Erinn V. Impacts The Design Industry Through Determination & Entrepreneurial Spirit
Photography By John Russo Photo & August Dering
Erinn Valencich is known as the luxury interior designer to the stars, having worked with the likes of Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Misha Barton and Jamie Pressly to name a few. Building her own empire, she is a furniture designer, residential developer, author, media personality and serial entrepreneur.
Q: How did you become interested in interior design and when did you first know you wanted to be a designer?
EV: I have always loved homes and real estate… and grew up in a very creative family full of architecture, new construction, fine cabinetry and painters. I was sketching my perfect horse farm and barn down to the last detail when I was ten. But I actually fell into the field myself a bit by accident. I guess you can say it’s in my blood and therefore was destined. A friend suggested me to someone as an interior designer, and it all started from there.
Q:What inspired you to launch your own custom furniture line, ERINN V. and how has it evolved since its launch in 2011?
EV: I built a Barbie sofa out of scrap wood when I was eight years old in my grandfather’s wood shop. I wasn’t the kid making the bird house, it was a wooden sofa! So, from there it was natural for me to start making pieces for clients. Understanding how things are made really helped this passion grow. I began building and designing about 80% of what we put into our clients homes quite early on in my career. That is the beginning of the furniture collection. We started making pieces for other designers and now we are represented in eight major design center showrooms and sell to hotels and clients around the world.
Q: What are the personal and professional attributes that have allowed you to create success in your business and life?
EV: I am very dedicated and determined. When I want to achieve something I just keep at it! I think that determination alone and ability to pick myself up quickly and dust myself off and charge back at the target is crucial. If you give up too easily you’ll never get anywhere. Having a positive outlook is also key.
Q: What is it that separates Erinn V. Design Group from the competition?
EV: I would say that my style is Modern Classic. I like touches of old with touches of new. I love a mix. I love rooms that make you linger and ponder the associations between the elements in them. I build and design homes of all styles though, from traditional to Spanish to modern. It’s the mix of work that keeps things interesting. We do a range of projects as well, from luxury residential and multi-family development to hotel design. The versatility is what keeps it fun and makes us stand apart from other boutique firms.
Q: With much success you have built Erinn V. Design Group into an emerging lifestyle brand. What helped take you down the road that led to the rise of EVDG as a well-established name in the design industry?
EV: I started working at a young age, so I guess I’ve just been at it a while! I was very proud when the collaboration with Baldwin Hardware came through. I love designing products with other brands, and doing the Hollywood Hills by Erinn V. collection with them of door hardware and cabinet hardware was really affirming. I am also working on a collection of lighting with Fine Art Lamps, Rugs with Creative Touch and a line of accessories as well.
Q: What is one of the most unique projects you’ve worked on?
EV: I developed a home on Sunset Plaza Drive a few years back. It was a record-breaking sale for the area and has since been featured in Architectural Digest, the cover of Miami Home & Decor and Objekt magazines. That project has since opened many doors to new clients and other developments. I love building new projects, it’s always such a great feeling to take a dirt lot and turn it into a magical estate!
Q: What are some of your current/future projects?
EV: I am currently working on a new multi-family development project, along with some large luxury residential projects which are always fun. For the furniture line we are expanding the collection and are starting to do more hospitality furnishings for restaurants in Miami and Vegas.
Q: Tell us more about StyleRow
EV: StyleRow is the answer to the lack of technology to run my design firm and my furniture business. We are creating incredible back-office tools for designers, which also includes the first luxury marketplace for high-end furnishings available exclusively to the trade. Really a game-changer for our industry. Our focus is developing software to help creatives scale.
Q: What is the one thing that most people don’t know about you?
EV: I go by my middle name. My first name is Gwenith. For whatever reason my mom always called me Erinn. That and I used to train horses professionally for years.
Q: What does the future hold for Erinn V.?
EV: Lots! The tech start-up, StyleRow, has incredible potential and I’m excited to see where that takes me.
Erinn V. The Furniture Collection: erinnv.com
Erinn V. Design Group Residential & Commercial Interiors: erinnvdesigngroup.com
Hollywood Hills by Erinn V.: baldwinhardware.com
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