Beyond being our neighbor and an incredible partner, Kelli’s designs continue to blow us away. The level of detail and intentionality put into each design showcases her true artistry. In this Q&A, we’re chatting with Kelli on her recent Trillium and Heritage projects.

The Heritage Project

House Stats

Two-story
7,706 sq. ft.
5 bedrooms
6 bathrooms

Can you tell me about the Heritage house? Is there any story behind it and the project that you want to share?

“For our original Heritage project, I was over the moon inspired by two trips that we had taken to California. I was inspired by restaurant designs like that of The Butcher’s Daughter in Venice where I could have spent the day sipping on my rosemary latte with hemp milk in this vibrant bohemian daydream for people watching. From the minimalist oceanfront beach homes of Malibu to the idealistic, almost unreal splendor of Hotel Bel-Air in LA. It was one charge of creative energy to another.”

“It’s funny, my assistant brought this to my attention the other day. When I’m dreaming up a new project, I’ll often start compiling different inspiration images, textiles, colors, and material samples to convey the home story I have in my head, to bring my ideas to light. There are many pieces and parts.”

My job as a creative in this industry is to bring forth a feeling for our custom WEST BAY HOMES. As we know, feelings change and stories need to be told. It’s a story I want to tell using the home as my canvas.

Walk us through your design process.

“In my process, my mood board pictures won’t really have any connection to an onlooker but for me, the pieces and parts click rather quickly and effortlessly. To you, it may look like an image of a gothic revival home and an abalone shell belt and you may scratch your head, but to me, it’s the wide steps on the front elevation of the Victorian porch that I’m zeroed in on and the shell belt represents the finish I’ll try to achieve for the shower tile in the basement bathroom.”

Tell us about this show-stopping wet room. Walk me through your design process.

“In my career, I have had the great fortune to design well over 100 bathrooms and I think that as you gain confidence in your career, you desire to challenge yourself – at least I do. A lot of thought and planning had to go on behind the scenes to create an epic yet approachable personal spa bathroom experience such as this. I wanted it to feel warm, although expansive. I wanted the space to feel connected to nature — a shower in the treetops is a splendid way to start or end your day. I wanted this environment to make you want very badly to interact with it. I am so pleased with the way it turned out. The kids get the sports court but the adults get this, you know!”

“We loved the buttery white-oak tone of the wood. When I looked at the space and saw the sheer size and knew how much tile would be there, I wanted to counteract all of the tile with wood. Travertine is a beautiful option that is classic. Paired with the hardwood floors, it made the floors look like one body of warmth. We chose to pair it with large format porcelain to make the space feel super luxurious.”

I want to make it beautiful. I want to make it highly functional, and I definitely want to make it fun.

What are your tips when mixing materials in a space?

“Don’t worry about what’s cool at the time. Go with what is best suited for the space and don’t get too caught up on it. Make your selections personal and go with your gut!”

How about the prep space in the Heritage project. What were you inspired by?

“You enter the house, you wash your hands. I’ve been creating homes with hand washing in mind long before COVID. The concept is an easy-to-access sink, upon transitioning into the home. The prep space is also wonderful for specific daily tasks or morning rituals like making coffee or morning smoothies. The prep kitchen is a workhorse that keeps the main kitchen clutter to a minimum. At WEST BAY HOMES, we are all about the ease and elegance of living.”

The Trillium Project

House Stats

Rambler
7,030 sq. ft.
5 bedrooms
6 bathrooms  

Since the Trillium project was a remodel, how does your design process change compare to new builds?

“With remodels, you are forced to work within the parameters of the existing home in some capacity, and you’re hired to bring forth innovative design ideas and solutions to support the homeowners in living a lifestyle that will bring ease to their daily lives.”

What were the client‘s requests for the Trillium project?

“Originally they came to us after already having a conversation with an architect who had proposed a significant addition. After I walked through the house, many of my ideas actually ended up saving them a lot of money. We cleaned the whole house up and added tons of tile, millwork, lighting, doors, everything.”

Tell me about the hidden kids’ bathroom. What was your inspiration behind that?

“With the kids sharing a room, we created a custom bunk bed, 2 closets, and a large toy storage space where the fireplace once sat. The homeowners also requested a lot of storage for books, so we had to be clever. This is how the bookcase ledge wall that opened to the children’s new bathroom came to be. It was a way to delight the children while providing the family with all the elements they wanted to incorporate into the newly designed nursery space.”

How does tile play a role in your designs?

“I use tile to make statements. It really is a huge supporting role in my designs and helps me create a strong story for the house. Whether it’s something traditional or earthy, tile is a great way to reflect the identity of what we want to say through the design. It is an awesome material for putting an exclamation point on the aesthetics of a space.”

Share a little bit about how functionality plays into your designs. The swinging door leading from the laundry room to the kitchen is ingenious!

“Prior to the WEST BAY HOMES remodel, the laundry space was dark, cramped, and a place you would not like to spend much time in. It had a wall within it that made no sense. The only thing it had going for it was 2 access points and a window. Regarding the access point from the kitchen: wouldn’t you rather have a seamless cabinetry door as opposed to an awkward door within your kitchen space. The cabinetry door opens, and surprise…your Pinterest-worthy pantry and sleek, functional laundry space is revealed. Who wouldn’t want a surprise like that?”

For me, it happens really quickly. I see a space and I know exactly what I would do to improve it.

In the half bath, you mix a few patterns of tile as well as with the wallpaper, any tips or best practices when mixing patterns?

“The clients have roots in England and Africa and also wanted a contemporary, yet timeless feel to their home. I swooned over the uniqueness of their style request and this powder bath has it all! The Zebras Wallpaper by Scalamandré was the perfect backdrop for this bold mix of textures and finish. In my mind, the powder bath is a concentrated environment where you can be a little more indulgent in your design choices than the main living areas of your home.”

