#368 - HOLLY HOLLENBECK, Founder and Principal Designer of HSH Interiors
SUMMARY
This week David and Marina of FAME Architecture & Design are joined by founder and principal designer of HSH Interiors, Holly Hollenbeck, to discuss her story of becoming a designer, starting an office, her design process, interior design, working with clients; collaborating with architects, and more. Enjoy!
ABOUT HOLLY
As a visual omnivore who eagerly poured through her mother’s Architectural Digest magazines and drew pictures of beautiful houses as a child, Holly Hollenbeck’s raw talent and passion for design was apparent at a young age.
Before establishing HSH Interiors in 2002, Holly primed her entrepreneurial spirit and developed a sharp business acumen working in investment banking, consulting and at an internet start-up. Ultimately, she decided to pursue what she had always gravitated towards and enrolled at UC Berkeley’s Interior Design Program, got a job at a San Francisco-based design firm and quickly took the leap to start her own company. Driven by the mantra that “life is not a dress rehearsal,” Holly believes everyone deserves a home that is a means to living life to the fullest; a bespoke space that embodies their dreams, passions and lifestyle.
Each project is thoughtfully tailored to meet the client’s unique needs, yet Holly’s approach to design is the same for all: to channel her vision around a sense of place and people, not an era or style. Thus, the common thread in her portfolio is a timeless sensibility brought to life through a blend of both modern and vintage touches. Holly’s projects express a keen reverence for the bones and soul of the home, while making it feel comfortable and current. The art, accessories and furniture give a nod to the architecture and provide context to the home itself, creating an aesthetic that is eclectic, bold and unexpected.
Holly finds inspiration everywhere, cataloging her experiences into a vast visual library that serves her creative process. Books, fashion, dance, art, yoga, running and her love for restoring pre-WWII homes all heavily influence her life and designs. Her work has been showcased in The Wall Street Journal, The San Francisco Chronicle, Luxe magazine, San Francisco magazine, Cottage & Gardens, Bridge for Design, California Home + Design, Rue Daily and many other notable publications. While Holly’s projects are predominantly in Northern California’s Bay Area and Wine Country, her portfolio also includes clients in Jackson Hole, Lake Tahoe, Manhattan Beach and Beverly Hills. Holly currently resides in Marin County with her husband, three children and six pets.
TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) Background.
(10:01) Transitioning into interior design.
“There’s so much emphasis now on the computer skills and maybe not enough on the reality of what building is actually like.” (20:03)
(21:14) Design school and studying at Berkeley.
(34:17) Working on different project types.
“There’s the expectation that you are constantly creative and you are bringing fresh new ideas, but also that you have to understand how to run a firm… And then managing the clients which is a whole other talent. And interfacing with builders… Doing that just requires so many different diverse skills.” (39:24)
(39:53) Starting and running an office.
(45:44) Design process.
(59:12) The ideal client or project.
(01:06:26) Collaborating with other professionals.
“Keeping the architect engaged and keeping the designer engaged throughout the process, ensures the best product in the end. Cutting those people out does not save money.” (01:29:43)
(01:40:16) The differing skillsets of architects and interior designers.
“[My job involves knowing] a lot of intimate details about how people live their lives. That level of detail also dovetails into the furnishings too, because nobody has an unlimited budget. There's always conversations around value and what you value.” (01:43:32)
(01:47:46) Favorite designer or project.
