If you’ve been working in design a while, you’ll likely be familiar with Dunnam Zerbini Design, perhaps by another name. The firm, with roots stretching back to the legendary Jed Johnson in the late 1970s, has gone through multiple evolutions over the years. Following the death of Jed Johnson in 1996, the firm was handed over to his senior designer, Arthur Dunnam, and was rebranded as Arthur Dunnam for Jed Johnson. Now, as Arthur approaches retirement, Kelly Zerbini, his long-time partner, will lead the firm into a new era with its rebranding to Dunnam Zerbini Design.
We talked to Kelly Zerbini about her journey, from her formative years under Arthur’s mentorship to her role in shaping the firm’s future. She discusses the firm’s creative direction and the lessons she has learned from both the legendary figures before her and her own experiences working outside the firm. Zerbini’s fresh perspective and confidence in her own vision married to her commitment to the firm’s storied history are guiding Dunnam Zerbini Design into its next exciting chapter, all while honoring the legacy of Jed Johnson.
A firm in transition
DNN: How has the transition from Jed Johnson to Arthur Dunnam, and now to your leadership, shaped Dunnam Zerbini’s design philosophy? What lessons in growth and leadership can other firms learn from this evolution?
KZ: I am honored to carry on the design philosophy that helped to create the legacy of Jed Johnson. As we grow, we will continue to root our practice in collaboration— with our colleagues and trades but most importantly with our clients. Each home we create is a bespoke venture, which allows our portfolio to span many different genres of design.
We do not churn out a repetitive aesthetic— we interpret our designs based on our client’s desires. This philosophy has proven to stand the test of time, since Jed Johnson began the company in 1978.
What has allowed this transition to flow seamlessly from start to finish is our commitment to mentorship. From my 15 years working with Arthur Dunnam, it was only through his guidance that we could continue to be a successful, legacy brand and design firm. From the earliest days in my career, Arthur recognized my eye and he helped me grow into the leader and designer that I am today.
DNN: What does being named partner mean for the firm’s creative direction, and how do you balance innovation with the firm’s timeless aesthetic? What is going to be new and what is going to stay the same?
KZ: While I recently became a named partner at Dunnam Zerbini Design, I have long been deeply ingrained in the aesthetic direction of the company. In my time at AD for JJ (the iteration of the company before becoming a named partner), my aesthetic was never stifled, and I was always able to bring my design intuition to my design projects. In fact, my natural desire to marry unique furnishings within a room aligned with Arthur and Jed’s philosophy of unexpected juxtaposition.
The beauty of our firm is that we have deep roots in traditionalism that is perfectly balanced with a love for fresh, unique contemporary design. Time and time again, my clients have graciously appreciated my ability to keep my finger on the pulse of new artisans, materials, and techniques.
Now more than ever, at Dunnam Zerbini Design, we are committed to finding pieces and artists who are shaking things up a bit! I live in the details and that is where exceptional design starts.
Growing as a designer
DNN: How has your partnership with Arthur Dunnam influenced your personal growth as a designer and leader? What lessons from him do you now pass on to younger designers?
KZ: When I was an up-and-coming designer in the industry, Arthur allowed me the space to learn and grow and truly respected my individualism. He never once wanted me to do things “his way” and he always encouraged hearing my ideas. Because of this, I never felt like my aesthetic was not represented within the projects I was working on. That is why Arthur and I work so well together; our styles naturally weave together.
As Arthur has greatly reduced his presence in the office over the years, I have been able to immerse myself in the business side of running the firm. It has been invaluable to have time to understand the business operations.
Lessons I learned from Arthur that I will pass on to younger designers is the power of ownership over the design. As a very young design assistant during a client meeting, Arthur once gave me credit for sourcing the furnishing that the client loved.
I was so proud to be acknowledged to the client as a contributor to their home. Feeling like I was a contributing member of the team always made me feel a sense of duty towards the final product. If a younger designer feels accountable to the success of a project through their contributions, the output we will get from them will be so much greater.
DNN: What trends in luxury residential design are you most excited about, and how is Dunnam Zerbini incorporating them into your work?
KZ: Our clients tend to not be interested in trends so that hasn’t been our focus. Instead, we spend time discovering and supporting truly groundbreaking and innovative artisans from folks who have been established in the art/furnishing space for decades to new and emerging talent. We are also laser focused on implementing uniquely collected and balanced living spaces, rather than designing based on what is popular.
DNN: What do you remember from your very first design project? What were the lessons learned? How have you evolved as a designer?
KZ: My first job right out of college was at Eric Cohler Design. One of his project managers was on vacation, and I was asked to fill in as needed while he was away. One day, I received a phone call from the Project Manager’s client, whom I had never met. I was dramatically reprimanded for a late lampshade and I was devastated, to say the least.
A decade later, I have developed a new skill set aimed at creative problem solving when a client is upset rather than making it about me. Most of our clients understand that not everything in the process will be seamless, it’s how you react to anger that will ultimately determine how your client feels about the project when it is completed. As a designer, you must develop your emotional intelligence, learn how to stay ahead of problems, and manage expectations.
DNN: Lastly, do you have a favorite project? And do you have a dream project you’d love to have realized?
KZ: I enjoy aspects of every project I work on for different reasons but a residence of mine that was featured in Architectural Digest was a shining moment in my career. The client, whom I had been working with for a decade, trusted my vision and very willingly came along for the ride as the project began to take shape.
I was able to present bespoke, commissioned pieces, while also balancing functionality for a young family’s primary residence. A blue-chip art collection was being collected simultaneously as we developed the project, which aided in defining the scale of supporting furnishings, and locations for the works. At the end of the project, I feel like we achieved a well-balanced, spirited home for the family.
Throughout my career I have been lucky enough to work on many amazing beach homes, in the Caribbean, much of southern Florida, and throughout the Tri-state. I have done dozens of polished New York City residences, in pre-war buildings, townhouses, and new construction. But a few years ago, I was asked to do a Hunting Lodge in Northern Michigan.
The aesthetic we took was unapologetically gutsy, filled with amazing textures and rich colors and left me wanting more. I would love a ranch project in the Great Northern Plains, where I can play to my strengths of highly textured, layered aesthetic, and explore a moodier ambiance. I’ll be sure to procure a suede fringe jacket for my first site visit!
