Designing Interiors in Cleveland: Getting Inside the Creative Brain of Bridget Hrdlicka

Bridget Hrdlicka is the founder and lead designer of Slate Interiors Studio based out of Lakewood, Ohio. Founded in 2021, Slate is driven by creating meaningful interior spaces for businesses that care about their people. Through visual storytelling and functional spatial design, Slate helps businesses create interiors that are immersive brand experiences for their customers.

Have you always been a designer in the Cleveland area, or have you worked in other places?

Bridget: I grew up in Lakewood, Ohio. I graduated from the nearby Kent State University with a degree in Interior Design. Then I worked for a furniture dealership in downtown Cleveland, followed by two different architecture firms in the city. So yes, Cleveland has always been my professional home base.

What is your favorite thing about providing interior design services in Cleveland?

Bridget: The people. The design community in Cleveland is strong and tight-knit. From the product reps to the architectural firms to the general contractors, I repeatedly run into the same people throughout the course of my career. Relationships are the foundation of successful projects.

What trends do you see in the Cleveland market?

Bridget: Innovative business concepts. Many times, an entrepreneur comes to me to help design their first brick-and-mortar location for a concept that, so far, has only lived in their brain. It is so energizing to work with these types of owners as we work hand in hand to make it come to fruition. There is something palpable about the energy, nerves, and enthusiasm of a budding entrepreneur which I cannot get enough of. Integrating the branding, company values, budgetary constraints, and planning for future growth is all wrapped up in the interior design package. I think that Cleveland business owners have loyalty, grit, and realistic budgets that make me really push my creativity.

Do you have a favorite completed interior project in Cleveland?

Bridget: All of my projects have a piece of my heart. The most recent one that is a true Cleveland icon is The Riverside Company offices located on the 57th floor of Key Tower in downtown Cleveland. The whole floor is designed to show off the views of downtown and Lake Erie. It is truly remarkable to be looking down from that vantage point (and probably the longest elevator ride I’ve ever taken to get to a jobsite). I collaborated with my past boss, architect John Williams of Process Creative Studios, so it was really a full circle moment.

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