The 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 Linda Navara from LMR Designs in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Linda Navara, recent participant at the Monogram Experience Center in Louisville, Kentucky
SRFD: What did you learn during your Monogram experience in Louisville?
Linda: I can’t even begin to say what a wonderful experience I had. It also came as a much needed get-away for me. The whole GE team was amazing. I learned a lot more about cooking with the different appliances the Monogram line offers. The food was absolutely delicious. It was exciting learning from the GE chefs. On a funny note, I tell my husband, I know how to load the dishwasher properly. My favorite place was in the testing facilities, like sound and quality, and being able to give an opinion on new ideas that are emerging out of GE.
SRFD: How did you become interested in design?
Linda: I’ve always been interested in art, color and design since I was in kindergarten. In first grade I was ill and missed over 200 days of school, so my Mom tutored me at home. Since I couldn’t go to school or out to play, I did a lot of drawing, playing with my dollhouse and it’s furniture, and at Christmas arranging a miniature village under the tree. When my brother built a go-cart, I mixed all the different paint cans we had and came up with a unique lilac/gray color. At 10 years of age, my friends and I gathered wood, carpet, paint, etc., from construction sites in our neighborhood and built our own doll house. We even placed the dollhouse on a wagon, so it could be mobile. I went on to take four years of art in high school. I’ve painted some murals in my own home and for neighbors over the years. I took my first Interior Design Course in my twenties, but life happened. When my Mom passed away, I found an envelope with paper furniture I had drawn and cut out as a child and a few of the doll house pieces from my childhood. When I turned 40, I went back to college to get my Interior Design degree.
SRFD: Tell us about a recent project you really enjoyed.
Linda: I recently completed a huge Master Bathroom for one of my repeat clients. My client and I worked together on the initial concept, but then she let me go with my instincts for lighting, color and accessories. As the Master Bathroom progressed, I expanded into the Master Bedroom by updating furniture, rugs, and paint colors. In a kitchen project that I’m just finishing up, I was able to specify the new GE Profile Slate collection. Unfortunately, I don’t have the kitchen photos yet.
SRFD: A trend you’re over?
Linda: I’m tired of hearing what the media thinks is current …. like granite and stainless steel.
SRFD: A trend you’re excited about?
Linda: I’m excited that quartz countertops are finally outshining granite. I’ve been specifying Cambria quartz since it was introduced. I’m excited that GE has Slate appliances and is now talking about some other metals.
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