Jennifer Jones: Californian elegance...

She is kind and friendly, well-traveled and open-minded. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Design from UC Davis. She is an excellent professional and a great communicator. Jennifer Jones is the owner of the Niche Interiors. A true leader whose design knowledge and skills are to be admired.

Jennifer Jones

Tell us a few things about your background/education. What made you choose your profession?

I have a Bachelor of Science in Design from U.C. Davis, and started my career as a graphic designer after graduation. It took about a year for me to realize that the graphic design field wasn’t for me – I wanted to get out from behind the computer and create something beyond two-dimensional designs. I love how everyday looks different as an interior designer, from site measures, client meetings, and technical drawings, we are always kept on our toes!

How did you get started in this business?

I worked for two residential firms before taking the leap to start Niche Interiors in 2007. Since then, I’ve grown the team from just myself to a small but mighty team of five. I’m very fortunate to have found two talented designers early on in their careers, Lynn and Anna, who have grown with the business throughout the years and are now Senior Designers. We provide high-end residential design services with a streamlined and personalized approach.

What is your main role in the everyday operations of the business?

As the Principal Designer my role is to make sure that all of our clients are getting top notch service based on our core values of efficiency, creativity and clear communication. I also drive the aesthetics of the firm and ensure that each project meets the highest standards of quality and individuality. On a more practical level, I’m the face of the business and spend a lot of my time forging relationships with architects and contractors to maintain a steady pipeline of new work.

Why do you believe your clients select you over your competitors?

Our streamlined and personalized approach simplifies the process of designing a home. We thought about our busy clients and asked: What would be the easiest and most enjoyable way to design a home? Our entire design process was built around this question. We minimize the amount of in-persons meetings and maximize the number of decisions made so a project can move forward more quickly and efficiently.

Can you say a few words on how our services at High Q Renders have contributed to your work?

High Q Renders has helped take our business to the next level. The quality of the renderings are so realistic and have helped our clients visualize how their furniture selections will look in their space. It’s given them more confidence in decision making and has also helped us refine our vision for a space more accurately.

What is the key to creating and completing a successful project?

Any successful project takes a combination of creativity, technical skills, and project management. Strong collaboration with the architect and general contractor is also crucial. The best projects are the homes that illustrate a cohesiveness with the architecture and interiors.

Tell us a few things about the publicity that your business has received over the years

Niche Interiors has been fortunate to receive some incredible press throughout the years, both locally and nationally. Our work has been featured on the cover of Luxe Magazine, in the Wall Street Journal, in the San Francisco Chronicle and on ElleDecor.com.

Can we have a peek at what comes next for Niche Interiors?

We are working on exciting ground up projects in Palo Alto, Woodside, and San Francisco and are getting ready to install a project at the Yellowstone Club in Montana. 2020 has been a busy year so far! For more information, please visit the company Instagram account @niche_interiors and the website www.nicheinteriors.com

Josie Lywood: an interior designer with eclectic style

Josie is talented, passionate and a great team player. She is a dynamic professional with a strong academic background. Her interior design skills are second-to-none. The combination of smart ideas with leadership qualities help her set and achieve high goals. Josie is the Creative Director of the Q Design House at Richmond of England.

Josie Lywood

Tell us a few things about your background/education. What made you choose your profession?

I had always loved design when I was younger and at school, but I was encouraged to take an academic route by parents and teachers - so when I left school I studied Politics, Philosophy & Economics at Durham University, and graduated in 2012. Having completed a few internships in other career paths - politics, PR, sales - I decided that I still ached to work in a design field and I had to give a design career a go. I enrolled at Chelsea College of Art, University of London, and completed a post-graduated course in Interior & Spatial Design. I worked in London for a number of award-winning Interior Design practices and co-founded Q Design House in 2018 with Michelle Katz. Michelle and I have been friends since we met at school in 2002. She took a different career path and worked as a management consultant in technology and luxury marketing before joining me in the design industry. We seek to combine both design and project management at the heart of what we do - to make the design process as stress free as possible for all of our clients.

What are your responsibilities as a Creative Director? Can you share the design process you follow?

As the Creative Director, I take the design brief from the client and lead the design process. At Q Design House we do not have a set style - we enjoy working with the client to determine their style preferences and creating a scheme that is truly unique to them. To do this, we firstly we go through a Concept Design phase in which we review different style and layout options with the client to determine the direction they want to take. Once the Concept Design has been approved, we refine the design and put together a much more detailed design which includes all finishes, fabrics, furniture specification, joinery design, etc.

