How could I not be drawn to Sarah Seidelmann and Suzi Vandersteen? As designers, they guide clients to find the sweet spot where self-acceptance meets great design. As unabashed emissaries of friendship and play, they teach self-exploration and design recovery through entertainment. They laugh, they whoop it up, and they invite whole people to join the party – all our bits are not only welcome, but necessary.
Suzi and Sarah’s design business is Kitchee Gammi Design Company. Joy Junket is their amusement park of a website.
In what way are you most successfully sensitive?
I think what we do really well is that when we have the initial meeting with the client we carefully gather information regarding what’s important to them in terms of the space we’re designing. Then we interpret all the information and collaborate with them on the design. With each update and new idea presented we watch carefully for reactions and feedback so we know when to make changes in the plan and when to reassure the client.
What or who has inspired you to embrace your sensitivity?
Probably responding to and working with many of our clients who had worked with other artists and designers who didn’t listen carefully to their needs and concerns. We feel design is intensely personal and intimate, and we’re privileged to be asked to work with people in their homes. The fact that we’re both always working towards spiritual progress (not perfection) leads us to listen carefully to everyone we work with, from clients to sub-contractors. We then, of course, take those data points and feed them into the design filter of Kitchee Gammi Design Company, resulting in a design that reflects the collaboration.
What are your eternal fascinations?
Beauty, function, the infinite possibilities inherent in how different people live in their homes, nature, good flea markets (treasure hunting), other businesses that bring their own points of view and have fun doing it, fashion, travel to exotic locales (Istanbul, India, Japan …), the makings of a good party, new food finds – essentially all the creative arts and the infinite offerings of new creations that we see every day.
What quest currently captivates you?
Finding a balance between work, play, and family, as all the variables are constantly changing.
We realize that many people don’t need a COUCH, they need a COACH to help them realign with their heart’s desires, so we’ve added coaching services to our menu. Sarah is currently doing additional coaching training with Oprah’s Martha Beck and is freaked out by how limitless personal transformation is.
What is your favourite kind of help to give?
We love to encourage others to live beautifully on their own terms: Don’t do what we do. Do what you do! And we love to encourage fun and laughter all along the way.
Related Reading: Successfully Sensitive | Dolly Hopkins, Book | A Pattern Language
4 Comments
What neat ladies! Thanks for sharing with us. I love how you have captured their story.
Andrea’s right! And I say ‘amen” to what she said!
To me, this is design-aid as it should be and so often isn’t — the tides are turning! YEA!
Everywhere, these days, is the word authentic. Imagine a world where we’re each doing the thing only we can do. Boggles my mind.
Thank you grace for this lovely feature!!! Our site would not be the same without your sensitive input!!! Keep doing what you do- the world needs more of your wonderful writing!!!!