an FLW property will know.

But for the majority of us it is our ultimate goal to seamlessly incorporate our research and technical expertise into a design that is both functional and beautiful. We also have the skills to work with clients to help them define their own aesthetic and be reflected in their homes and workspaces.

Following are two perspectives on how our knowledge as designers influences the aesthetics of our final designs.

Improving Built Environment

Health and Well-Being

Aesthetic as ActivismBiophilic Design

When asked what her personal design aesthetic was, Northern Arizona University (NAU) graduating senior Monica Martinez, Student ASID laughed. “That’s hard,” she said and then proceeded to describe an aesthetic based on Scandinavian Modernism with a masculine color scheme, natural woods, and leather. “Fake, of course,” she added. Other soon-to-be graduates mingling in NAU’s Beasley Gallery for the Interior Design Expo Open House didn’t hesitate when asked the question.Yliana Kolosseus, Student ASID whose “Urban Heights” project took third place among the 38 capstone projects, quickly stated biophilia, organic, modernism, neutrals and bringing nature inside as the founding principles of her aesthetic. She referenced the importance of research in creating designs that are focused on the health and wellness of users in all types of spaces as the fundamentals of where she begins when working with a client.

In fact, many of the seniors I spoke to mentioned biophilia as part of their aesthetic. Kara Sepel, Student ASID described an aesthetic in which she likes to mix natural elements with industrial accents to create variety in her designs. Mia Armijo described a tendency toward organic materials and shapes supplemented by vintage and retro pieces to stick to the classics and avoid trends that will quickly pass. Abbie Letourneau prefers to play with harsh textures and soft biophilic materials to keep her designs exciting.

This next generation of designers all understood the importance of working with their clients to create a final design solution that reflected the clients taste and needs but also the need to educate the end user on the importance of interacting with nature not just outside but in interior spaces as well. Their concern goes beyond the use of daylighting, living walls and fountains in interior spaces and extends to their knowledge of sustainable and organic materials and concern for the well-being of other species. Note the above comment about being sure to use vegan leather in lieu of the real thing.

The National Resources Defense Council and the US Green Building Council introduced their LEED Certification program for buildings in 1993. Designers and Architects are aware of the requirements for these certifications and the value of achieving LEED credentials in their personal practice. Since this certification was created, The International Well Building Institute has also created the WELL Building Standard focused on “creating and certifying spaces that advance human health and well-being.” This standard goes beyond rating materials and systems used in the building and takes into consideration the percentage of landscaped exterior spaces, the inclusion of natural elements on the interior and the use of natural light.

As we move forward in a world changed by the Covid-19 pandemic, these students are prepared to take the lead as ambassadors for creating healthier, more productive and happier spaces. In defining the aesthetic of their work, these students have chosen to include elements that not only define the look of the space but also the feel and performance of that space for end users. For more information on biophilic design consider the following courses on the ASID Academy: Theory of Biophilic Design, Biophilic Design: Improving Health and Well-Being in the Built Environment.

Christina Dickinson, ASID Communications Director

Great

SENIOR LIVING DESIGN

According to the United States Census Bureau the percentage of the population over the age of 65 is increasing in every county in the state of Arizona. This trend of population aging is not just in Arizona or even in the United States but in all but 18 countries worldwide. A direct result of increased life expectancies and falling fertility rates, population aging will influence the entire field of interior design but no one more than those working specifically in senior housing. LuAnn Thoma-Holec, FASID, CID, NICDQ has been doing just that since 2006 with her Mesa, Arizona-based Thoma-Holec Design LLC and has just expanded to add an additional design studio in Portland, Oregon. In designing these spaces, Luann and her team strive for welcoming, home-like spaces with remarkable amenities but before they can be concerned with aesthetics they first must be concerned with the safety and well-being of the residents. Following are her thoughts on the important elements of a great senior living design.

Designing For An Aging Population

As a designer in senior housing, one of our main concerns is fall prevention. A fall, even a minor one, can be life-changing for a senior. The obvious area to prevent falls is the flooring. Flooring should be non-glare with minimal movement in patterns. Smooth transitions, absence of area rugs, low pile carpet, unobstructed access, and floors with an appropriate coefficient of friction in the wet areas are all mandatory.

Furniture should also be carefully considered. Selecting furniture that is senior appropriate is very important; arm heights, depth of seats, and firmness can all make a difference to someone experiencing loss of mobility. The wonderful mid-century modern furnishings available right now are very popular within this generation and seniors who lived with this style previously. However, splayed legs and low profile seats were great when they were in their thirty’s but not today when a senior may be in their 60s or 80s

Another often overlooked element is proper lighting. Glare from lighting is another culprit of falls and injury. The Edison exposed filament lamps are beautiful and trendy. However, with the aging eye, the glare of these bulbs in a public or residential setting may cause the inability to see an obstruction and cause a fall. Natural light has been proven to correlate to the well-being of people, yet for the senior eye, natural light may need to be filtered at certain times of the day.

