Behind every great designer is a commitment to meeting the client’s needs, whether that means bargain-hunting for the perfect chair or seeking inspiration in nature to find the right paint palette. In order to be a successful designer you need passion for the thrill of the hunt, style and good taste, and the ability to plan and manage spaces. If you’re ready to take a leap into redesigning your home, your bathroom, or your kitchen, these locally based designers will make sure you end up with the look you dreamed of, regardless of your budget.
Whitney Edman has a thing for mantles. Born into the design business, she is a master at “editing” rooms and making them multi-functional while mixing the old with the new. A self-described “thrill seeker and wild woman,” Whitney’s energy and passion for design are endless. A tall brunette with sparkly brown eyes, Whitney dresses elegantly and speaks enthusiastically about design.
What’s your design style? My design style is timeless and classic with a mix of fun and the unexpected sprinkled in. I am drawn to European styles, creating a layered look, and mixing antique heirlooms with more contemporary pieces. I like to look at what is already there, edit, and create a room that has touches of the old and personal with new and updated modern pieces mixed in.
What inspires your designs? I am very aware of my surroundings, and everyday life inspires my designs—especially nature. A darling bluish-brownish egg inspired the paint color for a client’s kitchen. I am also inspired by what my clients already have. A piece of artwork in their home might be the inspiration for an entire room. Fashion inspires me. How we dress is how we live, and our clothes and accessories can serve as the color palette, aesthetic, and inspiration for our homes.
What do you love about design? I love the thrill of the hunt. Often a customer will come to me with a picture of something they love, and it is my job to find it and create a custom look that no one else has. My sister calls me “The House Whisperer” because when I see a house or a room, it calls for a certain look and feel, and I pick up on that.
Cris Tabor-Griffin and Jennifer Bernard - Glorious Designs LLC
1048 Randall St.
541/914-2077 - gloriousdesigns.net
Cris Tabor-Griffin and Jennifer Bernard are partners in Glorious Designs LLC, expert stagers, commercial and residential designers, mothers, and best friends. On the go non-stop, they are building a reputation for their attention to detail and hands-on approach to design. They believe that everyone deserves a room, an office, or a space that makes them happy, and they often work with clients who desire to spruce up their house before selling it, or who want to update their home’s look. Cris is an ASP-trained stager (Accredited Staging Professional) and is certified by the American Society of Interior Designers. Jennifer studied Interior Design at Oregon State University.
How did you get into the design business? Cris: We were both recently divorced and needed income! We both have always loved staging and design. We wanted to have fun, and we wanted to fit our work around our families. This partnership has allowed us to combine our passion for design and our drive to succeed in this business while supporting each other.
Jennifer: When we first started we were driving to Salem and working until midnight, while our kids watched DVDs on a portable TV before we drove home. We had to work hard. That is why it is so great to have a best friend as a business partner—we go through it together, and we support each other 100 percent.
What are some of the local projects you’ve worked on? Jennifer: My favorite project, although I love them all, was the teachers’ lounge at Kennedy Middle School. We paired light green walls with a hand-painted mural of a tree with red cardinals perched on their branches. We like to bring the outdoors into our designs, and to create a clean, crisp feel that is fresh.
Cris: As stagers, we are often approached by Realtors to redesign a house that is up for sale. In our staging we use bright colors like green, orange, and red that are high energy and grab attention. We have also designed bathrooms and bedrooms, and auctioned off our services for several charities.
Jennifer: Moving forward we would like to do more commercial spaces. If you want your employees to be happier and more productive, there are particular design methods that would rework an office space. Also, a room makeover gift certificate would make a great Mother’s Day, Sweet 16, or husband-to-wife gift.
What design trends are popular this summer? Cris: I am seeing a lot of white and orange. Clients want modern, clean lines that are less traditional. A hint of sparkle, like crystals and mirrors, are trendy accessories.
Jennifer: Bold, crisp colors are in high demand. Simplicity, clean lines, and an attitude of less-is-more.
As a designer, Beverly Stonecypher feels that creating a space isn’t about her. She wants to create your space, design for you, and reflect your personality and lifestyle. An artistic one-woman show, Beverly has been in the business for almost 20 years, and has designed modern kitchens on a small budget and elaborate kitchens complete with a stove imported from France. A mix of many styles—modern, contemporary, and classic—she says that people don’t realize how much design, color, and beautiful things can enhance their life until they take “the design plunge.”
What do you love about design? I think living with beautiful things, and beautiful color, and having your life in order will enhance your daily experience. To wake up every morning and see something that you love, even if it’s the color of your walls, is life-changing. I do a lot of construction design and remodels, which involves going to job sites and troubleshooting with contractors. I love spending time with clients and getting to know them and their lifestyles. My jobs allow me that pleasure.
If a Eugene resident is interested in your services, what’s the first step?
This process begins differently depending on the client. Some people call and know exactly what they want, but they aren’t sure how to pull everything together. Or people have no idea what they want or what they like, and I help them get started by asking questions. I will come to your space, see how you live, discuss options, and we can determine if we are a good match. If you have pictures, a special piece of furniture, or a piece of art that inspires you, share it with me. Then we go from there.
Tell me about your favorite room in your house. What are the design features? My living room is a collage of my travels. There is a Guatemalan textile hanging over my overstuffed green sofa. There are some antique French tables, and a window seat full of pillows. A wrought-iron chandelier with candles hangs from the ceiling. There are paintings that my best friend made that make me happy every time I look at them. There are vintage chairs and a large leather ottoman stacked full of books. My newest addition is two tortoise shells. It is an eclectic mix of pieces I have collected over the years, and the walls have bright colors that are energized and pop.
Kathy James LaMontagne - KJL Interior Design - 40 E 13th Ave. - 541/344-1793 - kjlinteriors.com - CCB# 185434
If you haven’t seen one of the commercial or residential spaces that Kathy James LaMontagne has designed, you may have seen her act on stage or heard her provide the voiceover for a television commercial. A true artist, Kathy’s designs are inspired by what she considers to be the two most important aspects of a design project: the client and the space. Striving to create sanctuary spaces, Kathy says the best homes are functional and beautiful. Kathy founded KJL Interior Designs in 1991, and has been designing for 31 years.
How did you get into the design business? I have an art degree from Stanford University, and my senior year I had a long assignment doing self-portraits. As I was staring at myself in the mirror I realized that I wanted to be in the artistic field, but I didn’t want to starve. I started researching ways to parlay my interest in art to design. I worked in an interior design showroom, did drafting requests, and got my contractors license.
What are the some of the Eugene-based projects you’ve completed? My firm does both commercial and residential design. I am the designer on record for the McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center, and have done projects for EWEB and the Eugene Country Club. I also have designed residences all over Eugene, from low-budget fixer-uppers to elaborate high-end redesigns.
As a designer, what is your style? I don’t like to be put in a box, and I pride myself on being eclectic. Good taste can be found in every style. I lean toward contemporary design, but when it comes to purchasing large pieces that a client will have for a long time, I like a more classic style. To love your job is a good thing, and to take a space, invest time and money into designing it, and seeing the client happy is what I love about design. I see myself as an advocate for my clients, and I am big on recycling, using what they have. Design truly is a patron art, and my focus is on making my client happy.
