Get to Know Janelle Steinberg: 25 Questions
Birthplace: Newport Beach, California
Birthday: 16 September
Favorite Foods: Fresh Fruit, Mashed Potatoes, fresh Rosemary Bread
Favorite Drinks: San Pellegrino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cafe Americano from Peet’s Coffee
Hobbies: Photography, Painting, Reading architecture, design and business magazines, Blogging
Favorite Artist: Jackson Pollock
Favorite Architects: Tadao Ando, Paul Williams and Jack Arnold
Favorite Interior Designers: I don’t really have any hands down favorite interior designers. I admire different aspects of many interior designer’s work, spanning styles from Traditional to Contemporary. I would say that Jane Churchill is pretty high on my list. Of course, Tony Duquette. I also like the work of Kara Mann.
Hero: My father. He is a paramount example of hard work, integrity, and devotion.
Daily Survival Items- My Michele watch (if I forget, I will glance at my bare wrist in frustration all day long), coffee, my agenda, lip balm, and fragrance, (my favorite- although I adore many, is Gucci Rush). I should also throw music in there, too. Music makes me feel more productive and creative.
Fun Fact- started college as pre-med
Ideal International Vacation- Number one on my list is Vienna, Austria.
Summers are spent: In Newport Beach for midweek beach days, Lake Tahoe and Vail, Colorado.
On desk- Rolodex, a hardcover Oxford-American Dictionary, yellow steno pad for phone notes and lists (of which I am famous), and my favorite writing and sketch pens in a brass pencil cup.
When young: I would single handedly rearrange my bedroom furniture as a child. I would also organize everything and create different looks for my dresser top. As a teenager, my parents were cool enough to let me literally collage every square inch of wall space in my room with fashion magazine advertisements and photo shoot spreads- that was right before I painted it sky blue and used discarded stage set paintings of clouds as art.
Pet peeves- one of my top peeves is a book jacket. Books are more integral without the loud colors and screaming fonts. I also cringe at poor Trompe l’Oeil…which, sadly, is very common.
Collections: I have this thing for silver and mercury glass candlesticks. I also collect Red English Transfer wear. I currently have a grouping of plates on display with a contemporary hammered silver platter- I like the juxtaposition. One of my favorite possessions is a silver charm bracelet started by my aunt when I was barely a teenager, many people have contributed to it over the years. My husband wants us to start a foreign coin collection together (we’ll see about that one!).
Dream Antique Acquisition: A pair of Savonarola chairs.
Favorite Room to Design: I really love bedroom suites, libraries as living rooms (or living rooms as libraries!), and foyers. I am pining to do an elegant french-inspired nursery (know anyone?!).
Design Process: I address the “program” (needs, wants, and code requirements) and develop the style direction by listening to my clients and respecting the architecture. Really- its about three things: 1) The client, 2) The architecture, and, 3) Accurately working with the architecture while portraying the client.
Once the foundation of the design is developed- I address the existing or proposed architectural details, built-ins and finishes, then the furniture and lighting plan. Lastly, I layer art and accessories.
During the beginning of a project- I listen to classic American jazz. It energizes me and I think, brainstorm and create more freely when listening to jazz than any other music genre (or, worse, silence!).
Part of my continual process happens in my daily life. I constantly seek out information, news, images, new products, old products I don’t know about yet, art…anything to add to the arsenal of my creative mind and my depth as a designer. A true designer never takes (or wants!) a day off!
Every home must have: Good design. Candle light and collections or items of meaning acting as accessories. I have a disdain for clutter and useless kitschy accessories. I call it “drippy” when there’s too much going on and it’s overdone. Every object should be important and contribute to the overall design direction.
Dream home: This is an unfair and loaded question to ask a designer! I will have to say the following- a historic French Chateau (preferably rewired for electricity), a Manhattan Brownstone with working fireplaces and all the architectural mouldings intact, or a Tudor or Jacobean revival somewhere cold…I suppose my dream homes are very location specific and, naturally, driven by architecture.
Who or what has influenced your style: The ideals of “lifestyle” from the fashion industry and, above all, historic architecture and design- the various styles that were at one time new. I love how nothing is really new anymore; it’s just mixed and recycled through a modern filter.
On a more personal note, I feel in love with houses at a young age. My first trip to Beverly Hills, with all the stately homes lined up one after the other in plain sight, dazzled me as a young girl. I still have an affinity for architectural character (which I’m almost positive started that fateful day in Beverly Hills as my friend’s cool step mom drove us around town, which she knew like the back of her hand, while blasting Madonna and letting us sing at the top of our 8-year-old lungs). I like to carry architectural integrity, on some level, through to the inside. I think that’s why I gravitate towards classic and historic styles- they speak to me at that root level. Houses literally move me, and tradition should never be lost. Once I got into design, there was never any doubt in my mind I would specialize in classic residential design.
Three essentials for entertaining: Assuming the company is already fantastic- music, lighting, wine.
For inspiration: Nature’s color and texture combinations are perfect in every way, and they never cease to amaze me. For me, a predictable source of inspiration comes from movies- the scenic design and costumes. One of my favorite things to do is to take a drive and view homes. Growing up in southern California, I’ve always had access to outstanding design- which I am very grateful for. Also, the client is a big source of inspiration. As a designer, every option is at my disposal. Every single one (try to wrap your head around that!). The client and their budget helps to reduce the noise and give me a framework. To work with a client that doesn’t care is very uninspiring.
