Architect Robert Gurney, FAIA
Q&A with Designer Lori Dennis and Architect Robert Gurney
Q: Lori, what woods do you specify most often? Why?
LD: I love using reclaimed woods. Right now I'm a huge fan of French oak in a herringbone pattern for floors. It adds elegance to a room. I'm also using a ton of ipé because so much of my work is indoor-outdoor in Southern California. Ipé really stands up to the climate.
Q: What woods do you see as growing in popularity in the future? Why?
Rosewood is coming back in a big way. I attribute its popularity to the interest in Mid-Century Modern furniture. The award-winning show Mad Men has had a lot of influence on this style's resurgence, affecting everything from clothing to music to furniture. Anegre is also hot right now and we will continue to see more of it in case goods and built-ins for home offices, libraries and media rooms.
Q: What do you find are the easiest woods to work with? Which are more difficult?
A floor with a Greek key inlaid border or a herringbone pattern is more difficult to install than a straight 8' plank. I also get a lot of complaints from my installers that ipé is difficult to work with because of the density. True, it is one of the densest woods in the world which is why I only hire installers who know how to work with this wood. It just takes more pre-planning.
Q: What do you do if your client selects woods that conflict with your vision?
I guess I'm lucky because my customers usually listen to my ideas about a cohesive vision and agree with me in the end. It's all about educating them on the materials and making sure they understand what works stylistically.
Q: What do you do if the materials specified by the architect conflict with your vision?
There's a sort of "sibling rivalry" between architects and designers. In many cases, they both push for their way. When I'm working with an architect I really try to understand the vision of the architect and go with it if I can. An integral key to the way I design is making sure the interiors of the home flow with the architecture. Hopefully you get to work with great architects with impeccable style.
Q: For the majority of your projects, what stage of the design process are you brought into?
Generally I am brought in at the initial stages. I will often aid in hiring an architect.
Q: Are there any online resources you find very useful when selecting which types of woods are best suited to a project?
When it comes to materials, I like to see, touch and smell. I rely heavily on trusted advisers from showrooms. But I can certainly research the quality, price and origin on the internet.
Architect Robert Gurney, FAIA
Architects provide the bones for a structure, and if those bones are solid and beautiful, everything else can fall into place. Readers of International Wood will already be familiar with the myriad ways architects can incorporate wood into their designs; whether by exposing beams in vaulted ceilings or by allowing the interplay of different woods to create a harmonious whole. Architects know that wood – domestic and international, softwood or hardwood, tropical or temperate – is the underpinning of any beautiful building. Robert Gurney has been creating beautiful structures for over 20 years and his work has won numerous awards. He brings an appreciation of, and interest in, wood to the table that makes him a standout in his profession. Robert Gurney is also included in Architectural Digest's "New AD 100."
"I think the general public initially responds better to images and visual resources more so than technical information. I think beautiful images with pertinent information would be most useful."
— ARCHITECT ROBERT M. GURNEY, FAIA
Frequently asked questions
What woods does designer Lori Dennis specify most often and why?+
Lori Dennis favors reclaimed woods, particularly French oak in a herringbone pattern for floors because it adds elegance. She also uses ipé frequently for her Southern California indoor-outdoor projects because it stands up well to the climate.
Which wood species are growing in popularity for interior design?+
Rosewood is making a strong comeback, driven largely by renewed interest in Mid-Century Modern furniture influenced by shows like Mad Men. Anegre is also trending and is being used increasingly in case goods and built-ins for home offices, libraries, and media rooms.
Why is ipé considered difficult to work with?+
Ipé is one of the densest woods in the world, which makes installation challenging and leads to complaints from installers. Successful use requires hiring installers experienced with the wood and doing more pre-planning.
What flooring patterns are more difficult to install than standard planks?+
Floors with Greek key inlaid borders or herringbone patterns are more difficult to install than a straight 8-foot plank, requiring more skill and planning.
How should designers handle conflicts with an architect's specified materials?+
Dennis recommends trying to understand and go with the architect's vision when possible, since making the interiors flow with the architecture is an integral key to good design. Working with architects of impeccable style makes this easier.
At what stage of a project is interior designer Lori Dennis typically brought in?+
She is generally brought in at the initial stages of a project and often assists in hiring the architect.