Designer Diaries - Serena Park

One of our newest additions to our team, Serena Park shares her inspiration and favorite snacks.

1)      What is your favorite BHD project (either that you have worked on or not)?

Avow. I am impressed how well the space embraces the history of the building with sophisticated design details.

2)      What is your favorite design product?

Bower Studio – Archway Mirror (Black & Clear)

3)     What (or who) inspired you to be a designer?

My Mom. She often brought me to home decoration stores that sells imported European furniture, home accessories and fabric in my teenage and asked my opinion when she shopped and I liked to shop with her.

4)     What is your most used emoji?
🙃

5)    What was your first job?

A teacher at a Private institute in Korea

6)    What are you streaming right now?

Jordy Searcy - Fire Radio on Spotify during the day + What/If on Netflix at night.

7)  What is your favorite snack food?

Strawberry Bliss Balls

8)     Where have you gotten lost on purpose?

The Met in NYC

9)      In a parallel universe, what is your profession?

Painter who inspires by impressionism.

10)      Coffee or Tea? How do you take it?

Straight Americano(Ice/hot) in the morning. Latte with Almond milk after lunch. And Licorice & Peppermint tea at night!

Designer Diaries - Valerie Liang

Senior Associate Valerie Liang shares her inspiration and a few of her favorite things in this edition of Designer Diaries.

1)      What is your favorite BHD project (either that you have worked on or not)?

Grand Hyatt SFO – one of the BHD projects I’ve been lucky enough to experience as a guest. The materiality of the public spaces helps make the hotel feel both grand and welcoming, which are the first things you notice when you check-in.

Grand Hyatt SFO, Photo by Paul Dyer

Grand Hyatt SFO, Photo by Paul Dyer

2)      What is your favorite design product?

Currently eyeing Indigo-dyed linen prints by Bay Area artist Carrie Crawford.

Carrie Crawford

3)      What (or who) inspired you to be a designer?

Frank Lloyd Wright – in elementary school my class learned about Falling Water by recreating it out of graham crackers and frosting

4)     What is your most used emoji?

 🤦‍♀️

5)    What was your first job?

A summer internship with a construction company after my first year of college - I worked on the basement level of the REX/OMA-designed Wyly Theater in downtown Dallas

6)  What are you streaming right now?

The Americans and YouTube cooking videos – anything featuring chefs Sohla El-Waylly or June Xie

7)      What is your favorite snack food?

Flaming hot Cheetos with lime. Or extra toasty Cheez-Its. Basically anything with cheese.

8)      In a parallel universe, what is your profession?

Mechanical or aerospace engineer working at NASA

9)      Coffee or Tea? How do you take it?

Unsweetened green tea for every day and masala chai for special occasions

10)      How do you get your news?

NYTimes app

Designer Diaries - Robel Dimaano

Studio Director and Senior Associate Robel Dimaano shares his inspirations and favorite things in this edition of Designer Diaries.

1)      What is your favorite BHD project (either that you have worked on or not)?

There are so many. If I must pick a favorite, it would be my very first project at BHD: Four Seasons Jackson Hole. I appreciated how the design was authentic and timeless.

2)      What is your favorite design product?

Anything Apple makes. From packaging, to the actual product, and to the user interface. Oh, and the Apple campus is not too shabby

3)      What (or who) inspired you to be a designer?

Several People influenced me. In my younger years, it was my aunt who is an actress in the Philippines. The very stylish Mrs. Celia Rodriguez. I loved her sense of fashion and the design sensibilities of her home-It was very Luxurious. Later on, it was Jony Ive. He is instrumental in bringing change to our connected lives. He shows us how we interact with design on a day to day basis - "There is beauty when something works, and it works intuitively."

4)     What is your most used emoji?

😎

5)    What are you streaming right now?

Just finished Ted Lasso – It’s really funny, can’t wait for Season 2. More Fizzy water, anyone?

6)  What is your favorite snack food?

Anything with Cheese or Nuts. You are what you eat.

7)      What is something that none of your coworkers know about you?

