Designing a beautiful living space that accommodates an Orthodox lifestyle can be challenging. Link Living recently sat down with Daniella Hoffer, principal designer and owner of Daniella Hoffer Interiors, a New Jersey based interior design firm specializing in creating beautiful spaces for real living, to learn more about what is involved in creating a living space that is right for you.
I started doing interior design years ago while working full time in product development for a Fortune 500 company. It was then that I realized I was substantially more fulfilled working with people who required help with interior design challenges and decided to pursue that dream. I was fortunate to build and design my own home five years ago and that became the impetus for me to launch my interior design firm which has allowed me to combine my passion for design with my professional background in innovation and project management.
From the outset of getting to know prospective clients during our initial discovery call, my goal is to prioritize their lifestyle needs. We discuss their project goals, what their primary family needs are and the type of home they envision.
I like to conduct home visits, even if new construction is planned, in order to get a sense of how my clients are living right now. Walking through their current space provides them with the opportunity to point out what is working and what needs improvement. I also hone in on the ‘unmet needs’ that clients can’t always articulate during a phone conversation or when reviewing new construction plans.
If the spaces I am designing are for kids, I like to involve them in the process to really understand how they use their space and how I can surprise and delight them!
I start by trying to understand how my clients will use their space—do they host lots of meals on Shabbat, do they like to bake, is there more than one cook in the kitchen? When looking to create a successful kosher kitchen, two dishwashers and two sinks have become standard when space and budget allows. Other ways I enhance the kosher kitchen in my design is by including two warming drawers for those who entertain big crowds, a second range/cooktop if there is space so that meat and dairy cooking can be accomplished more easily, a third drawer dishwasher for glasses or pareve mixing bowls for my bakers and incorporating a sturdy counter and outlets in the pantry to tuck away items like a cholent pot or a second urn so they don’t take up space on the countertop.
If space allows, I strongly recommend starting with two separate deep sinks, a double wall oven and two dishwashers. These items help make kosher cooking much easier to accomplish.
An Orthodox lifestyle definitely has specific necessities and customs that can be enjoyed and practiced more efficiently given the right elements. Some that come to mind are a washing sink and a wine refrigerator in the dining room, a lighting system which can be controlled via an app on your mobile device and large mudrooms with wide doorways for clients who host often and want to accommodate guests with double strollers, giving them a place to leave strollers indoors.
I generally look for appliances that are certified by the Star K or take into consideration the needs of a kosher and shomer Shabbat home, for example, light bulbs in refrigerators which can be removed or turned off. I strongly recommend installing countertops which can be kashered for Pesach.
Another thought to keep in mind when creating a new space and purchasing kitchen products is to buy duplicates to keep for Pesach, like another set of sink protector racks and stove grates. You can often get a lower price per item when you buy in multiples. Of course, you should check with your rabbi about what is allowed in the kitchen for Pesach.
While Pesach is only eight days of the year, it can be overwhelming and I have incorporated some solutions to help make the holiday more enjoyable and easy to prepare for. If there is space in the kitchen, a narrow bank of floor to ceiling cabinets with rollouts helps tuck away Pesach cookware and dishes. Additionally, if there is ample space in a walk-in pantry, a countertop and small cooktop/stove combo will be included for pre-Pesach cooking. I may also look for a stove model that has a warming drawer for additional convenience.
I have started including a shower in the first floor bathroom, previously a powder room, for grandparents who may need to stay on the first floor. To create a discreet space, I will utilize a pocket door between the main counter and sink and the shower area which is not used on a weekly basis.
Instead of guest rooms in a basement, we have been designing a guest suite which includes a door and corridor leading to one or two bedrooms and a bathroom.
Attic space is being repurposed as guest space, particularly for grandchildren. In many cases we have started to include bathrooms in the attic from the outset of construction plans as well as tucking beds into the sloped ceiling space that can often go unused and provides perfect sleep accommodations for grandchildren.
My goal is to create a space that a client feels has brought to life what they envisioned. If they can’t fully articulate their vision, I aim to successfully uncover what their personal style is and create that ‘ah ha’ moment when they walk into their new space and it feels like home.
Each project is unique but it is always a collaboration with my clients. During the initial stages of each project, we spend time collecting and reviewing inspiration photos to identify the styles, colors and function that they consistently gravitate to. I always tell my clients it isn’t about trends or what others are doing, it’s about what they love and what feels like them.
For many clients, envisioning the end result is challenging and in many cases it is why they have hired a designer. I utilize 3D renderings to bring to life the design I have in mind for them to ensure that they can come along with me on this incredible design journey, excited and inspired.
