About
WHAT MY CLIENTS VALUE
My clients care about quality—the quality of life for their families, the quality of their food, their community, their home surroundings. They are looking for a collaborative experience. They value timeless design, whether contemporary or transitional. My clients lead busy lives—they want their home to be inviting, practical yet welcoming. They need their home to nourish their lives.
But even more, they often come to us because they may have intuited some inner changes and their home environment no longer fits them. They sense a need to express their new understanding of who they have become. We make every effort to get ourselves out of the way and present our clients with what we sense they are reaching for—a home that outwardly reflects this inner evolution. I think that’s why they seem so happy about the results. Like a beautiful dress, their home fits.
MY HISTORY IN DESIGN
I’ve been in the fine art and design world all my adult life. At Smith College and UC Berkeley, I studied Art History and gained a deep understanding of the evolution of beauty in European and Oriental art, architecture and furniture. Travels in Andalucía, India and the Middle East increased my passion for exquisite handwoven textiles and rugs—experiences that would inspire me later as a textile designer. My first jobs were in high-end interior design showrooms and at the Store Planning and Design Dept. of Macy’s. Wanting to go deeper into design, I was honored when the fabled Rudolf Schaeffer offered me a full scholarship to his San Francisco design school. Mr. Schaeffer taught “pure design”. He believed a designer should be able to design a room, a piece of fabric, a perfect floral arrangement or an airplane! He taught that good design is based on universal principles of truth, harmony, beauty, and functionality—and that design should be accessible to everyone regardless of age or income.
The Fashion Industry
My first job out of design school was as a costume designer for a Washington DC ballet company, where I had to turn out 26 different colors of hand-dyed tutus! I also created ‘historic period’ costumes for a local theater group.
For my high school reunion, I painted a batik pattern on a couple yards of silk and dunked it into a pot of dye on my stove. Voila! I stitched up a simply draped dress and came home with 5 orders, which launched my first clothing business: selling one of a kind silk dresses to congressional wives and TV news broadcasters. Robineve Design in Textiles evolved into a partnership with a showroom on 7th Ave. and 120 accounts nationwide. The adorable Annie Potts attended one of our fashion shows in Hollywood, and asked us to design her wardrobe for CBS TV’s “Designing Women”. Now, THAT was fun!
Return to Interior Design
After catching my breath from constant travels and assessing what I'd learned from living in New England, Washington DC, and the SF Bay Area, new priorities emerged. So, when I married my architect husband, I returned to designing homes because I realized the importance of my environment in supporting my work and lifestyle. I wanted to share this again.
Combining my background in architectural styles, color and textiles with my passion for quality furniture, I returned to high end Interior Design. Prior to opening Robineve & Co Interiors, Inc. in 2014, I was Senior Designer at J. Hettinger Interiors for 16 years. During this time, I gathered my personal team of high-quality furniture designers, manufacturers and experienced builders who can work in any style. My projects take me to Silicon Valley, the East Bay, and around the greater Bay Area.
I thrive on remodeling homes, and then furnishing them top to bottom to suit the lives of appreciative, busy people.
John Cole, Architect, AIA
John began his career as a remodeler—so he speaks fluent ‘contractor’. He took his hands-on experience to the next level, by earning his architect’s license while designing high-end custom homes. Bringing his 30 years of experience to Robineve & Co Interiors, he approaches the process from both sides – design and build. John creates the 3D images that bring the concepts to life, and triangulates solid communication between the contractor, designer and client. During the emotional roller coaster that is a remodel, John’s knowledgeable voice provides assurance that the client’s dream really does become reality.
Katie Cole, Junior Designer, Marketing Manager
Katie was marketing manager at an international magazine publisher when the longing to explore the world with nothing more than a backpack and a boyfriend (soon to be husband) became irresistible. Inspired by that year of freedom and creativity, Katie returned to the Bay Area and began her studies of Interior Design. She rose quickly through the fast-paced world of San Francisco luxury home staging, with projects from Pacific Heights to Atherton, before transitioning into Interior Design full time. Her experience at various design firms armed her with a broad knowledge of resources and processes which she brought with her to Robineve & Co Interiors.
Studio 6: Design Resource Showroom
Robineve & Co Interiors, Inc. is a member of a unique designer buying co-op, Studio 6 Design, based in Walnut Creek. This enables us to be a one stop shop for two reasons: several designer co-op members can pool our total year purchases to get a bigger volume discount with high quality furnishings manufacturers. Having these “stocking dealer” relationships enables us to pass along greater values to our clients than a single designer working on their own. Our studio is located next to an independent, semi-custom cabinetry and quartz showroom with resident cabinet designers. This allows us to offer our clients an all-in-one shopping solution for both furnishing and remodeling needs.
GIVING BACK
I’m grateful to my Northern California community which has supported my business. But, in truth, it is my privilege to have a business that provides me with a surplus of energy to serve my community and our neighbors. This work surrounds my core values and gives me the greatest joy. I dedicate my time to these wonderful 501(c)(3) organizations:
The White Pony Express, Free General Store – The White Pony Express started in 2014 with the inspired mission to end hunger in Contra Costa by redistributing the surplus that exists in our community. Its motto is “All of us taking care of All of us” by moving people from the margins to the mainstreams. Since then, it has grown to include the Free General Store division, of which I’m a part, redistributing new and lightly used clothing to men, women and children through Pop-up Boutiques that we take into distressed communities.
Following Francis – This fun-filled artistic and educational outreach program into the low-income schools in the San Francisco Bay Area, Washington DC, and Myrtle Beach, SC seek to provide children with a “Day of Perfect Joy” built around the spirit of love and acceptance inspired by the namesake of our region, Francis of Assisi. I love working closely with the children on costumes and face-painting!
Impact 100 – a nationwide philanthropic organization of professional women who create a scholarship to fund and support struggling nonprofits which are doing vitalwork in our community with education, women, and children.
I’ve also donated my design services to support, these charitable non-profit fundraisers:
- Piedmont Children’s Support League, designer showcase houses
- Family Paths, ballroom design for the annual fund-raising gala.
