Meet Robin | Denver Lighting Specialist

June 9, 2021 Alison Trovato Leave a comment

What is your past work experience / education?
I have worked in lighting for about 6 years here in Denver. I went to The Art Institute of Colorado for Interior Design for a time. I also went to the University of Colorado and have a Spanish and Business degree. I ended up in lighting while at The Art Institute of Colorado and have never looked back!

Where were you raised?
Boulder, CO as well as Denver, CO.

Where do you draw inspiration from?
I think of lighting as functional art. Helping in the creative process to bring amazing lighting design to residential and commercial projects is a huge inspiration. I love how this industry is constantly changing and love working with other creative and design minded people!

What is your most rewarding project and why?
Too many to chose from! I’ve done many new construction custom homes. Those are very fun because you get to be part of the entire creative process with the designer and builder.

In your experience working with C.A.I. Designs thus far, what is/are some of your favorite product lines and why?
My favorite line is Hubbardton Forge! I had the opportunity a few years ago to go to Vermont and visit their facility. The crew there are true artisans in how the lighting fixtures are hand forged iron. The quality is top notch and the designs they continue to come out with are beyond stunning.

What is your favorite color?
Turquoise!

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I have been an avid skier since I was three years old. I also enjoy travel, checking out a new restaurant. My goofier side loves to play pranks on my friends.

If you could travel back in time, where/when would you go and why?
I would probably not travel back in time but rather into the future!

How would you characterize your design style?
Simple elegance.

Do you have a favorite quote?
“Love the life you live. Live the life you love.” – Bob Marley

What is your favorite food?
Sushi!

Robin can be reached in the Denver showroom at robino@caidesigns.net or by phone at (303) 282-8100 x6972

Friday Finds

Friday Finds: Deborah Alexander

April 30, 2021 Alison Trovato Leave a comment

This week’s feature: Deborah Alexander, Furniture Specialist for C.A.I. Designs Chicago!

“City on a Hill is a unique creation of console table as art by Paul Michael Company. The base is a sandstone boulder from the Ozark Mountains, Arkansas with hand cut, hand forged steel bound together for a cantilevered pedestal supporting the raw edge sandstone top. Not for the light of heart, the piece weighs approximately 600 lbs with the price reflecting the many hands it took to create. City on a Hill is a stunning showstopper for any home!”

Featured Product:

• City on a Hill Console by Paul Michael Company

For more information on our Chicago Mart showroom, contact Deborah Alexander at deboraha@caidesigns.net or 312-755-9163 x7003.

Our showrooms are currently open and appointments are recommended. Please contact your local showroom for assistance.

Employee Spotlight

Meet Chris | Denver Showroom Manager

April 21, 2021 Alison Trovato Leave a comment

Where were you raised?
Dallas, TX.

Where do you draw inspiration from?
When it comes to design the person I find most inspirational is Paulo Mendes Da Rocha.

What is your favorite color?
Moss Green.

Do you have a favorite quote?
“Let us be certain of who we want to be. Let us choose for ourselves our path in life, and let us try to strew that path with flowers.” – Émilie Du Châtelet

What is your favorite food?
Dim Sum.

Chris can be reached in the Denver showroom at chriss@caidesigns.net or by phone at (303) 282-8100 x6971

Employee Spotlight

Meet Cameron | Chicago Furniture Customer Service Representative

April 13, 2021 Alison Trovato Leave a comment

What is your past work
experience/education?
I’ve made visual art my whole life, and growing up my parents renovated properties all over the country. Watching homes get gutted and then modernized showed me the practicality of my natural creative tendencies.

Where were you raised?
Roswell, GA.

Where do you draw inspiration from?
My peers, for the most part. I try to surround myself with people different from me, so I’m being constantly challenged with new and rewarding experiences. It also helps me look at the familiar with fresh eyes.

In your experience working with C.A.I. Designs thus far, what is/are some of your favorite product lines and why?
Caracole. I love something flashy, something with a bit of drama, something to talk about. They have pieces that flow such that they have a greater sense of space without having more mass. I like that kind of elegance — large enough to seen but agile enough to suggest grace.

How would you characterize your design style?
Brutalist.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Study new typefaces, make pasta, tactile things.

