Below is a reprint of the article: Design Divas, Brentwood Magazine, Jan/Feb 2004
DESIGN DIVAS
These designers are making a mark in the world of interior design



LA HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE SPOT WHERE new ideas blossom into worldwide trends overnight.What people are continually pioneering in sunny southern California has the potential to spark into a fashionable phenomena. Whether it be pop-culture, film or interior design the entire country looks to us to give us the green light to look for “what’s cool.”

Here are three outstanding Los Angeles designers who are making a lasting impres-sion in the competitive world of design: Alison Pollack, a designer who’s using organic material; up-and-comer Elizabeth Paige Smith, who combines natural and synthetic material; and Lauren Rottet, known for her sleek office creations.

ALISON POLLACK


Pollack of Earth Friendly Interior Design (EFID) proves that an all-natural interior can be quite chic. “It’s our goal to show other people that it’s not just good for the environment but it’s also cutting edge. It can be traditional in your mansion and it can be very contemporary as well,” stresses the LA native.

Gone are the days of psychedelic tie-dye and boring off-white natural fabrics. Pollack urges others to move past the stereo-types held over from the 1970s. Pollack’s organic rooms are anything but bland. Using her extensive network of products and services the creative possibilities are endless.

Being eco-friendly isn’t as hard you think. Pollack focuses on antiques and says,“the wonderful thing about our society is we have handmade and solid pieces that were made 50 years ago. And the great thing about reusing those materials is they’ve already had time to out gas.” In layman’s terms, even if a synthetic or conventional chemical was used to finish the piece, the hazardous substance has dissipated leaving all-natural wood.

The interior designer also encourages those who want to refinish furniture to go as natural as possible. She recommends using the same techniques as the Ancient Egyptians. Thousands of years ago the people of Egypt would oil down their pyramids with earthly Products that are still available today. Safe alternatives include, by-products from organic farms like soybean oil that keep wood looking like new. “The skills, know how and materials have been here all along,” comments Pollack.

With celebrities like Tobey Maguire and Alicia Silverstone stressing the importance of an all-natural, vegan lifestyle, her design outlook is quickly gaining momentum with the Hollywood elite.

“People are finally understanding, it’s not just what we eat, it’s also how we live,” she says.

ELIZABETH PAGE SMITH
The eclectic design of Elizabeth Page Smith is based on natural surroundings. “I’m all about the environment and I draw a lot of inspiration from it,” says Page, who spent her youth in the Cayman Islands and exposed to nautical and oceanic environments. In fact, the chairs in her “Nude” line are molded from fiberglass similar to that used in the construction of boats and surfboards.

Smith’s inventive pieces take you inside her wide imagination. The idea for the Cocoon Sleeping Pod came from the most unassuming of places: a termite wing. She describes the discovery of the idea as a poetic moment,“the delicate wing was leaning into a corner” and she “loved the nature of the curvature.” Using this image, she created the futuristic bed for humans.

The glossy all-white Bird Entertainment Storage, made from cast resin, adds a funky sophistication to any living area.While it has a fresh retro look you might be surprised to learn that the cabinet mimics the fluid pore structure of a birds beak.

Another of Smith’s signatures is to encapsulate wood with synthetic resin. This allows her to play with transparency and obstruct the natural material. “It’ll be a little raw around the edges maybe the translucency has a tendency to flow a certain way and I’m not trying to control it so much. It’s just allowing things to respond naturally.”

Smith’s work is not dedicated to one move-ment or particular style and has been placed in more traditional homes as well as those that are very progressive and modern. She’s currently designing a boutique hotel in Santa Monica. With inspiration around every corner look for Smith to continue pushing the limits of convention.

LAUREN ROTTET


Lauren Rottet’s work was compared by architecture critic, Michael Webb as “the spatial equivalents of Armani suits.” Her use of classic lines and tailor made furnishings transform a traditional office into an extraordinary piece of useable, ergonomic art.

Rottet, the principal designer at the DMJM Rottet firm, won gold at the 2003 NeoCon Interior Design Fair with her Shift Collection. Shift is a distinctive multi-purpose desk that can be customized to fit any home or work office.

The modular piece also has stylish accessories like the upholstered file cabinet and ceramic pencil holder.

“I wanted Shift to be more about volumes and planes that go up and go down...it was making the piece look like they are carved volumes versus a very factory look,” Rottet says.

Designer of the elegant SAG headquarters and giving a modern-edge to Paul Hastings law firm, when Rottet develops the design plan she encourages her clients to utilize the entire space. She strongly believes that “a really good office is like a really nice house, you don’t have to stay in the bedroom the whole time.”

With this is mind, Rottet creates larger break rooms and reception areas equating to more productive and happy employees.

Rottet, devoted to changing the look of corporate America, says,“if we can talk a client into giving all of their employees a really wonderful area...that can change two thousand lives. If I were to design homes I would be affecting two or three peoples lives.”

With individual, specialized talents these women are at the forefront of the ever-changing Los Angeles design scene. Driven by passion and knowledge, their outward thinking has resulted in some of the most unique and memorable spaces in the Southland.

— Heather David
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