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.
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
This week’s feature: Linda Peterson, Lighting Customer Service for C.A.I. Designs Scottsdale!
“Hands down, my favorite thing is our beautiful Axis Ring chandelier by Hammerton Studio. This artisan glass fixture is completely fabricated right here in the U.S. and the quality and attention to detail shows. Invisible LED modules illuminate the glass, while unobtrusive LEDs provide task lighting. Suspended by thin cables, this sleek yet glamorous ‘ice sculpture’ seems to float on air.
Like so many of our light fixtures, this one really needs to be seen to be appreciated. Please visit us in our Scottsdale showroom and prepared to be wowed!”
Scottsdale Design District
Featured Product:
Axis Ring Chandelier by Hammerton Studio
Our showrooms are currently open and appointments are recommended. Please contact your local showroom for assistance.
Philip and Bruce Hathaway, National Residential Sales Manager for Hubbardton Forge, discuss the evolution of Hubbardton Forge and LED lighting, their partnership with Swarovski Crystal and more!
Surprise! Enjoy this special Part 2 episode of Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting featuring Peter Yera, Director of Design & Development. Discover the Foret Collection, learn the process of product development and more.
For more information on Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting, visit finearthl.com.
New episodes are released every Tuesday at 3PM CST.
Discover the fascinating world of glass making and get inspired as Philip interviews Frank Englesby, Director of Glass Manufacturing & Design for Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting.
For more information on Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting, visit finearthl.com.
New episodes are released every Tuesday at 3PM CST.
