Today we’d like to introduce you to Bess Lovern.
Hi Bess, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My interest in architecture and design began while growing up in New York City. I was surrounded by an incredible array of buildings. I watched construction of all sizes of buildings. And I was in and out of family apartments all over Manhattan, from small tight spaces to sprawling luxury duplexes. Some had cityscape views, and others had windows looking into other windows! After earning an architecture degree from University of Virginia, I worked at COOKFOX Architects in New York, and it was there on a project that I began to develop a specific interest in residential and interior architecture.
I pursued work at other small design firms for a few years, learning a few tricks of the trade, working directly for clients, learned the business side of proposal writing and project management. Wanting more autonomy and an ability to express my interpretation of clients’ needs and serendipitously being approached by friends with serious requests for design help, I launched Bess Lovern Designs based in Dallas in 2021. Since opening my firm, my projects have expanded out of Dallas and into New York City, South Florida, Chicago, and San Francisco. We have been so lucky to have a steady stream of referrals from clients, and we have gotten the opportunity to work on amazing homes.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
A smooth road with potholes is the way I would describe it! Starting a business has its challenges, and while I think I have the best job in the world, there have definitely been some struggles along the way. Finding the right team of vendors that honor the detail of my designs and match my standard of quality is a challenge. A pothole is when the vendor shows up with the wrong size marble slab. My journey has been very fortunate in that I’ve curated an amazing team of talented local artists, craftsmen, creatives, and vendors. Their work has been key to executing BLD’s bespoke designs.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Bess Lovern Designs works mostly on high-end residential interior architecture and design projects. It’s a broad range of projects from full-scale renovations, unique furniture design, full interior design, and decor. I pride myself in getting to know each client on a personal level, their interests, likes, dislikes how they envision living and moving in the space to ensure that each of those details are realized in a way that makes the home functional and reflects the needs of the family.
Many clients have young children, so we take that into consideration by sourcing durable furniture and performance fabrics to make sure that the design can withstand spills and bumps and life in general. What makes us unique is that our design process works to understand how we can make our client’s life easier as they use their home. Prioritizing function with aesthetic is a priority when approaching any project. The space needs to be both functional and beautiful in order for it to be a successful project.
We also love incorporating our clients’ pets into designs. In a recent project in Highland Park, we created a “doggy dining room” in our client’s kitchen with built-in plumbing and marble dog bowls. We’ve created custom dog beds retrofitted into built-in bookshelves. Growing up without a dog but longing for one, I had a 3’x6’ window treatment in my room that was covered in a fabric that displayed a variety of dressed-up dogs. I imagined designing with dogs in mind!
I am most proud of our ability to incorporate our client’s existing much-loved furniture seamlessly into a new design of a room. From family heirlooms to art collected over the years, I love to honor those pieces, giving them a new life within the design. I’ve developed a focus on reupholstering or painting vintage pieces to add a sense of history and rich texture to any design while also incorporating a goal of sustainability and repurposing. We also enjoy collaborating with our clients, suing their ideas, and making sure to incorporate their heritage, family culture, or even reflect the geography of where they grew up. We want their home to reflect their personal history as well as their style.
My background in architecture sets me apart from interior designers. Each design is an exercise in scale and understanding proportions. Bess Lovern Designs leans into understanding formal design principles and architecture history to create a unified and relaxing environment for our clients.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The Covid-19 crisis hit a lot of different directions. Like everyone, we too were forced to navigate through uncertainty in production, supply chain, and extended lead times. We were not free to roam about in homes or in showrooms. We had to work differently. It was an incredible time though because it gave us an opportunity to really learn and understand how people used their homes when they were forced to remain inside on a very concentrated basis.
Home office design emerged as being more critical than ever before. We figured out more ways to make that space more functional and comfortable. We were also creating spaces for families to be together in a time of high stress. It had to be more comfy and cozier than ever before. We used specific textures and colors to create that cozy, calming, and relaxing environment. Also, working virtually with clients through the Covid-19 crisis was new and now has become very commonplace.
A long-term ramification of the pandemic that we see now is that people are moving away from open floor plans and trending back to a more traditional divided floorplan. Having more separation between spaces allows for creating different ambiances in each room, and clients seem to really like that.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bessloverndesigns.com
- Instagram: bessloverndesigns
Image Credits
Becca Lea Photography
