Color and Pop Hints with Mid-Century Design Flair with Janel Holiday

The San Francisco design guru is back to dish out more wisdom on Mid-Century Design

Back in October, we interviewed San Francisco-based designer Janel Holiday about her eclectic, Mid-Century Design sensibilities, and we enjoyed her funky taste and down-to-earth expertise so much we invited her back for round two. Find out why we love Janel and how she spreads the love through her work.

[blockquote author="" pull="pullright"]I believe that yoga should make you a kinder and more patient person. This has really helped with my relationships with clients, subs, and the industry.[/blockquote]

What was your path to becoming a designer?

I studied art in college with an emphasis on collage. I also studied graphic design and had my hands in many artistic pots. I had begun working for an interior designer in Los Angeles when I realized that all the forms of art and design I loved were interwoven with interior design and I didn’t stop!

How does living and working in San Francisco influence your take on interior design?

I find my San Francisco clients to be busy individuals and have many passions. The city inspires them with its culture, art and outdoor spaces and designing with these passions in mind helps to create personal, livable spaces. My clients love Mid-Century Design.

 

What makes San Francisco living spaces unique?

When working with smaller apartments and homes we run into a lot of storage solutions, so maxing out the spaces to make the most out of small rooms is super important. I am finding that more of my clients are liking to entertain at home, so designing spaces for entertainment and gatherings has been a big focus.

Your work often features big pops of color. How do you manage strong hues without overpowering a small space?

It’s a balance. Being wise with offsetting the color with a muted color helps. For instance, I would pair a split pea green wall with a gray sofa. Lighting is also super important to not overpower the space.

What do you do in your free time? How does this influence your work?

I always say that nature is my muse. I am very inspired by the ocean and my hikes. I also practice a lot of yoga. This has really helped with my relationships with clients, subs, the industry. I believe that yoga should make you a kinder and more patient person. I try to take "on-the-mat thinking" off the mat and into the world. I also love attending art shows, concerts, museums, etc. I love discovering new designers and pulling my artistic influences into my work.

What has been your most challenging/creatively rewarding project to date? Why?

My San Francisco Video Game project was super fun. It was not so much a challenge, but more rewarding in the sense that these clients were such a pleasure to work with. They were super open to my ideas and to new product – like the cement/birch wood sound panels we installed in their music studio/room. When clients are having fun with the project and excited about it then I believe that shows in the finished project. It doesn’t feel strained, stressed or forced. project was super fun. It was not so much a challenge, but more rewarding in the sense that these clients were such a pleasure to work with. They were super open to my ideas and to new product – like the cement/birch wood sound panels we installed in their music studio/room. When clients are having fun with the project and excited about it then I believe that shows in the finished project. It doesn’t feel strained, stressed or forced.