Design Savvy features products which have an intensity to them, a passion. It is KBP's view that the world of design has changed in a subtle, but significant way.... clients desire an even more personal feeling in their homes. Less a showcase, more a collection of objects or design elements which speak to them. Design Savvy will tap into that movement to keep you one step ahead...

Elli Sorensen
www.nadjia.net
www.saffron.ws
775.833.0941

Elli Sorensen is a woman of many talents. An outdoors person, an artist accomplished in watercolors, furniture, stained glass, and even floor cloths. Currently, Elli is focusing on ceramic products, at affordable prices. Photos shown here are a small sample of Elli's versatile style.

What would you say has been your inspiration?
My inspiration is integrated with my lifestyle. I love home, nature, animals, and of course family. I have lived in the sub-tropics, and the Rocky Mountains and been fortunate to travel to both exotic and challenging environments. Most of the design concepts come from life experience. I had always been a carpenter's daughter and what I considered a "craftsperson". I like to keep my fingers busy.

Why sinks?
There just aren't enough options in my opinion. The options that you do have seem to be high end; many of them are created with ceramic transfers or china paints, which don't offer the life expectancy of traditionally glazed stoneware. Some of the imports are earthenware, a clay body that tends to be very porous. Right away I started thinking about sinks and was fortunate to be introduced to a brilliant sink maker from California. Don Anawalt has been in the business over twenty years and has been an amazing resource for us.

I think design is just coming into its own in the kitchen and bath. In general buyers seem to be bolder in their choices. Functional art is very popular in other areas of design why shouldn't we enjoy it too?

Will you do custom designs?
Yes, our sister company "nadjia" is strictly custom design. We attempt just about anything. This is where all of the "originals" come from. We offer 26 different Basin forms and several tile options. Many tile manufacturers offer bisque tile to studios which is a great way to match a mural tile in size to a manufactured field tile.

Currently we are also introducing dinnerware and serving pieces. Platters, salad bowls, pitchers even salt and pepper shakers. These products will not only spice up a showroom countertop, they will lend function and complete the picture in a real life setting.

Would you do a large tile mural for a kitchen or bath? Say, a scene from a client's photograph?
Absolutely. I currently stock tile in standard 4.6, and 8 " sizes.

What would you most like people to know about your work?
Perhaps the most important thing to me about the work is that each project, each step of the process involved in creating a finished piece is exactly what I want to be doing with my life at this time. I think I have the good fortune to have found a perfect fit. Perhaps that is one of the influences that gives me so much pleasure in being a part of creating a client's environment.