Adrienne Dorig: Next Level Design

award-winning interior designer takes home prestigious awards for kitchen/bath project

Eric Christenson

 

The Dorig Designs kitchen in Fall Creek that won first place at the National Kitchen and Bath Association 2015 Design Contest.
The Dorig Designs kitchen in Fall Creek that won first place at the National Kitchen and
Bath Association 2015 Design Contest.

Adrienne Dorig is a interior designer and California transplant who moved to the area after her husband got a job teaching at UW-Eau Claire. She specializes in artfully designing kitchens and bathrooms with sophistication and functionality. A seasoned designer with a stunning portfolio, Dorig recently took home huge honors at the National Kitchen and Bath Association 2015 Design Contest including first place for green design. We recently caught up with her to talk about the differences in designing Wisconsin homes vs. California, her creative process, and the importance of green design.

Volume One: How long have you been doing interior design?  

Adrienne Dorig: I've been working as an interior designer for 15 years and have been in business for seven.

Adrienne Dorig
Adrienne Dorig
So you’re originally from California? When did you come to Eau Claire? 

Yes, I was born and raised in Southern California. I moved in the fall of 2010 after my husband got a job teaching at UWEC.

What are the differences designing rooms and spaces for California homes vs. Wisconsin homes? 

Designing in California vs. Wisconsin is mainly different because of the climate.  Outdoor kitchens are common in California, where you can enjoy them year round. I do more heated floors in Wisconsin because the winters are so long and cold. Sun rooms and screened porches are also more popular here.  

What is your creative process like? Where do you draw inspiration? 

My approach is to make sure there is something beautiful to look at no matter where you sit or stand in a room. At the same time I’m looking at function.  Is the kitchen counter a comfortable height for food prep? Is there enough bathroom lighting for my client to put on makeup? Inspiration can come from the architecture of the home and sometimes my client’s hobbies and collections.

This bathroom project from the same house won 3rd place in the National Kitchen and  Bath Association's Small Bath Category
This bathroom project from the same house won
3rd place in the National Kitchen and Bath
Association's 2015 Small Bath Category.
What do you think makes a kitchen or bathroom – or any room – pop? 

You can make a statement with an energetic paint color, a bold patterned rug, or a sculptural light fixture. The key is to focus on one or two elements that will have an impact and keep the rest of the finishes subdued. Too many elements calling for attention will make your head spin.

What are some easy tips a regular person can consider to make their rooms look fresh? 

Painting walls and changing out cabinet hardware can make a dramatic difference. Flowers always liven up a room, and the farmers market will have some great deals.   

You recently won an award for green interior design, right? I’d love to know more about that project! 

We remodeled a farmhouse in Fall Creek and the kitchen won Best Green Design in this year’s NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association) Design Contest.  I enjoyed incorporating materials the homeowner had salvaged. We built cabinetry out of shelving rescued from a warehouse; the wormy chestnut is an uncommon and beautifully rustic wood. We also took stained glass doors from Dell’s Architectural in Eau Claire and integrated them into the cabinetry. Some other cool features were a built-in compost bin at the island and penny round tile with recycled content.

How much work goes into something like that? What steps do you take to make rooms green? Why is that important to you and your clients?

It takes a little more time and creativity when incorporating salvaged items. With the stained glass I had to design cabinetry to fit and determine the best placement. I ended up using one pair to build a custom hutch and another smaller pair to flank the hood.  

It’s not hard at all to make a space green. Before remodeling we try to find homes for the old cabinetry to avoid the landfill. I like dealing with local manufacturers because it reduces transportation and pollution. And to help save energy I specify LED lighting and Energy Star-rated appliances. Construction can take up a lot of resources and anything to help minimize environmental impact and maximize efficiency is a good thing.     

To learn more about Dorig and her work, check out the Dorig Designs website at dorigdesigns.com.

Chippewa Valley Home & Garden is sponsored by:

Klinger Farm Market
2756 132nd St
Chippewa Falls

Klinger Farm Market

Chippewa Valley Home & Garden is sponsored by:

Klinger Farm Market
2756 132nd St
Chippewa Falls

Klinger Farm Market