What is the first question you ask your clients even before you begin the design process, and why is it the most important one to ask?

“How do you live / how do you want to live?”

Are there any furniture or décor brands you tend to gravitate to the most when designing a space for a client (perhaps labels that well-represent your personal design aesthetic)? If so, which ones?

Visual Comfort for lighting; Lee Jofa for fabrics.