“Everyone wants a swivel chair.”
This was the unanimous response by Erin Haskell Gourde and Zach Gourde when asked about the top design trend at Spokane this year.
Interior designer Haskell Gourde and Gourde, a 6-foot-8 former Gonzaga basketball player (1999-2003), owns the design studio Design for PPL, which began in 2015. The design retailer and furniture store for PPL Design, at 125 S Street Stevens St. It opened a year ago, and the couple celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary on December 12.
Haskell Gord, who was born and raised in Spokane (“I went to Sacagawea, Lewis and Clark”) and trained in interior design and architecture, Gord, who grew up in a small town outside Vancouver, Washington, spoke about design for PPL, industry trends, Spokane, and more in the design studio. Sprawling, gorgeous, eclectic and retail store on a recent Saturday morning.
Tell me about Design for PPL – and what was the inspiration for opening the retail store one year ago?
Haskell Gord: I’ve been in this field for 12 years and we started as a design studio six years ago. We’ve been buying furniture for all of our projects, and I felt it was a missed opportunity in Spokane to reach the masses, so we started our retail store here. We still have our own design studio, so we added this business to it.
When I was young in Spokane, I grew up next door to the owners of Jewel, the number one furniture store where you can get Danish goods and items from all over the world, and I’ve always loved going there. It was a special experience, and I wanted to bring that back to Spokane. Spokane changes, and for the better, it’s ready for it – amazing carefully curated furniture and art from around the world.
Gord: Furniture and art is an experience. You must be able to look, feel, and touch. It can be difficult to get online and shop. Something with texture and visual interest, you just can’t see on screen. You should be able to see that in person. With our design clients, they’ve had to trust us in this pandemic because we couldn’t show it to them in person.
How was the retail store’s first year in the pandemic?
Haskell Gord: It was amazing. Most people don’t even know we’re here. I think I put up the signs a couple of months ago. We really don’t advertise. Maybe we should.
Gord: We opened Super Lane and invite only initially when we were building the place. Then it was only the date, and then we opened one day a week. Now we are open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday.
Haskell Gord: We’ve done this so that people can feel comfortable during the pandemic, to feel comfortable being here in person. So we just started hiring. There hasn’t been a vaccine yet.
What are some of the highlights of the first year?
Haskell Gord: Honestly watching people’s faces when they get off the elevator.
Gord: One of the best parts is watching the elevator doors open and people walk in and receive it fully. It’s unexpected because you walk into an old brick warehouse, climb the elevator and now go to a winter wonderland.
How would you describe the design aesthetic of PPL?
Haskell Gord: The design is called PPL for a reason. It is not designed for Erin or Zach. We definitely pride ourselves on having so many different aesthetics. It’s more modern eccentric, plus plenty of traditional, mid-century and transitional pieces. People are going through a transition in their lives and they are tired of the huge old leathers and the huge sofas and lounge chairs that occupy the whole room. People want to freshen up and rise up, and there is something here for everyone.
Gord: It’s very rare for someone to walk in and walk around, and there’s nothing to match what they’re looking for. Sometimes there are people who come from traditional homes and are looking for one piece, which we don’t have. But most people come and realize, “I want it and I want it and I want it.” We have a little bit of everything. We are an eclectic mix of items.
How did you two meet?
Haskell Gord: You called me cold!
Gord: We have a lot of mutual friends who thought we needed to meet. I’ve been back in Spokane for two years, and neither of us have been single at the same time. But then we both didn’t see people, and no one could see us in the same place at the same time. So, one morning, I just asked a friend of mine to give me her number, and I called her very early on a Sunday morning.
Haskell Gord: My mom really liked it because she’s a big fan of GU. When I told her who called me, she was by herself, and she’s not that kind of person, so it was very funny.
Gord: Our first date was this Sunday, our second date this Monday, and our third date this Tuesday. She had just finished her graduate studies on Friday. Our first date was in Steelhead, then we went to Bennedito’s Pizza.
What do you see design trends in 2022?
Haskell Gord: I would say polished spaces – you’re really thoughtful about what you put in your home other than, “This will do the trick.” You organize your space and think about accessories and your surroundings instead of focusing on one thing. There is definitely a huge European influence coming – Greek, French and Spanish. I think this is the next big thing.
Gord: To go to your first point, people are spending a lot more time at home now, than ever before in their places. They are trapped and trapped in their own environment. They don’t go out much or travel much, so they focus more on what’s around them. People invest more in their homes because they are much more at home than they used to be.
What distinguishes PPL design?
Haskell Gord: Our design studio can only do several big projects per year, so our biggest concept is called “Today with Designer”. When I opened this space, I thought people would come and say, “I love this chair—I’m going to buy it.” But really, they want us to tell them what to get, and that was surprising. People love a day with the stylist because it wins everyone over.
We go into their house, assess the situation and hold a consultation. It can be a single room or all rooms. We find out what they hold, what their style is, what their lifestyle is, and what they hate. It is understanding what people want.
Gord: We thought people would come and shop, they would come and shop, but there are people who want our help and need guidance. They are not comfortable making decisions themselves, so Day With the Designer is a way for us to make time for them. We can lay out a blueprint for them going forward.
Were there any particular items that were popular or trends in Spokane in 2021?
Gord: Everyone wants a swivel chair.
Haskell Gord: Everyone wants a swivel chair! Good call.
Gord: We’ve found that the market tends to go in cycles, and we have no idea what that cycle will be like. For a month and a half, people will come wanting nothing but dining room tables, and then for several months, everyone will be looking for swivel chairs.
What do you like most about Spokane?
Haskell Gord: opportunity. I’m also calling Spokane Toyland. Walk outside and walk the Centennial Trail. You can go to a lake or go skiing. We’re not a huge city, but I always say you had an open mouth kiss with Spokane. This is what you make of it. What is your opinion?
Gord: I agree 100%. I’ve worn a lot, and this is by far the easiest place to live, and I mean do we have traffic? Yes, but it’s not that bad. Does it take more than 15 minutes to get to where I want to go? Mostly not. Are there things going on downtown? Yes there is. Everything is simple and there is a chance. Here is the ability to try something new, play and have fun.
What are you most looking forward to in the new year?
Haskell Gord: People know where our store is (laughs). I would say more of what we do now. We love changing people’s spaces. It really makes their life better. I always say we can’t save your life, but we can change your life. I like to understand how people live and move in their space. It affects their lives, and people are happier. We love to surprise people. What about you, Zack?
Gord: We are also in transition and expanding. I am looking forward to expanding. Time will tell.
Information: Design for PPL, 125 S. Stevens St., second floor, (509) 864-6638, designfortheppl.com