28 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {quickpunch} What’s most rewarding about working in the design, build and home remodeling field? Seeing how the smallest tweaks and clever space planning can have the biggest impact on how one lives in a home. What are some highlights from your early career? My mom and I had a design studio together for 12 years prior to my move to California in 2000. We had the pleasure of working with Target Corporation, and worked with the “starchitect” Michael Graves on the restoration of the Washington Monument in D.C. Is there a movie you can watch over and over? The Way. Although the movie is about the Camino de Santiago, the movie partly inspired my goal to walk the entire Via Francigena in Italy. This is another pilgrimage walk from Canterbury to the Vatican. I’ve completed 60 miles of it, north of Rome. Do you have a personal motto? Produce or die! A friend’s father told her and her seven siblings this every morning. I find it hilarious, yet meaningful, but I have yet to say this out loud at work! What’s a unique feature you’ve added to a home? Adding a jetted laundry sink for gentle washing is great! What’s one thing you’ve brought back from a trip abroad? One? I love finding local art and bringing it home. Best souvenirs ever. THE Q & A LISA STEN Is there something people are surprised to learn about you? As a kid, I was in a Mr. Bubble commercial, and a commercial with John Denver. I also skied with Billy Kidd for a Hart Skis ad. Have you always been in this line of work? My first post-college “career” was in film production: I worked with the author/playwright David Mamet and William H. Macy as well as on a number of national commercials. How did you get into Chinese calligraphy? My daughter took Mandarin lessons for seven years, and the only adult class held at that same time was Chinese Calligraphy. I have always been fascinated with font design, and the characters are intriguing as a visual art form. It is meditative and calming—and learning the brush techniques and control takes years of practice. What’s your biggest home-related pet peeve? Poor consideration for sight lines. (Can we not see the toilet first thing, please?) And not treating the ceiling well. What’s the best part of your weekend routine? Not making plans! I hesitate to make weekend plans as my week is fairly structured. It’s my “unstructured play time.” What do you collect? Many things, but the oddest of them are probably my oil can collection from the London Eastern Railway and my plumb bob collection! The CEO of Mountain View’s Harrell Design + Build talks about her top travel treasures, the motto that keeps her motivated and the laundry room feature you didn’t know you needed.
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