
The Miller House: Residence of the Tour de Force Behind Columbus, Indiana’s Modern Architecture

The GE Monogram Experience Center brings designers to Louisville, Kentucky, for three-day experiences to learn about Monogram, the design process, our appliances – and even cook with them! We interviewed each designer to learn a little more about their background and design experiences.
Today’s profile highlights Greg Weir from Weir Kitchens in Dover, Pennsylvania.
SRFD: How did you become interested in design?
Greg: I have been interested in design since we started our family business 38 years ago. But since 2002, when we computerized our design/build process, I have had to work exclusively on design and sales.
SRFD: Tell us about a recent project you really enjoyed.
Greg: It has been several years, but we did the cabinetry as part of an old stone mansion restoration. From design to completion, our build/installation took a total of two years.
SRFD: A trend you’re over?
Greg: One thing about trends: If you’re in business long enough, you find trends are cyclical.
SRFD: A trend you’re excited about?
Greg: As far as cabinetry goes, I do like the simpler styles and straight lines that are currently popular. This will, of course, change over time as people’s tastes change.
SRFD: What did you learn in Louisville?
Greg: We have been offering Monogram appliances with our kitchens for at least 12 years, so the more detailed information provided at the Monogram Experience Center (MEC) was very helpful. But the best thing I learned in Louisville was how proud the GE employees were of their USA-built products. From the design group(s) to manufacturing to training and promotion at the MEC, it was obvious of the personal ownership they took in building a quality product.
The GE Monogram Experience Center brings designers to Louisville, Kentucky, for three-day experiences to learn about Monogram, the design process, our appliances – and even cook with them! We interviewed each designer to learn a little more about their background and design experiences.
Today’s profile highlights Katelyn Brands from Design Interiors, Inc., in Mitchell, South Dakota.
Katelyn Brands, recent designer attendee at the GE Monogram Experience Center in Louisville, Kentucky
SRFD: How did you become interested in design?
Katelyn: Whenever my family and I went to a restaurant, or I attended an event at a friend’s parent’s place, I would be more inclined to pay more attention to the furniture layout, finish or lighting selections and how the space was used than to participate in conversations. I never knew this exterior seemingly shy non-attentive attribute of mine would later become an integral part of my career choice. One that I found at Alexandra Technical and Community College.
SRFD: Tell us about a recent project you really enjoyed.
Katelyn: The first project we were assigned in my interior design course course was to design a playhouse. The playhouse project was to be complete with a floor plan, lighting plan, construction plan, exterior elevations and an isometric exterior view; I thoroughly enjoyed completing this project and remember wondering if I would ever get to design a playhouse again in my life. It just so happens the first project I was assigned to draft for my new job at Design Interiors, Inc., was a playhouse.
SRFD: A trend you are over?
Katelyn: Glass and stone mosaic tiles for kitchen backsplashes!
SRFD: A trend you are excited about?
Katelyn: I am a new addition to the design world; having graduated in May; and I am excited to see all that it has to offer clients and myself!
SRFD: What did you learn in Louisville?
Katelyn: I learned so much about appliances, not just GE’s; but competitors products as well. The thing I enjoy the most about these seminars is the collaboration between designers (and architects!) and learning different perspectives about our field.
The GE Monogram Experience Center brings designers to Louisville, Kentucky, for three-day experiences to learn about Monogram, the design process, our appliances – and even cook with them! We interviewed each designer to learn a little more about their background and design experiences.
Today’s profile highlights Brandy Holden from Interiors in Design in Tucson, Arizona.
Brandy Holden, recent designer participant at the GE Monogram Experience Center in Louisville, Kentucky
SRFD: How did you become interested in design?
Brandy: I was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, where my grandfather and grandmother owned and operated a printing and graphic design business. Most of my family, including my mom, dad, and aunt, worked for the company but rather than being on the creative side of things, they were involved with sales and accounting. I can remember spending many days at the business and sticking my nose into the graphic designer’s desks, drawings and paperwork. At home rather than playing with actual dolls, I would design the Barbie mansion and make sure all details were perfect! I knew from a young age I had a creative mind and as I grew older through high school, I always seemed to be the one that led the charge when it came time to make prep rally banners and posters. After I graduated high school, I would be asked by adults if I would like to help select new paint colors for their home. I knew at this point I was destined to go into a career that involved design. I just wasn’t sure if it was going to be graphic design, fashion design, or interior design. Interior design prevailed when I applied and was accepted into The Art Center Design College in Tucson, Arizona, back in 2002. I packed a 24 foot U-haul, grabbed my sister, and we set out on a 1500 mile journey across I-10 to make a new life for me!
SRFD: A recent project you enjoyed?
Brandy: Over the past year, my business associate Eva Murzaite and I worked on a large scale/ high end residential project located in Tucson, Arizona. I really enjoyed this project for many reasons:
SRFD: A trend you’re over?
Brandy: Mirrored Furniture!!! Don’t get me wrong … a piece of mirrored furniture can make a statement and bring pizazz to a design. But when the house starts looking like the Palace of Versailles, you might want to rein in the use of mirrored furniture 🙂
SRFD: A trend you’re excited about?
Brandy: Metal tones, metal tile, anything that has an urban, rustic, worn, metallic feel. I love, love, love that GE Monogram is considering putting metal finishes such as Gunmetal and Copper into the line!
SRFD: What did you learn in Louisville?
Brandy: I’ve never been to any type of training on appliances, so it was really cool to see where and how appliances are made but to also get to observe up close all the features and benefits of the GE Monogram line. As cheesy as it may sound, it was wonderful seeing hard working Americans at work, on a factory line, laughing and chatting all while creating a product that will help change and improve the lives of appliance consumers.
And one other piece of important info I learned: Louisville is the leading city in the production of disco balls! WHO KNEW!!! I also learned I do like Bourbon in fruity cocktails … Cheers to Louisville and the GE Monogram Experience team!
The GE Monogram Experience Center brings designers to Louisville, Kentucky, for three-day experiences to learn about Monogram, the design process, our appliances – and even cook with them! We interviewed each designer to learn a little more about their background and design experiences.
Today’s profile highlights Adrian Galvan from San Antonio, Texas.
Adrian Galvan, recent designer participant at the GE Monogram Experience Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
SRFD: How did you become interested in design?
Adrian: My mom raised us to be creative out of necessity, we had to work with what we had. Growing up with a creative like her, there was always room to create something, anything! If it was a candy jar that was decoupaged with magazine cutouts, or making houses with craft sticks, there was always room to create. Bob Ross and Lynette Jennings were always on, and some sort of glue or paintbrush was always around too! I knew I was destined to create!
SRFD: Tell us about a recent project you really enjoyed.
Adrian: I’ve recently enjoyed the challenge of creating a focal wall in a commercial space. The space needed something that was visible from all spaces, so I mounted multi-size, hand blown glass plates to reflect light, and add color to the space. The result was a “wow” that was a huge impact, and a focal point!
SRFD: A trend you’re over?
Adrian: Chevron! Can we all move on please?
SRFD: A trend you’re excited about?
Adrian: The color combos of Black and Gold, love the contrast and reminds me of extreme High Fashion! So hot!
SRFD: What did you learn in Louisville?
Adrian: That GE Monogram really and truly is the best line there is out there! Love the fact that it’s made in the USA, and very impressed with the market research done to make these products stand out, and be adaptable to a mass audience. I heart the Advantium, it’s my first appliance crush!