With more than a decade of experience in interior design and the aviation refurbishment process, Autumn Elizabeth Duntz learned how to combine sophistication and craftsmanship with the practicality of aircraft guidelines and restrictions.
Autumn’s holistic approach to interior design for aircrafts includes viewing projects from a visualisation perspective, a design perspective, and knowledge of connectivity and user experience in the cabin. Autumn loves the level of problem-solving required to negotiate the intricacies of planes and associated regulations, allowing her to provide the best possible recommendations for her clients during the design process.
We sat down with Autumn to find out a little more.
Let’s start with a bit of background: How did you get started in aviation interior design? When did you start your firm?
I found my passion for aviation interior design while interning at a major business jet manufacturer during my senior year of college. The intricate details, high standards, and regulation requirements in aviation design fascinated me. I launched Autumn Elizabeth Design in 2019 to offer clients a white-glove design approach to business jet refurbishments.
What’s the origin of your brand design ethos? How does it manifest in how you design and how you work with clients?
My design ethos focuses on making aircraft interiors both elegant and functional. Often, it may be my client’s first refurbishment, so they rely on my expertise to guide them in making smart decisions based on my long history in aviation design. I strive to create bespoke, timeless designs tailored to each client’s preferences and lifestyle. This approach also shapes my client relationships, where open communication and collaboration are key. I always tell my clients that there should be no surprises when they receive the finished aircraft; managing expectations is crucial during a refurbishment as the process can be a bit chaotic.
How do you describe your own personal aesthetic?
My personal style is minimal and contemporary. I love monochromatic color palettes, which highlight design details like beautiful stitch accents or textures. I also enjoy incorporating meaningful design elements into a client’s project, such as hidden symbolism or materials with significant history. These touches add depth and soul to the design. Therefore, understanding my clients – their business and personal interests – is a crucial part of the process.
What’s your strength as a designer? Why do clients like to work with you and your firm?
My strength as an aviation interior designer is my adaptability and problem-solving skills. Designing for an aircraft requires a different skill set than traditional spaces, including quick decision-making and clear instructions to refurbishment teams.
Clients appreciate my ability to predict and resolve common refurbishment challenges efficiently. My extensive industry experience and strong network with suppliers enable me to find creative solutions and quality materials.
As the client’s advocate, I ensure prompt resolution of issues while working within their lead time and providing unique, elegant designs. My goal is to deliver an exceptional and personalised experience for every client.
What would you say you’re most proud of as a designer lately?
I’m proud of the processes I’ve developed to create a seamless and enjoyable experience for my clients. While it took some trial and error and will continue to evolve as my business grows, my process helps clients feel confident and prepared for their aircraft refurbishment. Since many of my clients are experiencing a refurbishment for the first time, I take great care to ensure they have a positive experience.
What’s your favorite/most useful question you ask clients in your first meeting?
The most useful question I ask in our first meeting is, ‘Do you plan on chartering your aircraft?’ This question helps me understand your needs right off the bat. If you only fly with family or business associates, you can go for style and comfort over durability. But if you’re chartering your plane, you’ll need robust materials that can handle the wear and tear of different guests. It’s like choosing between decorating a cozy living room or a busy hotel lobby!
How do you know if a client is the right fit for your firm?
I start every project with a discovery call to ensure a good fit between the client and my firm. We discuss their goals, budget, timeline, and aesthetic preferences. However, the most crucial part is assessing their interest in collaboration.
Some clients are hands-off and say, ‘I trust you, make the decision,’ while others prefer to be more involved in the design process. Both approaches work well, as long as there’s effective communication and teamwork. Collaboration is the foundation of any successful interior design project, and finding clients who share that mindset is key to creating an exceptional aircraft design.
You specialise in refurbishment projects. What goes into this process versus a project from scratch?
Refurbishment projects bring their own set of challenges and opportunities compared to starting from scratch. With new aircraft, the tight timeline from the production line can limit the extent of modifications. In contrast, refurbishments offer more flexibility and creativity – within reason, of course.
In refurbishments, material availability plays a significant role since lead times are often tight. You need to be resourceful and savvy in sourcing materials quickly to keep the project on track.
I offer clients a full-service design package that includes reviewing proposals with refurbishment facilities. Sometimes clients don’t get the right guidance on what to include in their scope, so I ensure they have a clear understanding of all options available.
Describe this project (Gulfstream G450) and the clients must haves.
This project involved a Gulfstream G450 for a client I’ve previously worked with on a Gulfstream G280 refurbishment. They loved the design I created for their G280 and wanted to incorporate some of those elements, particularly their signature blue color, into the G450. Additionally, they were open to exploring new design ideas to give the aircraft a fresh look.
The project required a quick turnaround since the client initiated the refurbishment during a maintenance visit that was already in progress. As a fan of Hermès, the client wanted to include luxurious pillows and throws in the design. Another must-have was the diamond stitching detail on the seat inserts, which added a touch of elegance and sophistication to the overall interior.