I share the same birthday as Ronald Reagan and Axl Rose. I guess you can say I share the same qualities – depends on the mood of the day and deadlines.

8)      If you could teleport somewhere right now where would you go?

Back Home to the Philippines. Would love to see Family and Friends – haven’t been back in 30 years!

9)      Where have you gotten lost on purpose?

Anywhere and as much as possible – love to drive around and discovering restaurants, site seeing and learning about new places.

10)    Coffee or Tea? How do you take it?

Simple Coffee with sugar and cream. Must have in the AM…

11) How do you get your news?

I have several news Apps on my phone - LA Times, USA Today, SF Gate, Flipboard and Apple News. Apple News is great; It covers a lot of select news that is catered to your interests.

Designer Diaries - TJ Morgan

IA team member TJ Morgan’s first Designer Diaries gives us an inside look on his inspiration and dreams!

1)      What is your favorite BHD project (either that you have worked on or not)?

I have had the privilege of working on some projects that are still on the boards. Concept ideation and collaboration are some of the most exciting moments of our work. It’s amazing to see these projects come to line. Check out the rendering and in progress photos of the Montage Big Sky which opens in December 2021.

2)      What is your favorite design product?

Sustainably forested wood veneers are a goto design product.

Forest Management Certification | Forest Stewardship Council (fsc.org)

FSC Consumer Marketplace (onesimpleaction.org)

Architectural Woodwork Quality Certification Program | AWI QCP

PEFC - Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification

3)      What (or who) inspired you to be a designer?

Carlo Scarpa: One of the most enigmatic and underappreciated architects of the 20th century, Carlo Scarpa is best known for his instinctive approach to materials, combining time-honored crafts with modern manufacturing processes. 

Spotlight: Carlo Scarpa | ArchDaily

4)     What is your favorite hotel or restaurant?

My favorite hotel I have stayed at is the RAAS Devigarh in Udaipur, India

Boutique Luxury Hotel Udaipur : Devigarh - RAAS Hotels

5)     What was your first job?

I was a bike courier.

6)  What are you streaming right now?

The Great Pottery Throw Down

7)      What is your favorite snack food?

Bourbon

8)      What is something that none of your coworkers know about you?

I have a recurring dream in which I have long hair – all the more shocking because I haven’t had hair since I was 30.

9)      If you could teleport somewhere right now where would you go?

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

10)     In a parallel universe, what is your profession?

Did I mention the recurring dream – a hair dresser.

Project Spotlight: Earth Day

In celebration of Earth Day and a welcoming of spring renewal this April, BraytonHughes reflects on how a refresh or redesign of a space provides a “new beginning” and serves as a sustainable alternative to a new build when designed with thoughtful use of materials and timeless qualities. As Zahid Sardar once put it, “Good design that lasts…is ultimately the greenest tactic.” The following solutions saved time, expense and materials with design that enhances existing buildings and evolves without requiring significant updates.

At Cavallo Point, a LEED Gold-certified eco-resort located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge at historic Fort Baker, we worked with ARG and in co-operation with the National Parks Service to preserve as much of the original structures and interiors as possible. The redesign maintains the building’s original tin ceilings and restored fireplaces and accentuates its iconic views of the bridge and natural surroundings. Melding the past and present to enliven the interior, classic furniture and custom designed lighting and carpet create timeless interiors reflecting the lodge’s historic and natural setting.

In addition to refreshing historic structures within park settings, we are proud of our work within the City’s urban environment, at the iconic InterContinental San Francisco. Originally a LEED project, the hotel underwent an extensive renovation to optimize every space and be as sustainable as possible with our choices. Bringing the cosmopolitan side of San Francisco inside the hotel, we transformed the Presidential Suite into a stylish and vibrant home away from home. By keeping original elements such as cabinetry, headboards and bath fixtures, this two-level suite suits San Francisco’s perfect blend of contemporary and timeless elegance. The redesign accentuates the suite’s stunning skyline views, introducing a refined color palette with tailored finishes that run throughout the suite’s upholstery, textile wall hangings, light fixtures, and artwork.

