Tag Archives: holly hollenbeck

WestEdge Wednesday Part Seven | 645 | Kitchen rEvolution: Crafted, Curated Spaces Created for an Evolving Clientele

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Kitchen Revolution: Elevating Kitchens and Baths for Lifestyle, Wellness, and Technology. Designers and innovators discuss how kitchens and bathrooms have transformed into lifestyle-focused, wellness-oriented, and tech-savvy spaces, shaping the homes of today’s discerning clients. From pandemic-driven shifts to smart appliances, spa-like bathrooms, and open-concept living, this panel explores the evolving demands of homeowners and the strategies designers use to balance aesthetics, function, and innovation.

1. Introduction

  • Host Virzine Hovasapyan, Experience Director of Marketplace of Innovation for Pacific Sales, introduces the panel and sets the stage: kitchens and baths are no longer purely functional—they are deeply personal lifestyle environments.
  • Emphasis on the convergence of beauty, comfort, and smart technology to meet wellness-focused and tech-savvy client needs.

2. Panel Introductions

  • Karen Rideau, Kitchen Design Group: three decades of experience, expanding from kitchen and bath to full interior architecture.
  • Holly Hollenbeck, HSH Interiors: bi-coastal firm specializing in remodels and new builds, high focus on kitchen and bath.
  • Lori Hafele, Hafele Design: luxury cabinetry-focused design, hard surfaces specialist.
  • Pam Barthold, Poziom Designs: national remodels, holiday decor focus, wellness integration.

3. Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Shifts

  • Kitchens evolving into living spaces for family interaction and entertaining.
  • Movement from segmented to open-plan living; the kitchen is now the “heart of the home.”
  • Rise of furniture-like cabinetry and hidden storage to maintain aesthetic beauty.

4. Collaboration Between Designers and Showrooms

  • Importance of collaboration between designers, manufacturers, and showrooms.
  • Need for continuous education on appliance and technology innovations (steam ovens, microwaves/air fryers, modular units).
  • Designers as knowledge bridges for clients.

5. Wellness in Kitchen and Bath

  • Bathrooms now spa-like: steam showers, infrared saunas, cold plunges.
  • Kitchens adapting for wellness-conscious lifestyles: beverage centers, accessible hot water, herb gardens, indoor/outdoor cooking integration.
  • Efficiency for tech-savvy clients: proximity solutions, outdoor entertaining, smart layout adjustments.

6. Technology Integration

  • Challenges of over-technology vs. simplicity: balancing clients’ desire for tech with usability.
  • AI and digital inspiration may introduce non-buildable concepts; designers interpret and adapt.
  • Circuit breaker capacity and smart appliance integration considerations.
  • Strategies to educate clients and ensure the right technology fits their lifestyle.

7. Translating Client Dreams into Practical Design

  • Process includes space planning, 3D renderings, vendor collaboration, and creative problem-solving.
  • Importance of editing ideas to fit space and budget.
  • Budget discussions start early; expectations around pricing, lead times, and custom millwork.

8. Setting Expectations & Discovery

  • Use of robust client questionnaires to uncover lifestyle, wellness, and usage patterns.
  • Managing timelines, trades, and supply chain realities.
  • Addressing dual-client decision-making and educating clients on care and maintenance of appliances and materials.

9. Audience Q&A Highlights

  • Managing open-plan kitchens and sound/visual separation through back kitchens, secondary prep spaces, and innovative layouts.

10. Key Takeaways

  • Kitchens and bathrooms are now multifunctional lifestyle spaces, blending aesthetics, wellness, and technology.
  • Collaboration, client discovery, and education are critical for successful design.
  • Designers balance aspirational visions with practical realities to deliver functional, beautiful, and personalized homes.

Links / Resources:

  • Pacific Sales – West Coast leader in Kitchen, Bath, Outdoor, and Total Home solutions.
  • Kitchen Design Group – Caren Rideau
  • HSH Interiors – Holly Hollenbeck
  • Hafele Design – Laurie Hafele
  • Pazzam Designs – Pam Barthold

How Exceptional Design is Like Long Distance Running or Any Great Achievement | 551 | Holly Hollenbeck

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Over the years, I have spoken with many clients who really don’t understand the process behind design. I think there are many beginner and mid-level designers that don’t fully understand process, means and methods. If a client wants their projects completed quickly, they can always find a designer who will do it for them. It’s their replacement who has to pick up the pieces. I can hear many of you nodding in agreement as I say this. It’s the journey, like that of a runner. You don’t decide to run a marathon, buy a pair of shoes and run it. There is a process. A very long and challenging process. The same is true when trying to become the best at what you do in any endeavor. Just like design.

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

Monogram – It’s the details that define Monogram

ThermaSol – Redefining the modern shower experience. Without steam, it’s just a bathroom.

Design Hardware – A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home!

 – Where service meets excellence

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

Today, you are going to hear from Holly Hollenbeck. Holly and I discussed the parallels between long-distance running and project management. Holly, an experienced ultra-distance runner, shared her lessons learned from participating in challenging races, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning, determination, and experience. She also highlighted how these experiences have influenced her approach to project strategy and risk management. 

Holly shares some of the challenges she faced in her design and client management roles due to the Covid-19 pandemic and economic fluctuations. She emphasized the importance of clear communication with clients, setting expectations upfront, and being flexible to pivot when necessary. We also discussed the differences in real estate design and mentality between the United States, Europe, and Asia, with a focus on the concept of the ancestral home and the shift towards renovating existing homes rather than moving due to high housing costs. There is an overwhelming need to adapt to constantly changing market conditions and client needs.

Holly shares her experience of having her kitchen design featured on the cover of California Home and Design in 2007, which she attributed to serendipity and connections with friends. Holly and I discussed the pitfalls of designing homes based on current trends, emphasizing the importance of creating cohesive, functional spaces rather than focusing on individual, trendy elements. They highlighted the risk of a design becoming outdated and the need to balance trendy elements with timeless pieces. Holly shared her approach to navigating clients’ desires for trendy features by ensuring these elements are used in unique and personalized ways. And you are going to hear all about it, right after this.

Thank you Holly, loved our chat. Keep on truckin.

Thank you to my incredible partner/ sponsors; ThermaSol, Design Hardware, pacific Sales, Monogram and TimberTech for your support for the show and the industry as a whole. We are a stronger because of industry partners like you. And of course, thank you for listening to the podcast, subscribing to the show and sharing it with friends and colleagues. Please keep the show and guest suggestions coming, I do appreciate them and do my best to respond to every one.  Convo By Design @ Outlook dot com and on Instagram, convoXDesign, with an “X”.  Thanks again for listening. Happy New Year, make this the year you’ve been hoping it would be. Until the next episode, Stay focused and above the chaos.