Fairfield County is spoiled with exemplary design professionals ready to make all your dreams come true. But, it’s important to find the right fit and trust the person you choose to work with.
Architectural designer Haiku Durden, founder of the award-winning HDS Design Company, stands out for her extraordinary ability to see what a property needs and for her tireless work ethic. Clients rave about the way she can envision what will work best for their home, and upgrade their lifestyle with strategic changes and decor that suits their spirit.
However, Durden didn’t set out to be an architectural designer. At least, not at first. From growing up in Estonia to studying international relations with a focus on terrorism to working in fashion, her life is as interesting and colorful as her designs. We recently sat down with the Wilton resident and 2023 Connecticut IDA finalist to hear more about her story, design philosophy, hot takes on major trends, and more.
How did you develop a passion for interior design and architecture? Was it something you’ve always had?
Even as a little girl, I remember cutting photos out of magazine and taping them into my binder organized by room type. My mother was a landscape designer, so I was always surrounded by both technical aspects of setting up a space as well as working with colors.
Growing up in a home with warm, inviting interiors and large gardens created a standard for all my designs. When I got older, I worked in fashion industry, briefly as a model then as a buyer. I think having eye for textures, form, color and proportion serves you well in both industries.
You grew up in Estonia but have landed in Wilton, Connecticut, after living in New York City as well. How have the places you’ve lived or traveled to influence the designer or person you are today?
The whole Nordic region has a very clean aesthetic. Neutral tones, minimal millwork—simple, intentional design. Modern Estonian design is heavily focused on technology and craftsmanship, but, to me, what’s intrinsic to Estonian interior/exterior design is how the buildings relate to their surroundings. For me that has always been incredibly important—to respect the vernacular of the site and assure that there’s a connection to outdoors. On the other end, I fell madly in love with the opulent Southern estates with its rich architectural elements and history, welcoming interiors and its formal gardens with old oak trees.
My design style is a marriage of the very intentional, functional style of the North with the formal, luxurious touches of the South. Clean lines mixed with traditional silhouettes, classically-styled oil paintings mixed with a few abstracts.
Tell us a bit more about your journey to becoming an award-winning architectural designer. How did you go from studying international relations and getting a Political Science masters from NYU to designing and overseeing large-scale home transformations?
I had done interior design on the side for years both in NYC and then in Connecticut, but it was when the realtor who sold us our house asked me to help renovate her other listings that my career really took off. We renovated homes for sale and when a large property sold the day it went to market for $250,000 more than asking price (pre-Covid), clients started calling for interior renovations. I crossed over.
Next, I went back to school for architectural design and more recently for landscape consulting, and that’s all she wrote. I worked for years on Wall Street so I am very comfortable having a frank conversation about the investment clients are about to make and my renovation experience in real estate prepared me well to educate clients on where to spend and where to save.
What do you love most about living and working in Fairfield County? What inspires you creatively about the properties here?
Fairfield County is an absolutely gorgeous New England suburb—lots of picturesque land with homes from classic Colonials to mid-century moderns. I love the city meets country vibe and close vicinity to New York City. Each town has its history and personality with great schools and amenities. Plus, I relate to my clients. About 80% of my clients have kids and dogs, as I do, so I fully understand their lifestyle and their needs.
As the founder of HDS Design Company—a luxury design-build firm that does everything from interiors to construction to landscape architecture—what is your design philosophy today and has it evolved over the years?
I used to be more minimalistic and more focused on the decorating aspect of it, but having worked on so many different projects from Atlanta to Nantucket, I have gotten more comfortable really leaning into the architectural design part of my work and advising clients on their investment.
I am much better now at understanding what my clients really want and being comfortable in navigating the often differing preferences of husband and wife. I do a deep dive into how do they really live, what do they need to feel happy and relaxed, what is their style – many don’t know that when we start, but it can be a fun process of discovery.
As my client’s representative on-site as well, I manage a crew of tradespeople and that definitely takes skill, diplomacy, and a deft hand. My design philosophy has always been efficient, elegant and sophisticated but I am now much more comfortable convincing clients to trust me and the process to give them the best home.
How have you selected the tradespeople and construction companies HDS Design works with consistently? What qualities do they have that both you and your clients appreciate?
It took me a really long time to find my team. We have a very strong team mentality; we rely on each other and work very well together. I can come up with the most beautiful concept but technical difficulties can throw that off so everyone will brainstorm how to get to the best outcome for both design and budget.
Its all hands on deck, and while renovations rarely go without hiccups, we are all there to get the projects completed on time and on budget. A recent client review really shows our ultimate goal: “Haiku and her team were extremely professional, communicative, and delivered a high-quality product as the end result.”
Can you share any particularly ambitious projects or design ideas that you have brought to life?
I think the hardest part of about any project is to get the client to trust you and allow you to do what you see as a best solution be it completely redoing the layout, removing walls, or rebuilding. Especially when client has a different idea of what they want do so maneuvering that is very challenging. One client described working with me as a very expensive trust exercise. Which it admittedly is.
For example, at our Seir Hill project, our client wanted something different for the foyer in this antique rambler. It took some convincing, but she couldn’t be happier with the outcome. I suggested we take out the large glass doors in the den which dominated the back wall and replace it with a jib door. The homeowners said, “What’s a jib door? But, sure go ahead.”
