Southern Home (SH): Were you one of those kids who redecorated their room all the time?
Vern Yip (VY): It’s true. When I was 7, I drew some furniture for my bedroom, and my mother had it made for me. It was all steel and glass. Then I painted my room gray. My sister came into my room and said, “Congratulations! You live in a bank vault!”
SH: Can you describe how you got into architecture as an adult?
VY: My parents immigrated from China and wanted me to have a safe path. My mother always wanted me to go to medical school, because she thought it would ensure a stable life. They ran an import store where they sold Chinese goods and textiles, and I would spend my days arranging the display windows. A couple of weeks before I was to start medical school, I went to her and said, “I just can’t.” And to her credit, she said, “Okay.” She knew the architect I. M. Pei and took me to New York, where she asked his advice for a good architecture school. He had many graduates of Georgia Tech’s architecture program working in his office, and he recommended I go there.
SH: Your books are really great in that they’re beautiful, but they also offer good practical guidance for the home decorator.
VY: I wanted to do a book that addresses the issues that apply to every house, whether you live in a tiny studio or a mega mansion. Like, how high do I hang a painting in my house? Most people don’t know the answer to that. They say eye level, but each person’s eye level is different. The answer is 60 inches from finished floor to the center of the picture, or the center of the mirror. Rules are important. A chandelier over your dining table should be 66 inches off the floor. It’s low enough that it illuminates the table, but high enough so that people sitting at the table can see each other.
SH: You made a name for yourself on HGTV design shows, where you performed amazing transformations. What advice do you give people about managing a renovation?
VY: First of all, be really clear about your goals. It’s costly to meander through a renovation. Communicate your goals verbally and also in the form of a drawing, if you can.
Secondly, if you’re on a budget, prioritize the big things, such as countertops and tile. It is much harder to change those things down the road. People think it’s easy to swap out kitchen countertops, but it’s not. Removing countertops damages the cabinetry and the sink. If you can’t afford to do everything you want all at once, it’s perfectly fine to save some things for later.
SH: What are some easy wins in terms of big impact for a small investment?
VY: I think wallpaper is really powerful. It can fill a space if you don’t have artwork. It can lend texture, create warmth, and add dimension on what is otherwise a flat, lifeless surface. Floor-to-ceiling draperies have major impact. They can accentuate the height of the ceiling and have a functional quality of noise dampening. And decorative lighting is another opportunity for a flourish. Because a chandelier or pendant hangs from the ceiling, it’s out of reach of kids and pets, so you can have a fixture that’s fragile or delicate without worry.
SH: You’ve been a star on HGTV, built a successful design business in Atlanta, written two books, designed fabrics, furniture, and lighting, and built a family. Your mother must have been proud of you.
VY: She was. I was glad she lived long enough to see me firmly established. I always wanted to design things that were needed, not just put more stuff in the world. I need things to have purpose, to be high quality, and to be attainable. Each one of those is easy on its own, but to thread the needle to have all three, that’s where the effort comes in. I also strive to achieve a balance of freshness and timelessness. I want clients to be excited about my designs, but I also want them to be excited about it five years down the road. So, I thrive in that intersection because it excites me, not just to put product out with my name on it, but to produce products that will make a difference.
Lightning Round
Sounds like he’s a smart man…and kind…AND met I.M.PEI!! franki
Wow, I just recognized Vern on this TV show where he gave advice to people that were renovating an old brewery in the Midwest into their home and gave suggestions. A place turned out beautifully what I like about him. I had to look him up because I’ve forgot where I had seen him, but I knew he was a designer. What he’s doing is the same thing as George Clark in England who helps people with ideas for renovating ancient dilapidated historical buildings what a joy to see someone doing that here in this country there’s a lot of buildings I could use a lot of help thank you. I hope this is a regular show of his. I didn’t catch the title. I just have to look for it again wonderful to see Vern again.