New Year 2019

99 Oct18390 Finesse Design Studio is a multidisciplinary design firm operating out of Arizona in the United States. In October, Finesse was recognised in LUXlife Magazine’s 2018 Leading Designers awards programme as the ‘Most Outstanding Design Studio’ in the state. We spoke to the studio’s Owner and Principal Designer, Karen Bevensee, to find out more about her work and inspirations. Great interior design isn’t just about the visual impact of a space: its success entirely relies on its ability to reflect the person living within it. It’s no surprise then that the world’s best designers cite communication as the most important tool in their arsenal, alongside an ability to be utterly client- centric. Karen, similarly, is quick to emphasise that she follows a “simple creed” – being an excellent listener. “I take serious interest in my client’s individual needs, budget and timeline. I really love and appreciate so many different design styles and being a designer gives me the opportunity and challenge to create unique spaces for each client. Whether it’s an old fixer upper, a country home or city condo, every project lends itself to strategic and creative planning to give them something that completely suites their taste and lifestyle.” Karen continues, taking a moment to touch on her specific design philosophy: “I believe that artistry and creativity in design must express the individuality of each client, and that memorable interiors should reflect timeless elements of design and capture the essence of one’s lifestyle. ‘Authentic design’ is what I term to describe this believe that beauty and elegance does not have to be sacrificed in the search for responsible design. It is my goal to create unique interiors that people can enjoy and live in, without sacrificing the luxury of sophisticated beautiful designs.” This is, by all regards, a sign of Karen’s expertise and a testament to her almost four decades of hard-earned experience working in a sector that demands only the very best of its practitioners. “I work primarily in home renovation and furnishing, commercial banking and office design as well as restaurant and bar remodelling. My ideal client is anyone who needs professional, creative advice and direction towards their home’s design and décor. They are busy professionals, young parents with full-time jobs, and retired couples moving to this area to create a second life for themselves. Ultimately, they want an interior designer to handle everything from conception to installation while setting the bar higher for their imagination to grow and draw them gracefully out of their comfort zones.” Like most sectors, the design industry has undergone swift developments in a relatively small window of time. Technology, for instance, has been the great driver of change, heralding in new ways to do business and to realise a client’s creative brief. Karen, however, believes in the strength of her experience and her finely honed talents. Great design, at the end of the day, truly speaks for itself. Yet, in the greater design sphere, Karen recognises that sustainability and renewal are trends that are very present in the state, bringing new opportunities and potential for growth. “I’m currently seeing a steady surge of new growth and transformation of renewing the old to new, whether it is in residential housing or in the downtown building boom. There is new energy flowing into many areas in the Desert Southwest and I can see the excitement of focusing on the residents’ needs and wants.” Style Communication is the Cornerstone of Great Design Equally, 2019 is already bringing its own share of developments as the upcoming year’s trends start to be revealed. “There are many areas of design that have shifted; kitchen trends are moving towards less expensive designs; matte surfaces; bold colors on walls and cabinets; ceramic tile for statement looks; craftstman house resurgence; relaxed open space environments with large islands and pendant lighting, in lieu of walls for room separation. Yet, some spirits can never be corralled. Sun-washed warm earthy colors of the desert nearing sunset, worn leather and woven wool blankets of the true west are showing strong.” Finally, the conversation turns to the future, and the impact of the online space in helping to fuel Finesse Design Studio to even greater heights. “I am finding that as my work is viewed on the internet through the various advertising platforms such as my interior design website and as a design professional on HOUZZ, I no longer am a designer in my local area but one who travels extensively to work on design projects with clients all over the United States. In my mind, this is huge! Developing a presence in many other areas in our country would not have been a vision of mine if it were not for the technology growth that has happened over the past years.” Contact: Karen Bevensee Company: Finesse Design Studio Address: Tucson, Arizona, 85705, United States Website: www.finessedesignstudio.com Telephone: 5208889093