Collaborate to Build a Brand~

Brands Do it.

Designers Do it.

Politicians Do it. (sometimes)

Celebrities do it.

You Can Do It.

col·lab·o·rate [kuh-lab-uh-reyt]

Via Wikipedia.com

verb (used without object), col·lab·o·rat·ed,col·lab·o·rat·ing.

Collaboration is working together to achieve a goal. It is a recursive process where two or more people or organizations work together to realize shared goals,  — for example, an intriguing endeavor that is creative in nature by sharing knowledge, learning and building consensus. Most collaboration requires leadership, although the form of leadership can be social within a decentralized and egalitarian group. In particular, teams that work collaboratively can obtain greater resources, recognition and reward when facing competition for finite resources.

JASON WU

Photo via Delta Skymiles magazine

At age 29,  esteemed Fashion Designer Jason Wu has had multiple collaborations in building his brand. One that I am becoming more and more familiar with is his work with Brizo, a very fashionable and  high quality brand of Kitchen & Bath plumbing fixtures.

If you haven’t heard of Jason Wu, here’s the short version.

Born in 1982 in Taipei, Taiwan;  Jason moved to Vancouver, Canada at age 9 with his mother where he learned English. His mother had recognized his unusual talent when he was a young boy.  Jason then attended  boarding school in Connecticut, sketching all the way until entering into a  Collaboration with Integrity Toys for designing doll clothing (which is very fashionable by the way!). Take a look!

 Photo via http://www.IntegrityToys.com

With the profits of that collaboration, he went on to Parson’s School of Design and eventually opened his own design house and wowed viewers with national attention when First Lady, Michelle Obama, wore a gown Jason designed, for the President’s Inaugural Ball.

First Lady Michelle Obama in gown designed by Jason Wu. Photo via Glamour Fashion

Next up: a collaboration with Brizo. Two great design houses com together for a fashionable faucet.

Jason Wu carefully contemplating faucet design for Brizo. Photo via http://www.brizo.com

Below is a faucet from the Jason Wu for Brizo line.

Odin_faucet Jason Wu for Brizo photo via http://www.Brizo.com

“At the center of the collection is a faucet unlike any other. Named for mythology’s Norse god of wisdom and magic, the Jason Wu for Brizo Odin™ faucet features a unique and unexpected rotating handle motion to emphasize the collection’s modern and seamless design. Punctuated by Wu’s signature Miss Wu owl emblem on the tip of the handle, this faucet is truly the collection’s showpiece.

The Jason Wu for Brizo Odin faucet is equipped with SmartTouchPlus™ Technology, which allows users to start and stop the flow of water with a simple touch anywhere on the spout or handle of the faucet.  For a more intuitive experience, its hands-free mode activates the flow of water when hands are anywhere within 4” of the faucet.” quote: Brizo

If you would like to hear Jason speak on fashion and his personal design concept, you can view it here:

 Jason is now in collaboration with NEST Fragrances

“This month, Wu’s first candle, in collaboration with NEST Fragrances, will launch at many of those same high-end stores. Jason Wu Orchid Rain—a mix of white orchid, nashi pear, pomegranate and goji berry—burns in the ultramodern entryway of Wu’s sweeping showroom in Manhattan’s garment district. Wu breathes it in. “This is what I smell like, in a $48 candle.” He notes that the candle is his first foray into home accessories, suggesting it won’t be his last.” ~ Fashioning a Brand – Delta Sky Magazine

Jason also collaborates with Target with affordable fashions.

Photo via http://www.Target.com

And one more…

Photo via Linda Merrill

I have had the pleasure of meeting Jason Wu in person twice. Here I am with some of the Blogger 19 Alumni who attended the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (#KBIS) last month in Chicago.

Jason has several additional products  under the umbrella of his empire. As you can see, he has quickly established his brand by wonderful collaborations with top companies across the spectrum of lifestyle goods.

What can YOU do to collaborate and build a brand?

The $35,000 Kitchen Island ~

What, a $35,000 island? It better be good! When you see the photos below, you will see the design gave the homeowner exactly what they wanted, a large multi-functional working space with room for two cooks and lots of room for guests to gather ’round!

