163: Highlyann Krasnow - Talking About Commercial Design with the Founder of Design High & Partner of MNS Real Estate

A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

LuAnn Nigara

Arts, Design, Business

4.9 • 810 Ratings

🗓️ 10 April 2017

⏱️ 51 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

My guest for today’s exciting show is Highlyann Krasnow, one of the founders of The Developers Group, now MNS, located in Brooklyn, NY. Not only did she oversee the design of her company’s buildings and sales offices, but then she opened The Design High, the exclusive interior design arm at MNS. Highlyann is involved in commercial interiors and residential projects, but the focus of our conversation today is on the commercial side of her business. Join us! What you’ll hear in this episode: The path from real estate development to The Design High Benefits to “casting a wider net” Interior design concepts for commercial spaces Challenges in designing for the target demographic How to hone your commercial design skills The key: relationships with manufacturers Tips for the designer seeking a career in commercial design How to “let go” of some of your design elements Why you need to be a design chameleon The payoff for a designer The mood board test HIghlyann uses for hiring designers The commitment to eco-friendly designs: Why is it so important? Understanding the “durability” of your design: it’s NOT just for today! Highlyann’s recent and current projects and their specific challenges Carrying the design thread through the project as a whole Resources: www.thedesignhigh.com (Highlyann’s website) Email Highlyann: hsk@mns.com www.cherish.com/trade

Transcript

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0:00.0	Have you heard about the exciting new exhibit by the Black Artists and Designers Guild,
0:05.6	which was commissioned by the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City?
0:11.1	Big news, right?
0:12.6	The Cooper Hewitt's exhibition is called Making Home, Smithsonian Design Triennial.
0:18.2	Now, the batch designers exhibit is titled the Underground Library,
0:23.8	inspired by the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad is the clandestine network
0:28.6	established in the early 19th century through which many enslaved African Americans
0:33.6	traveled in search of freedom. This library installation represents a 21st century sanctuary surrounded by art, objects,
0:43.5	artifacts, and books of black legacy.
0:46.9	In reimagining and repurposing the Andrew Carnegie Personal Library,
0:52.7	badge invites you to examine the power of home libraries
0:56.1	and the significance of literacy, remembering that African Americans were denied the right to read
1:02.3	under slavery. I'm honored to share that Window Works in Livingston was asked by badge to create
1:08.7	the flat panels for the windows. We used a custom design fabric
1:12.5	by badge members, and the fabric was fabricated by Stacey Garcia's team at Libatex. So please make a
1:20.0	point to visit this inspired space the next time you are in New York City. The exhibition runs
1:25.5	from November 24 all the way through August 10th, 2025.
1:31.1	So you have plenty of time to get this on your calendar.
1:34.0	We will put links in the show notes.
1:40.3	Welcome to a well-designed business with your host, Luan Migara.
1:48.8	Luan has a lifetime of experience building a multi-million dollar business with her husband and cousin,
1:54.0	and she knows the challenges you face in your interior design business.
	...

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