Bloom Design LLC 

I came to Interior Design via Architecture, graduating Yale with an M Arch degree. I then discovered, as I'm fond of saying, that I get confused by spaces bigger than 20 feet cubed and by multi-million dollar budgets.

After a short stint of working with a commercial Interior Design firm I became focused on product- product development with Warren Platner for Knoll and Steelcase, and then for a much longer time as senior engineer or project manager with regional custom architectural woodwork companies. I established my own company 20 years ago, as computers and the business climate were creating significant changes in our world. This started out as a technical services and migrated  back towards design, my first love. The core of this design work has been interior architecture.

Artists are fond of saying that their art is their passion, and so I'm hesitant to write that down. But, truth be known, so it is. I'm a strong furniture engineer and could have pursued that part of my early career- but only at some cost to my soul. Well, a bit dramatic, but...

My design training was under Dean Charles Moore, one of the pioneer post-modernist Architects in the U.S. I was doing Interior Design in CT- hardly a bastion of post modernism. So, hard-headed modernist NY wise-guy that I am, I came to appreciate the wisdom of traditional furniture and woodwork. This gives me a very broad palette, since my modernist skills are strong, as is my fabrication knowledge.

I am a long time Zen practitioner and meditation instructor, as well as a passionate wilderness backpacker. It  has been interesting to me to come to realize how much these diverse interests are integrated with Interior Design. That is, Wilderness is a place where the reality of the moment is unavoidable. When it's beautiful then it's beautiful, and when it's dangerous then it's dangerous, etc. In the world of Zen, we say that the thing itself is always in front of you- can you see it clearly? can you engage it fully? These issues are indeed the very same issues that we engage as Interior Designs! When a project comes along we need to engage in 100%, without a lot of pretense and pre-conditions. We need to toss aside the extraneous issues and, to a large extent our ego, and see clearly what the budget, client preferences, site and function require. When we can manage this, then the design solution is always fabulous.

I have recently initiated a partnership with Rosewood Custom Cabinetry. This really fills out my mission. I have been doing a lot of Design/Build work over the years, and this puts all the components in one basket. I will continue to do full service design, but will also have the capacity to deliver a full package from concept through installation. Rosewood's operations manager, Paul Carlson, who I've worked with for years has a background in design himself. 1 +1=3!

Porcelanosa

Riverside, CT

I joined Porcelanosa in April of this year as an Outside Sales Representative.  Based out of our Riverside showroom, I work with architects, designers, and builders in CT and Westchester County.  Although well known for our large format tiles, Porcelanosa's products also include mosaics, stone, hardwood, laminate, KRION solid surface, kitchens and bathrooms.  We consider ourselves a one stop shop and our products can be seen in both residential and commercial projects around the world.

I have a degree in mechanical engineering and years in sales and marketing, but it was a bit later on that I discovered my true passion for interior design!  I continue to take courses and there isn't a showhouse I won't travel to and enjoy walking through.  I love working with my clients and being a resource for their projects.  It is inspiring to be in an industry with so many talented and creative people.