Photo Credit: marblemedia/ Restaurants On The Edge
Karin Bohn, founder, and principal of the award-winning House of Bohn is a Canadian designer creating multi-faceted hospitality, luxury residential, commercial and retail environments. With a fearless and bold approach to design, safe is simply not an option at House of Bohn. Her modern-eclectic aesthetic is supported by a sophisticated mix of patterns and materials that come together beautifully and unexpectedly. From multi-million dollar estates to playful boutiques, Karin continuously pushes the boundaries of typical northern west-coast interior design. In addition to running her busy design firm, Karin stars in the Netflix show, Restaurants on the Edge, a docu-reality series dedicated to transforming restaurants around the world that premieres today. Haute Residence caught up with Bohn to discuss her journey in design and how her involvement with the Netflix series came about.
Was design something you were passionate about at a young age?
Yes. Ever since I was a little girl I was always very aware of space. For example, I was hyper-aware of whether people were comfortable in a space, how furniture was set up, what lighting looked like and the colors in the walls. I always thought I would become a fashion designer because I didn’t know interior design existed as a career. Until I fell into it after university and now the rest is history.
Photo Credit: marblemedia/ Restaurants On The Edge
Did you study design in school? How did you start doing it professionally?
Once I was exposed to the design world after university I enrolled in a few courses at BCIT. I had a few short work stints with firms and then very quickly went out on my own. I started my firm 11 years ago.
What led you into starting your own design business?
Ever since I was 5, I always knew that I would have my own business, so starting my firm was like second nature to me. Over the last 11 years, the business has grown to a team of 10 people with a diverse portfolio that includes residential, hospitality, restaurant and boutique commercial work.
Photo Credit: marblemedia/ Restaurants On The Edge
How did you come across being cast on this show?
I've been pursuing and working at getting a television show for YEARS. After many attempts of working with different producers and studios, I got a call one day from a producer with a new show that was going to Netflix. It combined travel, culture, food and restaurant design, and all they needed was the designer to complete the host team.
This show checked all the boxes for me, so of course, I jumped at the opportunity and we started filming only a few short months later. While I hadn't worked with Nick or Dennis prior to the show, we became fast friends and instantly bonded from being on the road together.
Photo Credit: marblemedia/ Restaurants On The Edge
What was it like working with the different restaurants?
Working with different restaurants in all of those different countries was an amazing experience. It was so much fun to get inspired by different cultures to create a design for the restaurant. Sometimes it was challenging to work in a foreign country where English is not the first language. But we made it happen.
Do you have a favorite restaurant or location you did a project for on the show?
They were all so great but I would say Austria and Hong Kong are at the top of my list.
Photo Credit: marblemedia/ Restaurants On The Edge
What do you want viewers to take away from the show?
I think this shows checks a lot of boxes. If you like travel, culture, food, and design you are going to love this show.
