Arizona Foothills Magazine has given back to our community for more than 16 years and we are about to take on one of our largest projects yet! Arizona Foothills Magazine will be partnering with The Phoenix Dream Center and some amazing community leaders such as Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Meek, from Desert Star Construction, and Mark and Chrissy Donnelly, authors and philanthropists. The Phoenix Dream Center serves more than 40,000 people every month through a variety of programs and Arizona Foothills Magazine will be helping by supporting The Dream Center Life Recovery Program.
We are so excited to be a part of such a wonderful cause and help in every way we can to make this project spectacular! The Dream Center Life Recovery program is a faith-based, residential recovery program that helps men and women overcome substance abuse, anger management and emotional struggles. The Dream Center Rescue Project operates two separate homes for underage girls and adult women (18-30) who have been rescued from human trafficking and sex slavery from the streets of Phoenix.The Rescue Project is designed specifically to meet all their needs including spiritual and emotional support, while providing an environment that is loving and caring.
Read more to find out about how we are going to help The Rescue Project be a tremendous success! AZfoothills.com is so proud and honored to be a part of such a wonderful cause by helping girls have a safe haven. The 10 top design firms in the Valley will be participating in a contest to create the best room for these girls. These designers were chosen not only because of their incredible skills but also because of their big heart. Each designer came forward to help with The Rescue Project by donating their time, energy and money to help create a beautiful room. By working together to help build a warm and loving environment for these oppressed girls, we are facilitating a better community in Arizona.
Meet Amelia Kizerian Interiors
Amelia Kizerian (Photography by Dan Raustadt, www.biggerpictureimages.com )
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What is the name of your company?
AKI: Amelia Kizerian Interiors, Inc.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: When and where was your company founded?
AKI: I have been working as a designer since 1994, but started my own company in 1999. It was founded in Park City, Utah.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Where is your office located?
AKI: 4014 N. Goldwater Blvd. Suite 201, Scottsdale, AZ.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Why did you choose to become a designer?
AKI: With the possible exception of genetics, there is nothing that influences our lives more than the environment we live in. Some regard design as inessential or frivolous. However, as humans, we are unique in our ability to adapt the world around us to suit our needs. That is what makes us so successful as a species. Design is nothing less than the refinement of our humanity.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What other designers have inspired your vision to create beautiful work?
AKI: Definitely Ulf Moritz. He creates beautiful and extremely unique fabrics. Also, Dorothy Draper, Juan Montoya,Dale Jones - Evans Pty Ltd, Playground Melbourne Pty Ltd are some others with great vision.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What sets you apart from other designers?
First, I would say my education. I was trained as an architect, and am able to see a project from all points of view. I am also a very good listener and I pay strict attention to my client's thoughts and needs.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What is the craziest idea that someone has asked you to design?
I believe that all clients are crazy. Not that that is a bad thing: The creative impulse is a kind of insanity, and that's what drives us to seek the impossible. Ultimately, transform the world. It is my job to find the spark of genius within the insanity, and translate that genius into real, functional, livable space.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Is there one specific design you have done that is your favorite or have you had the most fun with?
One client had an amazing collection of antique medical devices and articulated animal skeletons. However, they couldn't figure out how to display them in a fun way. Together, we came up with a cheerful lighting scheme, accented with comfortable yet tasteful period furnishings that made that room pop. It was truly my favorite experience.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What are the main reasons you are choosing to participate in such a wonderful and motivating cause?
AKI: As I said before, we have the ability to transform the world with design. I am a very visual person and am most comfortable in a beautiful environment. These girls in the Dream Center have seen and experienced the worst horror imaginable. I believe that they deserve a beautiful environment to live in, socialize in, relax in, and recover.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What experience do you hope to take away from helping the beautiful and inspiring women from the Phoenix Dream Center?
AKI: Peace and Hope.
Meet Oz Architects
Inga Brooks
Don Ziebell (left), Amy Johannsen (left center), Inga Brooks (right center), Merritt Larson (right)
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What is the name of your company?
OA: Oz Architects, Inc. – Lead Interior Designer
Arizona Foothills Magazine: When and where was your company founded?
OA: Our company was founded in 1992 in California, with the main office. It was then relocated to Phoenix in 1995. In 2009, Interior Design was added as a key component of the business, exclusively to compliment the architectural projects of Oz.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Where is your office located?
OA: We are located in the Scottsdale Airpark at 7401 E. Redfield Rd, sharing a building with Antiquities. Antiquities is our sister company that imports antique and reclaimed European building materials for our own clients and projects .
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Why did you choose to become a designer?
OA: Pursuing a career in design came naturally after being raised in a home that embraced the beauty and function of antique. I also learned to embrace classic designs alongside contemporary art and ideas. Traditionally, buildings themselves were often both beautiful and functional. For example, one of the things I most enjoy about my work at Oz is being able to fully integrate the style and details of the interiors with the architectural design for our clients’ homes.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What other designers have inspired your vision to create beautiful work?
OA: I feel that we are often surrounded by inspiring people, places, and objects ‐ the key is taking the time to notice. I seek inspiration in many different places, from nature to classic design style, from artists, architects, and designers to current fashions. I admire and appreciate a range of styles from the comforting, sophisticated work of Rose Tarlow to the rich natural simplicity and beauty created by European designers such as Alex Vervoodt and Marcel Wolternick.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What sets you apart from other designers?
