ABOUT US
We're Jen & Alisha
Consider us your interior designer friends! We worked together for a few years (on super cool commercial design projects) and had so much fun that we thought everyone should be invited to our design party!
We're so freaking glad you came!
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Here are a few details we think you might want to know. If you have more questions just shoot us an email.
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Our style: Scandinavian + Modern Farmhouse + Joyful Belly Laughs
Our passion: Designing the spaces people live, love and work in.
Our mission: We believe that creating order and personal alignment in your physical space positively impacts your well-being. We are here to foster more than aesthetics, but to help define a sense of place and meaning.
Bring us your pinterest boards, screen shots and post-it notes and let's get this party started.
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Scroll for more information about us.
JEN LANGAN
Co-Founder, Principal Designer,
Box-Crushing Idea Generator, Beer Critic
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What is your design background?
I graduated from DAAP (Design Architecture Art and Planning) at the University of Cincinnati in 2010 with my second Bachelor's Degree. I have design and project management experience in a lot of areas including small coffee shops, huge retail stores, and even a farmhouse remodel! My favorite was informing the residential spaces of 13 multifamily developments. It is meaningful work to consider the home experience for so many people at one time. I had a strong connection to those projects because I personally practice small footprint living and fostering community interaction through design.
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How do you take your coffee?
To Go.
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What is in your spotify recently played?
I don't use Spotify. I'm a rebel like that.
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What is your favorite part of the design process?
Witnessing the emotional transformation. Don't get me wrong, I dig designing inspiring spaces! But I am OBSESSED with the emotional transformation I witness in client's lives when they see something that was a faint vision in their mind become a physical reality. It changes the way people see possibilities for themselves.
MEET
jen
Hiya
alisha
ALISHA BENITEZ
Co-Founder, Principal Designer, Color-Wielding Space Fabricator, Margarita Tester
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What is your design background?
After graduating with a Bachelors of Applied Arts in Interior Design from Bellevue College, I joined a small Seattle firm where I helped lead the interiors team on both new construction and renovation projects. Over the course of 7 years I completed 40+ projects with a main focus on multi-family buildings. I really enjoyed multifamily work because within one building you can touch on multiple areas of design: residential, commercial and workplace.
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How do you take your coffee?
Cappuccino
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What is in your spotify recently played?
I'm loving the new albums from The Strokes and Fiona Apple. I also listen to an absurd amount of podcasts! Politics, pop culture, true crime, improv comedy.... you name it, I'll listen.
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What is your favorite part of the design process?
I love selecting furniture and fixtures. It is one of the final steps in the design process and after months of refining the design and sculpting spaces I enjoy the installation of all the finishing touches. It's when you really pull the whole vision together.
MEET
people are saying good things
"I've worked with Jen at Hot Pencil Studios for the past few months on a big renovation project - we're planning on gutting an entire house down to the studs and rebuilding it from the ground up. Jen has been great from day one with providing innovative ideas, thoughtful design options, and taking charge with little direction. She has been such a critical piece to this puzzle- I don't know what I would have done without her helping every step of the way! Jen is incredibly responsive and a valued collaborator at design meetings. The options she sources for finishes and lighting is spot on. It puts me at ease knowing she is spearheading this project and proactively working on the design so I can manage other pieces of the project. I would not hesitate to work with Jen again on future projects - thank you Hot Pencil Studios!"
Alison Wilkinson, Owner - Wilk Design Workshop
"Jen Langan, owner of Hot Pencil Studios, is such a joy to work with! As a support consultant, I've had the privilege of working with her on several projects. She is proficient with the execution of her design work, but is also someone that follows the details through to the end. She offers so much talent, creativity and rigor to our industry! With pleasure, I recommend Jen for all types of interior design work."