My pro tip: if you’re too afraid to do something in your kitchen or great room, try it out in your powder bath. Another tip: if it doesn’t scare you a little, you’re not quite there yet. Take risks and choose materials that make your heart skip a beat.

The Fun Five

What has been your quarantine obsession?

“After being diagnosed with stage 0, grade 2, DCIS breast cancer in December 2019, my incredible family went from cancer straight into COVID and some days were really difficult. For all the challenges 2020 brought there were so many blessings and clarity for what I’ll value a whole lot more moving forward.

Health. Real whole foods and nourishment became my thing. I’ve always loved to cook, but something shifted really naturally for me during the quarantine. I craved whole, delicious, colorful, beautiful food more than ever. So I was cooking morning, noon, and night in the thick of quarantine.”

What are you streaming right now?

“I am currently not streaming any TV shows or movies. I just stumble upon something on Netflix–I am not necessarily obsessed with any specific show. I do love listening to many different genres of music. Often, I tell Alexa to play “chill electronic” music when we are working in the studio. I also enjoy listening to music on my record player. Some of my personal favorites are artists like Drake, Lana del Ray, Etta James, and Led Zeppelin.”

What is your favorite hobby when you’re not working?

“I like thrifting – a day perusing consignment shops for furniture or unique secondhand clothes is always enjoyable. I also love going on little getaways with my husband. It’s kind of strange the thing about not working because in some ways I kind of always am. Even when I’m on vacation, I’m taking pictures and drawing an idea for a floor plan on a cocktail napkin from the hotel lobby. I’m blessed in the way that my life is the beauty in my work and my work is the beauty of my life and it’s all blurred together and I am so grateful to make a living creating what I love.”

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

“Amy Adams. I love all of her work. I have read that she is gracious, hardworking, and an engaging professional and those are qualities I admire. She creates a backstory for her characters and I can relate to a creative approach like this. Her roles run the gamut from comedy to high drama and I really respect the range of characters she can portray. I could never subscribe to just one aesthetic. I am always evolving and trying new things. It’s one of the things I love most about my profession.”

If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what would your career be?

“I fantasize about being a restaurateur sometimes. A florist? A party planner perhaps. I do believe I am doing exactly what I was meant to do and I think all roads would have led me to be a designer no matter what.”

Thanks again to Kelli for sitting down with us and for constantly inspiring us with her spaces. Keep up with the latest from Kelli and West Bay Homes on their website and Instagram.

The post A Design Q&A with Kelli Fontana Vogelgesang of West Bay Homes appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

We’re back with another season of the One Room Challenge™ and we can’t wait to share the reveals! From distinct floor designs to glamorous kitchen backsplashes, we were blown away by each of the spectacular spaces that were shared. Here’s part one of our ORC reveal because we couldn’t fit all nine amazing spaces into only one post.

PLACE OF MY TASTE

We’re starting out with one of our most favorite bathrooms ever! Aniko of Place of My Taste turned her “work in progress” bathroom into a resort-style dream master.

“The goal for me was to marry two of my favorite styles: modern and vintage,” Aniko said. “The textures and combination of materials made my dreams a reality.”

This luxurious, noir shower design is like a room right out of Architectural Digest! Both the Evoque Carbon wall tiles and Evoque Grigio floor tiles are made of porcelain. The durable material and industrial look makes them a perfect choice for this master bath.

Visit Erika’s Instagram. View their entire One Room Challenge space.

ERIKA WARD INTERIORS

We can’t keep our eyes off of this next ORC space. Erika Ward transformed the warm woods and colors to a bright white and airy blue kitchen dream!

“Like a rare treasure, I discovered this glass mosaic tile with an iridescent quality much like the inside of a shell,” Erika said. “Installing the tile to the ceiling makes a grandiose statement about my love of the sea and nature-inspired design elements.“

The metallic tiles remind us of a mermaid’s tail—don’t you agree?!

Even Erika’s fireplace got a facelift, and we think the design she chose is anything but dreary! When described, Erika says “the new tile marble mosaic surround and hearth reign supreme, classic and cool.”

Visit Erika’s Instagram. View their entire One Room Challenge space.

VERONICA SOLOMON

You’ll have to do a double take after seeing this extraordinary before and after by Veronica Solomon of Casa Vilora Interiors. Each pattern unites to create one of the most luxurious laundry rooms we have ever seen. 

What’s the definition of glamorous, you ask? This laundry room!

“The art-deco-inspired Streamline Stone Mosaic tile was the perfect way for me to bring in my signature pattern and style mix. I love the pattern with the wallpaper,” Veronica said. “Even though it is not recommended for floors, and only for wall installation, I knew that the laundry room would not be a high-traffic area, so I went for it as the floor tile.”

“You know us creatives. We are going to push the limits just a bit for just the right touch,” Veronica added. “I just love the gold banding that beautifully picks up the gold in the wallpaper.”

Visit Veronica’s Instagram. View their entire One Room Challenge space.

SHAVONDA GARDNER & CARMEON HAMILTON 

What’s better than one talented designer? Two designers, of course! Shavonda Gardner partnered with one of her best friends, Carmeon Hamilton, to transform Carmeon’s home.

Have you ever seen a more glorious green bathroom?! The floor-to-ceiling Color Market Army installation on the shower and vanity walls is beautiful and moody!

To balance out the four dark green walls, Carmeon painted the ceiling white and incorporated white stone for the floors.

Transitioning to the master bedroom, Carmeon and Shavonda repeated the deep green color to create a sense of unity. Both the accent wall and ceiling were painted with Behr Marquee Interior Matte North Woods.