Just as lighting provides new challenges to the aging eye, colors also change. Cataracts or macular degeneration can develop as the eye ages, and colors may appear differently. Think in terms of color blindness and how certain colors are perceived. When designing for seniors, it is imperative that colors be introduced in the correct lighting to determine how the color is viewed. Be especially careful of greens and blues, as they tend to turn gray, and we are all tired of gray, correct?

Just like fall prevention can be achieved with simple selections in flooring, furniture, or lighting, there are many ways to create an environment that enriches the lives of seniors. For instance, arthritis occurs in the healthiest of individuals. Any broken bones when younger will result in arthritis as you age (Trust me). Twisting doorknobs, cabinet knobs, jars, etc., can be excruciating and virtually impossible for some elders. Levers and pulls can be an attractive solution. It is guaranteed that at some point in everyone’s life, a grab-bar becomes their friend in a shower or at a water closet. Fortunately, the market offers many gorgeous grab bars that look like towel bars but provide extra lift or stability when needed.

With the current pandemic, everyone has desired to spend more time outdoors. All the previously mentioned safety precautions apply to the outdoors as well. Uneven walking surfaces, pavers, and textured walkways can be beautiful but dangerous. Changes in elevations without handrails or an alert indicating the height variations can be fatal. Water features that produce wet ground surfaces can be slippery and appropriate lighting at night on all walkways is critical. Likewise, lighting at night can cause extreme glare and create blind spots.

It’s always a good idea to consider all ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements, even in residential environments. Anything protruding more than 4” from a wall surface, whether it’s artwork or a wall sconce, it may eventually cause a person experiencing vision loss to be injured. Counter heights, mirror heights, cabinet depths, and cabinets with pull-out shelving can all be a blessing to a senior.

Planning for the future can make a big difference. Whether designing for a senior or a younger person who intends to live in their home for many years, it’s always good to consider future needs. Although we never know what the future will hold, it is best to prepare as much as possible. Take extra steps such as adding backing in new construction so grab-bars can be added later. If unsure, talk to a senior. They are always willing to express their ideas and opinions and generally love an opportunity to talk to someone, especially if they are your grandparent.

LuAnn Thoma-Holec FASID, CID, NCIDQ Principal Owner of Thoma-Holec Design LLC

Let's Celebrate!

There is a lot to celebrate as we wind up this school year! I’d like to congratulate all our ASID student members who are graduating this spring. I would also like to give a warm welcome to the 17 new students who joined the Arizona North Chapter this month! It has been so great to see the student involvement grow over the past months. I encourage all students to attend as many events as possible so they get everything they can out of their membership. If any student would like to become more active with the chapter, please contact Teri Smithers at professionaldevelopment@azn.asid.org for information. Again, congratulations to the graduating class of 2022!

BROOKE BROWNING, Student ASID

Student Representative to the Board

ASU

• Andie Andrews

• Haley Baldwin

• Michelle Cordova

• Hannah Frandrup

• Leigh Herr

• Jessica Lidberg

• Chloe McQueen

• Emilia Raines

• Audrey Shearer

• Emma Shelton

• Jessica Wulff

Outstanding ASID Student:

Andie Andrews

NAU

• Kendra Boothman

• Skyler Christensen

• Yarleni Grande

• Lindsey Grzenia

• Yliana Kolosseus

• Monica Martinez

• Abby Meyer

• Katie Parrish

• Rileah Ramirez

• Katie Sepel

• Shannon Stockmar

Outstanding ASID Student:

Abby Meyer

SCC

• Marci Bassett

• Keri Filsinger

• Deidra Gilligan

• Elizabeth Lofstedt

• Megan Mays

• Madison Menke

• Abeer Nusair

• Joyce Sanchez Torres

Outstanding ASID Student: Abeer Nusair

NAU @ SCC

• Brook Browning

• Marwah Asad

• Ashtyn Jones

• Gina Fisch

• Melissa Sadowski

• Olivia Moses

• Elizabeth Cristea-Moraru

• Courtney Haws

• Ramon Enriquez

• Ashley Taber

Outstanding ASID Student: Marwah Asad

Phoenix College

• Fatima Altaee

• Vanessa A. Arenas

• Brisa Moreno Arrieta

• Paige Dressler

• Jazmin Hernandez Padilla

• Edwin Mendoza

• Carlos Murillo

• Clara Nieto Perez

• Nancy Roach

• Jessica Ayala Rodriguez

• Karla Rodriguez

• Linda Roussel

• Nataly Sanchez

• Brooke Scott

• Nghiep “Nate” Truong

Outstanding ASID Student: Nataly Sanchez

Congratulations to all of our 2022 ASID graduates. We are proud of all you have accomplished!