What is your favorite food?
Capri Meatball Sandwich in Steubenville, OH

Cameron can be reached in the Chicago showroom at cameronc@caidesigns.net or by phone at (312) 755-9163 x7006

Employee Spotlight

Meet Deborah | Chicago Furniture Specialist

April 13, 2021 Alison Trovato Leave a comment

What is your past work
experience/education?
I most recently assisted in the opening of the Natuzzi Italia showroom in Lincoln Park, Chicago. It was an invaluable study in clean sophisticated design lines with a color palette of Southern Italy with soothing qualities to bring to every home as we work, and gather for the important events of life. With a background in fine art, I approach design in the role of curator!

Where were you raised?
I was born in Washington DC, raised just beyond the Beltway in Maryland.

Where do you draw inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from my lineage of strong women in my family, every art museum lingered in, outsider art venue experienced plus the heart of the amazing city of Chicago through it’s diverse neighborhoods.

What is your most rewarding project and why?
My most rewarding project was the client who bought the furniture first before he found the home! We worked to create the energy of leathers and fabrics on pieces which provided respite and inspiration for his global profession. You can imagine my elation when the property was purchased and all designs worked!

In your experience working with C.A.I. Designs thus far, what is/are some of your favorite product lines and why?
I am excited to work with Palecek, bringing outdoor ease indoors and to rooftop gatherings! I love the textures and finish detail of each piece. Also, newly landed in the Chicago, C,.A.I. Designs showroom, Verellen. The snuggly Theo swivel, the look of covered dining chair legs brings a hushed elegance to dining. Can’t wait to pair them with sculptural dining tables of Phillip Selva!

How would you characterize your design style?
Transitional, firmly planted but looking forward.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
All things art. I am working with a photo vellum series layered with gold leaf. My children are currently on 3 different continents. We look forward to safe traveling to visit each other.

If you could travel back in time, where/when would you go and why?
Paris in the late 1800’s when it became a city of fashion, architecture and art. The international exposition changed the way we saw everything.

What is your favorite color?
My favorite color is the color of tumbled sea glass. Walking Oak street beach collecting pale greens and blues.

Do you have a favorite quote?
Trinity to Neo in the Matrix: “You’ve been down that road before…” paired with the slow motion frames of the movie where Trinity and Neo are in the back seat of the car as the back door swings open, a long telescoping look down a rain covered, deserted road.

What is your favorite food?
Right now, almost post pandemic, Small Cheval’s vanilla Amaretto shake sharing golden fries, one for me and one for my Dachshund, Will!

What is your favorite TV Series?
I thoroughly enjoyed The Crown!

Anything else you would like to share?
Please stop in and say hello when you are next at the Mart!

Deborah can be reached in the Chicago showroom at deboraha@caidesigns.net or by phone at (312) 755-9163 x7003

Employee Spotlight

Meet Tiffany | Scottsdale Lighting Specialist

April 13, 2021 Alison Trovato 1 Comment

What is your past work
experience/education?
I was a licensed Cosmetologist for over 30 years in Michigan before starting in the lighting industry 8 years ago. I was forced to look for other income once the economy took a turn for the worse. I applied for a Lighting Consultant position at a company that offered extensive training in lighting. I was fortunate to train under someone who had been in the business of lighting and design for more than 30 years. I absorbed everything that I could pertaining to lighting and design and developed a genuine love for it.

Where were you raised?
Michigan.

Where do you draw inspiration from?
I find inspiration from training and educating myself as much as I can with the latest trends and lighting designs that are fun and functional.

In your experience working with C.A.I. Designs thus far, what is/are some of your favorite product lines and why?
I love Hubbardton Forge because of the unique styles and the ability to choose any of their beautiful custom finishes with any fixture.

How would you characterize your design style?
Transitional.

What is your favorite color?
Yellow.

Do you have a favorite quote?
Albert Einstein’s definition of Insanity: “Doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.”

What is your favorite food?
Anything Mexican.

Tiffany can be reached in the Scottsdale showroom at tiffanyw@caidesigns.net or by phone at (480) 565-3775 x6937

Events

Hammerton Studio Catalog

April 2, 2021 Alison Trovato Leave a comment

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Friday Finds

Friday Finds: Kristin Petro Interiors

March 26, 2021 Alison Trovato Leave a comment

This week’s feature: Kristin Petro of Kristin Petro Interiors, Inc. from Elmhurst, IL!

“This oversized pendant from Arteriors was the perfect proportion in this large kitchen with 12-foot ceilings. It’s texture beautifully complemented the other finishes.”