From the 3-D accent wall to the countless fabric patterns, Carmeon’s decor choices make this bedroom come to life!

“The foundation of the room and very first thing I picked out for the space was the Deva Linen Platform Bed in Linen Graffito, Carmeon said. “This bed is the literal manifestation of my dreams! The Graffito pattern on the clean lines of the bed are an ideal combination and the clean metal legs finish it perfectly.”

Visit Shavonda’s Instagram and Carmeon’s Instagram.

Stay tuned for part two of our ORC blog spotlight!

Do you have the same design taste and ambition as one of these extraordinary designers, but lack the design expertise? Have no fear! Let us take the intimidation out of the equation. Schedule a free design consultation with one of our tile design experts. 

The post Fall 2019 One Room Challenge™ Reveal–Part 1 appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Kate Arends – Founder, Lifestyle Blogger and Designer

Wit & Delight – St. Paul, Minnesota

Meet Kate Arends, the creative and multichannel marketing consultant, blogger and founder of Wit & Delight. Wit & Delight is known for two things: their impressive marketing and design agency (Wit & Delight Studio) and their amazing, addicting lifestyle blog. The Minneapolis, Minnesota based studio specializes in brand consultation, content creation, art direction, styling and more.

In 2008, Kate started her blog as an outlet for cultivating her personal style. Her blog flourished as she covered a wide array of topics like interior design tips, fashion and styling trends, food and entertainment recommendations, relationship guidance and all-around lifestyle advice. “It was sort of an accident that our following grew,” Kate said. She saw the opportunity to make a living with the cultivating blog and continued moving forward. Kate’s passions and knack for interior design led her to further advance in the home design industry. “I’ve always loved interior design and after design school, I realized I could take what I learned as a graphic designer and apply it to interiors,” Kate said. “Basic design principles like a focal point, repetition, visual tension, etc all play a part in making a space enjoyable to live in and visually interesting.”

At the beginning of your career, did you ever feel like you weren’t taken seriously as a woman in the industry? Was there a turning point for you to realize that you were just as capable and strong as anyone else?

The lifestyle industry is pretty much a female dominated industry, so online, not so much. However, when I told people in the agency world I was going out on my own to do this “blog thing” as they put it… I definitely felt defeated and like no one believed I could make something of myself.

Have you ever encountered any obstacles or setbacks for being a woman in the home building and design industry?

I’ve worked with contractors outside of McDonald Remodeling (our partner of choice) that were pretty dismissive of how much I knew about the construction process. There are small ways you’re dismissed as a woman daily and unfortunately, you encounter it more often in male-dominated industries like construction.

Why should more women consider this path?

Women bring a unique skill set to the workplace. While I try to avoid generalities, women do tend to be great peacemakers and that’s an attribute in a leader that is becoming much more attractive at an executive level. Soft skills are starting to be seen as more valuable to retaining staff, employee engagement, conflict resolution, and staying relevant in an ever-changing consumer landscape.

What women inspire you the most?

Women who use their empowerment to pay it forward.

“Don’t be afraid to ruffle a few feathers. Fortune favors the bold.”—Kate Arends

Keep up with Kate’s gorgeous array of home designs and lifestyle imagery on Instagram.

Shelley Halstead – Founder, Carpenter and Lawyer

Black Women Build – Baltimore – Baltimore, Maryland

When Shelley Halstead was 20 years old, she dropped out of college and took a six-month hiatus to travel. That six-month hiatus turned into three and a half years. During her travels to Europe, India and Pakistan, Shelley was inspired by countless projects she saw. “Everywhere I went, there were projects going on that I wanted to be a part of, but I didn’t have any skills,” Shelley said. When she got back to the U.S., she took a carpentry class at a community college because she wanted to build her own house. Shelley didn’t know how to build, and she didn’t have any money—she had the dream, the willpower and the strength. Having fought forest fires with a crew based out of on Mt. Hood, Oregon in college, Shelley’s level of strength wasn’t even a question. She took on the next challenge to learn multiple trades and did electrical work in Antarctica. Once she returned, she joined the union and completed her carpentry apprenticeship. Not only did Shelley eventually finish her undergrad, but she even completed law school. Shelley was determined to have the skills and knowledge to stand up for herself and others who face racism and other forms of discrimination.

Years later, Shelley continued to pursue her potential and founded Black Women Build – Baltimore. “I have the skillset, and I have always wanted to help people. Where people see disrepair and dysfunction, I see potential,” Shelley said. Her organization works to bring home ownership to Black women in Baltimore. Black Women Build – Baltimore (BWBB) provides a safe and supportive community where Black women can learn carpentry, electrical work and plumbing during home improvement projects.

At the beginning of your career, did you ever feel like you weren’t taken seriously as a woman in the industry? Was there a turning point for you to realize that you were just as capable and strong as anyone else?

I’m reliving it here a bit in Baltimore. There are more women in trade on the West Coast because it is more progressive. Out here, people say, “You’re a carpenter? You’re a contractor?” People are always surprised that I am actually doing the work. I don’t think there have been a lot of women carpenters, tile setters or plumbers—women in the trades. When I go and ask someone something, for example, “what would it be to stabilize a couple of these houses?” I am talked down to like I don’t understand what they are talking about. Dude, I did bridge work; I have done so much concrete. People are a little bit incredulous that I know as much as I know. I’m not saying I know everything because I am still learning every day.

Have you ever encountered any obstacles or setbacks for being a woman in the home building and design industry?

