Lena Brion
Brion Design, Inc
briondesign.com
858-755-9011
ASID professional, AIA allied, CID (Certified Interior Designer in the state of California

What is your personal favorite color combination?
What ever works best for the project at hand. What I mean is that every environment is deferent based on the lighting, the surrounding elements and materials in the space, so finding the right combination of materials and colors to work best for that stage and making the client happy is the goal. Colors that I normally would not prefer sometimes turn out the be the best choices to make a space come alive.

Do you collect something?
Experiences and happy clients

Do you have a signature technique or piece that one would recognize in your work?
Hopefully good design, our goal is to reflect the client’s style back to them in a refined way, we want them to recognize themselves in it and not to change them to look like us.

Going Green is all the rage — how do you incorporate environmentally friendly practices into your work?
I have just completed a 2 day seminar for LEED certification. This is a very important part of good and responsible design. When applicable it should be incorporated in the materials selected, use and/or reuse of existing materials. This is such a comprehensive process that can be included in all aspects of design and the construction methods.

Do you have a tip for hiding multi-media & technology so it doesn’t undermine your design?
Hire a good AV consultant as part of the design team. Technology has come so far and there are so many options.

Describe your dream job? Dream client?
I like to work with clients that have thoughts, ideas and strong opinions but who are also open to new ideas and understand the strength of working with professional designer.

When it is time to relax, what is your favorite room in your home?
Currently it is the kitchen, this is the heart of our home and we have just renovated it so it is fresh and new. I have two boys food is a big part of life in our home right now.

What is your opinion of TV shows like Bravo’s Top Design?
They are unrealistic and give a false impression of what the design process is really like. There are so many details that have to be considered in any renovation process. Most clients do not just give a designer cart blanc when it comes to their home. They want to be involved in all details that that takes time to process.

Can you give us a trend prediction for 2009?
Less will be even more then ever with clean lines and as the LEED Certification becomes stronger more green products will be incorporated into the residential market. A mix of new and old creating comfortable, familiar, relaxing, updated spaces.