ABOUT REBEKA
"The role of leader and designer is part inventor and part problem solver."
Rebeka is a New York State licensed Interior Designer, Teacher and Artist. Rebeka is a firm believer in the possibilities that result from dreaming and she takes inspiration from human expression in any form. This ongoing curiosity is fundamental to her work process and choices. .At heart, a Creator observing the natural world around her and always planning trips to new places to experience Wonder.
Growing up in New York, New Jersey and California played a formative role in experiencing culture, landscape and human nature. A proud graduate of UCLA and Parsons, she also studied decorative arts at the Louvre in Paris through the Cooper Hewitt. Rebeka inherited passions for haute couture from her French mother and photography from her father who documented Mayan Royal tombs in Guatemala with a renowned archaeologist. Both enabled her to develop an appreciation of history and a unique eye for composition.
Beginning in retail with a vertically integrated Australian textile company called Sheridan, she learned how to integrate all the components of a successful company that was expanding Nationwide. After graduating from Parsons, she worked with Arnold Syrop (an apprentice of Marcel Breuer) whose main clients were New York Restaurant Group when they first began expanding the brand Smith & Wollensky and Loews hotels when they newly developed 7 restaurants at their Portofino Bay Hotel.
It was next at Rockwell Group that was like a "laboratory of invention" to her because if you could dream it and draw it, it could be created. Her main project was the new brand, Chambers Hotel in New York City and it was also RG's first new construction hotel project. POD restaurant in Philadelphia and 2 mixed-use buildings in New York City with the Related Companies are other notable projects of hers with Rockwell.
Rebeka also worked with other industry visionaries like Adam Tihany, Robert AM Stern and Victoria Hagan. She appeared as a featured Host & Designer on HGTV's "Small Spaces, Big Designs" in its early years. And it has been a joy and privilege for her to teach at both Parsons and Pratt passing along best practices, principles of design and the basics of drawing where the education flowed in both directions.
Her expertise in translating the big picture into specific brand initiatives and products relative to global markets became first evident while working alongside the creative teams of the Starwood Luxury Brands Group where she was hired for the re-branding of St Regis, Luxury Collection and W Hotels. And so began her work on the ownership side later moving on to work with three other Hotel groups both family-owned and corporate. She possesses valuable insight, resources and moreover an understanding of navigating the complexities of different organizations and developing Brands.
Start-ups and established companies alike also look to her expertise on product development, market expansion, studio re-organization and analysis of new deals even during changing times or downturns.
Her overall global architecture and interior design experience encompass trend setting hotels and restaurants, museums, luxury residential and mixed-use buildings and signature residences. Interior Design, Hospitality Design and New York Magazine are among the publications to have featured her work. Several of her projects have been honored with awards of excellence in the hospitality field.
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Testimonials
"Rebeka was a highly valued member of our senior leadership. I attribute much of her success to her honed personal skills and understanding of building relationships that make her stand apart. Her creative thinking and commitment to the overall direction of the business made her invaluable."
Batya Brykman, Starwood Hotels VP DOO of LAD
"While at Rockwell Group, Rebeka was highly creative, energetic, proactive and a gifted interior designer. She possesses focus and resourcefulness that are essential to our collaborative effort. Rebeka has a positive attitude, professionalism and dedication that makes working with her a pleasure. Rebeka is an asset to any organization."
Alice Yiu Director of Interiors
917-774-1844