Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Segal and David Kaufman.
Tom, David – please share your story with us.
We each had our own design firms and in 1995 began sharing office space. We knew each other as we had both worked at Paul Granata Interiors but not at the same time. While sharing office space we began collaborating on projects. By summer of 1996, we decided to merge our two firms into one. We have been in business ever since, and have many clients that we still work with from those very early years. We are now a firm of two principals, two senior designers, two associate designers, a business manager and an expediter. Our office is located in River North.
Our projects consist of about 75% residential work that is in Chicago and around the country, and 25% commercial work that consists mostly of condominium lobbies and corridors. Our clients are in the city of Chicago, Chicago suburbs, and throughout the country. Palm Springs, Miami, New York, Boston, New Hampshire, Nantucket, and a couple of international projects in both London and Israel. We are a very collaborative team office, with an open loft office space where we all share ideas and review projects together. Along with soft furnishings we are very involved with construction matters and work with both finished homes and ground up projects.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been amazing, smooth, slow and steady, as we have grown, and yet, we learn new things, new ways of doing things, and constantly learn from our peers and each other.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Kaufman Segal Design – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Since starting our firm in 1996, we’ve witnessed firsthand a great sea change in the design industry. Residential and commercial clients have gained greater access to quality resources. They often don’t need a design professional to gain entry to once-only trade showrooms. They’re also regularly bombarded by possibilities from top furnishings stores, architectural and design magazine pages, Internet sites and even HGTV television shows.
Yet, we know an important secret. Demand for our services has never been stronger–or probably smarter. Picking the right styles, sizes, shapes, materials and textures for furnishings, cabinetry and credenzas, carpeting, marble and granite, lighting, artworks and more, and pulling everything together in a cohesive, functional, attractive whole, can be downright confusing with so many choices available. Add into this dilemma the desire to avoid costly mistakes, and hiring a professional from the start makes great financial sense. We also help them invest in the best furnishings and workmanship to achieve long-lasting value, so they don’t have to repurchase items down the road. Our practice continually evolves to reflect current economic times. And yet, we believe consumers–both homeowners and business decision makers—will continue to seek quality as well as choices that reflect their individual budgets.
To meet these demands, we’ve developed solutions that we believe set us apart among our peers and help clients in our native Chicago backyard or around the globe. We know how to wade through the increasing number of furnishings and accessory selections and make critical decisions. We decide, for instance, when a custom-made sofa, intricately crafted cabinet, or hand-scraped wood floor makes sense versus something more readily available, based on each client’s unique design parameters and budget. We understand the very different needs of a residential client and a commercial setting, and tailor all design and material selections to reflect the purpose and use for each space and function.
In either case, we know how to pull together all the parts to fashion a whole that reflects our trademark style of timeless, classic elegance to look like it evolved effortlessly. Yet, the goal is to showcase a distinct personal preference of our client, unique to their taste, study our rooms, and they’re far more than what’s usually expected—a traditional living room might have a few iconic Fifties Modern furnishings from the masters of that era but also a twist of punchy color and great antique lamps, or it might veer off more toward the eclectic with an antique rug with old-world deep, rich hues, American or African folk art and a contemporary wallpaper. A law firm might reveal a contemporary slant that connotes something about its practice—perhaps, photographs or paintings since it represents several major art galleries or museums, or prints with an entertainment slant because it handles work for a number of actors, actresses, directors or studios.
Rooms aren’t merely pleasant vignettes to look at and oooh and aaah over, however. We’re as keenly interested in selecting pieces for comfort and function. A sofa isn’t just about its period look and fabric—the outer stuff. Its length, height, number of cushions, springs and filling all matter greatly. Key questions we always ask are: How good will a client feel sitting in it? Is it too shallow in depth or not high enough in its back? Do its cushions offer comfort and spring back? Are its arms inviting as a resting spot for long, lingering visits or a cozy read or for sitting and discussing serious business matters? “Each room and its pieces should be beautiful but if it doesn’t work for how those live, entertain or work there, none of the choices are right,” says Tom.
To find the best selections always reflects our approach of laboriously culling merchandise and materials from a wide variety of showrooms, galleries, stores, the Internet and craftspeople who range from furniture makers to millworkers, painters, cabinetmakers, wallpaper hangers, and more.
And when everything’s selected, we carefully arrange pieces in rooms that are designed to function well on their own, but also flow seamlessly into adjoining spaces, whether another living space or office or hallway. David says, “Working with a design professional can become more liberating, stylish and cost effective than going at this endeavor alone.”
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We have added to our staff consistently so we can combine the benefits of David and Tom’s experience and creativity with the novelty and energy that comes from younger talent.
Contact Info:
- Address: Kaufman Segal Design
900 N Franklin Street
Suite 710, Chicago, IL 60610 - Website: www.kaufmansegal.com
- Phone: 312-649-0680
- Email: info@kaufmansegal.com
- Instagram: @kaufmansegaldesign
- Facebook: kaufman segal design
- Other: Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/pro/kaufmansegal/kaufman-segal-design
KSD-655 Irving Park Lobby
Residence Delray Beach Florida
KSD-Kaufman Residence
KSD-Lancaster Lobby
Image Credit:
Photo of KSD team: Doug Birkenheuer
Photo of dining room with teal blue art on wall: Mike Butler
All other photos: Bruce Van Inwegen
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
