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Cosentino Design Alliance Member, Young Huh Discusses Creative Process & More

This year Cosentino unveiled its latest influencer program, the Cosentino Design Alliance. The inaugural class comprises seven leading interior designers across North America, with expertise spanning the residential, hospitality and commercial spaces. 

 width=One of which is Young Huh, founder of Young Huh Interior Design, specializes in residential and commercial interiors. In an exclusive Q&A below, Young discusses her creative process, work as a designer and more.

Young Huh | New York, N.Y.

Young Huh, founder of Young Huh Interior Design, specializes in residential and commercial interiors. After receiving an English degree from Smith College and a law degree from Fordham University, the Detroit native discovered her passion for interior design while pursuing further education and an internship; she went on to found her firm in 2007. Young believes in resetting the design narrative for each project to find the harmony and dynamism through classic and modern design principles, with thoughtful architectural details providing the groundwork for warm and welcoming interiors animated by surface treatments, play of pattern and color and a touch of wanderlust. Industry accolades include the prestigious 2019 ELLE Decor A-List and “Five Interior Designers on the Rise” by VOGUE, among others. Her work can be seen in leading publications such as Architectural Digest, Domino, ELLE Decor, House Beautiful, Interior Design, LUXE Interiors + Design, The New York Times, Real Simple and The Wall Street Journal. Young actively bolsters the local and global design community through speaking engagements and charitable events including, among others, the Kips Bay Decorator Show House and NKBA Board of Directors.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given when it comes to design or your career?

Matthew Patrick Smythe once told me, “don’t look to your left, don’t look to your right, look straight ahead at your own vision.” This advice came when I was doing Ronald McDonald house, my very first showhouse experience, and is something I’ve kept with me my entire career. 

What do you consider to be a pivotal moment in your career?

Taking part in the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in 2014 was an incredible honor. It was my dream to be able to participate in such a wonderful event—it was like going to the Olympics of the design world.

What is your favorite Cosentino color?

Right now, I love the new Dekton Liquid Embers color which I was able to see at this year’s KBIS. So often we use high contrast to achieve depth, but this material has such dimension in a different way. I would use it in a moody, dramatic bath—in a way, it reminds me of draped velvet, which is so interesting!

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Dekton Liquid Embers

Name one destination you find inspiring, and why.

It is next to impossible to name just one! I recently went to Sweden and am always so inspired by what they do so well. I love the juxtaposition of very pretty, Gustavian pieces with spare, modern elements—it’s a beautiful design dialogue.  

Can you tease any exciting projects you have in the works?

Among others, a floor through apartment at 520 Park, a collaboration with Oomph, a second home in Scottsdale, and an apartment combination in Philadelphia. 

Can you share a favorite or memorable project that you specified Cosentino for?

We recently completed Grace’s Cottage restaurant as part of a boutique hotel refurbishment in Turks and Caicos. We used Dekton’s Opera from the Natural Collection and it turned out beautifully—the restaurant has become quote the hot spot!

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Let’s talk about your home – what is it like in your kitchen (i.e. is it the heart of the home or a weekend thing, etc.)? What is your favorite thing about it? Would you change anything about it? Why?

My kitchen has open stainless-steel shelving, natural wood cabinets, black concrete floor, and I used a patterned Osborne and Little wallpaper. The combination is modern and warm traditional at the same time. As we’ve been spending more time at home and sheltering in place with the kids, the kitchen is the most used space in our home.

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In your opinion, what is the most important design element when it comes to making a house feel like home? Why?

I think what makes a home feel like a home is having pillows, a throw, boxes, collections, accessories, etc. that reflect one’s personality—the finishing touches are key. It adds a layer of detail and gives the sense of human life.