I would hear stuff that I really didn’t want to hear and see things written in the bathroom and on my personal protective equipment. It was difficult for me because I’m not someone who is meek. I’m not going to let someone talk about women, Black people or the LGBTQ community in a certain way. It’s just not who I am. The hate has been a deterrent for some women, Black and LGBTQ people from joining the industry for so many years. It takes a certain person to either fight it or play along. This led to the mission behind BWBB—we empower women to find their own strength to support themselves. It’s not that we didn’t have the power, we just didn’t have access.

Why should more women consider this path?

You can make a really good living. You are able to fix your own things. Labor can be one of the most expensive things in home remodeling. Trade work is empowering yourself, your circumstances and your self-esteem. You can create a sense of pride. You can literally say, “I built this thing.” Being able to change space and see yourself in a place that’s different from where you were is phenomenal.

What advice do you have for women joining the industry?

It’s OK to be scared. It’s OK to not know. Some people will make you feel stupid for not knowing, but everyone didn’t know how to do something at some point. We all had to learn how to do this. I forget how much I’ve learned when I talk to people. There was a time when I didn’t have any of this knowledge, and I was terrified. I didn’t know how to set a cabinet until somebody said to me, “They are just boxes. You’re just hanging boxes.” You don’t have to act like you do know. If you are entering the trade, you are there to learn.

Featured: Imperial Brite White Subway, Star, Liria Negro Encaustic and Black Marquina Corinth Mosaic

What women inspire you the most?

Women that see our potential and move toward it, whether it is in art, literature, building or government. Women who see something and think we can do something with this or we can make it better.

How is Black Women Build – Baltimore creating a positive impact on the industry and the community?

We are expanding the possibility of how people see the trade and how Black women see themselves. I think that is so important. It’s like something you have never seen before. When we do these houses and people come by and see that there are Black women building these houses, it is going to blow their minds. It’s the possibility that opens for someone, and I think that is so important.

“Women can make money doing this, and they can make a pretty good living. You aren’t less feminine for doing this work. Some women don’t think trade work is for women. Then what IS for women? I want women to know that they aren’t less of a woman for doing this work. You are more of a woman because you are really learning so many different things. That’s what everyone should want. It’s an opportunity to have more understanding and knowledge.”—Shelley Halstead

After a long battle, Shelley recently acquired a set of houses that were going to be torn down in the Upton and Druid Heights neighborhoods of West Baltimore.  BWBB will be rehabilitating the abandoned homes and learning trades-related work. “We’re building community and building a neighborhood,” she added. Shelley and BWBB take an intersectional approach to dismantle the barriers that work against Black women’s ability to thrive. With BWBB, Shelley is able to strengthen the Black women in her community by sharing her passion, skills and the knowledge they need to reach their full potential.

Follow along Shelley and her team on Instagram as they rebuild their community. Learn more about the movement and team behind Black Women Build – Baltimore.

Rachel Cahalan – Founder and Tile Setter

Tile By Rachel, LLC – North Springfield, North Virginia

Meet Rachel Cahalan, the founder and tile installer behind Tile By Rachel, LLC. Before Rachel Cahalan put the tile in Tile By Rachel, LLC., her passion for hard work was escaping through the wrong outlet—an office job. “I’d often say I’d take a home project any day over staring at my laptop for hours on end,” Rachel says. Her passion for home projects led her to complete the tile work in her own home. After successfully completing her own renovations, Rachel knew it was something she wanted to pursue. With encouragement from her realtor and contractor, Rachel continued to test the waters. After six short months, Rachel was able to leave her desk job and focus on her tile business full-time.

At the beginning of your career, did you ever feel like you weren’t taken seriously as a woman in the industry? Was there a turning point for you to realize that you were just as capable and strong as anyone else?

There are certainly times I feel I’m not taken seriously. You can sense it immediately from a client’s hesitation or skepticism from an employee at the hardware store. But there was never a turning point for me to realize I was as strong or as capable. I wouldn’t have entered this field if I wasn’t. It’s a matter of helping others see the truth of the situation.

Have you ever encountered any obstacles or setbacks for being a woman in the home building and design industry?

The main obstacles I’ve encountered would be finding the help I need and overcoming a client’s doubt. There have been a couple instances where it was clear the female partner was having to convince the male to hire me. Maybe they just didn’t like my tilework, but I got the distinct impression it was because they felt I would be inferior.

Also, I like to think I’m pretty strong, but there are times I’m prying up an old floor and wishing I felt comfortable hiring a stronger stranger to ease the burden. That’s just not possible when you’re working alone as a woman. At least not for me.

Why should more women consider this path?

The better question might be why shouldn’t more women consider this path? There is no reason a woman should-second guess entering this field. I’ve gotten so many surprised or impressed responses from people after starting this business. I understand where they’re coming from, but inside, I’m also thinking, ‘why couldn’t I have done this’?

Featured: Patch Art Light, Hampton Polished Arabesque Mosaic and Claros Silver Double Chevron with White Marble

What advice do you have for women joining the industry?

Go for it! Go to workshops, conferences, even tile retailers and find other women. I’m new to this industry and am looking forward to meeting and being inspired by women pursuing excellence in a male-dominated field.

What women inspire you the most?

Bold, confident women inspire me. She could be my daughter’s elementary school teacher or a justice on the Supreme Court; the industry doesn’t matter. A woman my son and daughters can look up to and aim to be inspires me.

“I want more women to know they are capable of this work. I’ve had friends and daughters of friends comment that they could never do this. They can. If it is something they enjoy, they should pursue it!”—Rachel Cahalan

Visit Rachel’s Instagram for more unique tile installations.

