Q: You work for a prominent firm, why did you decide to launch you own blog, Bjorn Studio?
A: It’s precisely because I work for such a prominent firm, Orlando Diaz Azcuy Design, that I launched the blog as a means to reconnect with my own design voice.Bjornstudio.com is a living document of my perspective, what impresses me in design and what I recommend to others. In particular, I want to share with readers various lessons I’ve learned while working with contemporary artists and design industry leaders. Bjornstudio.com has strengthened my own design voice, while providing a forum for me to connect with readers and share my professional perspective.
Q: Your blog describes a philosophy and an approach to life beyond interior design. Who or what inspires you?
A: My design philosophy is “strive to live life well”. I’m inspired outmost by experiencing cultural perspectives through personal travel and visual arts. These experiences influence my design. I’m also inspired by individuals, such as the architect David Chipperfield, and conceptual photographer Dorothée Smith.
Q: Describe your background and how you got into interior design.
A: I grew up in a family that actively used hobbies as a way to channel creativity, be it making furniture, farming, quilting, or even building a house. I deviated, going off to earn a degree in Economics from the University of Hong Kong. Coming home and getting into the corporate work force was a wakeup call. It was by chance that a set decorator, who was a friend of a friend, saw my home and offered me an assistant job on a Hollywood film being shot in San Francisco. I didn’t hesitate, and found I loved creating interiors on budget with tight timelines. I had found my calling and went back to school to get an Interior Architecture degree from the California College of the Arts.
Q: What did you learn from working in the movie business that informs your design practice?
A: A movie set plays a supporting role to the story, and arguably the interior design of your home sets the tone and influences the mood of your daily life. It is true that emotions are reinforced by aesthetics.
Q: Describe one or two of you most memorable projects.
A: I have two. The first is a beach house in the dunes at Stinson Beach. The client wanted something personalized and very relaxed. I wanted to bring indoors the sand, sea and sky. The result was incorporating warm neutrals with green, blue and yellow tones. Custom furnishings were accented with both vintage pieces and others from DWR. The result is a modern, comfortable environment that feels like a long owned family retreat.
The second is luxury condo in an urban skyscraper. The client had recently located to San Francisco and wanted design help making their existing furniture look right in the space. The use of textured wallpaper and architectural carpets added definition to the rooms. The project is memorable as an exercise in creating the right canvas to accentuate what furnishings the client already owned. It was a real world project, as most people don’t have the time, budget or desire to start from zero.
Q: What are your hobbies? What do you do outside of work?
A: I’m an avid reader. Socially, I’m a member of the Curator’s Circle at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA), which is a forum for visual arts, dance and performing arts.
Q: What is your most prized possession?
A: Without doubt, it’s a sculptural wall time-piece prototype I made of white cardboard. It very geometric, and is designed to catch the movement of light throughout the day: it’s sort of a sculptural sundial, intended to cover an entire wall. It was part of my graduate project for my degree in Interior Design, which received 1st place.
Q: We see so many homes for sale that have very neutral color palettes. What’s your advice about using more bold color?
A: Off-white color palettes make homes for sale more universally appealing, as it is easier for people to visualize their existing furniture in these spaces. That said, color is powerful when used correctly, particularly in rooms traditionally less furnished. Color can add personality and create positive memories of an otherwise forgettable kitchen, bathroom or hallway. Bolder on-trend colors can also make your home feel more modern and appealing to a new, younger group of home buyers. When used in this way, color can set your home apart for the rest of the market.
Q: Describe your ideal client.
A: They have a strong design aesthetic and want to work collaboratively on a project. They’re hard working people that want to live life well and deserve a nurturing home environment.
Q: Do you have any tips for those who need design advice, but feel intimidated by the process?
A: Yes, in fact, I believe this is the primary reason readers come to Bjornstudio.com. Check out my blog and others for advice. Aside from online self-help, if you’re going to hire an interior designer, find someone whose aesthetic you like, then be clear about your expectations, budget and timeline.
If you’re doing the work yourself, think of spaces which you like and incorporate some of that style into your home. Limit your ideas, though, as it’s all about the editing.
Q: Are there any changes that you have planned in the near future?
A: The future is hard to predict. It’s a dynamic time here in San Francisco as technology booms and the real estate market continues to experience strong growth. There are a large number of people transitioning to new homes, condos and apartments. Many of them are either too busy to be their own interior designer, or don’t have the gene. My goal is to help these people out by create settings in which they can relax and live life well.
If you would like to learn more about David visit his Website by clicking here.
