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 Dan Rak to learn more about his creative process in designing “Luke’s Room” for this project.
aspire design and home: How much time did you have to complete this room, start to finish?
Dan Rak: I believe we had about three months.
aspire: What was your biggest challenge? Did you have a Eureka moment during the process?
Dan: We’re based in Chicago and had to design the room remotely. Before installation day, we had only seen photos of the space under construction.
aspire: What did you and your team accomplish that you thought would not happen in time?
Dan: Everything!
aspire: What was your inspiration for this room?
Dan: We wanted something that felt consistent with the mid-century architecture of the home, but that was current and appropriate for a teenage boy.
aspire: Did you step out of your comfort zone for this project, and if so, why?
Dan: Yes, this space was much more graphic and playful than our work ordinarily is.
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?
Dan: There was some collaboration via email, but it was mainly an individual process for each of us. I think that all of the designers work really speaks to the architecture of the home and leads to a cohesive effect.
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?
Dan: I think that creativity can speak in both large and small spaces. For us, this was our first showhouse. Given the fact that we were working from across the country, a smaller space felt like a more manageable task.
aspire: Describe the town of Turlock in one sentence.
Dan: Artsy and all-American.
“This or That?”
aspire: Paint or wallpaper?
Dan: Wallpaper
aspire: Hardwood or rug?
Dan: Hardwood
aspire: Beach or Mountains?
Dan: Beach
aspire: Saturated Color or Black and White?
Dan: Black and white
aspire: Brunch or Dinner?
Dan: Dinner
aspire: Midcentury or 18th Century?
Dan: Midcentury
aspire: Draperies, shades, or nothing?
Dan: Draperies
aspire: 2001: A Space Odyssey or The English Patient?
Dan: English Patient
aspire: Week at the spa or Week of Broadway shows?
Dan: Spa
Photography by Dave Adams.
Click Here to view more interviews with the Christopher Kennedy Showhouse designers.
Like what you see? Get it first with a subscription to aspire design and home magazine.