Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Ziemer.
Stephanie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I began my career as an art director / set decorator in film and television. It was a good training ground to work with a wide range of budgets, styles and time periods while honing my skills as a designer.
My consultations with the Director of Photography made me realize the importance of lighting, what the camera picks up and how to create visual drama.
City of Z Design was created as a marketplace for fine Vintage & Modern furnishings and Interior Design Services. My aesthetic leans towards clean, classic design. I’ve always mixed Vintage with Modern and Antique and like to introduce an unexpected element that’s a statement piece. I often marvel at the way it shifts the mood of a space.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
After sourcing antiques and modern lines for several years, opening a Vintage & Modern Home Décor Shop was a natural fit. I love sourcing interesting and unique pieces from around the world. Reupholstering and refinishing a piece with good bones that’s been slightly neglected never grows dull and designing furniture for my new line MORFI felt like the obvious next step.
Making the shift from film to residential / commercial design has been a bit more challenging than I had anticipated. When you achieve a certain amount of notoriety and level of expertise in a field it can be difficult to make a lateral move. The interiors I designed over the years were specific to the characters I was designing for. That doesn’t necessarily lend itself to a portfolio filled with a singular cohesive look. That aspect has been frustrating because I possess a very strong visual style with a unique perspective. I’m looking forward to new projects in 2018.
City of Z Design – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I believe what sets City of Z Design apart is due to the curated vintage & modern pieces we source from around the globe combined with our classically modern style and attention to detail. I’ve always mixed Vintage & Modern pieces, even back when it was widely frowned upon. I instinctively knew it made for a more interesting space. I prefer to use pieces with clean lines as a backdrop before introducing something unexpected like an ornately carved cabinet or an elaborate chandelier. I love a wow factor. Good design is all about achieving a balance between the different shapes, sizes and colors within a space.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success by the work I do and the relationships built. I’m a problem solver. I like to make people happy. It’s the best part of my job.
Pricing:
- E-Design Services are priced per project, for a bedroom it’s $750, a Living Room, $1000, but the terms vary dependent on the size of the space
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cityofzdesign.com
- Phone: 213-595-8182
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cityofzdesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityofZDesign/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CityofZDesign
- Other: www.cityofzdesignblog.com
Image Credit:
Sean Martin
City of Z Design
Dan Arnold
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