This week’s feature: Julie Dunfee Designs from Lake Forest, IL!
“The stunning prairie views surrounding this farmhouse were the primary selling point for my clients, and we wanted to bring that same beauty and warmth into the home. The color palette I selected contains many elements of the outdoors, and the furnishings include a spectacular dining room chandelier that makes one feel like they are dining under a canopy of trees.” – Julie Dunfee
Featured Products:
Courtney Buffet, Delaney Dining Table and Juliet Side Chairs by Old Biscayne Designs
This week’s feature: Armijo Design Group from Denver, CO!
“There was nothing more fun than collaborating with a long time friend and colleague to create this beautiful contemporary space. C.A.I. helped tie the space together with their eclectic assemblage of manufacturers.” – Beth Armijo
Featured Products:
LA Sectional by Thayer Coggin
Coffee Table and Table Lamp by Noir
Cairo Basket by Palecek
Accessories by Rasstro, Regina Andrew and John-Richard
What is your past work experience / education?
Having an interest in interior design, I took a certification class at the Interior Design Institute in Newport Beach, CA. I also worked at two showrooms in the Stonemill Design Center in Costa Mesa, CA.
Where were you raised? Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
In your experience working with C.A.I. Designs thus far, what are some of your favorite product lines and why? I’m appreciating all of the product lines at C.A.I. Designs because there is a very nice mix of all different styles.
What is your favorite color?
I am drawn to all shades of green.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to bike the canals in AZ, entertain, try new restaurants and travel.
How would you characterize your design style?
Eclectic, I like a mix of old, new, different design styles and a lot of color.
What is your favorite food?
I love Greek food.
What is your favorite TV Series?
Yellowstone.
L can be reached in the Scottsdale showroom at lcowie@caidesigns.net or by phone at (480) 565-3775 x6932.
This week’s feature: Dan Rak of Dan Rak Design from Chicago, IL!
“The architecture of this house in Lincoln Park was pretty traditional, but the client wanted to furnish it in a more contemporary way. As we started sourcing we went to Verellen and immediately fell in love with their Oakley chair and Theo chaise. We knew the soft, contemporary lines of these pieces would create a beautiful contrast with the square lines of the traditional architecture.”
This week’s feature: Kelsey Haywood of Haywoodmade Interiors from Chicago, IL!
“We set the design vision as ‘Understated Coastal’ for this multi-purpose living room. The goal was to maximize and curate comfortable seating throughout. The custom Burton James sofa fits perfectly in the window and the 3-over-1 bench cushion feels casual, yet streamlined.”
Featured Products:
• Custom 98” Zain Sofa in Bacardi Ivory by Burton James • 3907-01 Swivel Chairs in Sahara Sky by Lee Industries
For more information on Haywoodmade Interiors, visit haywoodmade.com.
Our showrooms are currently open and appointments are recommended. Please contact your local showroom for assistance.
This week’s feature: Fern Allison of Lakeside Interiors from Evanston, IL!
“This room features a custom Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting pendant from their Natural Inspirations series. The inspiration for the design was the stone fireplace surround. It has an ethereal/cosmic feeling and these Fine Art globes act almost like stars and asteroids in front of the stone.”
Featured Product:
• Natural Inspirations Random Cluster and Small Hail Stones in a Silver Leaf finish by Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting
What is your past work experience / education?
I started my lighting career about 6 years ago with Savoy Houses’ distribution showrooms. I spent a few years taking homeowner and designer appointments out of 6 different showrooms in North Texas and Greater Atlanta. I moved on to getting my American Lighting Association Certification and transitioned from outside direct to builder/designer sales. I would read electrical plans, assist with whole home selections, bid for large projects/subdivisions, and be on location for install. Because of my field experience, I have become very familiar with the technical side of decorative lighting, lighting code, and the residential building process in general. I was very fortunate to be able to attend the lighting market for the past 6 years in Dallas. I am proud to be able to use my experience to be an asset for C.A.I.’s designers.
Where were you raised? Southlake, Texas.
Where do you draw inspiration from? I draw inspiration from the diversity of lighting I come across in everyday life. I find that everywhere I go I am looking up at the lighting. I am especially excited for my honeymoon to Europe next year. I have always been drawn to the contemporary styles of European lighting designers.
What is your most rewarding project and why? I am most proud of my work with the Gary Sinise Foundation. Being able to contribute to a smart home for a wounded veteran proved to be a very fulfilling experience. My father is a veteran, so I found this project very personal. I worked very closely with this Veteran and his family to make sure the lighting in his home met all of his needs, while keeping to a very small budget from the foundation. The end result left me in tears!
In your experience working with C.A.I. Designs thus far, what is/are some of your favorite product lines and why? Hubbardton Forge and Visual Comfort have always had consistently amazing originality and quality. But more recently I have developed appreciation for more independent suppliers like Heirloom Lighting, who manufactures only in the USA, or Terzani, an Italian lighting company.
What is your favorite color?
Pearl Pink.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
What brought me to Colorado is its beauty. I spend my free time skiing, hiking, exploring. I also play piano and guitar and love to sing.
How would you characterize your design style?
I have always been drawn to very contemporary design. With LED integration, lights don’t have to be designed around a light bulb anymore. I am amazed with the innovation we are seeing now that we aren’t constricted to such a bulky light source.
What is your favorite TV Series?
The Office.
Heather can be reached in the Denver showroom at heatherh@caidesigns.net or by phone at (303) 282-8100 x6972.
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.
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
