Lori Dennis is an exuberant, multi-talented designer. Anyone who speaks with her can see that she knows how to brighten up a room, both literally and figuratively. Her portfolio features beautiful transformations, from contemporary to traditional. Her brand new show had its Canadian premier on HGTV in January, 2013. She co-hosts a design camp four times a year where she mentors and inspires up-and-coming designers in her field. She published a book on green interior design. And if all that isn’t enough, she is a mother to a three-year-old little girl. Without further ado, my interview with designer to the stars, Lori Dennis:
Lori, when did you know you wanted to be an interior designer? Believe it or not, it all began when I was four years old. I was raised by a single mother who left her entire support system in New York for San Diego. We were not doing well financially and my room was very dull. All I had was a cot, a blanket and pillow. It was a prison-like atmosphere. Then one day, my Popeye sheets arrived and my world changed. My room became a place that I enjoyed coming home to.
What sets you apart as a designer? In LA, being a designer is perceived as this glamorous job. Designers get to spend other people’s money! But that is not the reality. That is 5% of what we do. There is a lot of planning that goes into design. There’s a lot of hard work, like lugging furniture up a hill! But ultimately, as a designer, once you get on TV, you begin to garner respect from your peers. The more people see your work, the better work you get. So I said to myself, you better get on TV, Lori.
So tell me about this TV show of yours. What is it all about? Well, producers asked me to try out for a show. They tested out 12 designers. Originally they wanted 7 and in the end they decided to focus on just 3 – myself included. Our personal and professional lives are basically on display. They are real situations and real clients.
And the design camp? That is a project I’m working on with Kelly Ellis. Originally I wanted to do one a month, but then I came to my senses and we decided to do 4 per year. I love being in front of people. I love teaching the dos and don’ts of the business. I love inspiring and helping other designers build their businesses and ultimately connecting people with each other.
What about your humble beginnings. Ever feel resentful of all the abundance around you and spending large amounts of money on these interiors? My success makes me appreciative. My clients are very kind and giving people. I truly love that people are successful and I don’t feel jealous at all. And we never throw anything away. We donate everything!
So what say you about fashion and design converging? Fashion has always been a precursor to design. Usually whatever came off the runways made it into the design world one or two years later. Now, things are speeding up and that transition is much quicker. I can’t hate on fashion designers for jumping into my party because I’m going to jump into theirs.
Tell me about your Hollywood hills project. It was a 1,400 square foot home transformed into a 6,200 square foot remodel. The $14 million property is on Blue Jay Way, a street lined with celebrity homes. The project took one year to complete. It offers spectacular 360 degree views of LA, from the valley to downtown LA to the Pacific Ocean. The area used to sport ranch houses, but it is now the it place to live. At the end of the project, I was glad it was minimalist since there wasn’t much budget left for the interior design. I injected my green-friendly white reclaimed oak and Valcucine cabinets. The floors have radiant heating. I also made sure to incorporate some furs and create a warm feeling since a family was living there. My concept was the Flintstones meet the Jetsons.
With all that’s on your plate, do you still have time for design? You have to have your own laboratory. That’s where the ideas come from. How can you teach other people the business if you aren’t doing it yourself?
For more info on Lori please visit her design camp website at www.designcamp.com and her interior design business site Lori Dennis, Inc. www.loridennis.com
