425 Design

The Ultimate Resource: A Conversation with HGTV’s Vern Yip

Design Duo Robin Daly studied interior design and is a third-generation co-owner of her family business, Daly’s Paint & Decorating. Christian Ursino has more than 25 years experience in all aspects of interior design.

In today’s design world, there are so many opportunities to explore resources to help us create wonderful living environments: retail stores, catalogs and a slew of television shows. One of the breakout TV stars is interior designer Vern Yip — who readily stood out among the roster of designers featured on HGTV’s show that started it all — “Trading Spaces.” The 425 Design team recently had the opportunity to interview Yip. In addition, Ursino was a guest designer during Yip’s “Eye on Design” presentation recently held at the Seattle Design Center.

Robin & Christian: Welcome, Vern, to our virtual style coffee-house (this interview was over the phone). What can we get you?

Vern Yip: I don’t drink coffee, but I’ll take a Diet Coke. I’ve never been a coffee person; it’s tempting, especially being in Seattle. Wherever I go, I really like to immerse myself in that particular city/country culture. So maybe I’ll think about trying some! As a designer, that’s part of my responsibility, to be open to new ideas and inspiration.

Robin & Christian: Where do you find your best ideas and inspirations?

Vern Yip: I really like to expose myself to completely different things. Last fall I was in Tibet, Bhutan — it was amazing. I recently came back from Russia, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. I have spent a lot of time in Southeast Asia. In fact, this past June I took a trip to Indonesia. I find different cultures fascinating.

I grew up in MacLean, Virginia, which happens to be just across from the CIA and it was an awesome, awesome place to grow up. It is a very international community and I went to school with kids from all over the world.
In fact, the National Gallery of Art, designed by I.M. Pei, made me realize how a space can pull people together and influence us. This really reminds me of why design is so important. The Smithsonian is back there, too. These spaces were very influential to me from an early age.

Robin & Christian: How did you get to Atlanta and what is your life like there?

Vern Yip: I spent time in med school, but felt a much stronger pull toward design and architecture. At the time, I.M. Pei was a family friend and arrangements were made for me to meet him and he told me the best architecture school was Georgia Tech. I applied, got in, and moved to Atlanta.

Interestingly, “Deserving Design,” my current show on HGTV, is the first design show based out of Atlanta. It’s a big city with all sorts of people moving in from all parts of the county — so it’s a city of transplants. Not only does it have great weather for shooting, but there are a huge variety of homes to work with; Georgians, Bungalows, Victorians, Modern and Post Modern.

Robin & Christian: Let’s chat a bit about design trends and where you see the industry going.

Vern Yip: Right now things seem to be happening at a much faster pace. For example, the choices of environmental products have really expanded. What does it mean as a designer to specify something as basic as a light bulb? There are so many more choices and we are more aware of our impact on the environment. The challenge for the designer is to see all sides. Instead of focusing on trends, I am really big on people having environments full of what they love. That’s why having a designer is so nice, they can help pull it all out of you and give you the best version of yourself.

Robin & Christian: What five design tips would you like to share with our readers?

Vern Yip:
1.  Educate yourself. With the internet that is a lot easier to do now.

2. Invest in quality. There is more value and it’s a greener choice to buy one good piece that will take you through the long-term versus buying disposable furniture of marginal quality.

3.  Create a space plan before you even buy one thing. This will help you have a clear idea of the pieces you need and help avoid impulse buying (another way to keep you from generating excess waste).

4. Have your space be a physical manifestation of who you are. Even mass merchants are beginning to offer more unique things and more diversity.

5. Have things with meaning. We are moving out of the phase where we’ve been over-indulgent. There is more value in being surrounded by objects that have personal connections.

Robin & Christian: Vern, what would you like our readers to really understand about interior design and what we do?

Vern Yip: I encourage people to think of interior design in a new light. There is always this emphasis on the aesthetics, but as a designer I love to do what I do because it improves the quality of someone’s life. As designers we have the opportunity to really improve the quality of the time they spend in their space with their children, family and friends.

 

 

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