I had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful Interior Designer named David Brian Sanders when I was selling a home for a client in Benedict Canyon. I was so impressed with what he had done with that home that I wanted to get to know him a bit more, so I recently interviewed him about his process and his design skills:
JH: How did you get started interior design?
DBS: I got my start in Interior Design, by truthfully being at the right place at the right time. An old friend from college knew I was living in LA and reached out to see if I knew anyone who would be interested in opening, a satellite showroom in the Pacific Design Center, on the West Coast for Peacock Alley, Luxury Linens. It took me about 3 minutes to say ME!! I had just put down my Chef’s coat and knives and was ready for change!
JH: You are one of the most sought after designers in LA, what do you attribute most to your success?
DBS: I honestly think that OUR success as an Interior Design studio is our efficient and effective use of the clients time and our time. We move with accountability, integrity, and TALENT!! Second to those qualities, is that we listen to understand, rather than listening to reply!
JH: Who are your biggest influences?
DBS: My biggest design influences would be Zaha Hadid, Mies Van Der Rohe, Charles and Rae Eames, John Lautner, and I have had the distinct honor of renovating and refurbishing a Richard Neutra in the Hollywood Hills several years ago.
JH: You are also a trained chef, does this play a role in how you design a kitchen?
DBS: Yes, thankfully I know my way around a kitchen and I’m familiar with the working ‘triangle’ that should be most effective when creating that work space. The ‘Triangle’ of the kitchen is the relationship of the distance/location between the cooktop/range, the refrigerator, and sink!
JH: What is your process? (without giving away any secrets to your competitors)
DBS: The broad stroked version of this question is that we meet with our clients to see what makes them tick, makes them happy, how they are going to use their space. We must listen! One of the biggest problems today is that people don’t listen carefully. We try very hard to make sure we care for not only the use of the space, but the BUDGET that we are working within. I have always said that we are working with and in the most sensitive aspects of a person or families life, their home and dollars!
JH: What is the one project you are most proud of?
DBS: The project I am most proud of is the renovation and re-furbishing of 22 one bedroom apartments for woman and children, and sometimes men, who were victims of domestic violence. The Jenesse Center is one of the most well-known, and most successful life rehabilitation providers on the West Coast. If you or anyone you know is suffering from or the victim of domestic violence, I urge them to reach out to jenessecenter.org.
JH: Where do you like to shop for yourself and your interior design clients? What are some of your favorite places to source furniture, furnishings, finishes, etc?
DBS: Some of my favorite places to source from in LA are: Galerie Half, Hostler Burrows, Una Malan, Richard Shapiro, Mid- Century LA, Marc Phillips Rugs, The Rug Company, Aga John Rugs ( I’ve been working with them for 22 years). In NYC I go to Gotham, Studio Olivier Gustav, Apparatus Studio, CB2,
JH: What do you do to get inspired?
DBS: Travel, Cook and Eat in as many places as I can, and wherever I have not been, I want to go!!
JH: You have also been featured on many TV shows, tell us a bit about this and how it has helped your business.
DBS: I started doing TV unscripted shows about 12 years ago, that lead to more and more one off’s which raised my visibility as a designer on the local level, and then was able to parlay those segments into a series called House Vs. House, which raised our visibility on the national and international level. From there I was able to design, create and launch my own furniture collection called The Collection by David Brian Sanders which was sold globally via TJ Maxx, Marshall’s and Home Goods family of stores.
JH: Have you won any awards you’d like to tell us about?
DBS: Yes, I have received Commendation from the City and County of Los Angeles, CA in recognition of dedicated service to the affairs of the community and for the civic pride demonstrated by numerous contributions for the benefit of all citizens of Los Angeles County. Additionally, I received the ‘Best New Product Award’ at the Las Vegas Home Show at the launch of my furniture collection.
JH: What advice would you give to anyone starting out in this field?
DBS: Keep your head down, and do the work!! All the other ancillary components will come!
If you’d like to learn more about David Brian Sanders visit his website at davidbriansanders.com or check out his Instagram.