Highmark, Inc.
Kristen Schammel
Interior designer
How to get inspired: When designing recreation and leisure spaces for clients, I listen to their needs and really dive into what they desire. Do they have children that will enjoy the space or extended family who visit? Was a past vacation so significant that they felt the need to create that within their own home?
Single upgrade that makes a huge impact: Adding accent lighting in any recreational space gives the opportunity to create different moods, with options to change lens colors, highlight certain features, or dim or brighten up spaces depending on the activity level and time of day.
A classic that will never go out of style: Bringing the outdoors inside. Adding a scenic door that lets you open up your interior space to the exterior elements of your house is a spectacular feature.
Trend you love: Exercise rooms with sauna units. In this day and age, people are so busy with everyday life that being able to take time for yourself is extremely important. Why not create a private place to enjoy therapeutic recreation within your own home?
Trend you’re over: Indoor movie-theater spaces. I understand the need for a place for television watching, but I don’t think that designating a part of the home is necessary, unless you have the extra space or a love for films.
Most memorable project: A lake home that truly was designed to please everyone in the family. We incorporated a scenic door from the family room to a large dining space that lead out to the patio with views of the lake. Out on the patio was a large stone fireplace with a pergola, swimming pool and plenty of space for lounging. Inside, a large sport court was created for the kids to enjoy, along with a swim spa, water treadmill and exercise room. A golf simulator room was designed for the golfer in the family; the screen can also be used for movie watching, so stadium seating was incorporated. A lower-level bar and game area was established for entertaining family and friends as well.
Secret to creating an at-home paradise: Creating an at-home paradise is about balancing one’s mind and soul. The home is a place to relax, regroup and re-energize.
Your company’s trademark: We aren’t just builders; we want to inspire our homeowners and enable them to create their own dream.
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