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November 9 • 2017 35 jn for Kravet and plumbing fixtures for ROHL. He traces his interest in art and design to his very early years in Detroit and Oak Park. "My [late] parents [Rowe and Jack Berman] bought a new house in the 1960s, and my mother would swear that she had me, at 6 years old, select- ing all of the background material, countertop material, wallpaper and paint," Berman recalls. "My mom and dad knew early on that was a flair that I had, and I knew before going to [Berkley] high school that I wanted to go into the design industry, but didn't know what kind of a fine art career I wanted. "I went to [what is now known as] the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, and I got an amaz- ing opportunity to work for interior designer Angelo Donghia. He gave me a firsthand education — not just about how to create interiors but also the way to run a business and how to interact with employees. " After working for Donghia for six years, Berman opened his own inte- rior design business in the 1980s. His furniture company launched in the 1990s. "Other designers and architects were seeing my work in national magazines, and they would call my office and ask where I got a particular chair or sofa, and I would say that I had made it," Berman recalls. "I realized my work was being sought by colleagues, and that was the impetus for the furniture com- pany. From there, it grew to creating products for other companies. Every time I design, there's continuity as I repeat my inspiration of American modernism, Art Deco and Mid- Century Modern." Berman, whose dominant design color is green, has a home in Los Angeles and a vacation home in Palm Springs. Both are Mid-Century Modern and allow him to experiment with ideas. "I do extensive traveling with my partner, David Rubin, who has a com- pany called David Travel," Berman says. "I design environments, and he designs experiences. We go all over the world to select amazing objects, and I get inspiration and new ideas." Berman and Rubin stay connected to their religious roots by attend- ing Temple Kol Ami in Los Angeles. Berman also sits on the board of the Jewish Healing Center of Los Angeles, which, he says, "provides spiritual healing and guidance for all people in need, whether in crisis or simply wanting to nurture the soul." Berman, who feels uplifted by driving cars from his collection around California, names his favor- ite as a 1954 Oldsmobile Starfire. In Michigan, he likes visiting with a group of friends who go back to his early school years and seeing all the development in Detroit. "I've been connected to Downtown for years because my father started the Riverfront Festival that took place in the 1960s," he says. "When I go Downtown, I love checking out the new restaurants, galleries and original architecture. I love what's happening Downtown with the resurgence of energy," • LaFata Cabinets are manufactured right here in Southeast Michigan 6KHOE\7RZQVKLS:HVW%ORRPÀHOG ZZZODIDWDFRP/$)$7$ :HRIIHUIXOOUHPRGHOLQJVHUYLFHVLQDGGLWLRQWR SURYLGLQJEHDXWLIXOKDQGFUDIWHGFDELQHWU\IRU\RXU KRPH6WRSLQRQHRIRXUVKRZURRPVRUJLYHXVD call to talk to a designer today! FREE In-Home Estimates )XOO5HPRGHOLQJ6HUYLFHV$YDLODEOH