At today’s American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) San Diego Kitchen and Bath tour, San Diegans will be able to see the work of some of the county’s most creative designers. One of the stops features a rustic, Zen-style kitchen in Del Mar by Tatiana Machado-Rosas.

(The self-guided ASID tour runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., see site for details.)

Machado-Rosas, 40, who works at Jackson Design & Remodeling, was born and raised in Mexico City, but spent some of her childhood years in Europe where the varied cultures and architecture inspired her aesthetic.

Machado-Rosas, who moved to San Diego from Tijuana in 1994, explains her passion for design and kitchens.

Q: Why should the general public be interested in the ASID San Diego Kitchen and Bath tour?

A: It gives the public the chance to see in person, instead of on TV or the computer, the latest trends and technology in kitchen and bath design. Homeowners that may be looking for an interior designer for a future project get to meet nine designers and see their portfolios. Even if you are not planning a home remodel yet, it is just a fun, inspiring way to spend the day with friends touring beautiful San Diego homes.

Q: When did you become interested in design?

A: My parents noticed that I was enthusiastic about drawing at a very early age, 3 or 4 years old. They always encouraged me to explore art and take art classes. My mom, a physician by profession, has a natural talent for decorating and she would always rearrange the furniture and accessories at home. I was fascinated watching her. One day, when I was 7, I told her that I wanted to help her make the room look prettier. When I got my own bedroom at age 8, I started paying attention to the look of my room — the colors, furniture and accessories. Since then I’ve never stopped.

Q: Why are you drawn to kitchens?

A: Because it not only involves creating a concept and suggesting a mix of materials and colors, it requires space planning, engineering, and the technical aspect of design. A well-designed kitchen is extremely technical, from planning the location of appliances and plumbing fixtures to determining the size of the cabinetry and moldings. Kitchens are really the heart of the home, the most-used space in our homes, and a very important ingredient in our daily lives.

Q: What are some of your favorite elements to include in a kitchen?

A: In addition to the basic appliances and plumbing fixtures, if the size of the kitchen allows it and if it fits the homeowner’s lifestyle, I like to add some of these elements: layers of lighting, great natural light, a coffee station, a secondary sink, a baking station, a wine refrigerator, an under-counter refrigerator, a desk with a computer or laptop, an area for kids to store school supplies, a pet storage and feeding station, a location for cookbooks, areas to display artwork or collectibles, a walk-in pantry.

Q: What do you think is overrated?

A: Microhoods – they are not as practical as they look and have a variety of functionality issues.

Q: What are some of your favorite memories from being in a kitchen?

A: Gatherings and celebrations with my family and friends. Everybody is in the kitchen cooking, helping, eating, talking, and enjoying each other’s company. Another memory I treasure is watching my grandmothers cook. When I visited, they would spend time with me in the kitchen and teach me while they cooked. The aroma of freshly made coffee will always remind me of my mother’s mother.

Q: You’ve won a lot of design awards, how important is hard work to you?

A: Both of my parents, but especially my father, taught me the value of hard work early in life. Unfortunately Mexicans have the stigma that we leave everything for “mañana” (tomorrow). He did not want his daughters to grow up with this mindset. After becoming a surgeon and accomplishing so many things in his professional career nationally and internationally, it was essential to him to teach us that hard work pays off. He has always told us to “set a goal, focus and work hard toward your goal.” I believe that when you work hard, great things happen in your life and this benefits the people that surround you.

Q: What is the best advice you ever received?

A: My grandmother and my parents told me: “Have faith in God and what he has planned for you, always think positively and work hard for what you want in life”.

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to find out about you?

A: I am a fine artist and that I’ve sold some of my work. I’ve actually done paintings myself for the interiors of a few remodeling projects.

Q: Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend.

A: Being able to take a break from our typically busy schedule and spend time with my family. Wake up just a little later than usual and enjoy a cup of coffee with my husband while the kids wake up. Fix everyone breakfast without rushing and bake something special, then do some sightseeing together or visit the rest of our family somewhere in San Diego. We like to go to Balboa Park museums, Seaport Village, Coronado, Encinitas or Carlsbad. If I find some magical free time during the weekend, I enjoy practicing my art.

 

View the original article at the San Diego Union-Tribune Website