20 Jun Q&A with Jeff Ornstein of J/Brice Design International

 

About The Designer

Jeff grew up in New York and is the Founder and CEO of J/Brice Design International. He is a frequent guest lecturer throughout the Europe and North America and the Middle East, where he was the first American named keynote speaker of The Kingdom Hotel Expansion World Summit in Riyadh, KSA. He is a contributing editor too several industry publications, and at 36 was named one of Boston’s 12 Most Influential People. Jeff’s Academic associations include being on the Board of Advisers at the Prestigious New York School of Interior Design, a Visiting Critic at The Boston Architectural Center and The Rhode Island School of Design. He has been called upon to be a Judge for the annual Hotel WorldPlatinum Circle Awards and for The Boutique Design GlobalHotel Design Awards.

Years ago he coined the phrase “Cultural Spy” to define its approach to the design process, calling for redefining hotel design as hotel fashion to emphasize a guest-centric rather than property-centric philosophy to branding. Largely embraced by the industry, this results in interiors that resonate with the attitudes and mores of the current marketplace, impart a memorable guest experiences, build brand equity and contribute directly to profits.

 

Where did you get your start as a designer?

I studied the fine arts at Brandeis where I graduated with a double major in The Fine Arts and Art History. I had studied at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design for three consecutive summers with the intention of going on to get an architectural degree. As time went by I realized I enjoyed the more nuanced and human components of design: color, pattern, texture, and human scaled shapes which have an effect on people on an intimate level over the more structural and imposing challenges. So I put off graduate school for a year and went to work for The Saunders Family which owned and operated three grand dame hotels in Boston as an assistant designer to the owner’s wife who directed the renovations. I never left the industry…

How would you describe your design style?

Completely non-formulaic and artistically composed… Internationally inspired and culturally driven often with historical reference. Dynamic timeless color palates, eclectic but not quirky, understated but inviting, masculine, memorable.

From where do you draw your inspiration for your projects?

My travels and adventures and nature are the big brush strokes. Music, art, food, fashion, and politics are the subtler ones.

Can you tell us about one project of which you are extremely proud? 

I find each project has its own rewards…enchallah. I wouldn’t want to rank them it may upset the client apple cart. I guess I’m always most enamored with what’s on my desk at the present…as that challenges my creative juices “in the now” and serves as the daily inspiration. Currently I’m  designing a 250 seat, 2 tiered Tapis Shisha Restaurant for the AAA Jeddah crowd, in a crazy dynamic space we created, overlooking the amazing Red Sea and a glorious sunset every evening. This one sums a lot of my aesthetic and I can’t wait to see it to emerge (opening likely September 2019) so that a positive sign.

Are there any trends that you see potentially altering the industry?

Technology… (duh), wellness, aging, and environmental awareness.

Is there another designer’s work in the industry that you admire? If yes, who and what do you admire about his/her work?

Yabu Pushelburg for sure…tops.

 

Check out J/Brice Design International’s textile design for the Lebatex, Inc. 20th Anniversary Designer Collection!

 

For more information, visit www.jbricedesign.com.