Kara Beckmann – Founder, Real Estate Investor and Renovator

Beckmann House – Paradise Valley, Arizona

After years of saving to open up her own bakery, Kara Beckmann decided to take that money and invest in real estate. “I took a leap of faith and dove right in,” Kara said. “Most everything I have learned has been from being onsight, DIY and trying new things in all of my remodels.” Kara started Beckmann House with the intent to simply design her own investment properties. Little did she know, the Arizona-based real estate investment company began to blossom, and Kara started taking on projects for clients. “The proudest moment in my career was when I realized that people wanted to work with me to help them with designs in their own homes,” Kara added.

At the beginning of your career, did you ever feel like you weren’t taken seriously as a woman in the industry? Was there a turning point for you to realize that you were just as capable and strong as anyone else? 

Absolutely, and, for that exact reason, I chose to hire contractors to teach me how to do everything that is involved in my remodels. It was the best thing I could have done. The project took twice as long, however, I learned how to properly demo walls, remove tile, carpet and baseboards, wire lights, install new receptacles, install insulation, interior painting and the list goes on. This information came in handy on multiple future projects.

Have you ever encountered any obstacles or setbacks for being a woman in the home building and design industry?

When I start a new project with a new [all male] crew, my kindness can easily be mistaken for weakness. I have found a balance between being nice and making sure the job is getting done on time, on budget and up to my standards. There are times on every one of my job sites when I get my hands dirty and work with the crew. This creates an underlying respect between the crew and myself.

Why should more women consider this path?

This career path is unbelievably rewarding. What I love so much about this industry is how many different paths you can take. Every project is a new journey and a blank canvas to create something new.

Featured: Imperial Bianco Gloss Subway 3 x 6 in and Imperial Bianco Gloss Subway 4 x 8 in

What advice do you have for women joining the industry?

You would be surprised how responsive people are when you are not afraid to put your work out there! Starting anything new is scary, but the first step is always the hardest. Don’t be afraid to create something that you love. Chances are if you love it, others will, too.

What women inspire you the most?

Women who inspire me are women who are not afraid to take chances on something they are passionate about. It is not always easy to do, so I truly applaud those who overcome fear and make it happen!

 “I wish more women knew that the home renovation industry can be challenging, but nothing worth doing comes easy. It is an amazing feeling when the remodel is complete and you can see what you created.”—Kara Beckmann 

Check out more of Kara’s exciting projects on Instagram.

The post Inspiring Women in the Home Building and Design Industry appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

We are excited to bring a designer spotlight to you. Bria Hammel of Bria Hammel Interiors is another designer local to The Tile Shop’s Minnesota home base, but she’s been making big waves all over the country. From her dreams of going global to staying true to her traditional Southern style, read on to learn about the woman behind Bria Hammel Interiors.

What is your educational background and work experience?

I went to college at the University of Kansas where I started out studying business and then switched majors to interior design. During that time, I had an internship working for a residential and commercial interior design firm. The designer had a showroom where she sold furniture and accessories, so I was able to see the retail side of things, too. It was great because I got a lot of experience trying out all different areas of interior design and it helped me hone in on what I was passionate about.

I worked there for a few years until my family convinced me to move back to Minnesota where I took a job as an interior designer at Ethan Allen. Retail was a great way to meet a lot of vendors, like fabric reps, manufacturers and other designers. The experience exposed me to a lot of different parts of the business. After about a year, I got promoted to design team manager at the Edina location. Being a manager gave me a lot of training for running a business and what the financial side of that involves but it was also completely related to the design industry.

Once I got married, I didn’t want to work crazy retail hours anymore, and I went to work for a high-end interior designer who was just starting her business. She brought me on as a design assistant to help her launch the business. It was amazing to be along for the journey of watching a business grow. It also helped sealed the deal on the relationships I didn’t have when I originally moved back. Once I had my son, I knew I wanted to stay home with him and start my own business, and I started Bria Hammel Interiors in 2012.

Did you always have an eye for design? You said you started school majoring in business and made the switch to interior design. Did you just realize that’s what you wanted to do or how did you decide to make that change?

My mom was a serial house flipper when I was growing up. She’s a physician, but she loved to buy houses in her spare time. We probably lived in ten different homes when I was growing up. I always refer to her as a closet designer! I grew up furniture shopping and hanging out in wallpaper stores with her, but I never thought being a designer was an option. When I went to college, everyone started calling me a young Martha Stewart because my room was the nicest out of everyone’s in the house. At one point, someone asked me why I wasn’t planning on doing that for my career. And I thought, “That’s a good idea, I think I will.” And I changed my major that semester.

What do you see as the Bria Hammel Interiors vision?

We want to become the go-to design firm in the country. I hate to limit us to just being local because our biggest projects are out of state. We really are passionate about residential interiors from the ground up. Our favorite projects are when we can help the client design the home and then decorate the home. We want to be that brand that everyone knows.

We started a new product line called Brooke & Lou in August. That’s the company I’d love to scale and build into a bigger business. I think there’s a larger need in the market to have places where people can get a designer look without having to hire one. That’s a big part of why we launched Brooke & Lou—so we can offer our look and style to anyone who wants it. We wanted to fill a need in the market for fashionable designs that were durable and family friendly, too. A lot of these products are what we’ve trademarked as “life friendly.” I feel confident saying someone can put them in a home with a 3-year-old and they’re going to withstand wear and tear without sacrificing style and beauty.

“Our travels. Your home. Each piece in this collection was handpicked during one of our many travels around the world. They’re ever changing, one of a kind and uniquely perfect for your home.”—Bria Hammel on Brooke & Lou “Collected”

Do you have a signature style, something that makes someone say, “That’s a Bria house”?

I would say we’ve kind of skimmed by this mid-century modern trend and stayed true to our roots of a fresh, young take on traditional style with a little southern mixed in. Our style is color, preppy and fresh but classic enough that it doesn’t scream 2019. We don’t design to trends. We design to our style and our clients’ styles. It’s a similar aesthetic but it also varies a lot.

