As we head into the holiday season the team at Interior Designs by Adrienne considered whether to create a holiday-themed post but the internet seems to be inundated with those. Instead, it was requested that I participate in a Q&A with the subject being me. I don’t normally share much about myself but I’ve been persuaded to join in so today you’ll learn about my business, my family and my life before interior design. I hope you enjoy!

GET TO KNOW ADRIENNE

Personal Life

Q - Tell us a bit about your family

A - I’m the oldest in my family with a younger brother and sister. Yes I do have oldest child energy! I married my high school sweetheart and we’re still going strong after 38 years together (married for 31). We’re the proud parents to a grown daughter who is a nurse and will be getting married in 2025.

Aside from our daughter, our family has always included dogs. Over the years we’ve had (and loved) 4 boxers and 4 hounds.  We currently have one of each so if you see them in Cranbrook be sure to say hello.

Life Before Interior Design

Q - How long have you been running Interior Designs by Adrienne and what did you do previous to that?

A - I opened my doors in 2012 and have been working full-time in this career for the last 12 years. Before that I studied to become a certified Dental Assistant. I worked in Cranbrook for 25 years assisting the same dentist throughout my career. 

Yes, it’s often surprising for clients to learn that I came from a background of science before transitioning into this career. Even while I loved working at my previous role I always had a passion for interior design. 

It began when I was a kid, redecorating my bedroom as often as I had permission. I loved crafting from an early age and could spend endless hours creating unique pillows, lampshades, rugs and whatever else my imagination led me to. This became a favourite pastime for me during my teens and young adult life. As with most childhood hobbies, it took a back seat as I began my career but the passion for design remained strong within me. 

Q - Where Did You Go to School? How Long Did You Study?

A - I was lucky to find a program specializing in Interior Decorating that was both Canadian and online. That meant that I could study from the comfort of my home while managing the rest of my responsibilities including my husband and daughter. 

It’s hard to switch careers or study when living in a small town with limited resources and I knew I couldn’t drop out of life to head back to school full-time. This 2-year long diploma course was challenging but allowed me to explore my creativity while taking the time to really learn the basics of design. At the end of those 2 years I knew I was ready to launch into my new career with a thorough understanding of this industry. 

The Last 12 Years at Interior Designs by Adrienne

Q - How has interior design changed in Cranbrook over the last 12 years?

A - Since my career in design began I’ve seen a rise in the number of people moving to Cranbrook. We see more people every year arriving here from across the Kootenays as well as across British Columbia and even Canada wide.

There are lots of young individuals and young families moving into town for the outdoor lifestyle as well as the affordability. Often, people have sold a home in a nearby city and have money to purchase a home with the intent of renovating so that’s creating more work for me. 

I’ve also seen the demand for new builds increase over the last several years. This is a combination of new homeowners as well as the rise in secondary home ownership. Tourism helps bring people to our lovely area and the lifestyle keeps them wanting to come back. 

For those who like to golf, ski, hike, bike and fish this is the perfect mix of all of those in one place. Even for those who aren’t ready to make the move permanently, a second home allows for a fun getaway on weekends and holidays.

This creates a demand for more interior designers and has kept me busy for quite a while. The best part of this is that all of us benefit from the influx of new restaurants and retailers.

I'm optimistic that new developments will continue in the area and I’m excited to be part of the design process. I think we’ll continue to see new residents arriving because it’s such a beautiful area, combined with the affordability compared to larger cities. That, along with a slower pace of life, makes Cranbrook a place for everyone to consider.

Q - What are your favourite and least favourite parts of this job?  

A - It often depends on the day but overall my favourite part of the job is space planning. Whether it’s a kitchen, bathroom or living room I love to spend time playing around with all the elements of a space. 

It’s somewhat like a puzzle because there are always pieces that need to be contained within the structure. No space has just a single layout and it’s my job to explore the options and see where the puzzle pieces best work together.

My least favourite part of my job is managing the business on a day-to-day basis. What’s often overlooked on HGTV is how much paperwork is involved in every project. Along with being good at design it’s important to understand operations, systems and processes. These are the dreaded aspects of business for most designers, myself included. 

Q - What aspect of being an interior designer would most people be surprised to learn about?
A - My clients are often surprised to learn how much collaboration exists between myself and the contractor and tradespeople. We spend a lot of time behind the scenes discussing the installation of materials so that it’s a best fit for the space and the clients. We are in constant communication regarding installation issues that regularly arise. It’s important to all of us to create solutions so that when we discuss issues with our clients we’re prepared to offer solutions as well. 

I think most people would also be surprised to learn how much time and effort is spent on product research. It’s not enough for a material to look great. It also has to be checked for quality, value for money and ease of installation. And even if it’s approved there’s often time spent sourcing replacement options for out of stock or backordered items. 

Social media is another area of concern for most designers. Having a presence is important but just as we master one platform another new one pops up and the learning curve begins again. 

I’ve always found social media so frustrating because there’s such immense pressure to stay current and up-to-date. I recently read a study completed in the last couple of years noting that interior designers typically get about 2% of their clients from social media. With that in mind it makes it hard to be motivated to spend my limited time on that.

Projects Over the Years

Q - Do you have a project that stands out as a favourite? 

A - These photos are from one of my first really big renovation projects. The clients were wonderful and truly appreciated my knowledge of the process. I love having clients that appreciate and embrace colour the way that I do and as you can see, these clients are not afraid of colour.

This kitchen incorporates some memorable additions, including a wall mounted dishwasher. In order to prevent back pain from leaning over to load and unload the dishwasher, we created a solution by installing it a few feet off the ground. It’s a simple but effective solution that the clients are thrilled with.

