Holly Hollenbeck is the founder of HSH Interiors, established in 2002. She developed her passion for design from a young age and finally pursued it after working in investment banking, consulting, and at a start-up. Having spent over two decades running her firm, Holly has honed her skills to approach each design project based on her client’s needs and a sense of place and people rather than a specific style. The resulting work is a blend of both modern and vintage touches, with a timeless, sophisticated sensibility. Holly’s portfolio includes clients in Northern California’s Bay Area and Wine Country, Jackson Hole, Squaw Valley, Manhattan Beach, and Beverly Hills. Learn more about Holly Hollenbeck in today’s Designer Friday.
This cozy getaway nestled in the woods is the perfect retreat for those seeking a tranquil escape. Relax on this custom black corduroy sofa or on the Roly Poly chair by Driade and take in the wooded views.
Andrew Joseph: How do you approach designing for a specific location or cultural influence?
Holly Hollenbeck: We are currently working on a new residential project in the Dominican Republic that is slated to break ground in June. To get inspiration for the project, the HSH Interiors design team visited the site as well as the capital, Santo Domingo, where we toured galleries, showrooms, the historic district and met with local makers from ceramicists to custom furniture makers. We spent three days dining, soaking in the culture, architecture and design. We are excited to work with talented local Dominican makers to fabricate most every piece of furniture and lighting for the project inside the country, using local materials. Authenticity and sustainability are important to us and to the clients, and it is nice to help support the local economy as well.
The walls of this powder room are adorned with gold, marble-effect wall coverings from Calico, perfectly complementing the vintage sconces that cast a warm glow across the space.
AJ: Can you describe a project that you’re particularly proud of?
HH: I am most proud of our Shine Maker project in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Our clients are a creative couple from California with two giant Irish Wolfhound dogs. I had worked with the clients 5 years earlier on their main residence in Marin County, and was thrilled to be included in their next project, a new construction second home in Wyoming. HSH Interiors partnered with CLB Architects and the clients in what was an incredibly collaborative design process. The home is truly unique and one of a kind. Details like the custom white concrete bas-relief tattoo fireplace and quirky panoramic wallpaper in the lounge could only come about in a project like this, with inspirational clients, stunning architecture, and a beautiful place.
AJ: How do you stay creative and inspired?
HH: I find inspiration everywhere, from galleries and museums, to fashion, dance, theater and travel. I try to expose myself to as much beauty in as many forms as I possibly can.
White Mongolian fur chairs provide a cozy and inviting space to relax in this living area, and add an extra touch of visual interest against the black stone fireplace.
AJ: How do you stay organized while working on multiple projects?
HH: HSH Interiors has a staff of 12 split between 2 offices (San Francisco and Tahoe) working on 18 – 22 projects at any one time. To make this all work, we need to stay incredibly organized. Internally we use Basecamp to project manage, task ourselves and each other, and store documentation. We follow a well-honed process to help manage large, complex projects. Every Monday we have a team meeting with our entire staff to review each project, the deliverables for the week, and discuss how to divide and conquer. We work as teams and support each other on every project, and communication is key!
AJ: What is your favorite type of space to design?
HH: Perhaps because I began my career with remodeling, that is still my first love. I most enjoy designing kitchens. Perhaps because I enjoy cooking, and I like the challenge of optimizing space coupled with making beauty, kitchens continue to be my favorite spaces to design.
About the Designer | As a visual omnivore who eagerly poured through her mother’s Architectural Digest magazines and drew pictures of beautiful houses as a child, Holly Hollenbeck’s raw talent and passion for design was apparent at a young age.
Driven by the mantra that “life is not a dress rehearsal,” Holly believes everyone deserves a home that is a means to living life to the fullest; a bespoke space that embodies their dreams, passions and lifestyle. Each project is thoughtfully tailored to meet the client’s unique needs, yet Holly’s approach to design is the same for all: to channel her vision around a sense of place and people, not an era or style. Thus, the common thread in her portfolio is a timeless sensibility brought to life through a blend of both modern and vintage touches. Holly’s projects express a keen reverence for the bones and soul of the home, while making it feel comfortable and current. The art, accessories and furniture give a nod to the architecture and provide context to the home itself, creating an aesthetic that is eclectic, bold and unexpected.
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