| © 2007-2010 modernhouston.net. - all rights reserved. |
________________________________________________________________________________________________
| .. |
| . |
_______________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
| receive modernhouston.weekly |
| . |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
 | |  | |  | |  |
| featured Houston Interior Designer Laura Umansky One of Houston's most talented interior designers, interpreting her clients' visions with her own unique style to create award-winning interiors, Laura U. is building the ultimate design brand with her self-branded boutique and design studio. modernhouston.net spoke with Laura about her background in art and architecture, her boutique, and her passion for detail. enjoy! |
MH: With a background in studio art and
architecture, you've pursued a career in
interior design. How did you follow this path?
LU: When I first started, I wasn't quite sure
where I would wind up, I just knew I
wanted to be in a creative field and art
was a natural fit for that. Probably about
halfway through my undergraduate
studies, I realized I wanted to do interior
design. It grew as an interest for me over
the years, mostly when I was in school. And
I've always felt that a design education
can be applied across multiple disciplines.
I've studied photography, sculpture,
ceramic, and painting - I intended to go
into interior design, but I thought that a
background in art and architecture would
make me a more well-rounded designer.
architecture, you've pursued a career in
interior design. How did you follow this path?
LU: When I first started, I wasn't quite sure
where I would wind up, I just knew I
wanted to be in a creative field and art
was a natural fit for that. Probably about
halfway through my undergraduate
studies, I realized I wanted to do interior
design. It grew as an interest for me over
the years, mostly when I was in school. And
I've always felt that a design education
can be applied across multiple disciplines.
I've studied photography, sculpture,
ceramic, and painting - I intended to go
into interior design, but I thought that a
background in art and architecture would
make me a more well-rounded designer.
When I was young, probably as young as elementary school, I drew floor plans for fun.
No one in my house rearranged the furniture but me, and I enjoyed doing it. Growing
up, though, I was mostly interested in photography. In school, I definitely painted, in
and outside of class, but I didn't really start working with sculpture or ceramic until
university.
I've always been interested in photography, and that was what first led me to
architecture – I loved taking photographs of architecture. I do keep my photography
up, not on a consistent basis but mostly when I travel. I'm interested in capturing what
I'm seeing. I think it helps me pick out the details of what I'm seeing too, because the
lens is so focused on certain specific aspects. The lens kind of filters the noise.
No one in my house rearranged the furniture but me, and I enjoyed doing it. Growing
up, though, I was mostly interested in photography. In school, I definitely painted, in
and outside of class, but I didn't really start working with sculpture or ceramic until
university.
I've always been interested in photography, and that was what first led me to
architecture – I loved taking photographs of architecture. I do keep my photography
up, not on a consistent basis but mostly when I travel. I'm interested in capturing what
I'm seeing. I think it helps me pick out the details of what I'm seeing too, because the
lens is so focused on certain specific aspects. The lens kind of filters the noise.
MH: Who has been the biggest influence in your life? The most inspiring designer?
LU: My husband Michael has been the biggest influence in my life. We met when I was
a sophomore in college. He's definitely been the driving force behind everything I do.
He's my biggest fan and he pushes me to step outside my comfort zone every day.
As far as other designers and other artists, there are a couple of architects that I really
love. Alvar Aalto – a Finnish architect. Carlos Scarpa – an Italian architect. Their work is
so personal. I don't even know how to describe it. They both seem really sensitive to the
way that people interact with their environment. As far as interior designers, I'm inspired
by the first professional interior designer, Dorothy Draper. I think that you can walk into a
space she designed and know it's hers – she has her own look. I really love her style, but
I also love that she was so daring in her business. When she started her practice, it
wasn't typical for women to do that.
LU: My husband Michael has been the biggest influence in my life. We met when I was
a sophomore in college. He's definitely been the driving force behind everything I do.
He's my biggest fan and he pushes me to step outside my comfort zone every day.
As far as other designers and other artists, there are a couple of architects that I really
love. Alvar Aalto – a Finnish architect. Carlos Scarpa – an Italian architect. Their work is
so personal. I don't even know how to describe it. They both seem really sensitive to the
way that people interact with their environment. As far as interior designers, I'm inspired
by the first professional interior designer, Dorothy Draper. I think that you can walk into a
space she designed and know it's hers – she has her own look. I really love her style, but
I also love that she was so daring in her business. When she started her practice, it
wasn't typical for women to do that.