“We don’t design to trends. We design to our style and our clients’ styles.”

That makes sense. That’s what your clients discover you for, your style, so that’s what they want.

Right, it wouldn’t make sense to change it completely. They come to us because they love what they’ve seen.

 Bria Hammel Interiors does new construction, remodels and decorating projects? 

Yes, and we’re starting to get into some boutique commercial design, too. We’re willing to take on these projects as long as the vision is high design. We’re not working with cubicles but with a livable, more residential feeling space.

Do you prefer starting from scratch or is it refreshing to simply decorate?

We love to start from scratch because that’s when we can be the most creative and we can push our clients to think outside the box the most. But there’s nothing like a really good decorating project where we have a really beautiful palette and we make it feel livable, functional and usable.

If you have a turnkey project, what is that process like? Where do you start, find inspiration and decide what that vision is going to be for that specific home?

It’s so important for me that what you see from the outside is a reflection of what you see on the inside. I don’t like walking into a home and thinking, “Whoa, I was not expecting these paint colors or this furniture.” That is always the number one indicator of what we’re going to do—the architectural details and the exterior elevation. From there, travel is probably the number one place I seek inspiration. I’m always picking up things for a project or finding amazing things I have to have. So, as far as what we include in our designs, that’s a big piece of it. On Brooke & Lou, we have a collected section that’s all one-of-a-kind antiques and pieces we find on our travels. People don’t have to travel the world to find these pieces—we find and curate them on our website.

Collected Objects from Brooke & Lou

As far as our process goes, it’s always really important to have our clients share inspiration with us. There are a lot of different things we can do within our style, so it’s so important to incorporate the look they want—whether it’s formal or casual, high contrast, more neutral, more colorful and anything in between. We lean heavily on client onboarding meetings to bring in their inspiration like magazine clippings, Pinterest boards, Houzz pages, blogs or even a piece of fabric they’ve always loved—whatever inspires them.

Is there a favorite part you have about designing a home, like a certain room or using a certain material? Anything that’s a highlight from house to house?

I wouldn’t say I have a favorite room to design. We just did this under-the-stairs bookcase nook and, in an 8,000 square foot home, it’s one of my favorite spaces. To me, it’s about finding these spaces where we can make a big impact, those moments where people aren’t expecting to see so much beauty. It makes the space feel really special.

“To me, it’s about finding these spaces where we can make a big impact, those moments where people aren’t expecting to see so much beauty.”

What’s your dream client or project?

I have two. As far as location, I would love to do a large home in Europe and get more into international design. And I’d also love to design Reese Witherspoon’s house. She’s very on brand with us.

I was going to say, your style definitely has Draper James vibes. (Draper James is Reese Witherspoon’s clothing and lifestyle brand and store.)

For sure, I have the same wallpaper in my dining room as their fitting rooms. (See the wallpaper and take a virtual tour of their store here!)

Was that a coincidence or planned?

It was definitely planned!

Do you have any favorite Tile Shop tiles you find yourself coming back to and using over and over?

The one we used time and time again is the Hampton Carrara marble collection. It’s so classic and we can have a lot of fun playing with the installation. I also love the Annie Selke collection. At the New York City launch event, I got to speak with Annie. I love how color is infused in the collection. It’s not over the top, and it’s usable in a lot of different styles of homes. You don’t need a lot of it to make a big impact. The line allows us to play with design and get creative. I was really impressed with that collection.

Do you have any tips or anything you’ve learned throughout your years working with tile? A lot of people don’t know how to pick tile out or whether to choose things like cabinets first or tile first. What have you learned?

We like to start with tile, especially in those spaces like a bathroom or on a fireplace where we use a lot of it. One thing we’re always telling our clients is to push the envelope with their tile installation and think outside the box. With subway tile, people often default to a classic brick pattern. But if we install it in a unique pattern, we can get so much more impact. Just thinking of different ways to use the tile makes the space feel so much more special.

What advice do you have for aspiring designers?

If you’re thinking about going to school for interior design, make sure to try everything out. There are so many different avenues. You can work for a brand manufacturer or a commercial or residential designer, but use your schooling and internships to test the waters. Then when you graduate, you can start out where your passion is. The more you can expose yourself to the parts of the business, the better you’ll be when you’re out of school.

The Fun Five

What’s your dream vacation?

Lake Como, Italy.

What are you streaming right now?

I love The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I love the fashion and interior design in that show.

What is your favorite hobby when you’re not working?

Hm, do I have a hobby? I feel like work is my hobby! I guess I’d say traveling. But work really does feel like my hobby because I love it so much.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

Probably Reese Witherspoon! (We had a hunch she’d pick her!) She just feels so grounded and down to earth. I feel like I’m her best friend, and I’ve never met her before. I love that she’s an entrepreneur, too, and she’s found ways to share her passion and make money. She just has a very approachable style.

If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what would your career be?

Oh my goodness. I would probably be in some kind of business management role. I love the business side of this job, crunching numbers, figuring out how we can grow, what’s working, what’s not working and putting new systems in place to make us better.

Thanks for chatting with us, Bria! Keep up with her adventures in design on her Instagram, Houzz and blog.

The post Spotlight On: Bria Hammel Interiors appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Have you always been interested in interior design?

Absolutely. I always loved babysitting as a kid because I could go into other people’s home and see what they looked like. In 6^thgrade, I bought all new furniture for my bedroom on my own because I didn’t like how my mom decorated. I took the bus to Dayton’s, spent my babysitting money on furniture, artwork and bedding and I had it all delivered one day. My mom asked me, “What are you doing?!” And I just said, “I’m redoing my room.” She had no idea! I don’t know what they thought at the store, but it seemed perfectly normal to me.

