Description

What unseen design choices create a truly meaningful space?

Go behind the scenes in interior design with Blima Ehrentreu, lead designer at a top firm, as she reveals her creative process for crafting inspiring spaces. Learn how she adeptly balances form and function, using cutting-edge technology alongside timeless principles to create environments that uplift and empower.

Blima Ehrentreu, the Founder and CEO of The Designers Group, is transforming the design industry with her creative expertise and commitment to empowering women, fostering inclusivity, and making a lasting impact on communities. 

As a prominent industry leader, The Designers Group stands at the forefront of cutting-edge interior design, specializing in high-end interior spaces for commercial, residential, and healthcare portfolios. Blima's dedication to her work and community has earned her a reputation as an unyielding force within the industry. She believes that design holds the power to shape positive environments and uplift communities. Her philanthropic initiatives, including TDG Gives Back, TDG Furniture Exchange, and TDG Insider, demonstrate her deep-rooted belief in giving back and making a difference through design. 

Ranked number 15 by Inc. Magazine among the fastest-growing private companies in the New York Metro Area in 2021, The Designers Group continues to expand its regional presence and project portfolio. The firm is certified as an MWBE (Minority and Women Business Enterprise) and employs a diverse team that brings inclusion and passion to every project. 

(00:01 - 00:02:35) The Power of Diverse Perspectives

• Having designers with specialty expertise allows for tapping into diverse skillsets and fresh ideas.
• Remote work opportunities attract top talent and new viewpoints.
• Understanding client needs requires reading between the lines of what's said.

(00:02:36 - 00:05:29) Visualizing the Future

• Advanced 3D rendering and VR let clients experience spaces before built.
• These technologies aid internal collaboration and external fundraising.
• VR events allowed potential donors to connect with school expansion plans.

(00:05:30 - 00:08:25) Guiding Clients Towards Optimal Outcomes

• Designers aim to interpret clients' true spatial needs.
• If clients insist despite warnings, get acknowledgement in writing.
• People often learn by experiencing the space over time.

(00:08:26 - 00:12:05) Navigating Design Trade-Offs

• Acoustic panels were suggested but budget limited their use initially.
• Senior living features require balancing advisable and functional.
• Some forgo ideal mail room size, causing lobby overflow.

(00:12:06 - 00:22:35) The Inspiration of Travel

• Cruise ship design maximizes durability and visual delight.
• Experiencing how different cultures use space sparks new perspectives.
• Revisiting historic sites reveals new learnings over time.

Quotes:

"We hear what they want to do with the space, we hear what our vision is, and then take that and build a design around it." - Blima Ehrentreu

"Sometimes experience is the best lesson." - Blima Ehrentreu

Connect with Blima:

https://www.instagram.com/thedesignersgroup/

https://www.thedesignersgroup.com/

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