OA: A commitment to creating comfortable, functional designs that reflect the owner’s goals and lifestyle. I also love to help reinforce the quality of the architecture. While I try to acknowledge current styles, I also believe it is very important to create designs that are time‐ worthy and lasting. We feel it is very important, particularly in the current state of the economy, to provide owner’s with cost effective, value oriented solutions that are fully coordinated with the building and construction process.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What is the craziest idea that someone has asked you to design?
OA: There are no crazy ideas, just creative ones!
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Is there one specific design you have done that is your favorite or you have had the most fun with?
OA: I just completed a wonderful project in Silverleaf. I partnered with the clients to help bring their visions to reality. She has a great sense of style and design and it really was fun to work together incorporating the found antiques and family treasures within the new designs of the home. A mix of new and antique materials throughout both the architecture and interiors of the house added to the welcoming feel of their home. Designed with the clients, to fit their lifestyle and needs, it truly will be a beautiful gathering place for the whole family!
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What are the main reasons you are choosing to participate in such a wonderful and motivating cause?
OA: I am excited to be participating in this wonderful cause and believe that design can be inspirational and nurturing, which are qualities that could be very important to the young women at the Dream Center. It is often the perception that only the wealthy have access to good design, so we hope our participation can be a small part of expanding that access.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What experience do you hope to take away from helping the beautiful and inspiring women from the Phoenix Dream Center?
OA: I believe that those helping others often benefit as much as those being helped. I know I look forward to learning from these women who are demonstrating such courage and a commitment to overcome a kind of adversity most of us can’t begin to imagine.
Meet Palm Design Group
Dana Lyon
Dana Lyon (left) and Michelle Heriaud (right)
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What is the name of your company?
PGD: Palm Design Group.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: When and where was your company founded?
PGD: 2001 in Phoenix, AZ. While spending 15 years in publishing with Conde Nast, I was always surrounded by luxury goods. I would constantly renovate and sell homes. Ten years ago, I made it my full time job to design homes.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Where is your office located?
PGD: 4521 N. 39th Place, Phoenix, AZ 85018.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Why did you choose to become a designer?
PGD: I don’t think it is something you learn, it is a gene you are born with. I love antiquities and contemporary design. I love to mix historical with modern to create sophisticated and timeless looks. I like everything to be one-of-a-kind, which is what being a designer is all about.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What other designers have inspired your vision to create beautiful work?
PGD: Several designers have inspired me, but to name a couple would be John Saladino and Bobby McAlpin.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What sets you apart from other designers?
PGD: Simplicity.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What is the craziest idea that someone has asked you to design?
PGD: A 10,000 bottle wine cellar.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Is there one specific design you have done that is your favorite or you have had the most fun with?
PGD: No one particular favorite, they have all been great experiences.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What are the main reasons you are choosing to participate in such a wonderful and motivating cause?
PGD: To give these courageous women a safe haven on their journey towards a new life.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What experience do you hope to take away from helping the beautiful and inspiring women from the Phoenix Dream Center?
PGD: We will take away the comfort in knowing we did something to help turn their lives in a positive direction.
Meet Tamm -Marlowe Design Studio, Inc.
Michael Marlowe (left) and KT Tamm (right)
Michael Marlow (left), Natalie Schuetz (center), and KT Tamm (right)
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What is the name of your company?
TMDS: Tamm -Marlowe Design Studio, Inc.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: When and where was your company founded?
TMDS: The two principals merged and formed this company in 2005
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Where is your office located?
TMDS: Old Town Scottsdale: 4160 N. Craftsman Court, Suite 101
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Why did you choose to become a designer?
TMDS: It was like equations to a mathematician. Design simply/intuitively always made sense to me.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What other designers have inspired your vision to create beautiful work?
TMDS: We pull from a range of influence. We are inspired by historic work, as well as, contemporary. A couple of designers I am consistently blown away by are Alex Vervoordt and Albert Pinto. I also love the French Art Deco designers, Ruhlmann and Adnet.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What sets you apart from other designers?
TMDS: Our diverse design experience. We have a large creative tool box to pull from. On top of over 25 years, in the high end Interior Design field, Tamm- Marlowe Design credits include Set Design work in the Film and Television industry as well as restaurant, club and retail design.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What is the craziest idea that someone has asked you to design?
TMDS: A client in the Hollywood Hills ask me to design a Mid Century Modern Tree House-, complete with 2/3 scale mid century furniture. I had a ball- I think it was more for the parents then the kids
Arizona Foothills Magazine: Is there one specific design you have done that is your favorite or you have had the most fun with?
TMDS: At this point, in our careers, we have designed almost every aspect of interior architecture and themed entertainment. My favorite aspect of design is to watch the client come up with a great idea then being able to facilitate it that dream into reality.
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What are the main reasons you are choosing to participate in such a wonderful and motivating cause?
TMDS: Because we can- those of us who can, should. Can you think of a better cause…?
Arizona Foothills Magazine: What experience do you hope to take away from helping the beautiful and inspiring women from the Phoenix Dream Center?
TMDS: JOY!