As a designer who also does kitchen and bath remodeling, I can attest that many people do not have a clear understanding on one aspect of the remodel process and that is: LABOR COST and actually, rightfully so! Who knew?

Many people come to me with ideas of what they “wish”  to accomplish in their kitchen.  Some have done their research in regards to appliances, have possibly even been to a granite yard, etc. however do not fully understand the labor involved and that is where Chatti Patti comes in…to educate the consumer, even if you don’t want or need a $35,000 island.

In this post, Chatti Patti is spotlighting a luxury kitchen makeover that Patti Johnson Interiors designed and executed in the Columbus, Ohio area, focusing on just the kitchen island in this segment and what was involved for its completion to give you, the reader, an idea of budgeting and where those precious dollars go.

Here is the “BEFORE” picture of the kitchen prior to remodel by PJI~

Patti Johnson Interiors Kitchen Remodel

Here is the Proposed Kitchen Island Improvement:

Drawing for proposed Island and Kitchen Remodel

Here is the $35,000+ Kitchen Island after remodel by PJI~ two views:

A $35,000 Kitchen Island

Here is an approximate breakdown of the island cost:

Cabinetry  & Hardware $6000.00

Granite  $8,000.00: Two pieces, Total of 80 s.f. with ogee edge with 2 cut outs – no seams

Thermador 48″ 6 burner gas cook-top & telescoping downdraft ventilation system with blower motor ~ $5,000.00

Wine Cooler $950.00

Prep sink with food disposal and faucet – $550.00

Microwave – $550.00

Demo, Installation of cabinetry and appliances

Installation of HVAC (cook-top ventilation through floor and exterior wall to vent outside of basement in rear of home), Re-routing the heat duct into the toe kick of island

Electrical: Outlets for: Cook-top, Ventilation, Wine Cooler, secondary disposal, dedicated microwave outlet, and auxiliary outlets for standard kitchen use. Adding all electrical to panels in basement and bringing to code.

Plumbing for running gas line,  drain and water lines for prep sink.

Delivery, parts and taxes

Labor $14,000

Actually, the cost could have gone higher with the addition of a warming drawer or double drawer veggie coolers which in turn present more electrical, cabinetry and installation costs! But as you can see, there was Italian travertine flooring, perimeter granite (black galaxy), new appliances, window treatments, sink, faucet, tumbled marble backsplash, additional recessed lighting and chandeliers all to be worked into the budget.

Costs can vary. Why? Depends largely upon what currently exists in the space and what is being added as well as the quality and quantity of  cabinetry and appliances incorporated into an island. This home was less than 10 years old at the time of remodel, however Patti Johnson Interiors has remodeled  kitchens and baths in homes built during the 1950’s and it can require a lot more work and investment when it comes to code compliance with local entities by the necessary upgrading of electrical wiring & panels, outdated plumbing, discovering that there is no insulation behind the wall and the all around “UNKNOWN” factor.  Working with experienced contractors and licensed plumbers and electricians, all work is completed to code by Patti Johnson Interiors.

Chatti Patti goes GREEN.

Green & Sustainability~ How is this design Green you ask? Notice the perimeter cabinets are original; stripped and repainted with an automotive type finishing application, new accent dentil molding, toe kick and hardware were added as well as some re-configurations i.e. plate rack, decorative end panels, etc. saved the homeowner a LOT of money while repurposing at the same time. The cabinets were solid maple and in very good condition so refinishing them vs. replacing gave the homeowner the ability to achieve the more desirous features in the kitchen! All appliances removed were donated to Habitat for Humanity of Delaware, Ohio ~ PJI will always look for “Green”practices to incorporate into every design!

• Part of the PJI difference and design philosophy is that you don’t have to replace everything! Often when designing a room for a client and specifying furnishings, PJI will suggest one or two focal or investment pieces and some basic less expensive pieces mixed in. Certainly friendlier on the budget!
• The Patti Johnson Interiors Motto ~ “Transforming Spaces Into Beautiful Places!”. If you are looking to hire an interior designer in the Michigan or Ohio area, please contact me at 740-816-3606. 

Thanks for stopping by ~ Be sure and check back frequently as Chatti Patti shares her interior design insight and expertise!

Disclaimer: ALL Design and Photography property of Patti Johnson Interiors and cannot be copied without consent.  Thank You.