MH: Do you aim to have your own look
too?
LU: I want the interior to look like the
client – I never want it to look like me –
but I think you can tell an interior that
we've designed. It's a collaboration. You
can tell it's ours, but it always looks like
the person who is living in the space.
MH: What inspired you to open your
own boutique?
LU: I don't know if it was an emotional
decision – I've just always wanted to
have my own retail space. I think it
comes down to wanting to create an
environment and wanting to control
what I'm putting out there, and I really
wanted to share the things that I love
with everyone. The boutique gave me
an outlet to do that. It took a lot of
planning, but I really like that we have
both the boutique and the studio in
the same place. Our clients can walk
in and understand what we do.
too?
LU: I want the interior to look like the
client – I never want it to look like me –
but I think you can tell an interior that
we've designed. It's a collaboration. You
can tell it's ours, but it always looks like
the person who is living in the space.
MH: What inspired you to open your
own boutique?
LU: I don't know if it was an emotional
decision – I've just always wanted to
have my own retail space. I think it
comes down to wanting to create an
environment and wanting to control
what I'm putting out there, and I really
wanted to share the things that I love
with everyone. The boutique gave me
an outlet to do that. It took a lot of
planning, but I really like that we have
both the boutique and the studio in
the same place. Our clients can walk
in and understand what we do.
MH: How do you decide what to bring into the boutique?
LU: The decision to bring in products involves everyone. We sit down and have a large
pool of things that we love, and then we assign or decide which pieces are best for
right now, what's best in the future, and we just edit and edit.
Our boutique is always changing. It's ever evolving. We have a small space, so we
have to be really careful what we bring in. I love artists and to see the different ways
that people work, and the boutique is a really good way to interface with the local art
community and local artisans. We have local furniture makers here, local art, new
artists, and we try to incorporate local artists into our clients' interiors, too.
LU: The decision to bring in products involves everyone. We sit down and have a large
pool of things that we love, and then we assign or decide which pieces are best for
right now, what's best in the future, and we just edit and edit.
Our boutique is always changing. It's ever evolving. We have a small space, so we
have to be really careful what we bring in. I love artists and to see the different ways
that people work, and the boutique is a really good way to interface with the local art
community and local artisans. We have local furniture makers here, local art, new
artists, and we try to incorporate local artists into our clients' interiors, too.
MH: How do you settle on a vision for each project you take on? Do your clients come to
you with an idea? Do they give you full freedom?
LU: Most of our clients come in with an idea in their mind of what they want to
accomplish in their interior. They have a general idea what they want their space to look
like. They've pulled inspirational photos from magazines and the internet. From there, it's
like purchasing for the boutique – we edit what they've chosen, and then they turn us
loose to complete the design. And it helps them be happy in their own space – they
don't need to see every single step because after we've worked together with them for a
little while, they trust us. But I do like to collaborate with my clients because I think that's
so important in the design process. I learn something new from every client.
Our most successful projects are the ones we collaborate on with our clients in the early
stages – I think their personality ends up more included in the finished product that
they've been involved with. But whatever makes them happy, we cater to them,
whether they have the time to collaborate with us or just need to give us the freedom to
do it ourselves.
you with an idea? Do they give you full freedom?
LU: Most of our clients come in with an idea in their mind of what they want to
accomplish in their interior. They have a general idea what they want their space to look
like. They've pulled inspirational photos from magazines and the internet. From there, it's
like purchasing for the boutique – we edit what they've chosen, and then they turn us
loose to complete the design. And it helps them be happy in their own space – they
don't need to see every single step because after we've worked together with them for a
little while, they trust us. But I do like to collaborate with my clients because I think that's
so important in the design process. I learn something new from every client.
Our most successful projects are the ones we collaborate on with our clients in the early
stages – I think their personality ends up more included in the finished product that
they've been involved with. But whatever makes them happy, we cater to them,
whether they have the time to collaborate with us or just need to give us the freedom to
do it ourselves.
MH: What would you consider your greatest strength or area of expertise?
LU: I think our greatest strength in our firm is that we work very well as a team. We take
the time to understand our clients, we really listen to what they're saying, we truly enjoy
collaborating, we care about our work. We're really conscious of project management,
too. I think as important as design is to what we do, project management is so
important, too. We're really careful about that. We know where every single thing is at
any given time. I think really that's what makes us different as a design firm. As for me,
I'm a little OCD. I'm very detail-oriented. And I'm not happy until things are as perfect as
possible.
