Bonita Springs Florida Weekly

Combining form and function with comfort, personality

DESIGNER Q&A



A contemporary master bath with more than enough room for two. COURTESY PHOTO

A contemporary master bath with more than enough room for two. COURTESY PHOTO

Naples has been home for Heather Jennings since she moved here as a child with her family 40 years ago from Pennsylvania. She earned a bachelor’s degree in interior design from Florida State University and has worked in interior design for more than 25 years, the past 17 as the owner of HJ Designs. She describes her approach to interior design as one that incorporates form and function/livability with comfort, aesthetics and personality.

When/how did you know you wanted to be an interior designer?

I think I always knew I wanted to be an interior designer. When I was young, my mom would come home from work to find that my brother and I had moved the furniture around — again! I can’t imagine doing anything else. It’s my passion.

Tell us something about one of your most challenging projects.

I had a very specific timeline for completion, but the clients kept changing their minds about what they wanted. It was impossible to for me to keep up with the lead times for many of the products they wanted. I had to get very creative to keep all the balls up in the air. Somehow, I managed to pull it off and everyone was happy.

JENNINGS

JENNINGS

And tell us something about a favorite project.

My most favorite project was working with a previous client on their new home from start to finish, including selecting the building materials. It was fun to design each space, down to the last detail of furnishings and accessories. They were so great to work with. They were open to the ideas that I had in mind and we combined them with their thoughts and plans. The process went very smoothly the whole way through.

What is your favorite room in your own home?

The sun porch. An outdoor sectional makes it nice and cozy, but it’s also light and airy. It’s surrounded by windows to let the breezes in and it overlooks my backyard garden, which is very relaxing to look at.

Above: An elegant yet casual and inviting great room. COURTESY PHOT0S

Above: An elegant yet casual and inviting great room. COURTESY PHOT0S

What are three things every great room/family room should have?

Definitely a deep sofa or sectional that you and your family can curl up comfortably in. A great reading chair and an ottoman to put your feet up on and, of course, a table next to it for your cup of coffee of glass of wine.

Walk us through the process when you start a new project with a client.

The most important thing at first is to spend time getting to know them. We sit down and I ask a series of questions to find out their wants, needs, likes, dislikes, comfort level, color scheme and what overall feel they want their home to have.

What is something that often surprises your clients who are new to Southwest Florida?

Many of them just can’t get enough of the casual lifestyle. They love open floor plans that are completely different from the houses they left behind in other parts of the country. And they’ll be thrilled if they never see snow again.

Above: A sunny living room.

Above: A sunny living room.

Describe your perfect client.

Someone who is easy to work with and who is open to letting me be as creative as I like.

Do you have a design pet peeve?

I really don’t like skimpy, small furnishings that are not the correct scale for the space they inhabit. And artwork that’s hanging too high or that is out of proportion to the wall.

Which do you prefer: remodel or start from scratch?

I love starting a home from scratch. I love watching the construction process. That said, I am mostly doing remolding as people are staying in their homes for many years. We are renovating spaces and freshening them up to be more current with the times.

Any trends you especially love today? And any you will be or were delighted to see go away?

Above right: A coastal-inspired kitchen with all the right ingredients.

Above right: A coastal-inspired kitchen with all the right ingredients.

I love today’s coastal and spa colors for the soothing and comfortable feel they bring to a space. Shades of oatmeal, creams and soft blues plus the casualness of driftwood colored flooring and furnishings make a space very livable. I was delighted to see the Tuscan look go away. It was beautiful in its time, but it’s a very heavy look in both colors and textures.

Any words of wisdom for a young person who thinks they want to be an interior designer?

Customer service is key. Going above and beyond for your clients is important. They need to know you care.

What do you think you’d be doing if you weren’t running HJ Designs?

Maybe I’d be an artist or a full-time gardener. I just love creating! ¦

— HJ Designs 239- 250- 5690 heather@hjdesignsnaples.com www.hjdesignsnaples.com

Right: An inviting lanai makes for an easy transition between indoors and outdoors.

Right: An inviting lanai makes for an easy transition between indoors and outdoors.

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