What was the most significant moment in your career?

Our first completed project at Q Design House was nominated for the Interior Design & Architecture Awards and one that we will never forget as it was a stunning Chalet in Switzerland which blended all of our strengths in project management, interior architecture and interior design.

Have you ever turned down a client? If yes, why?

We work on projects of all shapes and sizes, so we like to try and take on small projects as well as large sometimes the small projects can be just as fun!

Who inspires you and why?

I am always taking inspiration from other designers – both interior, architectural and product. Reading magazines, scrolling through Instagram and pinning images on Pinterest is certainly an obsession of mine and always makes my head spin with new ideas.

Can you say a few words on how our services at High Q Renders have contributed to your work?

It is very helpful for us to be able to show our clients our designs in 3D - this gives our clients greater confidence in our designs and makes the decision process easier and less stressful for them. We enjoy working with High Q Renders because you create beautiful life-like images and are very efficient and fast-paced.

What makes your business model unique?

The combination of backgrounds that Michelle and I bring, with a specialty in management and design respectively, make us unique as we have a clear focus on project management alongside the design. This enables us to take on projects of all shapes and sizes and manage architects, contractors, structural engineers etc to provide a turn-key service with all design elements managed under one bracket making the process more seamless and less stressful for our clients.

To what do you attribute your success and where do you see Q Design House in the near future?

Hard work, perseverance and working closely as a team has helped us so far. In the near future, we have exciting projects lined up within the hospitality industry but unfortunately these have been put on hold for the lockdown of COVID-19.

Is there any other information you would like to share with us?

Our desire to listen to our clients and create spaces that are unique to them and achieve their own personal visions. For more information, please visit the company Instagram account @qdesignhouse and the website www.qdesignhouse.com

Brian Brady: an architect who brings classical values to the 21st century

He is among the most skilled architects and designers in the industry. His vision and skills allow him to operate as both an architect and an interior designer. A fantastic team player with astute leadership qualities. In a few words, Brian is an authentic, passionate architect with exceptional management skills. A brilliant professional...

Brian Brady & Alexandra Brady

Tell us a few things about your background/education. What made you choose your profession?

I have a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from the University of Notre Dame and spent my junior year studying Classical Architecture in Rome. After college I moved to Athens, Greece, to further my interests in the Classics. My profession chose me. I excelled in Art, Science, and Math, which is the perfect combination for architecture. I knew I wanted to be an architect at age 3!

How did you get started in this business?

After college I moved to Athens and worked for the Ministry of Saudi Arabia doing embassies and consulates worldwide. Upon returning to the States, I worked at IM Pei’s office. I started my own firm in 1984.

What is your main role in the everyday operations of the business?

I am the founder of the firm and am still involved in all off the design decisions that are made.

Why do you believe your clients select you over your competitors?

We have a distinctive look in our architectural style; our homes, whether they are an historic renovation or brandnew, always look like they have been here for a century. Our interiors are refined, serene, and casual. All of our work comes fromreferrals.

What is the key to creating and completing a successful project?

Perseverance. The process can be daunting to clients so guiding them through every step and assuring them of the outcome is key.

Tell us a few things about the publicity that your business has received over the years.

We have been published in most of the online and trade periodicals. We just finished taking part in the Kips Bay Showhouse in Palm Beach.

How do you define business success?

Loving what you do.

Can you say a few words on how our services at High Q Renders have contributed to your work?

High Q has been a god sendtous. Clients today want visuals before they commit and High Q provides top notch renderings with a quick turnaround that you feel as if they are working in your office and are part of your team. Every person I’ve worked with there has been exceptional!

As a busy professional yourself, how do you organize your life and work?

It’s easy when you don’t consider what you do “work”. I can draw and design from anywhere. I have a fabulous staff that keeps the projects organized.

Can we have a peek at what comes next for Brady Design?

A nine-acre compound on a bluff overlooking Peconic Bay in the Hamptons with 5 structures. A full floor on Fifth Avenue in NYC overlooking Central Park. A penthouse apartment on the ocean just south of Palm Beach. Growing our offices in Philadelphia and Palm Beach.

Is there any other information you would like to share with us?

My daughter Alexandra is now a Partner in the firm and will be working hand in hand with me to continue the success of Brady Design. For more information, please visit the company Instagram account @brady.design and the websitewww.bbradydesign.com