Congratulations on your recognition at the CT IDAs last year! We’d love to hear more about the beautiful pool house you designed and built that made you a finalist in the IDA’s Small Spaces category. What are some details or moments from that project you may not have gotten a chance to share yet?
It was a grand estate in New Canaan on four acres and the existing pool house was old and unusable. The homeowners just asked for a rodent-proof space for storage and fridge. Not exactly a brief of your design dreams. But, once I got to know them better and studied the surrounding gardens and meadows, I knew I wanted to create a space that blends in but offers a small sanctuary for them away from the main house.
We took it down to studs. Now, two sides have sliding glass doors flush with the floor. There’s also a beautiful built-in kitchen area with integrated washer/dryer, pull out folding shelf, a full fridge and ice maker, plenty of storage, and comfortable chairs that swivel so you can converse with people on the pool deck or look out onto the brook. The new cedar siding and roof were aged to make it look as if the pool house has always been there.
The husband now uses it as his home office and they frequently sit there observing the wildlife in the surrounding meadow or entertain underneath the large cedar pergola. I was very pleased with how this turned out, not because I built something beautiful but because I built something the clients ended up loving and using so much.
Just like fashion, home design has fads. What are design trends or crazes you think people might look back on 5-10 years from now and regret buying into for longevity?
Open shelving everywhere (no one can keep up with that), black windows, or other modern updates in homes that run along with the modern farmhouse craze when not on the farm. But, the biggest mistakes when decorating and renovating comes down to these two for me:
1. Not knowing what your style really is and understanding how your family functions. I see beer drinkers asking for wine cellars because they think they should and people who dont cook asking for large islands over more refrigeration. Basically, going for looks over function.
2. Not taking time with the house and buying a page off of RH or PB catalogues, buying cheap furniture because it was on sale, just in general investing poorly. I’ve never understood buying organic food from Whole Foods but then purchasing inexpensive, cheaply made furniture to be replaced every few years, thus adding to landfills.
What interior design or architectural elements do you think deserve to be more popular right now?
Drapes! I really dislike those big black windows in modern homes, they look great during the day but become black holes in the evening. Drapes frame the windows, make the room look finished and add not only visual interest but also help with acoustics. If custom drapery is not in the budget, buy pre-fab and tailor it to the space. Drapes usually should be hung as high as possible and remember the drapery dresses the wall, not the window!
If given free reign by a client and a limitless budget to redesign their spaces, what type of things inspire you most or what design elements do you naturally gravitate toward?
Usually lighting and fabrics after we get the bones of the structure right—that’s often where the biggest part of the budget goes. Not every room needs a moment of drama, though. Some do, be it art or a gorgeous light fixture, while some rooms are like an orchestra, everyone is needed for a harmonious outcome.
I always invest in seating and rugs, no matter what the budget is, but I do love beautiful craftsmanship and custom options. There are some gorgeous marble slabs that I can’t wait to use. Also, I’m looking forward to using NanaWalls on some future project and being part of a new build for someone who appreciates architectural clarity and excellent craftsmanship.
What are three things every well-designed luxury home or estate should have, in your opinion?
Let me start by saying what they shouldn’t be and that’s cookie-cutter (white oak, black windows, open shelving). Luxury homes are tailored to the home owners needs and lifestyle, making them one-of a kind. The three elements for me would be: Privacy (away from big roads and not too close to neighbors), views (water preferably but any beautiful vistas add to the enjoyment of a homeowner) and a large luxurious kitchen with modern amenities because that’s where we spend most of our time.
Lastly, how would you define the style of your own Wilton residence? Do the designs you create for clients often reflect your personal taste as well?
Absolutely! While my goal is always to reflect the client’s needs and wishes, I don’t want people to think, “Ah, this is the work of HDS Design Company.” I want them to think that my clients have a beautiful, inviting home that tells the story of who they are.
Having said that, all my projects are elegant and very functional. I spend hours figuring out where everything goes before we look at the aesthetics of the project. Our home is polished, sophisticated and inviting at the same time. Our living room is glamorous with dark brown walls, crystal fixtures and fur throws. It’s definitely an evening room for martinis and conversation by the fireplace.
The family room and kitchen are full of light with a wall of glass in the back. I am an avid gardener so our backyard is a riot of blooming perennials and a variety of evergreens so every window has a view. I made sure the kitchen and breakfast room windows overlook the dreamy rose beds. I have two messy teenage daughters and equally messy large rescue dogs, so I capitalized on performance fabrics and materials without sacrificing style. I mix traditional with the modern and love upping the glamour quotient wherever I can.
I value simplicity but also believe in elevating the everyday, using your finest china for takeout, wearing perfume even when home in sweats, having fresh flowers everywhere, lighting candles, and matching music to the food we are serving. Life is short, live it well with purpose, enjoy what you have, and make your home work for you.
With Haiku at the helm and a stellar team of reliable tradespeople she partners with for all her projects, HDS Design Company is a force in luxury home design. Most importantly, the spaces she creates leaves her clients refreshed, happy, and in love with their life in a whole new way.
To get in touch with the architectural designer and see how you can work together, visit hdsdesigncompany.com.
