Continuing our ‘Designers We Love’ series with local, Bay Area based designer, Brad Krefman of BK Interior Design.
How did you get your start in interior design, and how have you seen the industry evolve around you?
I’ve always worked in and around interior design. After college I cut my teeth in sales in New York at the D&D building working for Holly Hunt and selling textiles and wallpaper. It was a great way to get exposed to the world of interior design and see how the business operated from the sales and supply side. However, after a few years my creative itch was burgeoning and I decided to go back to school at Pratt for a Masters in Interior Architecture.. From there I worked for a few architectural firms who provided interior design services before launching my own company in 2015. No doubt the business has greatly shifted from technology and the internet. Whether its 3D software or online sale platforms the whole industry is so much more digital than when I first started.
What influences inform your design aesthetic?
I often say our projects reference context, purpose and place. It’s a combination of what type of house we are designing, who it is for, and where the location is. We consider all these elements when establishing the overall project aesthetic. I always say it’s not about my personal style but how we can help clients best express their own.
Is travel a source of inspiration for you? Our collections are inspired by places that we have traveled and have connections to.
Yes! Travel is a huge source of inspiration. My photos while traveling are often a detail more than a selfie. It could be a cool door, a bar detail, the color of rocks or shells at the beach – who knows. But getting inspired by other people, cultures and nature is a huge part of travel for me. I always feel so much more present and aware of the built environment when I travel. I don’t think too hard about how or where to apply the inspiration until I am back. It could be weeks, month,s or even a year later but travel experiences tend to creep into our designs and can provide the groundwork or inspiration behind a project or design element.
What is your favorite pattern from our line – textile or wallcovering?
The Soma Marine print provided the perfect graphic punch for this pool house project. It’s both sophisticated and whimsical which is a hard balance to strike. The scale of the pattern is fresh and bold without being overwhelming.