Tell us about your college experience.

Even then, I was always designing. I went to the University of North Dakota and decorated my dorm room in a Marilyn Monroe theme. It caught the attention of other people on my floor, and, before I knew it, I’d started a small business decorating dorm rooms. Then, I transferred to North Dakota State University where I graduated with a degree in apparel textiles and a minor in art. I wanted to be a textile designer but I ended up not being interested in the science aspect. So I went back to school and got a 2-year degree from NKBA (the National Kitchen and Bath Association) for a kitchen and bath design focused program.

How have you seen kitchen and bath design evolve since the beginning of your career?

Definitely, especially because it’s a relatively new field. Years ago, bathrooms and kitchens were largely utilitarian spaces, not places where the family gathered. Now they’re two of the most important areas in the home. When I started out, it was all beige and cherry wood. Everyone had very similar stuff because every company sold very similar stuff. Then the style became much more contemporary. Now the trend has swung back towards the middle and become a more transitional, warm style.

“I truly believe that you shouldn’t worry about what’s in fashion because if you go with what you love, you make the fashion.”

What have you been most proud of in your career?

When I see a customer photo and realize they’ve taken my design from a store and recreated it in their homes, that’s when I feel most proud. I just want people to love my designs, and it makes me feel good that they want something I created in their homes. I’m also proud of the trim pieces that allow people to customize and elevate their projects and the unique mosaics that I’ve designed for The Tile Shop.

What is your favorite tile?

I love Hall Blanco. It goes with every mosaic and with almost everything. The unique size and cool color add a contemporary feeling to bathrooms. I’m also immediately attracted to anything blue and purple because they’re my favorite colors. Our Beachwalk tiles have all my favorite colors in them.

Do you have any tips for young designers?

Listen and ask a lot of questions. Your client will clue you into what he or she is looking for. Everyone has a style, and you just have to narrow theirs down. To be a great designer, you have to be a great salesperson, too. If you can’t communicate a vision to your customer, it doesn’t matter how great it is. It won’t go anywhere because the client isn’t going to buy it.

“To be a great designer, you have to be a great listener as well as a great salesperson.”

Where do you find inspiration?

Every morning I look at Pinterest, Houzz and Decor Pad to see what’s new. I read hundreds of blogs so I know what our customers are seeing. And I actually get a lot of inspiration from going to nice stores like Nordstrom, Williams-Sonoma or Pottery Barn. You might not relate them to tile but it’s about the lifestyle that people want to emulate and bettering their lives. If you think about it, your bathroom is the first thing you see every morning. Don’t you want to like what you see? Design is a big part of that.

How would you describe your personal design aesthetic?

It’s very clean and contemporary, and I think that’s because there’s so much going on in my head. I like my house to be clean and uncluttered. I have a lot of contemporary artwork around my home and a lot of blues, tans and whites. The vibe is modern California coastal style mixed with East Coast Hamptons style.

How do you keep ideas fresh when you’re working in the same medium day after day?

Plan, plan, plan! I make sure I am using a wide variety of tiles that will get people excited. I also like to divide and conquer, so I don’t try to do too much at once. Splitting every project into little parts, making each one the best it can be and then going to the next part helps me focus. It’s been really easy this year because our selection has grown so much that I couldn’t possibly use all the new tiles. Sometimes I can’t sleep the night before I am designing a project because I’m so excited.

Who are your biggest design influences and inspirations? 

Kelly Hoppen is my favorite. She has a clean, beautiful, contemporary aesthetic. I respect that she’s branched out into other things and created an entire business based on the thoughts in her head. I also love Dayna Decker, Kristin Cavallari, Reese Witherspoon and Chyka Keebaugh. It’s hard to get your vision out there, so I love those success stories. Contemporary artists, like Kandinsky, Klee and Picasso, and expressionists inspire me. Art has been a big part of my life, and I always try to include nice art in our showrooms. Coco Chanel and Zac Posen are a couple of my icons from the fashion world.

What’s your favorite part of your own home?

Probably my living room. I’ve always wanted a great sectional, and it’s perfect for my dog and I to lay on and watch Netflix. Being able to make choices and buy the furniture I want is really exciting for me. I don’t take it for granted.

What is your dream client or project to work on designing?

It would actually be a project for myself. I would love to buy a mid-century modern home, gut it and make it contemporary.

The Fun Five

What is your dream vacation?

I’m a big British TV fan, and one of my favorite shows ever is called Midsummer Murders. I would love to rent a cottage in the Cotswolds where it takes place for a week and take a cooking or painting class there.

What are you streaming right now?

I watch lots of British and Australian TV shows on Acorn TV. I love the Australian show Offspring. It has amazing scenery and quirky design. I also love Killing Eve and Death in Paradise.

What song do you always get stuck in your head?

I’ll get one song in my head and listen to it 20 times in a row when I’m running. Plus, I love 80s music and Sade for listening to while I’m designing and shopping.

Who would play you in a movie?

Either Lisa Whelchel who played Blair in The Facts of Life or Nicole Richie. Those are the celebrities I’ve been compared to the most.

If you weren’t doing what you do, what would your career be?

I would love to be a realtor because I love seeing people’s homes.

The post Spotlight On: Kirsty Froelich, Tile Shop Design Manager appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Kirsten Erickson of Alma Homes

Kirsten grew up in Duluth, MN before she moved to Minneapolis for her undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities where she majored in architecture with minors in housing and construction management. Afterwards, she went west to the University of Colorado in Denver for graduate school and then returned to Minnesota where she worked for a builder before making her dream of starting Alma Homes a reality. Read our interview with her to learn more about her company and her inspiration (and who would play her in a movie!).

