“Interior designs being integral from the beginning of a project capitalize on things that make it special in the long run.”
1741 Club - Murphy & Dittenhafer Interiors Studio Design Project
Architecture goes far beyond good bones. Every detail, big and small, plays a role in making a project impeccable. Interior design is a major player in the process from start to finish.
“I get involved in projects from the beginning,” says Lisa HB Clemens, Senior Interior Designer at the Murphy & Dittenhafer Interiors Studio. “Interior designs being integral from the beginning of a project capitalize on things that make it special in the long run.”
M&D’s Interiors Studio is a gem, but it’s not hidden
When digging into what’s going on behind the scenes at M&D’s Interiors Studio, it quickly becomes clear that they’re not behind the scenes at all. “We are very much involved with clients face to face,” says Clemens.
Clemens and her associate Abby Jones are able to offer whatever they’re tasked with presenting via a massive Interior Design library and strong Interiors sourcing connections. They have all the necessary samples to specify projects at their fingertips, from small residential projects all the way up to large government and higher education projects.
What inspires that design? “I'm always keeping my eyes open for things that are new and unique,” Clemens says. “One of my favorite things to do is travel because that's where I really can see things that are different.”
Speaking of unique, Clemens says restrooms are involved in virtually every design process, but no two are alike. “We never do the same restroom design twice, ever,” she says. In fact, it’s rare she repeats herself at all. That freshness is part of what drives her creativity.
Projects then and now
Clemens and the M&D team designed the Forum Building renovation and repurposing project in Harrisburg’s Capitol Complex. “The Forum project was incredibly exciting because it was such a long-term project, so there was a lot to learn,” says Clemens. “To watch that come to fruition and see people move in the building and be pleased with the outcome is incredibly gratifying.”
The LaVale Library in Allegheny County is another one of her recent favorites. During the ribbon cutting ceremony, she sat herself in one of the lounge chairs when a woman sat nearby. “She didn’t know who I was and said, ‘I love this place. It’s like my second home. I’m going to be here every day.’”
For Clemens, the most important thing is listening to the client. At that moment, she knew they had succeeded.
Currently, Clemens is busy with furniture, fixtures, and equipment (known as FF&E) on two dual-university projects at University of Maryland College Park and Harford County Community College.
No such thing as boredom
Murphy & Dittenhafer Interiors Studio
Pulling finish and material selections and creating mood and color boards is exciting for Clemens, but there’s so much more to her work—like all the documentation and technical work that goes on in the background.
Whatever she’s working on, Clemens says it’s all exciting. “There's no such thing as the word ‘boredom’ in my vocabulary,” she says. “Every project is a little bit different. Every client is different. And I do really enjoy that.”
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