STYLE PROFILE: D2 INTERIEURS
If you love color and bright, modern designs, then Denise Davies is one to follow. Davies is the award winning designer and CEO/Founder of D2 Interieurs. She’s built her brand by designing chic, livable and sophisticated homes that seem to radiate positive energy. Her clients include young families who have just made the city-to-suburbs move and are looking to remodel and redecorate, as well as empty nesters looking to make a fresh start. Based in Weston/Westport she designs fabulous spaces across Fairfield, Westchester and Litchfield Counties, NYC, the Hamptons, and South Florida. Designport asked Davies to share more about her personal story and style:
DP: How do you describe D2 Interieurs' look?
D2: We mix a love of modern sophistication and a little rock and roll to achieve a fun, yet timeless look. I am a personal collector of mid century modern art, artifacts and furniture which often forms the building blocks for many of D2’s eclectic and artfully unique designs.
DP: How did you discover your passion for design?
D2: I was hooked on design at an early age. I grew up in Miami where there is such a diverse culture. My childhood home was an art deco home on Miami Beach built in the 1920’s. It had original hand painted tile floors, wall frescos in the dining and lots of arches and tons of character.
My mom, an artist, renovated it and restored all the original details. My neighbor had a pink house (which is typical). Miami is such a mix of modern, old world and Latin and European influences and of course COLOR! My design is all about mixing these elements and using pops of color in thoughtful ways.
Living in Italy taught me how to mix the modern and the old world. The apartment I lived in was built in the 1700’s but the inside was completely modern and minimal. Everything there is about contradiction and that is what I try to convey in my design aesthetic. There are no rules!!
DP: What advice do you give young families when starting out their design plan? D2: I have 3 top tips for any young family:
Rooms can grow with the kids. Having children can inspire the decor to be bold, magical and colorful and when done well, the rooms have longevity as the little ones get bigger. Kid-friendly does not mean lack of style. Homes can and should be fun, and can be designed with “bones” that are timeless and grow with your family.
Your home is your life, especially the kitchen. When you have young children, your kitchen is the heart of your home since everyone spends so much time there. Ask yourself how you are using your home and design your rooms around your lifestyle. Nowhere is this as important as in the Kitchen.
No worse for the wear. A key part of the strategy in designing a home for a young family is including furniture that will age well, and still look great with the dings and scratches that all kids leave in their wake. Durable and wipeable fabrics that are highly colorful are a great start. Banquettes in the kitchen offers additional seating for friends and larger families and allow you to use performance fabrics. Install a valance or roman shade upholstered in a fabric that has bold pops of color over the sink and other windows in the kitchen. This gives the room more visual interest and it’s a fun way to add color and pattern.
DP: What people, places, or things inspire you?
D2: Travel is a source of inspiration for me, and a journey within myself where I discovered new passions, and have a renewed sense of purpose. My recent excursion to South Africa enriched my soul and opened my mind to the vast beauty of the world.
Another source of inspiration for me are magazines, museums, art shows and just getting out into the world and exploring, you do not have to travel far in order to be inspired.
DP: Thank you for sharing your work with us Denise! We can’t wait to see what you create next.
