Concept Design
Interior Designer for 2016 Philharmonic House of Design
Dana Point, The Strand
By Gina Dostler
May 13, 2016
Tamra Mundia of Concept Design is an interior designer with impeccable taste. She has collaborated with clientele locally in San Clemente, Newport Beach, and Los Angeles as well as across the ocean to Maui and Lebanon to create luxurious interiors. Currently she was just awarded space along with other designers to transform a home for the 24th Philharmonic House of Design. The home is located in the oceanfront community of The Strand at Headlands in Dana Point and the key fundraising effort each year for the Philharmonic Society Youth Music Education Programs.
Q: Have you done a HOD before?
A: Yes. The first house of design I was involved with was a Philharmonic House in Shady Canyon in 2002. I was a fairly new designer to the scene and was given the master bedroom closet. It was a very large and special closet and we received much recognition because of a new-to-the-market steam cleaning machine. In fact, one of the volunteer students that year still works for me today. I also participated in the Philharmonic House in Newport Coast in 2008 and a number of design houses led by ASID.
Q: How much time do you have to create a space for this gorgeous home?
A: Not much time at all. We are invited to preview the house and submit a design concept for review. A week or two later the designers are awarded a space in the home and then only have 2-3 weeks to prepare a formal design presentation for review. The presentation is complete with color boards, renderings, space plans and sample materials.
Q: I’m pretty sure most stuff is top secret right now about your design, but can you reveal the space or area you will be working on? Any hints or tidbits you can give?
A: I have been awarded the Great Room and Loggia as well as the hall to the master bedroom. My design interpretation for the space combines traditional architecture with some surprisingly contemporary and fun elements into the interior. To get the full experience, visit the tour that starts May 24 and goes through June 19th. For more information you can visit: www.philharmonicsociety.org.
Q: How much influence does the home’s surrounding area have on your design?
A: The Strand in Dana Point is an amazing area with homes that boast never-ending coastal views. The view alone speaks for itself and when designing a space such as this, I keep (the view) as the ultimate focal point. Location, demographic and architecture always come into play in designing a home. But the foremost objective is creating a home to cater to the needs and aesthetic of the person(s) living there.
Q: What tool or specific experience in the past is helping you with this project?
A: Many years of design experience. along with some prayer, yoga and a good sense of humor. A design house is built and executed in such a crazy-fast time frame. All of the trades and designers are trying to be sure their piece of the puzzle is complete for the all important opening day. It does get stressful, but it is all worth it in the end.
Q: What types of challenges are common in designing the whole interior of a 8,000+ sq ft. house such as the HOD?
A: Beside the time frame mentioned above, the challenge is creating a cohesive house with many different designers involved. The Philharmonic committee is good at keeping us “in check” by creating an overall color palette and by reviewing our designs. That being said you will see a unique vibe throughout each space with a common color theme. It all seems to work out well.
Q: I noticed plants in all your pictures. How necessary do you feel plants are to interior design?
A: Very important! I use plants in my interior design because they are not only beautiful but practical in a number of ways. They put oxygen into the air and pull dust out of the air. They soften and fill a space when you have many hard surfaces or high ceilings. They naturally absorb sound and put an interesting shape into the room. I also use plants in my interiors to bring the outdoors in and add a naturally “good feeling” into a home.
Q: Where do you get your inspiration for your design work?
A: I know it sounds cliché but nature definitely inspires my creative thoughts. I have designed the most beautiful color palette based upon an observed sunset. Beach walks clear my mind for new ideas. A day in the mountains invigorates my senses.
There are many additional answers I could give. Inspiration is sometimes found in a small piece of information a client reveals or a piece of art that moves the soul. The process seems to be different with each project and client collaboration.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tamra Mundia, Allied ASID
Concept Design, Inc
1908 S. El Camino Real Suite H
San Clemente, Ca. 92672
949.361.0053 O
949.291.2341 C
tamra@conceptdesignoc.com
www.conceptdesignoc.com
