Richard Russell Design is All About...Architectural Preservation/all styles ... Mid-Century/Modern...
Contemporary ... Lifestyle Located in Palm Springs, California, Richard Russell Design has an extensive background in design and project management for vacation rentals, second homes, primary residences and hotels. At Richard Russell Design, the team specializes in refined, curated interiors and renovation consultation. If it is your primary residence, they believe strongly in “a man’s/woman’s” home is their castle. Your home should reflect your style, where you have been and where you are going. Their job is to guide and inspire you to create your own expression. If it is a second home or vacation rental, they understand the need for a slightly different criteria that takes into consideration specifying furnishings more suitable for its intended use. Of course, the same applies with Hotel design which has rigorous regulations and requirements to meet. |
Bottom line — we are here to make you happy and proud of your home or business. The principals, Dick Burkett and Russ Uthe, leave their egos behind. It’s about delivering a finished project that reflects the client’s lifestyle, not theirs. They are always mindful of maintaining the established budget as the design process unfolds. As the company's slogan says, "it is all about lifestyle".
Design Related Business |
The principals have owned Trade Showrooms for interior designers and architects in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. Dick has managed showrooms in Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale-Miami, and New York City. The next venture was to open a design studio/store in the “Romantic Zone" of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where they catered to wealthy Americans who owned property there.
They also created a marble import business for architects and designers, developed, designed and managed resorts, vacation rentals, a dinner theatre, second homes and primary residences. As the company’s focus is on Lifestyle, it was a natural for Dick with his hotel and design background to become a consultant for an upper end vacation rental and hotel marketing company, East by West Lifestyles. |
Design Style
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Based on the client’s environment, architecture and wishes, RRD's work transcends Contemporary to Transitional. While appreciating most design styles, Mid-century and Modern architecture is their true passion and was the major lure to Palm Springs, Dick and Russ are most noted for refined interiors that blend the outside with the inside.
Their designs have been published in Southern Accents magazine, newspapers and the prestigious International Collection of Homes. RRD's Lido Shores project won the Architectural Award for the U.S. Concrete Association and the Outstanding Pool Award from Better Homes and Gardens. |
Projects |
RRD's projects span the U.S. from coast to coast, Mexico and Bermuda. A partial list of destinations include:
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CALIFORNIA
Palm Springs EAST COAST Harper's Ferry Rehoboth Beach Washington, D.C. |
FLORIDA
Coconut Grove Daytona Beach Ft. Lauderdale Miami Orlando Sarasota Singer Island Tampa |
MEXICO
Mexico City Puerto Vallarta Punta Mita BERMUDA |
Dick has also managed large scale hotel renovation projects in The Caribbean, New York City, Scottsdale, Dallas and Philadelphia.
Meet the Owners
Dick has a unique background that blends interior design, marketing and hotel management. After graduating from hotel school, Dick’s initial design experience in the hospitality industry was with Marriott Hotels. A series of promotions included Corporate Director of Hotel Room Operations where he coordinated a staff of interior designers for renovation projects of existing hotels in addition to overseeing all departments except Food & Beverage & Sales.
DICK'S PASSION FOR DESIGN As he became increasingly interested in interior design, he began studying at Corcoran Art Institute in Washington, D.C. and the University of Maryland. Dick was then designated Manager of the Essex House, a 44-story luxury hotel with 509 Art Deco style rooms, and 185 condominiums located at 160 Central Park South in Manhattan. After being approached by some investors, he resigned from Marriott and relocated to Sarasota, Florida to create a development company that purchased fifteen resorts and apartment buildings for condo conversions. |
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Dick has also developed three new build condominiums, two time shares and three vacation rental resorts plus numerous private homes.
Along with Russ Uthe, they created Architectural Marble Imports and two “showrooms to the trade” in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. He then joined Tui Pranich and Associates with showrooms in Miami/Dania, Chicago & New York City, where he later served as Vice President.
Organization Affiliations: Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board & Event Chair, PS Mod Com, Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, Architecture and Design Council & Legacy Circle for the Palm Springs Art Museum. Palm Springs Historical Society and Asolo Theater Board, Sarasota, Florida
Dick has also developed three new build condominiums, two time shares and three vacation rental resorts plus numerous private homes.
Along with Russ Uthe, they created Architectural Marble Imports and two “showrooms to the trade” in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. He then joined Tui Pranich and Associates with showrooms in Miami/Dania, Chicago & New York City, where he later served as Vice President.
Organization Affiliations: Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board & Event Chair, PS Mod Com, Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, Architecture and Design Council & Legacy Circle for the Palm Springs Art Museum. Palm Springs Historical Society and Asolo Theater Board, Sarasota, Florida
Russell UtheRuss and Dick teamed up to continue residential renovations as well as being co-founder of Richard Russell and Associates showrooms. The two expanded their representation to Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta, where they custom designed and manufactured their furnishings which were showcased in their Puerto Vallarta design studio/showroom.
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE Russ’s background as an attorney specializing in labor law including representation of major companies such as Chase Manhattan Bank in Latin America and the Caribbean, has served the company well. Russ’s forte is in construction detail and project management. Organization Affiliations: Palm Springs Legacy Circle and Architecture and Design Council of the Palm Springs Museum, Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, PS Mod Com, and Personnel Board and the Ethics, Transparency and Governmental Reform Task Force for the City of Palm Springs, and Vice President and Architectural Chair for Mesquite Canyon Estates. Russ was also President of the Kankakee Symphony located outside of Chicago. Russ resurrected the organization from the red and into the black and the symphony went on to gain a reputation for being one of the best orchestras in the Midwest. |