Welcome to the August edition of Behind the Brand, where KBB seeks to illuminate – somewhat! – the creative process from the perspective of top product designers in the kitchen and bath fields. Being able to look at everyday objects in a radically different way is the [un]common denominator of these talented individuals.
This month, we hear from:
Grace Denniston, senior industrial designer, Kalco Lighting
Richard T. Anuszkiewicz, creative director, Monogram
Christopher Grubb, Arch-Interiors Design Group, Strasser
As a product designer, my greatest responsibility is…
Denniston: As a designer, my greatest responsibility is to provide people with beautiful, well-made and high quality light fixtures and furniture pieces that bring joy and comfort into their homes. Being involved in the whole design process – from concept sketching, to CAD, to solving engineering issues, to launching the final product – is vital to create a piece that not only looks beautiful, but is also well constructed and functions in the environment it’s supposed to.
Anuszkiewicz: My greatest responsibility as the Monogram Creative Director is to redefine the standards of luxury. By doing so, we are ensuring that the modern-day homeowner has the opportunity to enjoy superior appliances that merge elegant, design-forward aesthetics with outstanding performance for the ultimate cooking experience. With the recent introduction of the Monogram x Richard Anuszkiewicz Designer Collection, I sought to design pieces that were thought-provoking, inspirational and unlike anything on the market with features like the industry’s first-ever custom 96-inch refrigeration panels and hardware wrapped in sustainably-sourced, durable leather. I want the products I design for Monogram to bring the wow factor and act as a source of joy and inspiration within the home.
Grubb: I first and foremost feel a responsibility to sustain the philosophy of the manufacturers I work with. Secondly, I design to diversify their existing offerings as well as create what as a designer I would like to use on projects or what I see missing from the market.
Photo credit: Kalco Lighting
One of my creative touchstones is…
Denniston: One of my creative touchstones is nature. I gravitate towards natural, organic shapes as inspiration for new designs. I love the beauty of flowers, water in all forms, geometric patterns and layering of light with opaque and translucent materials. Alabaster, capiz shell, natural fibers, leather, metals, and crystal can be cut, molded and bent into unique, light-catching forms. The natural world is beautiful, and for many people it is a quiet and peaceful escape – a feeling I try to emulate in my designs.
Anuszkiewicz: Customization. I’m inspired by fine jewelry, clothing elements, custom cars and other products we interact with every day that epitomize luxury design. I like to challenge the expected and ask “why not?” The Monogram x Richard Anuszkiewicz Designer Collection has afforded me endless exploration in finding new ways to combine unique aesthetics, materials and proportions to create tailor-made designs for premium products and spaces.
Grubb: The influence of my passion for architecture is recognized in clean lines of my designs coupled with my attraction to a mix or juxtaposition of materials and finishes. Among my recent product designs, my penchant for clean lines is especially evident in the Colville vanity from Strasser.
An industry trend that I’m watching is…
Denniston: An industry trend I am watching is the use of color. A couple years ago, I would not have dared to use any colors but neutrals, but these days I am becoming bolder, and more people are looking for statement lighting for their homes. I prefer to use color trends as guidance, and then create interesting color combinations that feel sophisticated and luxurious, or soft and subtle.
Anuszkiewicz: Bold color and unique metal finishes continue to dominate the kitchen landscape. The Monogram x Richard Anuszkiewicz Designer Collection Titanium and Brass collections offer striking visuals to this trend. Each collection is distinct and transcends style from contemporary to traditional. The Brass collection makes an impactful maximalist statement while the Titanium collection is sleek and offers a quiet modernity.
Grubb: The trend of customized offerings, the more prevalent presence of texture and graining in wood and how both a darker and lighter stain are being used simultaneously. I’m particularly keen on watching if satin bronze will continue to grow into a major presence in the industry as well as the “hinting” of a warm copper finish that I love, and watching to see if it has legs to grow into a recognized finish.
Photo credit: Monogram
The best part of my job is…
Denniston: The best part of my job is having the opportunity to create and dream up ideas that, with a lot of hard work, thinking and collaboration, transform into beautiful light fixtures that bring joy and inspiration to other people.
Anuszkiewicz: Designing beautiful, premium products and spaces that bring people together in the heart of the home. It brings me great joy to know that Monogram appliances are an integral part of daily routines, and I’m so proud to know that people are making beautiful, lifelong memories in the kitchen.
Grubb: The obvious is designing the piece but the overriding pleasure is working with my partners and their development teams, production and manufacturing groups and marketing and sales departments. I pride myself on being a true collaborator for the success of the endeavor and it’s wonderful to work with the entire company and as a group be part of making my designs come to life. And of course, the pride I have when someone likes my pieces and puts them in their home.
Photo credit: Strasser
If I had a week off from the studio, I would…
Denniston: If I had a week off from the studio, I would spend time with my family, cook some delicious food, and dive deep into an existing art project, or start a new one and try working with a material I’ve never used before.
Anuszkiewicz: Travel! Getting out in the world is so important for my design inspiration. Culture, cuisine, sights, music, architecture, there is so much to get energized from and explore new parts of the world.
Grubb: Many people use their time off to go to the beach or a resort and have down-time. My enjoyment is being an active traveler experiencing different cultures and being energized by the inspiration of nature and architecture. Right now, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam are on my radar. Can I have three weeks off?
