Jarret Yoshida
Interior Design

Can you tell us a bit about your studio and how you define your practice?

The New York-based Jarret Yoshida Interior Design is celebrated for its global perspective and focus on creating practical, warm homes. Discover how Programa streamlines their complex design processes. Our work ranges from designing a 700-unit resort complex in Orlando to homes well outside New York, including Los Angeles, Paris, and Washington, D.C. We manage and design major renovations like brownstones, and multi-unit apartment combinations as well as more straightforward projects like kitchen and bathroom updates. We shepherd the entire process from conceptualization and construction management to handling code matters with the city’s Department of Buildings, building management, and coop board requirements. Over the years we’ve extended our offerings to include services like art consultation and curation.

A distinguishing element of my aesthetic and project management approach comes from my own multicultural background. I have lived and studied in many places including Japan, Hawaii, and Europe. This has influenced my design principles and allows me to interpret eclectic and unique elements from both Western and Eastern design and culture in a way that feels fresh and timeless all at once. Designing for the short term is not our style and is a financial disaster, after all.

We’re here to guide, not dictate. Our practice philosophy when collaborating with clients is about staying friendly and open to client ideas. We hold our clients’ metaphorical hands to feel less anxious about the overall process and maintain an accessible, communicative style. I love it when we help our clients identify abstract visual problems and find solutions that are bespoke just for them and cost-conscious.

What was the brief for the project?

This custom-designed condominium in Chelsea, next to the High Line, is a perfect example of how we team up with clients. We approach each project with unique solutions. A lengthy interview captures clients’ wishes. Most of all, in the middle of the chaotic city, we create a home where clients can experience calm and a sense of retreat.

Since this High Line condominium is sleek and minimal, I created a simple and clean environment to build on the architect’s intent. We incorporated a range of textures and materials and periods and styles in a palette of neutral colors of beiges and whites, but it’s all about the contrasts here to keep it interesting.

Our philosophy is that furnishings and artwork that actually mean something to our clients. This includes combining both vintage and contemporary pieces, original art, and great, unique accessories.

What challenges did Programa help you overcome? Please share some details.

As a New York interior designer who is often dealing with about twenty to thirty projects at any given time, Programa gives me and my associates a very user-friendly and centralized platform to manage our workload. Programa means I can give clients one-on-one face time. The system standardizes processes in terms of all design, construction, and renovation phases. I don’t need to micromanage. Each step is now much clearer for every team member. Follow-through is more succinct and smoother with Programa. Less organizational thinking and more creativity.

Programa makes the budgeting process more streamlined. We can transform abstract ideas into concrete budgets for our clients (and ourselves) so that actual spending is fully transparent and dependable. Before using Programa, we had to first enter lots of data into Excel and then incorporate project management software to have budgets fully delineated. Moving forward, I’m excited to access the billing capabilities Programa has to offer.

Overall, since incorporating Programa into my business, I’ve seen a noticeable improvement in project management and outcomes, all of which are leading to greater client and team member satisfaction. It’s such a time saver and stress reducer.