Interior Design Spotlight: Suzy Kloner

The Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts attracts designers, architects, manufacturers, and interior design enthusiasts alike. Each year members of the organization come together to produce a fully designed and renovated home. One designer/ design team is directed to renovate a single room or space in the chosen home. Typically, the home chosen is a home that has been standing for decades and that has an extensive square footage.

This year, designer Suzy Kloner, was offered the chance to renovate and re-design the “Nanny’s Bathroom”. To our delight, Suzy Kloner sat down with us to discuss her design inspiration and to give some tips for a successful renovation.

How did you get your start in the Interior Design Industry?

I am originally from Southern California and attended Loyola Marymount for my undergraduate degree in Fine Arts. After interning in the industry I moved on to receive my graduate certificate in Interior Design and Architecture from UCLA Extension. In 2008 I started my own firm, and have been designing full time ever since.

As a California native, had you been introduced to the Pasadena House of Design 2017 before?

I had! When I was younger, I actually volunteered for the Showcase and became enthralled by all of the different designers work and the way they transformed the home. That is when I really started to fall in love with interior design.

So, when I got the opportunity to actually be a part of the Showcase this year, it was like I’d reached a milestone in my professional life – everything came full circle.

How would you describe your design aesthetic?  

I draw much of my inspiration from the beautiful California landscape and architecture that surrounds us and the incredible culture and design I have experienced from my travels. I love creating peaceful interiors that are fresh and light-filled, dramatic yet balanced. I often incorporate textures, colors, patterns and pieces that are inspired by nature and the coast and also tell a story. I tailor my designs to best fit my clients’ aesthetic, lifestyle, and to create timeless and extraordinary spaces.

How did you merge the costal aesthetic in this particular space?

My experience with this house was actually really smooth. I was able to do renovations without any major issues – which was fantastic. Once we laid the foundation and corrected the foundational issues in the space, I was able to focus on the design. We used the colors salmon and teal to accompany the neutral tones in the space. This helped to give a relaxed and elegant feel to the bathroom. Other pieces like the countertops, window treatments, faucets and the clawfoot tub from Hydro Systems helped to reflect the history of the home with the updates we made.

That’s wonderful! How did you come upon the Hydro Systems Annette Freestanding Tub?

I was working with George’s Plumbing Supply in Pasadena and I told them exactly what I was looking for- something classic and elegant with historical accents, and they pointed me in the direction of the Annette. The house was built in 1916 and I wanted to reflect that in the details. Details like the claw-feet, the almost cast iron appearance, and the shape of the tub really accomplished that goal.  Overall, the tub fit my vision perfectly and working with Hydro Systems to get the tub helped to make this process really smooth.

After completing such an idyllic renovation, is there any advice you would give homeowners looking to do bathroom renovations of their own?

I would say that is very important to lay out a floor plan. Doing things like pre-planning and taping dimensions of the space before starting any work will help to alleviate potholes later in the renovation and design process. Also, if you are working with a contractor or design team, take the time to make sure everyone is on the same page about what is being done and how. Homeowners should take an active role in the renovation and design process.

We would like to thank Suzy Kloner for her inspired design work at the Pasadena Showcase House and her incorporation of the Hydro Systems Annette Freestanding Bathtub. We would also like to thank her for sitting down with us and discussing her process. For more information about Suzy and to view her astounding portfolio, please visit www.suzyklonerdesign.com and / or follow her on social media @suzyklonerdesign.

Photography Provided By: Allison Maginn @allisonmaginnlifestyle