“Individually as firms, we strive for timeless, authentic designs, divested of trendiness and signatured work that speaks more about a designer than it does about the client’s needs,” adds Tanya Shively, a specialist in eco-friendly designs. Also an accredited LEED professional, she trained with Susie Hersker before starting her firm in 2005.

Synthesizing luxury and sustainability in residential interior design is the goal at Sesshu Design Associates: creating homes respectful of the land, the community and the clients’ needs.

“You can improve the quality of your life while helping protect our planet’s delicate balance by creating eco-friendly luxury interiors for your home,” Tanya explains, noting that she extensively researches the latest eco-friendly technology to present green interior design materials and products that are luxurious, functional and environmentally responsible.

“ISG designers work with their clients individually but through our open-minded approach to collaboration, we broaden our talents, increase our resources and heighten our experience,” says Debbie Samartzis, who trained with “Master of the Southwest” designer, Carol Minchew, for eight years before opening her firm in 2008.

She is also certified by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification. Debbie notes: “In that spirit, we also choose to work with select architects, builders, vendors, artists and craftspeople to create the highest quality interiors.”

“We enjoy introducing our clients to our favorite vendors and superb craftspeople that are only available to trade professionals,” she adds. “Through the relationships that we have with each other, we bring value to our clients. Each of us shares knowledge of our positive and negative experiences that help us choose the absolute best resource for every detail of a project.”

“Each of us strives for comfortable working relationships with our clients and other members of the ISG design team,” says Hank Arens, a graduate of Scottsdale Community College’s FIDER-accredited Interior Design program.

After SCC, he joined Lynda Martin of Camelback Interior Design in 2005 and worked on multiple projects during a five-year period. “Lynda’s award-winning interiors span a variety of styles, from Southwest to Contemporary, and her work is noted for its use of authentic materials and adherence to stylistic traditions,” he says.

“I soaked up Lynda’s ‘hands-on, in the trenches’ approach to mentoring and was fortunate to work side by side with such a talented designer,” Hank adds. “When it was time to venture out on my own, I had the full support and encouragement of Lynda and I knew I was prepared with the knowledge, confidence and professionalism to meet with clients, architects and builders.”

“As I was planning my strategic plan to go out on my own, one of my main goals was to remain a member of Interior Studio Group,” he explains. “The reputation ISG has in our community is outstanding, and the professionalism is unsurpassed. The timeless styles created and manner in which the design process is approached is very thoughtful — with the client very involved in the process. The ability to bounce ideas off of eight other designers is invaluable.”

“When we opened our doors in 1991, ISG worked on many large, high-end model homes for Edmunds and other builders,” Lynda recalls.  She notes that while ISG members usually work informally with each other, occasionally they work collaboratively, as they did recently on a model home at the Sagewood Retirement Community in Scottsdale.

Tanya Shively recalls: “Dennis and Rondi had a few clients who were moving in to the building, so they initially received the request for help making a model look good for an upcoming event they were having. The challenge: “They needed it to be done in less than a week. Rondi brought the rest of us in to help accomplish this small miracle.”

Susie Hersker adds: “We made some calls to vendors, visited the space, drew some furniture plans, and determined that it could be done.” She notes that local vendors Baker Furniture provided the furnishings and accessories and Horizon Art lent artwork. “Each of the designers at ISG worked together as a team to coordinate the entire process — from furniture selection to space planning to delivery and accessorizing,” she says.

The collaborative approach is friendly, developing from an awareness that acting together creates better projects for clients.

Arens notes an example: “When any of us lays out a client’s finishes ­— tile, stone, flooring, furniture, fabrics — in one of our conference rooms, our fellow designers at ISG want to know about the latest project. Oftentimes, one or more designers will suggest an additional concept, fabric, tile they saw that may fit the project. Or, they will see a product they aren’t familiar with and would possibly use for one of their projects.”

Tanya adds: “I always tell my clients that when they hire me, they not only get the benefit of my 15-plus years of experience and expertise in green interior design, they also have more than 110 years of combined design experience backing that up in the office.”

Recently, she was looking for a resource to create a custom concrete powder room sink for a client. She asked her ISG associates for recommendations. Rondi suggested a favored concrete fabricator.

“With the input of the fabricator, we ultimately designed a contemporary trough sink with a Zen-quality water feature flowing into a basin filled with pebbles,” she explains. The powder room received a First Place award from the local chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers.

Tanya: “Working with ISG provides the best of both worlds — a small, personal experience with each individual designer focusing on each client’s project and a large design firm with many people giving advice, solving problems, sharing resources — and delivering the finest designs to our clients.”

Interior Studio Group, LLC:  8340 E. Raintree Drive, Building D, Scottsdale, 480.443.4800, www.InteriorStudioGroup.com