Designer Q&A
Dedicated to Design
Jane Ganz, ASID, owner of Directions in Design, Inc., loves the challenge of creating rooms that blend the client’s wishes, taste and lifestyle.
BY
Vicki Pickle
PHOTOGRAPHY
Colin Miller/Stauss Peyton

Q: What spring colors and trends have you found exciting to incorporate into your current and upcoming design work?

A: Mineral blue and green, along with platinum, have woven into our color selections, while using many gold, green and russet shades to coincide with an organic or natural feeling of many rooms. It’s an exciting time to be in design.

Q: How do you blend time periods and styles to achieve the vision you create with your clients?

A: Blending styles and periods makes for interesting homes and rooms and should be done with care to create an elegant contrast. For instance, a contemporary interior can have a great hand-carved chest, adding contrast and drama, or you can put a contemporary fabric on a traditional sofa to add just the right spark.

Q: How do you ensure that each room you design takes on a distinct look or feel?

A: Sometimes a client already has a design element to build a room around – a wonderful piece of artwork or furniture, a color they absolutely love, a chandelier that is perfect, or a fireplace mantel, etc. I present many floor plan solutions, architectural elements, and color and lighting choices that offer opportunities for blending ideas and styles.

Q: What are common challenges for homeowners that can be skillfully remedied by interior design techniques?

A: Problem solving is a great part of design. I often design architectural elements or millwork to correct the scale of a room. Adding or changing general lighting, task lighting or accent lighting can transform a room aesthetically.

Designer Sketch:
JANE GANZ

didinc.com

Hometown: Webster Groves

Love: Fabrics – Chenille and silks add luster and dimension

Blending ideas & styles: Can add pizzazz

New wallcoverings: Textured wallcoverings offer a lot of depth