Investing in quality furnishings that you can use for years to come will pay off in the long run. SLHL asked local interior designers to share their favorite investment pieces.

“In my opinion, lighting can make or break a room. My latest obsession is the ‘Super Bubbles’ chandelier by Charles Paris. It has a modernistic vibe that adds a whimsical touch to any room.” Joni Spear, Joni Spear Interior Design.

Having founded her firm in 1975, Jane Ganz was one of the first female business owners in St. Louis. As a high school freshman, Jane was assigned to write a term paper on a career. She interviewed the highly successful interior designer Don Pisoni and was so inspired she pledged to make interior design her career. Don became her mentor and many years later as he was slowing down, Jane offered him a place at Directions in Design to help mentor new staff members.

Emily Castle established Castle Design in 2003. In addition to an associate’s degree in art and interior design from St. Louis Community College, Castle has a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Washington University. Emily is NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Designer Qualification) certified, a registered interior designer in the state of Missouri and a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers. At Castle Design, Emily leads a team of eight designers.

Susan Greene graduated from Washington University School of Architecture and worked in the field for 11 years before honing her artistic skills and creating Paint Imagery in 1989. As one of the leading artistic painting companies in St. Louis, Greene specializes in faux, specialty and unique painted finishes on any surface, trompe l’oeile, wall murals, graphics and logos, hand-painted furniture, commissioned art on canvas and historic preservation.

Chris Berry co-founded brooksBerry Kitchens and Baths in 1994 and quickly established a reputation for designing and building award-winning projects. Since the retirement of co-founder Mike Brooks in 2012, Chris has continued to lead her staff in designing spectacular spaces. Chris has won numerous national and local design contests and has received five prestigious Sub-Zero International Kitchen Design awards. In 2011, Chris was given the Best Kitchen award by the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

Lauren Strutman has specialized in the design of custom homes since graduating from Washington University in 1983. Lauren has a master of architecture and master of civil engineering in construction management and is a registered architect in both Missouri and Illinois. Lauren specializes in residential design as well as historic restoration, remodeling and additions. As a talented architect, Lauren has received the 2006 Excellence in Masonry Design for Private Residence from the Masonry Institute of St.