In Focus | Rachel Clarida of Hatch Interior Design Inc.

Rachel Clarida loves the outdoors and particularly the climate and surrounding beauty of Kelowna. Since moving here seven years ago from Northern Ontario she hasn't lost the wonder and joy that our beautiful city holds. Rachel runs Hatch Interior Design Inc. along with her business partner. They are a little different from other interior design firms in the Okanagan area as they specialize in commercial Interior Design, creating functional, productive, and beautiful spaces for businesses. Project types include retail, corporate office, medical/dental, hospitality, spa and speciality interiors. They believe that good design is good business and they offer forward-thinking design solutions that provide clients with creative and functional spaces to sell their products and services while strengthening their brand. Today Rachel and Hatch Interior Design Inc. are In Focus.

What do you always find yourself saying?
Totes.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select and why?
I would spend the whole day with my parents and sister. They live in Ontario, but it often feels like they are halfway around the world.

Who inspires you?
Inspiration comes from so many people in my life, I am blessed to be surrounded by very talented and creative individuals.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. To get my motorcycle licence, a bike and explore North America with the wind blowing through my… helmet vents.

2. To get my solo skydiving certification and explore more of the world from very high above!

3. For my man and I to design and build our own home. Oceanside. With a stable. And a guest house or two.

If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
Later Skaters ;)

What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about design in all forms, following dreams and doing what makes me happy.

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
Way too many to choose one! Life is good.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment is, along with my fantastic business partner, Leigh Blackburn, the growth and success we have had since establishing our partnership just over two short years ago. We have worked really hard and it is so rewarding to see that paying off. It goes back to being passionate and following dreams.

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna? What do you like about it?
Hands down, my absolute favourite place to dine in Kelowna is RauDZ Regional Table. The food is unique, incredibly tasty and as local as they can make it. The design of the space is also done really well.

What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna? Why?
In the winter my favourite activity is snowboarding at Big White, especially Gem Lake. In the summer, swimming in the lake, climbing, hiking… just about anything outdoors.

Lake Country Family Dentistry

What is the name of your business/organization?
Hatch Interior Design Inc.

What does your business/organization do?
We are a little different from other interior design firms in the Okanagan area as we specialize in commercial Interior Design, creating functional, productive, and beautiful spaces for businesses. Our project types include retail, corporate office, medical/dental, hospitality, spa and speciality interiors. We believe that good design is good business.

Where can people find you or your business online?
www.hatchdesign.ca

How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
ca.linkedin.com/pub/rachel-clarida/40/b83/403/

Where can people find your business on Facebook?
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hatch-Interior-Design/204611431510

What is your Twitter account?
@HatchInteriors

Urban Jungle

What is your mission?
Hatch Interior Design’s mission is to offer forward-thinking design solutions that provide our clients with creative and functional spaces to sell their products and services while strengthening their brand.

If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
For Hatch to be recognized nationwide and worldwide for innovation and design excellence.

Where do you want your business/organization to be in 5 years?
In 5 years we hope to expand our reach with some nationwide and international recognition. It would be so amazing to see our projects featured in one or more of the popular Interior Design publications that we look to for what’s new and who to watch.

Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
There are so many extremely talented Interior Design firms out there. We just asked ourselves this for a couple of blog posts we wrote: Hatch’s Favourite Design Firms of 2013. Check it out for our top five from 2013 with lots of eye candy!

What 3 qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Integrity, Creativity and Professionalism.

What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
To our employee, Dianne: Thank You! We appreciate you and what you do for our company. We look forward to you growing and learning beside us.

How does your business/organization impact the community?
We hope that we are making an impact on our fellow business owners by providing local examples of how commercial spaces should be considered as an important branding component. In turn, our community benefits from the experience of creative, interesting and dynamic spaces that they enjoy discovering or spending time in. It’s a win-win.

If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
I would want them to be in the field of organics and sustainably grown and harvested food. It would be interesting to talk to them about the global strategies that could or should be in place to negate the belief that GMOs are an effective and healthy way to feed the world.

If I could change 1 thing about Kelowna, it would be:
Since moving here 7 years ago it was evident that once the summer tourists vacated the downtown became a ghost town. I was always pro densification of this area and am happy to see some substantial developments on the books. Adding more residents to the downtown will allow for a core that is vibrant year round.

Orchard Park Mall Guest Service kiosks

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
A combination of some really excellent attributes:

1. The climate. I come from northern Ontario where temperatures are typically low and humidity is high which results in cold winters and sticky summers. We are so lucky to have such mild winters and perfectly hot summers in Kelowna.

2. The landscape. The lake, the hills (especially covered in snow), the vineyards, the forests… need I say more?

3. The people. Isn’t it true that the people make the place? Moving here I was very lucky to make a fantastic group of friends who have become my second family.

My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Sarah Jane Reynolds; owner and artist extraordinaire at Ugly Bunny here in Kelowna. Sarah Jane creates amazing things, most recently a line of laser cut wooden jewelry that she designs herself and has laser cut at a local shop using wood that is considered waste from millwork shops. She is a dedicated, hard worker and one of my favourite people. http://www.loveuglybunny.com/

Some general comments I would like to share are:
Growing our business in Kelowna has been a great experience. We take pride in what we do and provide client centric professional Interior Design services. We do things a little differently, and we like it that way. Our goal is to design interiors that are unique and set our clients apart from their competition. If you are looking for creative solutions for your commercial project feel free to drop us a line or stop by our office, we would love to help.

Business Law Group

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do. We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!