J. Hettinger Interiors
Featuring Designs by Maria Billingsley
By Greg Howard
Maria Billingsley does a great deal of her interior design work between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. - when she's fast asleep. "I find that I can wake up and just do it," she says. "I work on the idea when I'm sleeping, and then I'm able to get out of bed and turn it into a reality."
It may sound farfetched, but Maria is revered by her clients for her ability to provide practical, yet creative, solutions to problems that can stump even architects and engineers.
Working directly with the architect and homeowners, Maria Billingsley of J. Hettinger Interiors created an intimate dining room bathed in a warm glow from the stunning lighting effects. (Photo by Chi Fang)
"An architect can give me a plan and I'm able to look at it and visualize it," she says. "It allows me to work inside out versus outside in. It's necessary to feel the space itself - how it will appear after it's finished - and not just see its technical aspects. Doing so allows me to solve the client's problem at a very early stage in the building or remodeling process."
Given her unique ability to combine practical expertise with creative intuition, it's not a surprise that Maria likes to stick to full, end-to-end projects. "I can definitely do smaller jobs, but my favorite work is when I'm involved from the architectural side all the way until the final lamp is placed. It allows me to put my creative stamp on a project and ensure that I've fully met my client's needs."
Maria worked with the homeowner to design the railing pattern and medallion, which were custom-fabricated in brass by Mark Short at Scortino's Design. (Photo by Chi Fang)
It helps that she has a team of engineers and craftsmen that she trusts. According to Maria, these associates have worked with her so long, that they can "read her mind." She says, "If the craftsman can work in that kind of sync with the designer, the end-result is a successful product."
Having a quality team is also important, because Maria wants to spare her clients from the engineering aspects of interior design. "All my work is conceptual. I don't know how it translates into the practical side, and I don't want to know - nor do my clients. I'm there to bring their ideas and mine to life; my team works with me to make that happen."
Chris Harder of Harder Masonry combined cut stone from the Upper Midwest with polished rock from Half Moon Bay to realize Maria's unique design for the living room fireplace. (Photo by Chi Fang)
An open kitchen provides ample space for cooking and entertaining. Custom cabinetry by Sierra Cabinets. (Photo by Chi Fang)
It may not come as a shock that Maria has been a designer for years. However, it may be a surprise that she started when she was six years old - much to the consternation of her family. \n "I started redecorating our garage," she laughs. "It was in quite a state of disarray. My mother was always complaining about it."
Such an early start in the arts was probably predictable given that her mother was a famous Cuban singer and her father played four instruments. Maria herself moonlights as executive director of Martinez Opera, a thriving grassroots company outreaching to the community with programs such as "Culture for Kids," "Singers for Seniors" and free concerts at community events.
Maria worked closely with Sierra Cabinets to design this stepped wall unit to house the large Stewart screen for video projection in the second floor media room. (Photo by Chi Fang)
"My house always had a lot of art and singing going on," Maria says. "There was definitely an artistic vibe in the house, and it became instilled in me as well. I always did great in art class, and not so great in English."
As an adult, Maria has been with J. Hettinger Interiors for 11 years. Her clients are situated in the Bay Area, but she has also taken her work as far as Hawaii and Florida. However, she prefers not to travel too much when assisting her clients. As she explains it, "The closer you are to your clients, the more successful you're going to be."
Fireplace faced with six matching slabs of African radica marble creates a striking focal point of the family room. Stone-setting by Dan Hernandez at DH Tile. (Photo by Chi Fang)
Her advice for those starting out in the business is to try to gain some practical work experience at the same time as receiving a formal education.
"Designers have to understand what they're getting into. People go to school and come out with portfolios and expect to get a job, but in reality, they have to start building their clientele even while they're going to school."
Given Maria's long tenure in interior design, and the success she's had with diverse projects, getting and keeping clients is obviously not going to be a problem for this gifted and multi-faceted artist.
March 2005 Builder Architect Edition Issue
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