FR Review:
Whether a new construction or cosmetic remodel, the team at thinkpure offers uncomplicated yet chic solutions. Often within open, modern structures, the firm’s interiors are informed by classic, clean lines and neutral tones, and enlivened by subtle, consistent pops of color. Inclusions of natural woods and stone punctuated by bold fixtures in brass, rose gold and matte black fulfill the company moniker: thoughtful, organic design. Above all, thinkpure is both effortless and timeless—a shelter magazine recently requested pictures of a ten-year-old project for an issue on current trends. Inspired by Kelly Schandel’s frequent trips to Europe, most frequently Milan, each home has a fashion-forward touch that gives thinkpure a competitive edge.
Schandel caught the design bug as a teenager while helping with the renovation of her mother’s Newport home. Though her concentrations while attending Pepperdine and The American University in Paris were business and international studies, she continued to dabble in interiors by taking textile, drafting and color theory classes at a local junior college. While working in PR for Calvin Klein, Schandel was profoundly inspired by the clean, understated beauty of the brand, especially while in the (then) brand new Madison Avenue flagship store, designed by minimalist John Pawson. It was there Schandel realized interiors had been her true calling all along and began her own boutique practice in 2003. Today, with the help of a handful of “fully capable, totally involved” assistants, thinkpure continues to incorporate that underlying language of elegant simplicity in both its residential and commercial work.
Architects commend Schandel for her ability to integrate their architectural aesthetic into her interiors. They applaud her ability to skillfully edit the spaces she designs all the while making homeowners feel heard without losing sight of the objective. Schandel is a proponent of mixing new and vintage pieces, and clients list showroom field trips, a reliable crew of craftsmen, and permission to include (but of course reupholster/refinish) pieces from their old collections as reasons to keep Schandel on board for Project #2. thinkpure only takes on a select number of projects at once, allowing Schandel—"a perfectionist"— to have a direct hand in each one. With work in Malibu, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Northern California and now Austin, Texas, thinkpure looks to expand its scope onto the international stage, where Schandel continues to draw her inspiration for timeless, modern interiors.
Representative Client Comments:
"Once in the decorating stage, Kelly likes to order in phases to ensure a seamless install." "Clients feel they are free to spend and save where they see necessary, with quality always coming first." "Kelly is a very warm person and easy to collaborate with. Very sensitive to my needs as the client, too." "Great with difficult/opinionated clients." "The look is thoughtful without having to think too much." "'Think pure' is precisely the mindset Kelly channels when called on to modernize a project." "All of the furniture was gorgeous. Definitely more contemporary than what we had before, so learning how to reorganize our belongings around them was an adjustment at first, but so worth it." "Kelly's work is intentional, edited, thought out, well appointed, well executed, but not restricted at all." "Kelly has great resources for both low and high budgets."
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