Playground
About Playground
Playground is an award-winning design and concept firm based in sunny California. We are a full- service firm and work on a wide variety of projects, including restaurants, bars and hospitality projects as well as multi-family, creative mixed use and repositioning projects. Our firm is founded on an interdisciplinary approach that informs our aesthetic, as well as our process. We are focused on human-centric design, creating immersive, nuanced spaces that are evocative, transformative and never ordinary. Our team includes a mix of professional backgrounds and skill sets, ranging from traditionally trained architects and interior designers, to restaurateurs, real estate brokers and branding pros.
We consider our approach to be storytelling through design, creating cohesive narratives that span all corners of a space, building an authentic experience that is woven through each element. No detail is too small, no obstacle too big–we love it all and love helping our clients, friends and colleagues to make the world a more beautiful place to live, work, relax, connect, eat, drink or shop, one space at a time.
Who is Kristine Schnell?
Kristine Schnell is the creative director and co-founder of playground. Enthralled with art, design and the built environment from a young age, she’s known for designing elegant spaces with an edge. With a classical education in art, architecture and design, her love of beautiful details has taken her around the world in search of the exquisite, from the ruins of Greece to the rolling hills of Tuscany, exploring the markets of Mexico City to sourcing one-of-a-kind ceramics in southern China. As the chief creative vision behind both commercial and residential projects, Kristine brings an encyclopedic library of visual knowledge, blending classical styles with an equal sense of restraint and irreverence. An avid reader, Kristine also enjoys writing about design, working as a contributor for Dwell as well as several other home, garden and lifestyle publications.
She is a voracious reader, a former ballerina and dreams in French when she’s had a very good day. When she’s not designing, you’ll find Kristine traveling the world in search of the exquisite, sipping rosé in Sonoma or out on the trails. Adores champagne, fine leather goods and creating signature spaces.
I knew I wanted to be a Designer when:
I’ve always loved art and design. I was the kid in school who would save up all my lunch money to go out and buy a Dior scarf and read Vogue from cover to cover, interned in many an art museum. To me design is all about the way we live and I’m most interested in experience design, where all elements of a space, from the architecture to interiors, graphics to music, come together to create an unforgettable experience. But to answer the question, I knew I wanted to be a designer on my first trip to Italy when I was 15.
Color Crush right now:
Black, always.
What is your first source of inspiration?
It depends on the day, the project and the people, but I always come back to meditation. It’s so important that I come into a space or the creative visioning for a project with a super clear headspace so I can give my best and respond to the space.
Design tip:
Only buy things you truly love. I went for years without an ice cream scoop (which was a real sacrifice given my love and frequent indulgence in this particular food group) because I simply couldn’t find one I really thought was beautiful and functional. Happy to report, I finally found it!
Design element I’m obsessed with:
I love blending old and new—antiques with super contemporary designs. I’m interested in creating human-centric spaces with soul.
“Design is all about the way we live, where all elements of a space, from the architecture to interiors, graphics to music, come together to create an unforgettable experience.”
My style in three words:
Elegance with edge.
What’s your dream project?
I fall in love with every project I work on, so I’d have to say anything I’m currently working on is pretty dreamy in my book.
That being said, I’d really love to work on a destination resort/hotel project this year. I’ve been personally obsessed with hospitality experiences since I was a kid and love all the details that go into creating a transformative experience.
Best shopping sources:
Travel.
Favorite place(s) to travel:
Too many to name! I think Ojai is absolutely magical, have had a longtime love affair with all things French and Italian, adore Mexico City and am relentlessly inspired by California as a whole. There is no better place in the world to live.
Favorite Hotel:
The one I’m currently dreaming up, although Amangiri looks pretty legit. It’s on my “must see” list for this year.
Music you’re playing right now:
I usually prefer silence or jazz. Today I’m just listening to the sound of rain on my patio, which is a real luxury living in Southern California.
For more information visit www.playgroundagency.com
