Donna Mondi: Classicism Meets Modernity

Donna Mondi is an acclaimed interior and product designer known for her distinctive style that seamlessly blends classicism with modernity and a touch of edginess. Her avant-garde, bespoke, and seductive interiors showcase a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of her clients’ lifestyles, vision, and taste.

With offices in both Chicago and Denver, the firm works on projects from coast to coast. Donna's remarkable achievements have earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of the "Top 100 Interior Designers in the World" and receiving thirteen ASID Design Excellence Awards.

How did you first become involved with the world of design? Tell us your story.

My journey into the world of design began when I was a stay-at-home mom. I was looking for a creative outlet and a way to connect with other adults, so I enrolled in design school classes at night. It was a refreshing change from toddler talk! Looking back, it all makes sense. My favorite thing to do when I was young was to redecorate my dollhouse. After finishing design school, I faced some challenges over the years including a divorce, starting my firm on 9/11, and later a recession and pandemic. I never had a “plan B” so here I am, over two decades later, and very proud to run a successful, national design firm with a talented team. I'm grateful for the journey that brought me to where I am today. It taught me the importance of resilience, hard work, and pursuing my passions even when it's tough.

What’s your source of inspiration for your projects?

Travel has been the most influential force in my style evolution over the years. I have experienced firsthand the thoughtfulness of Japanese design, the historical influences of the architecture in the great European cities, the casual sophistication of Australian design, and the quiet energy of Danish style. This exposure provides me with endless amounts of inspiration I can tap into depending on the type of project we are working on.

How would you define your signature style and how does it show in your projects?

I’ve distilled it down to classism meets modernity with an edge. It’s the edge that makes my designs stand out. I’m continually searching for interesting furnishings, thought-provoking artwork, and dynamic accessories that make our homes unique. Often, we are hired because of our eye for art or that a potential client sees how different our portfolio work is. Our projects are each distinct as they should be. The architecture and client preferences change in each instance and so should the design. We are story tellers with a new cast of characters each time.

When designing a room, what is the most crucial aspect for you? Tell us about your design process.

It’s important to understand your clients and their lifestyles first and foremost. The architecture of the space is the beginning of the story and as designers, we are stewards of style and have a responsibility to honor the architecture while incorporating the client’s lifestyles and infusing our interpretation of the story into the home.

Are there any specific trends that you’re currently blending in your practice?

I shy away from anything too trendy and opt more for influences in design that I see having more longevity. Because of my love of old + new, it gives our interiors a more timeless result. I love when you look at a space and can’t tell when it was done. With that said, I am happy to see color palettes warming up and “brown furniture” coming back in fashion. History may repeat itself, but it always comes in a new package in the realm of interior design.

What’s the most challenging project you’ve ever worked on and what did you learn from it?

The most challenging projects are typically our next projects. I love the challenge of a new set of circumstances, be it the region, the architectural team, the client’s style… it always changes! This is why I’m never bored and don’t need a side hustle to keep me happy. My team and I are ALWAYS learning because we expose ourselves to new opportunities every day.

Why should an Architect or Interior Designer include pieces of Italian Craftsmanship in their projects?

I’m fairly certain there’s a saying about how Italians do everything better (maybe it’s just my husband that said this??). But seriously, they do in our world! I’m a big supporter of the crafts and prefer to fill our interiors with more interesting offerings that many times tell a story of the makers vs. mass-produced, thoughtless furnishings that everyone has seen before. Supporting small makers is far more rewarding personally as well as how those furnishings impact our interiors.In many cases, they aren’t much more expensive. They just take more effort to discover.

Why should an Architect or Interior Designer turn to Artemest.com?

Artemest has made our job easier by bringing Interior Designers a curated selection of makers and unique offerings that we can easily find and source for our clients. When I’m tired of the same old lamp, I turn to Artemest and can always find something fresh and exciting. Their process of ordering is clear and simple, shipping is relatively fast, and their customer service hasn’t let us down once.