'A place of comfort'

Two years of living through a pandemic has had some interesting and obvious effects on interior home design. Take a stroll through the Burlwick & Co. showroom in downtown Findlay and there are "signs of the times" everywhere. But it's no dark place. In fact, it's softer, quieter, more comforting, more natural, versatile and organized. "All the things that COVID-19 made use more aware of, professional designers have been practicing for years and years," said Kelsey Heitkamp, owner of the interior design business at 405 S. Main St. Heitkamp, a professional interior designer by trade, said the pandemic and the need to quarantine was a stark reminder for everyone of the importance of home as a place of rest, relaxation and rejuvenation; a place that supports health and well-being for the entire family, including pets. "It doesn't need to be pinpoint perfect for Instagram. It needs to be a place of comfort for both people and pets," she said. "I don't like the word 'trend'. What I like is to create spaces that make people feel good and inspired." Biophilic design, which incorporates elements of nature like plants, earthy colors and natural light, has become very popular, Heitkamp said. "Bringing the outside inside," Heitkamp said, has been shown to support cognitive function, physical health and psychological well-being. In the workplace, it is also known to promote staff wellness and productivity. Nature elements can be found throughout the Burlwick showroom, and all items on the showroom floor are priced and ready for sale. Other items can be specially ordered. "If you like this couch, you can buy this couch," said Heitkamp. The company relies on a separate warehouse to keep its showroom stocked. Burlwick & Co. rebranded, expanded and moved in 2021. Heitkamp, 41, of Van Buren, started her interior design firm, KHID, from home in 2019. The company spent a few years in an office location on Crawford Avenue, before the move to Main Street. Heitkamp, who holds a degree in interior design from the Ohio State University, worked for seven years as a commercial designer for an architecture firm. During those years, after repeated requests from homeowners for help with their interiors, she decided residential design was both a need and a niche in Findlay and the surrounding area. Heitkamp said many homeowners may be questioning what to do with that home office, now that most people have returned to their workplace. "This space is probably being used less and less," she said. Instead of dismantling the office entirely, homeowners might consider making it more inviting as a quiet space to read or relax by adding a couch or sofa. The addition could encourage conversations or solitude. She said many spaces became multi-functional over the past two years, especially when it came to the need for office space — whether it was a little space in the kitchen or the spare bedroom. She said floor plans are also moving from wide-open spaces to more divisions and smaller, more private spaces. With all that time at home — and all that multi-function — Heitkamp said organization, including ample storage space, has become a greater focus in interior design. Lockers and cubbies, outfitted with charging ports, are popular. They can be used to keep shoes, coats and bags organized, and laptops charged. Burlwick specializes in interior design and offers selections in flooring, wall coverings, furniture, rugs and other home goods. Consultations are also available for room redesign, or full-service design, floor plan design, and interior finishes such as flooring, paint, cabinetry and countertop selections, furniture, lighting and accessories. The company also offers design/build services and commercial design through KHID. "There's definitely a need for it, especially for curated and unique, stylized furniture," Heitkamp said.