LU: I think our greatest strength in our firm is that we work very well as a team. We take
the time to understand our clients, we really listen to what they're saying, we truly enjoy
collaborating, we care about our work. We're really conscious of project management,
too. I think as important as design is to what we do, project management is so
important, too. We're really careful about that. We know where every single thing is at
any given time. I think really that's what makes us different as a design firm. As for me,
I'm a little OCD. I'm very detail-oriented. And I'm not happy until things are as perfect as
possible.
MH: How does your international experience affect your approach to design?
LU: For most designers, it's the thrill of the hunt. Finding that one thing that no one else
has for their clients. That's true for me. I love this industry because it gives me an excuse
to travel. I recently found a great piece in the Paris flea market for a client.
I find traveling and hunting for that special piece or light fixture or whatever it is I'm
looking for - I find it's inspiring and refreshing and I come back with a sense of renewal
and excitement about the project. The way of seeing things in other countries,
especially Italy, the way of life - it's very different than in the U.S. I love Italy. I plan
to live there someday!
LU: For most designers, it's the thrill of the hunt. Finding that one thing that no one else
has for their clients. That's true for me. I love this industry because it gives me an excuse
to travel. I recently found a great piece in the Paris flea market for a client.
I find traveling and hunting for that special piece or light fixture or whatever it is I'm
looking for - I find it's inspiring and refreshing and I come back with a sense of renewal
and excitement about the project. The way of seeing things in other countries,
especially Italy, the way of life - it's very different than in the U.S. I love Italy. I plan
to live there someday!
MH: Who/what are your favorite
manufacturers and product designers?
LU: We just went in December on a trip
through Europe, through four cities. This
was my first trip to Milan. Tt was great to
see all the big houses and their
showrooms! There were two showrooms I
particularly loved in Milan - Cyrus
Company and Versace Home (their home
line).
And we have some local favorites. There's
Stray Dog Designs, a U.S.-based company.
They have some really fun stuff. Oly in
California. And, locally, I love
One3Creative and Wendy Wagner.
manufacturers and product designers?
LU: We just went in December on a trip
through Europe, through four cities. This
was my first trip to Milan. Tt was great to
see all the big houses and their
showrooms! There were two showrooms I
particularly loved in Milan - Cyrus
Company and Versace Home (their home
line).
And we have some local favorites. There's
Stray Dog Designs, a U.S.-based company.
They have some really fun stuff. Oly in
California. And, locally, I love
One3Creative and Wendy Wagner.
MH: Where do you see modern design heading in the future?
LU: We have more and more clients requesting simple, elegant, edited interiors. I think
the never-fussy, stress-free feel, and the "everything in its place" character of modern
design appeals to our clients. We are consistently confronted by stimuli in our outside
environment, and our interior is one thing that is generally under our control. The
modern interior isn't just about comfort, it's also about control. The more hectic the
world around us becomes, the more we seek to create a serene interior.
I really believe everything will be simplified. Even if it's an opulent style, I think that
every accessory will be considered. I think excess is out. Everything is becoming more
intentional and pared-down, with maybe just a single really important piece in a room
– but an intentional piece. Everything's going to have its place.
MH:. Now for modernhouston's signature question. What's your favorite sandwich?
LU: PB&J. Nice and straightforward – you know exactly what's in it!
LU: We have more and more clients requesting simple, elegant, edited interiors. I think
the never-fussy, stress-free feel, and the "everything in its place" character of modern
design appeals to our clients. We are consistently confronted by stimuli in our outside
environment, and our interior is one thing that is generally under our control. The
modern interior isn't just about comfort, it's also about control. The more hectic the
world around us becomes, the more we seek to create a serene interior.
I really believe everything will be simplified. Even if it's an opulent style, I think that
every accessory will be considered. I think excess is out. Everything is becoming more
intentional and pared-down, with maybe just a single really important piece in a room
– but an intentional piece. Everything's going to have its place.
MH:. Now for modernhouston's signature question. What's your favorite sandwich?
LU: PB&J. Nice and straightforward – you know exactly what's in it!
| more information about Laura U Laura U 1840 Westheimer Rd.Houston, Texas 77098 p. 713.522.0855 please visit our website www.laurau.com |
