Most are familiar with Scott Rothenberger's decade-long design business PLACE, but a more recent addition to the landscaping, interior design and event-executing empire is PLACE Design Studio & Showroom in Bally. You're invited to step inside what the PLACE team has declared their warm and fuzzy new “clubhouse.”
Scott Rothenberger
Owner/Designer
For starters, tell us a little bit about your passion for landscaping and garden design. How did it all begin for you?
For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a designer. My mom has always said I dream in technicolor—as a designer, I get to dream with my clients and as a design/build company “we” get to help them make that dream become a reality. I remember gardening with my mom and grandmother at a very early age—probably seven or eight—and I built a pond in our yard at 11 years old and became fascinated with water gardening. I remember often saving my own money when I was a teenager to buy plants to landscape my mom's yard. Graph paper was one of my favorite things to have on my drawing table and I remember designing floor plans, houses and planting layouts.
When did you get serious about design professionally?
College was a way for me to learn how to implement my passion for design and make it work in a logical and functional space. After a great education in architectural design with outstanding local architect John Michael at Northampton Community College, I headed west to Arizona State University, where I received a degree in architecture and business marketing. I truly believe that my education in business helped me propel my business to win 17 awards in just a little over 10 years. After college, I worked as a kitchen and bathroom designer, a draftsperson in an architectural firm, designer and marketer for a landscape company and decorated clients' homes for the holidays for as long as I can remember. In 2009, it was time to unite all of those life experiences, work history and my education into one entity called PLACE.
No matter what your project is, once you work with us, your place will never be the same.
Last year, your design business PLACE celebrated its 10-year anniversary as a business, but your design studio, which is really a retail, learning and entertaining location, is a fairly new venture. Explain why it was the perfect next step for you.
As the company grew, we needed a space for our teams to meet in the morning before heading out to project sites, and we needed a floral-arranging workshop, too, for all of the events we create. Then came the retail showroom. I found over the years that pretty much everywhere I went people were talking about projects they had seen that we created and they loved them, but some said “my space is too small” or “I can't afford you.” This design studio gives them and everyone else an opportunity to learn more about us and more about what we do. It's a warm fuzzy place; in fact, my team and I call it our clubhouse, where people come to explore design ideas and purchase unique one-of-a-kind indoor/outdoor art and accessories. We specialize in “grab and go” seasonal planters and succulent arrangements. I've had a few people say it's a great place to pick up a special hostess present for a dinner party. Really it just gives us another way to connect with the community and we sometimes even host charity events there.
Describe the landscaping, interior design and event services offered at PLACE.
We offer all of these services and more because what we create with our clients is a relationship to help them with anything and everything design related. Our ideal client is someone that we help with landscape design (perhaps in stages and phases), help with interior design or perhaps with a conceptual design for a new home—and then as life goes on, we create their daughter's wedding, then the baby shower, the 50th birthday party and then eventually help them create a functional, yet very cool, downsized home with style. I mention this because we have a few of these relationships and they are very special to us. As I've always said, many of our clients become friends. To these “friends,” we have become a one-stop shop for anything and everything design related, and I love it.
Does it all begin with a consultation? What does that look like?
Yes, this is where the relationship begins. I love to visit with the client at their home (or space) and I usually spend an hour or two with them, getting to know their likes and dislikes, their wants and their needs, meeting their kids or furry kids—everyone who will be enjoying the space. I find a great tool is reviewing pictures of our past projects with them and getting their reaction to the very diverse pictures and then discussing it. When someone says “I like that picture” it is my job to then figure out what is it exactly about that picture they like. This information-gathering period is crucial in designing a space that is perfect for them. I do charge a consultation fee; however, all fees will be credited towards the installation if contracted with PLACE.
Tell us about the classes and cooking demos that patrons can attend at PLACE. Do you have any exciting events coming up this spring?
We offer workshops, classes, parties, mixers—whatever term works for you! Workshop topics include seasonal container gardens, succulent arrangements, tablescapes, party planning tips, wreath making, centerpiece ideas, cooking classes and more! Sign up to join a group or create your own. Usually 10 guests is the ideal number and prices vary depending on what we create and serve. Starting price is typically $95 per person. Great for a girlfriends' night out or a birthday gathering for a friend who is obsessed with home improvement television. This spring, we have classes scheduled for container gardens—you can bring your own planter or shop from our inventory, and we provide the gravel, soil, plants, education, refreshments, wine or champagne (depending on the time of day) and the fun! Follow us on Facebook for our updated schedule.
Describe the gift, art and seasonal plant offerings available for purchase at PLACE.
Merchandise in our showroom is a collection of one-of-kind items that I've purchased from my travels or used in designer show houses over the years. Most of our furniture is upcycled and reupholstered in Sunbrella fabric, which is not only great for outdoors but it is very durable and stain-proof for indoor as well. Also, I am a photographer, and our walls are full of my collection of “Horticulturally Aroused Photography” printed on indoor/outdoor canvas, which make them great to decorate your outdoor living room. Our front porch is often filled with seasonal planters that we call “drop pots,” planted in basic black pots ready to slip into a decorative planter or urn you already have. It's great instant gratification for the homeowner who has last-minute guests arriving.
What days and times are people able to shop at the PLACE Design Studio and Showroom?
Our Design Studio is open Thursday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. for what we call “Designer Happy Hours,” where guests nosh on nibbles and refreshments while they learn, shop and explore. We are also open Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Additionally, we would be happy to meet you there anytime as long as we can coordinate schedules.
What's some simple advice for someone looking to freshen up their space this spring?
Texture is one of the most important design elements that I'm always talking about with clients, especially with planting design. Flowers can come and go, but it is texture that holds the design together. Also, when I'm working with my team setting up a space, we are working with layering design elements to create a composition. Fabrics, beads, candles, metal accessories, wooden boxes—we work with the unexpected and magic will happen. Lastly, create furniture layouts in your outdoor living room using a collection of pieces from different materials and time periods. I am not a fan of buying a “set” of outdoor furniture. Consider a wooden farmhouse table with outdoor wicker side chairs and flanked with vintage chairs refinished in outdoor materials. Your outdoor space should be an extension of the indoors, and it should reflect your lifestyle and personality. Most of all, relax and have fun. Mother Nature provides such a beautiful space for all of us; let's decorate it to her liking.
1780 Rte. 100, Bally | 610.428.1801 | designbyplace.com
