Jodi Berger, founder and principal designer at JLA Designs in Potomac, Md., is a true believer in the idea that design should not only be singularly beautiful, but also eminently functional for everyday life. “When I visit a client’s house a couple of years after our work for them is complete, I want to see that they have lived with the finishes and furnishings we specified ‘way back when’,” she said. “As a designer, I also want to make sure my projects have a luxurious, high-end feel, while being practical for active families who are using their spaces every single day.” Here, she shares her go-to products that are equally eye-catching and efficient.
Sometimes all you need is one star to make your design cohesive and complete. Mixed-stone mosaic tile is a great addition to a powder room floor, vanity wall or bathroom accent. It’s fun to bring several elements together in a space with one showstopping element. The Opia Mosaic by Ali Budd for Artistic Tile is the perfect wow factor for any bathroom or bar backsplash. Photo credit: Artistic Tile
While metal is the standard finish used for plumbing fittings, it’s fun to incorporate another material on a faucet to add depth and interest to a bathroom, bar or kitchen. We love the Venezia Collection by Fantini – designed by Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez, it has so many creative material and color options for the faucet handles. It’s perfect for a primary bathroom or powder room statement! Photo credit: Fantini
I find using linear light fixtures over kitchen islands adds scale and drama to the space. Kelly Wearstler designed the Nido Series for Visual Comfort & Co. I adore the pendants’ scalloped shape and contrasting materials. It’s a minimal design that makes a big impact. Photo credit: Visual Comfort
Kitchen appliances don’t have to be boring! There are so many new options out there to suit our clients’ cooking preferences while looking unique and sharp. With so many customizable elements – knobs, metal trim finishes, door styles – and more than 1,000 color choices in the Platinum Series from BlueStar, we can open up worlds of design possibilities for the kitchen. Photo credit: BlueStar
Electrical outlets can be an eyesore, especially in backsplashes, waterfall edges, cabinets and other locations that are clad in high-end surfacing. But with Trufig Wiring Devices, we can seamlessly integrate outlets into our architectural finishes. The fascias are painted to match the surrounding material, whether it’s wood, stone, tile or something else. It is a life-changing design element that we consistently use. Photo credit: Sonance
One of the most functional and versatile kitchen elements is the workstation sink, which comes with several accessories including cutting boards, drying racks and mixing bowls. We particularly love the designs from Ruvati – like this 33-inch Granite Composite Undermount model – for their price point, quality and practical solutions for cooking and cleaning. We’ve been implementing these in almost every one of our kitchen designs! Photo credit: Ruvati