Q - Where do you find inspiration for your projects? 

A - My husband and I love to travel and this is a continual source of inspiration for me. Sometimes it’s a simple piece of fabric or art and this can be enough to inspire a unique colour palette. When I visit restaurants, either at home or away, I’m always looking at the small details like tile, millwork design and lighting. It’s fun to see new interpretations of a layout or placement that I’d never considered before. 

Living in a place that surrounds us in nature is also an eternal source of inspiration. The changing seasons create so much beauty in the lakes, mountains and rivers close by and I’m always inspired by nature.

Q - What does your dream project look like?

A - I think every designer would agree that the goal is always to be included in the project planning from the beginning. It’s hard to join a project that’s underway because the first few weeks (or months) are often spent putting out fires as opposed to creating designs.

I love working with clients to help create the kitchen and bathroom cabinetry design or a fireplace design or any type of millwork. This is where designers can shine by bringing the practicality of what’s needed along with the skilled work of the millworker.

In addition to cabinetry design I love being part of the selection process for materials, finishes, window treatments, etc. And a project really stands out for me if I can help them source new furniture. While I can appreciate that it’s not always possible, it’s hard to see a beautifully renovated home filled with furniture from a previous home. Often it doesn’t fit or isn’t compatible with the new design. I love when we can work together from beginning to end.

Q - What does your dream client look like?

A - Communication is essential to a positive outcome in design. I need clients to feel comfortable communicating and participating in the process in order to really bring their dream to life. 

Trust is equally important and when a client trusts my instincts and knowledge I feel like we see the best results. Lastly, I really appreciate when a client has a love of quality materials. That doesn’t always mean the most expensive products either. Great quality can come at all price points with knowledge and time to source. It always feels great when I can bring quality materials to a beautifully designed home. 

BEAUTIFUL STYLE FOR MYSELF AND MY CLIENTS

Q - How has this career influenced your own design style? 

A - Not much has changed about my own personal design style over the years. I’ve always gravitated towards transitional design and that’s still my preference. 

I believe it’s best to go for a timeless design that will stand the test of time. For me that means embracing neutral colours and minimal movement in fixed finishes. I tend to stick with chrome and brushed nickel for metal finishes so that they don’t date. 

When I want a splash of colour or to incorporate some pattern I do so with things that are easy to update. That means furniture, lighting and decor rather than having to replace countertops and backsplash tile.

Q - What is your favourite design period and why?  

A - If you’ve seen the movie version of The Great Gatsby you’ll understand my love of art deco design. I love the rich jewel toned colours and contrasting neutrals that mix so beautifully with the opulent gold and silver finishes. One thing that stands out the most for me is their use of sconces and lamps as opposed to the ceiling lighting that we’re so accustomed to today. The sconces and lamps create such a warm ambience and it definitely contributes to the overall mood of that period.

Q - What Design Trends Do You Really Like and Dislike?

A - I’ve always been a huge fan of mid-century modern design. Although it’s very different from art deco it shares some design elements like simplicity, pops of colour and the use of luxury materials.  

I have never been a fan of the modern farmhouse movement for a few reasons. I like to stay away from trends when it comes to building or renovating because these trends won’t stand the test of time. The neutral backdrop can tend to be more blah than wow for me and there’s usually a lot of distressed materials and decor which I’m not a fan of. I think it’s best to stick with design styles that have some historical reference. 

The Future of Interior Designs By Adrienne

Q - What does the future hold for Interior Designs by Adrienne?

A - I'm working on developing a more exclusive working relationship with one of my current custom home builders. This will reduce the number of projects I take on but allow me to be more involved in all aspects of the design-build process.

My husband plans to retire from his 36 year career in the grocery industry in 2026. That will open the door to increasing and expanding my window coverings business. He and I have been providing this service exclusively to my renovation and new build clients for the past seven years. When he retires we’ll have more availability to accept additional window covering projects. If that’s something you’re interested in, keep watching my website for more information about that. 

Final Thoughts From Adrienne 

Q - What message do you have for anyone contemplating a design or renovation project?

A - Start by educating yourself really well around the cost of things. The supply and demand we saw during the pandemic tended to have an overall increase on the cost of a design project. It’s best to have some ideas before you begin to avoid disappointment.

Please remember to begin your build or renovation with an architectural style in mind. This will be the blueprint for your entire project and dictate the direction of design in both the exterior as well as the interior. We currently see homes being built without any architectural inspiration in mind but instead have been built around a travel experience or a home they’ve visited. Always be consistent with your plans and be sure that it will blend into your current geographic location.

Always research your contractor, including speaking to previous clients. Be sure to get a clearly defined estimate and contract so that you’re protected. Unfortunately, we can’t trust the handshake deals of the past. 

Be sure the items you have in mind are communicated clearly so they’re included in your quote. If you don’t mention you want a quartz countertop you may find a laminate countertop has been quoted. A lot of disappointment can be avoided by being clear about what your preferences are.

A designer adds so much value and can save so much money for you in the long run so always bring one into your design project. They’re familiar with the entire design process during a renovation or build and they’re there to answer your questions and guide you through the confusion. 

Lastly, don’t plan to take your Hawaiian vacation during your renovation project. It’s difficult when so many decisions need to be made and a client is absent. Yes, we can communicate via email, text and phone but you’re leaving too much at stake by leaving during this important period of time. 

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about both me and my business. It’s been fun to share some of the behind-the-scenes information with you.

Warm regards,

Adrienne