Student Portfolio Review

On April 9th seven students took advantage of the portfolio review. The event consisted of a 30- minute, one-on-one review of their portfolios with an opportunity to have feedback from design professionals. It was exciting to see the different approach each student took to showcase their unique talents and highlight their individual achievements and awards.

One of our reviewers, Alisha Taylor with Alisha Taylor Designs, said “It was great to meet with design students to review their portfolios. I was overwhelmingly impressed with the talent I saw, the design skills, the attention to detail and, above all, the darling humans that were before me who were a bit nervous, but confident and eager to receive professional insight and feedback. It was a fun day, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I run into them again someday down the road in the professional world as successful designers.”

One of the student participants Qinghua Wang had this to say about his experience with this event, “Thank you for connecting with me, Alisha.Your comments and suggestions on my portfolio and resume helped a lot.Your positive feedback boosts me up. Thank you for your time and help today!”

ASID Professionals present were Alisha Taylor , Allied ASID, Susan Solliday , ASID and Teri Smithers , ASID.

Thank you to Contract Furnishings Mart for providing a wonderful, safe space to host this successful event. We look forward to meeting more students and emerging professionals to introduce and promote themselves thru ASID.

2022

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Adam Litberg 480 999-1575 alitberg@shopstudio41.com

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Steve Apodaca 602 563-8101 steve.apodaca@cfmfloors.com

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Jeffrey Bennett 480 507-3356 jeffrey.b@monterreytile.com

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Real World Design Week

Pella Windows and Doors

Patricia Frisoni 480 344-3280 frisonipv@pellamw.com

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Scottsdale Design District

Don Payne 480-421-0221 x206 donpayne@floorstyles.com

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Villagio Tile & Stone

Doug Adamson 480 422-6700

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This year the Arizona North Chapter revived Real World Design Week. From Feb. 27––March 5, seven design/industry partner mentors participated in giving eight students an opportunity to experience a day-in-the-life of real-world practice. Real World Design Week is a mentoring program that offered both hands-on and online learning experiences to introduce students to the real world of interior design. The goal of the program was to educate the next generation of designers and offer them exposure to professional practices and access to career development training.

Here’s what a couple of our mentors had to say about their experience:

“I met with Billy Wheeler and we visited a couple of vendors in the area for a sourcing trip. I enjoyed getting to know Billy and he has such a passion for design. He is going to be a great interior designer.”

-Debbie English, Allied ASID, IP Trade Findry

“Carrie Dally worked alongside me at my interior and furniture design firm for two days. She consistently exceeded my expectations with excellence in her work ethics, presentation, timeliness, and ability to convey her ideas with confidence. Carrie worked independently and fast-paced, yet also instilled the importance of attention to quality in every detail I asked of her. Her dedication to the arts, creative and innovative thought, and self-motivation makes her an excellent intern and future employee. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her and look forward to staying close in touch as she enters into the professional environment after her graduation.”

-Jennifer Mayster, ASID, Jennifer Mayster Interiors

Real World Design Week provides a platform for rising student designers to connect with those working in the design industry and to potentially create a lasting relationship for both parties. We hope more of our members consider participating in opportunities like this to help make a positive change in an aspiring designer’s life.

Emerging Professional Event: The Power of Professional Photography

On April 14th several ASID members and guests gathered at the Costello Childs Gallery at the Scottsdale Design District to listen to a great presentation by photographer Chris Loomis. Chris gave a fabulous presentation on the importance of professional photography when documenting your finished projects in the design industry. He discussed the importance of lighting and composition, as well as how to tell a story through the lens of a camera. He also discussed how, by using correct staging, you can enhance the quality of your final image. There was also a great discussion about the Elements and Principles of Design and how they apply to all genres of the design industry.

Thank you to the Costello Childs Gallery for hosting our Emerging Professionals event. This is a fantastic space and it’s great to see beautiful, local art on display. They are a great resource for designers and we encourage you to visit their gallery. A great night was had by all who attended.

Our next Emerging Professional event will be held on July 14th at the Monterrey Tile showroom. We hope to see you there!

Kelly Dunlop, Allied ASID, Presidentelect, Arizona North Chapter Designer Sales Manager, Cosentino

Chris Loomis, Chris Loomis Photography