Were there any unique challenges that came up?
Yes, there were unique challenges with this project! The seat leather for the cabin seats got lost in shipping transit, which was a major hurdle given our already tight timeline. Initially, we were concerned this would delay the project significantly.
However, I collaborated closely with the leather supplier and refurbishment facility to resolve the issue quickly. The team worked wonders by expediting a new shipment and putting in extra hours to deliver the aircraft on time. Losing eight giant boxes of leather in shipping was a first for me, but thanks to everyone’s hard work, we were able to overcome this obstacle and keep the project on schedule.
What sets this project aside from others? AKA any notable characteristics or art displayed within?
What sets this project apart from others is the cabin’s unique G450 Elite interior. Gulfstream only produced this specific interior for a limited time, so it’s a rarity in the world of aviation.
The Elite interior incorporates elements of the G650, giving the G450 cabin a sleek, contemporary, and state-of-the-art aesthetic. This blend of advanced design elements from the G650 elevates the overall ambiance and makes the G450 stand out as a truly exceptional aircraft.
I know choosing a “favourite” project is impossible, but is there something about Gulfstream G450 that was particularly interesting or challenging to be a part of? What makes it so?
While choosing a favorite project is tough, Gulfstream G450 was particularly interesting to be a part of due to the personalised decor the client wanted. Alongside their Hermès items, I enjoyed helping them source flowers, serving trays, and decorative bowls. These thoughtful touches brought comfort to the cabin and tied all the design elements together seamlessly.
It was also wonderful to work with a client I had collaborated with before. The existing relationship and trust made the process smoother and more enjoyable.
Turning to practical matters: What are some of your favorite current tools that are making your life easier (For time management? Design? Project management? Inspiration? Etc.)
For time management and project organisation, I use Slack to keep everything streamlined. It’s a great platform to invite refurbishment facilities to the projects, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and communicating effectively.
When it comes to client presentations, I rely on Canva and the Adobe suite. These tools allow me to create visually engaging and professional presentations that showcase design concepts and ideas to clients clearly.
Where do you turn to for advice when you run into questions about your business or a project? (A mentor? Coach or coaching group? Facebook group? Etc.)
One of the many things I love about the aviation industry is its small, tight-knit community. It’s full of experienced professionals eager to offer guidance and advice. I have a network of respected colleagues across various roles who are always ready to help me solve a tricky problem or tackle a unique refurbishment question.
I’m also a big fan of podcasts. Before making the leap into interior design, I listened to many podcasts about starting an interior design business, and I still do! A Well-Designed Business, Design Matters, and Business of Design are always on my playlist, providing valuable insights and inspiration.
What are some of your favorite places to source aviation design materials and products? (Specific aviation furniture markets? Specific local stores or manufacturers? Cities you like to visit for shopping trips?)
My favourite places to source aviation design materials and products can vary depending on the project, but I have a few go-to suppliers that consistently deliver exceptional quality.
For leather, I often turn to Garrett Leather and Moore and Giles for their beautiful and durable options. Tai Ping Carpets and Redrock Carpet provide stunning carpet choices that elevate the cabin’s aesthetic.
When it comes to bespoke pillows and cabin outfitting items, I love working with Sohe Studio. Their craftsmanship and attention to detail make for truly beautiful additions to any cabin.
As for glassware and china, Baccarat, Christofle, and Bernardaud are always reliable options for exquisite and elegant pieces.
What is the one thing that you can’t live without in your business right now (a specific staff person? A digital planner? Your phone?)
The one thing I can’t live without in my business right now is definitely my calendar! It may sound like a boring answer, but it’s essential for me because I travel a lot and like to block off time for different tasks.
My calendar helps me keep track of things like planning how long it will take to drive from the airport to a facility and whether I can have a quick business call during that time. It also lets me allocate time for designing and set aside hours for business-focused tasks like prospecting and reviewing social media calendars. By keeping my business calendar organised, I can create a balance between work and personal life, ensuring everything blends together smoothly.
What change or shift have you made in your business in the past year or two that’s really made a difference? How so?
Over the past year, I’ve made a significant shift in my business by offering only full-service design packages to clients. Previously, I provided a design-only option where I would create the specifications but not manage the project. However, clients often needed ongoing involvement throughout the process.
Staying involved from start to finish ensures I meet their design goals and keeps the project on track. This approach also benefits refurbishment facilities by providing prompt answers and clear design direction, leading to smoother and more efficient project execution.
Focusing on full-service design packages has ultimately made a big difference in ensuring my clients are delighted with the final result.
What’s next for your firm in the year or two ahead?
In the next year or two, my firm has some exciting refurbishment projects lined up that I’m really looking forward to. In addition, I’m developing a few new material designs and partnering with some of my favorite brands to create a bespoke offering. I’m thrilled to share these new ventures soon!
All imagery supplied by Autumn Elizabeth Design
