Name: Shannon Ggem
Company: Ggem Design Co.
Position within company: Founder
Website: shannonggem.com
Tell us a little about your background
I come to interior design from a construction supervision background.
How would you describe your own personal style?
My style is absolutely eclectic. I see beauty in so many different things and have so many seemingly unrelated pieces from travel, they’re only bound by the fact that I love them!
Where does your inspiration come from?
Nature and fine old things inspire most of our work. The color combinations in sunsets and native plant palettes provide inspiration and direction, and I go shopping in clients garages to find their fine old things and feature them in the home. Often the items are meaningful, and incredibly well made; it’s always a pleasure to mix up the shapes and styles beyond what’s currently available on the showroom floor.
In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
I think design is moving toward a general sense of serenity. In our busy world, I see less and less ornament and more and more clean lines, focus on the outdoors, and airy flow.
Name five key themes to consider when approaching property development in 2014 and beyond.
Serenity and flow
Outdoors in
Reuse
Community experience
and
light light light!
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to development projects, what would it be?
Ggem Design Co’s advice is to use good finish materials, they are what you see- and you’re already paying for the labor.
How important are The International Design and Architecture Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
The ID&A Awards are important as they direct attention to the global view of how human beings want to live. We can all get bogged down in our area’s trends, requirements, product offerings and building regulations. ID&A strengthens the practices of those who participate by broadening their perspective- that helps our design build service industry grow and flourish.
What projects are you currently working on?
We are thrilled to be working on a few special renovations right now. Two equestrian property whole home projects and a city project with a fantastic view on an acre of land! An acre is very special in Los Angeles.
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
This year Ggem Design Co aims to enhance our artful clients daily lives!
Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself
Your most treasured possession?
My most treasured possession is a ROCK! I found this water grooved rock on the beach years ago that is smooth and gray and simple and I just love it. There isn’t another one anywhere! It’s very chic. For a rock.
Your favourite holiday destination?
I’ve been so lucky to travel a lot, and have many destination loves! If I had to select one to return to, I would choose Western Samoa. The people embrace you into their villages and treat you like their personal treasured guests. It’s a wonderful place of bounty, beauty and peace.
Your favourite hotel / restaurant / bar?
My favorite Hotel is The Biltmore in Downtown Los Angeles. It’s like stepping back in time!
Your favourite book / film / song?
I collect turn of the century books on household advice and yearbooks. I’m hooked on the hope those two topics provide. New homes & graduation- what’s more inspiring than those moments? The beginning of things!
Your favourite food and drink?
I am veg, and my favorite food is Typico. Rice, beans and veggies in a bowl.
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
A beach, my husband and dogs, a book and a sketch pad.
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
I enjoyed my career as an actress and I suppose I’d go back to acting (but can people go see plays at 4pm instead of 8pm? I LOVE going to bed at 9:30 and getting up really early. I’d miss that.)
Anything else interesting?
I dance (ballet) and my volunteer work is in a wildlife ER. The tasks include feeding orphaned baby skunks, flying hawks on a leash to get them the strength back, and hiding from the newly formed pack of orphaned coyotes as I push their food through a hatch door built for the purpose (I’m on the outside- the point is to make sure they don’t associate humans with food). It’s incredible to release these creatures back to the wild when they are well again. It’s amazing work, and when I set up enclosures for the animals you KNOW I coordinate the sheets and blankets they get!