How did you end up in this field?

I’ve always loved math, and I’ve always loved art. When I was in 8^th grade my dad was going to build a cabin, and he bought me a game where you design houses, and I fell in love with it. And that’s how I knew I wanted to be an architect.

How did you start Alma Homes?

The jobs I had prior made me realize I wanted to be on both the design and build sides instead of just focusing on architecture. So, I started Alma Homes at the end of 2017. We’re just coming up on our one-year anniversary. I thought it would just be the two of us for the longest time, but we got so busy so fast. I do all the plans, design and selections, and Ethan, our project manager, oversees all of our subcontractors, scheduling, and takes care of everything in the field.

Featured: Imperial Bianco Gloss. Photo by Laura Rae Photography.

Has starting your business been what you expected?

It took off a lot faster than I anticipated. That has been an adjustment, figuring out our capacity. We always wanted to stay smaller and not become this huge builder, so it’s just about making those hard decisions. When we were so new, I didn’t feel like we should be turning down clients, but we had to.

When you are starting a big project, what’s the first step in the design process?

First, I sit down with our clients and talk about their must-haves, their needs and their style. I also figure out everything about their project details, like how many bedrooms and baths their home has. I look at their Pinterest and Houzz accounts to see what their inspirations are. There are a lot of restrictions from the lots themselves which is good. I actually like having restrictions or else there can be too many options. After that, I pick one thing to be the inspiration, and that’s what inspires the whole house.

What’s an example of one piece of inspiration that influenced a whole home?

One homeowner I worked with loved the color blue. So, I weaved that in different ways throughout the whole house and used it to marry the two homeowners’ styles together.

Featured: Charlotte Moonstone. Photo by Melissa Oholendt Photography.

Featured: Charlotte Moonstone. Photo by Melissa Oholendt Photography.

Note: Kirsten was not the only one that loved Charlotte Moonstone. In fact, it was so popular that it sold out! Check again later to see if it’s back in stock. In the meantime, this is a very similar style. 

Do you always use one common theme to tie a home together or do you ever design rooms separately?

I like it to feel cohesive for the most part. I don’t like when you walk into a house, and it feels like you’re in a different place in each room. But there is always room for fun splashes of color or interest, especially in kids’ bathrooms and bedrooms. But I do usually try to keep a consistent palette throughout a house.

Where do you find your inspiration?

A lot of it comes from products. The Tile Shop’s showroom, flooring shops, different wallpapers…I get a lot of inspiration from products because you can actually put them in a house. For example, there is one tile we used and it ended up inspiring an entire house. I also get a lot of inspiration from traveling and going to different trade shows.

“I love to travel, see different parts of the world, see how they design and incorporate pieces of what I find into my own designs.”

Which would you prefer: a client who knows exactly what he or she wants or a client that gives you total freedom?

I would prefer they have strong opinions, honestly. When they have no opinion, it’s kind of terrifying because everyone actually has an opinion—they’re just not saying it. Saying “I don’t like this” is helpful to eliminate choices.

Featured: Hampton Large Herringbone Mosaic. Photo by Melissa Oholendt Photography.

Do you prefer designing from scratch or renovating better?

I like them both! And we do both for that reason.

“The thing I love about starting from scratch is that it’s whatever you dream up. It’s so fun to watch a space transform from nothing into someone’s home because of my vision.” 

At the same time, I love walking into a place and fixing what doesn’t work. Whenever I go anywhere, I’m redoing the design in my head. It’s a bad habit! It’s hard to pay attention when I’m thinking about what is driving me nuts about a space.

What is your dream client or project?

We love building on the lake, so I think it’d be really fun to do a fun lake home—preferably with no budget! But my real dream project would be to do a house in Colorado in the mountains. I hope it happens someday.

What’s your favorite part of your own home?

Probably the kitchen just because that’s where I, and my guests, spend so much time.

How do you describe your personal style?

My style is a mix. It’s livable and elegant but not too fancy; it’s clean and bright but feels warm and nice. I love farmhouse style but not anything too rustic. I like modern touches. It’s a blend of so many different styles.

Featured: Imperial Bianco Gloss. Photo by Laura Rae Photography.

Where do you source home decor for your clients?

Some decor is from trade exclusive lines for furniture, some is from places like Restoration Hardware and Crate & Barrel and some is antique. I like to use a mix of resources. I don’t want it to feel too brand new, so I incorporate some older things that have character.

What’s your dream source of home decor?

Traveling would actually be my dream source. There was a flea market I went to in Paris and when I asked about shipping something back home, it was going to cost $50,000. Needless to say, that didn’t happen!

What’s your favorite Tile Shop tile?

White subway is my favorite staple tile. But Royal Satin White is my absolute favorite. It’s so clean and classic but still has depth and dimension.

Featured: Royal Satin White. Photo by Laura Rae Photography.

What’s your favorite thing about designing with tile?
You have so many options, and that’s the most fun. I love the selection at The Tile Shop. You can do an exciting statement tile and then pair it with something basic.

What do you like about shopping at The Tile Shop?

The samples! Everything is there versus looking in a magazine where tiles always look so different.

The Fun Five

What’s your dream vacation?

I would love to go to Fiji and Italy.

What are you streaming right now?

Blindspot. And Grey’s Anatomy is one that never gets old.

What is your favorite hobby outside work?

Being on the lake in the summer and snowboarding in winter.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

Kirsten Dunst because we have the same name.

If you weren’t in your current career, what would you be doing?

I would probably be in corporate America working in finance.

We think you made the right choice, Kirsten!

Be sure to follow Alma Homes on Instagram and Facebook and visit their website for more inspiring designs like these.

The post Spotlight On: Alma Homes appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.