We hope the idea of redesigning a space to give it a new beginning sparks some creative ideas for you.

Designer Diaries - Paulette Sarmiento

Making her Designer Diaries debut, one of our FF&E designers, Paulette Sarmiento, gives us the inside scoop on some of her favorite things!

1)      What is your favorite BHD project (either that you have worked on or not)?

Ventana Big Sur is one of my favorite BHD projects. It’s such a beautiful hotel not only because of the location and the unbelievable views, but also, I just love how the interior architecture, rustic materiality and different textures blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings. You will always be connected to the outdoors even when you are inside.

2)      What is your favorite design product?

I have been obsessed with the ceramic work from artist Eric Roinestead. His ability to create unique, functional, sculptural pieces is very inspiring. This geometric chair represents the kind of art that I am drawn to: minimal and natural, but with a strong presence.

3)      What (or who) inspired you to be a designer?

I’ve been a creative person since I was a little girl, and I always enjoyed the classes that required me to draw or paint. I also remember when my mom renovated our 3-bedroom apartment that we used to live back in Colombia. The apartment building was old, but my mom saw great potential.  She ended up converting the 3- bed apartment into a 5-bed apartment after she opened a few walls and redesigned the floor plan; just seeing the outcome of that renovation was something that inspiring to love interior design.

Although I spent a few years working in the tech industry as an Account Executive, it was not until my mid-twenties when I decided to pursue my passion for Interior Design and Architecture. So far, it has been the most enjoyable ride that I’ve ever taken, and I feel like I’m exactly where I am supposed to be.

4)      If you could have dinner with any 3 people dead or alive who would they be?

Cristina Celestino, Lewis Hamilton and Bobby Flay (in a perfect world, Bobby Flay cooking dinner).

5)      What is your favorite hotel or restaurant?

My favorite restaurant in the Bay Area is Sol Food. The flavors and ingredients are similar to Colombian food. If you want to get a taste of delicious, comfort, Latin American food, this is the place to try.

6)      What is your most used emoji?

😊

7)      What is your favorite snack food?

Apple with almond butter and cinnamon.

8)      What is something that your co-workers don’t know about you?

I have five siblings.

9)   If you could teleport somewhere right now, where would go?

Parque Tayrona in Santa Marta, Colombia. A beautiful national park, secluded, with a few sandy beaches tucked into the jungle. There is no Internet connectivity out there, so it feels like the perfect place to relax.

Designer Diaries - Melissa Bell

Making her Designer Diaries debut, one of our senior FF&E designers, Melissa Bell, gives us the inside scoop on some of her favorite things!

1)      What is your favorite BHD project (either that you have worked on or not)?

I have to go with Casa San Pancho in Mexico. I’m a sucker for combining modern and local design. Plus I’ve heard I can stay there for a night or two.

2)      What is your favorite design product?

I love this collection from Apparatus Studio. The horsehair sconce and pendant are beautiful examples of mixed materials.

3)      What (or who) inspired you to be a designer?

I have always been interested in design. My major in college was Art History and I always gravitated more toward architecture, interior design, and furniture design. Even though I started my career in advertising, I was always reading design books and going to design shows and museums. I eventually made the decision to go back to art school and start over as an interior designer. No regrets.

4)      If you could have dinner with any 3 people dead or alive who would they be?

Ice Cube, Jon Stewart, and Charles & Ray Eames (I know that’s 4, but they’re a team).

5)      What is your favorite hotel or restaurant?

The Marshall Store on Tomales Bay. It’s not much to look at, but it’s my favorite place to go for clam chowder and a plate of oysters (grilled or raw).

6)      What is your most used emoji?

It’s a toss-up between 😬 and 🤘

7)      What are you streaming right now?

I just finished Lupin on Netflix. I’m starting Season 2 of The Sinner but thinking The Queen’s Gambit might need to come before that.

8)      What is your favorite snack food?

Chips and Salsa

9)      If you could teleport somewhere right now where would you go?

St. Lucia sounds nice right about now.

10)   How do you get your news?

The Daily Show.