Diane Knight of Sanibel Home Furnishings
TOTI Media: Interior designers, born or made? Diane Knight: “Designers are born! Style, proportion and color eye cannot be taught. You either have IT or not.”
TM: Earliest memory of arranging or designing? DK: “Oh, my … the Saturday morning family clean-up. I’d rearrange the furniture in my room and redesign the bookshelves. I was a very bold 15-year-old and painted the family bathroom lime green. Perfect in 1968 … and even 2017.”
TM: Signature style? DK: “Sophisticated-casual. They call me the queen of color, comfort and style. I personally like color and warm natural woods. Fabrics are my passion. I’ve been designing for over 40 years and remember my first trip to the Brunschwig & Fils showroom in New York … I was in fabric heaven.”
TM: Clients’ needs and communicating that? DK: “LISTEN, stop
talking and LISTEN. Have your client bring pictures of what they love and also discuss how the family lives. Sometimes what a client loves just won’t work for their lifestyle. Being friendly; above all, honest.”
TM: Inspiration? DK: “Nature, history and architecture. Trends are just that. I like rooms that have a sense of the traditionalism. The perfect room for me needs to have interesting pieces that reflect the life I’ve lived.”
TM: Favorite colors, patterns or textures for 2017? DK: “Greens, blues and yellows ... the colors of nature. On my design inspiration board for the coming season, I’m flirting with pink , coral and turquoise. Patterns and textures need to be yummy and comfortable and pleasing to the eyes. A great room needs to have layers of color, texture and pattern to create that special WOW room.” TM: Banished looks? DK: “Oversized, dark and heavy furniture. Gaudy lamps. Fabrics with sparkles and crystal.”