Motivated by the success of his recurring Palm Springs showhouse, the Christopher Kennedy Compound, the eponymous designer was lured to Turlock, California by a homeowner looking to create an exciting interiors experience in a classic American town. “I don’t think style is just reserved for the big cities and coasts,” says Christopher Kennedy, who collaborated with 15 other designers on a 3,200-square- foot midcentury residence that—following its October 2019 show dates—would become a family’s home. “The designers did the best of themselves and they also made it perfect for the homeowner. Our showhouses tend to be very livable, while still being very inspiring.”
In our recently released aspire design and home Showhouse Issue, we sat down with Keith Fortner to learn more about his creative process in designing the dining room for this project.
aspire design and home: How much time did you have to complete this room, start to finish?
Keith Fortner: About 3 months.
aspire: What was your biggest challenge? Did you have a Eureka moment during the process?
Keith: The room was entered through 3 different doors, so the scale had to be right plus it had to look good from all sides. The Eureka moment was including the fireside banquet in what had been an unimagined space.
aspire: What did you and your team accomplish that you thought would not happen in time?
Keith: The flooring wasn’t installed until 5 days before we opened, which delayed wallpaper and final electrical. It was a nail-biter until the very last moment.
aspire: What was your inspiration for this room?
Keith: I took inspiration from Christopher’s Kitchen concept. We worked on both rooms together and treated them as one continuous space.
aspire: Did you step out of your comfort zone for this project, and if so, why?
Keith: The lighting was way glitzier than I would normally do, but it was extremely important to the homeowner. She loved the chandelier so much I said, “Heck, let’s do two.”
aspire: Despite the fact that there were so many designers involved, there is an inherent cohesiveness to the home. Did you all converse/collaborate? Or was this a completely individual process?
Keith: Christopher’s showhouses are ALWAYS very collaborative. We communicate with each designer to guarantee a throughline, and encourage each designer to share their concepts so that the house is truly an imagined home and not just a series of over-the-top rooms.
aspire: Is your preference for a showhouse a small space or a large space? Does one or the other provide a better opportunity to stretch your creativity?
Keith: Smaller. I think it pushes you creatively. Also, it’s less to buy and transport!!
aspire: Describe the town of Turlock in one sentence.
Keith: This little surprise of a town is an undiscovered treasure.
“This or That?”
aspire: Paint or wallpaper?
Keith: Wallpaper
aspire: Hardwood or rug?
Keith: Rug
aspire: Beach or Mountains?
Keith: Beach
aspire: Saturated Color or Black and White?
Keith: Saturated Color
aspire: Brunch or Dinner?
Keith: Brunch
aspire: Midcentury or 18th Century?
Keith: Midcentury
aspire: Draperies, shades, or nothing?
Keith: Draperies
aspire: 2001: A Space Odyssey or The English Patient?
Keith: Neither
aspire: Week at the spa or Week of Broadway shows?
Keith: Broadway shows!! I am an ex- Broadway chorus boy after all!
Photography by Dave Adams.
Click Here to view more interviews with the Christopher Kennedy Showhouse designers.
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