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In Profile: Bomhoff Limited

Bomhoff Limited

In Profile: Bomhoff Limited

Bomhoff Limited has been shortlisted in The International Yacht & Aviation Awards 2023. Read more about President & CEO, Russell Bomhoff, below:


Bomhoff Limited

Name: Russell Bomhoff

Company: Bomhoff Limited

Position: President and CEO

Website: www.bomhoff.com

Tell us a little about your background in design:

During my childhood, we had a family business that fabricated interior furnishings for companies such as Beechcraft, Cessna, and Learjet. It was at this company that I started to learn about making furniture with lightweight materials. As I learned more about aircraft furniture, I became increasingly interested in furniture design in general. I spent many hundreds of hours during my youth reading about the history of furniture styles and influential designers. I followed this interest into adulthood and received a Fine Arts degree in Design Theory from the University of Kansas.

How would you describe your personal design style?

That is an interesting question. I tend to prefer understated but very refined elegance. A critical issue for me is to respect and utilize design principles of the past while bringing pieces to life in new and innovative ways. As a designer of functional furniture, quality has always been my main priority, and that includes quality beneath the surface that you never see.

Where does your design inspiration come from?

When designing pieces purely for myself, it comes from my unconscious. I let my hand take the pencil and just start doodling very abstract shapes. Then I let the images sit for a while and try not to think about them.  After a day or so, or perhaps longer I will revisit the images and see what they say to me. It all sounds a bit like magic, but it is how I think many people in artistic fields try to assemble a vision that leads to a balanced and correct scheme, composition, or product.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

Overall, I think at least in business aviation, there is a sophisticated but muted minimalist trend with an emphasis on high tech visual and comfort features.  Designers need to be very aware that any aircraft for charter will need ease of maintenance.  This must be designed and engineered into the final product. For VVIP aircraft interiors I think the customer’s preexisting personal tastes which may be blended with cultural visual cues give guidance to the overall gestalt experience. 

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2023 and beyond.

The biggest in my opinion would be the continued emphasis on using recycled and upcycled materials or what is commonly called the green approach.  Second, due to the pandemic I think there will continue to be a demand for materials, finishes, and machines to help prevent the spread of germs but still provide a non-sterile human interface. Third, people enjoy novelty and newness, but not if it comes with sensory overload. Therefore, technology will need to continue to improve while being as user friendly as possible. Fourth, the need for human connection with nature and natural materials will be important to calm our increasingly fast paced world. We may be quite advanced compared to our ancestors, but everyone seeks environments and products that provide a calming and natural user experience.  Lastly, what is old is new again.  For example, I find it fascinating that humanity has finally figured out the 2,000 year old recipe for ancient Roman concrete and its self-healing properties. Understanding past innovations holds many keys to future design solutions.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?

Because most of my professional experience has been in the field of aviation, I think maximizing the use of available space with a combination of novel ultra-strong composite materials but still satisfying the passenger desire to enjoy what they can see and feel is incredibly important.  I’m also a firm believer in trying to incorporate curvature instead of “boxy” monuments. Plus, I never grow tired of rich natural wood and superb quality leather used in sophisticated harmony as it implies a human experience of warmth from natural materials that are renewable.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?

My favourite project is always my next one!  Although I did design some area rugs for personal use that gave me a great deal of inner joy.  The graphics in the carpet design were pure visual free association but came out looking like an ancient yet modern cave painting.

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?

Once again because my business experience has been mostly focused on the fabrication side with design assistance to the overall project designer, I would say that a BBJ interior that we did for a corporate client in the maritime industry was quite challenging. Aspects of the design called for a heavy look wood paneled interior, but yet had to be as feather light as possible and still pass FAA requirements.  It turned out excellent and the owner was quite pleased.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?

My sketchbook and pencil.  Additionally, having my own shop with experienced artisans who can understand a drawing on the back of a paper napkin and then with verbal instructions run with the concept.  I am certainly a spoiled man with a great team of true craftspeople.

How important are the The International Yacht and Aviation Awards?

The way the awards are judged is a critical component of why I believe in the Design et al organization. It gives a unique and talented group of people the ability to see what other firms are currently creating. The design is judged by a jury of its peers, that is much better than an uninformed popularity contest. The opportunity to network with like-minded professionals in an environment that is dedicated to the celebration of design is particularly advantageous to organizations like ours.

What projects are you currently working on?

Unfortunately, due to non-disclosure agreements we are not at liberty to discuss the majority of our work, especially in regards to VVIP aviation. Some of that will change when the projects are complete. However, in house, we are designing a custom seat for a corporate jet application and also an aviation mini-bar that has a power lift mechanism for stowing and display of wine bottles and glasses. We’re also working on a non-aviation prototype interior that we look forward to discussing in the coming months.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

We plan on fabricating new interior furnishings for a private customer with a small fleet of business aircraft of varying sizes. We also continue to explore innovative uses of lightweight composite materials combined with refined wood veneers and leathers. So far, our business has been focused almost exclusively on aviation, we’re having discussions about expanding our product offerings into other luxury interiors segments. That said, we will focus most of our efforts on growing our aviation portfolio through new products and partnerships.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

I guess I have always had the ambition to try and create something new and different that stands the test of time.  Each day I try to just have one inspiring clue/thought as to a possible answer for whatever work problems exist.  I find it cliché, but I have a lot of my best “light bulb” moments after going for a long walk and then taking a hot shower. It’s my way of trying to free up the nighttime dreams into bright day answers.

Your most treasured possession?

In regard to a physical item, my wedding ring. Second, would be a 1952 Gibson Gold Top Les Paul guitar gifted to me by a dear departed relative.

Your favourite holiday destination?

My mini-ranch just outside Tubac, Arizona, USA, or almost anywhere in Italy.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant and bar?

I have had the good fortune of staying in many wonderful hotels in quite a few countries, each has their own signature excellence and picking one doesn’t seem fair to all the different experiences. That said, I do enjoy a resort very near to our location in Arizona, the Ritz Carlton at Dove Mountain is an enjoyable respite. I tend to enjoy hotels that take advantage of and blend into stunning natural landscapes.

Our company is located in Tucson, Arizona, and several years ago the city was actually named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy due to its variety of multicultural delicacies, as well as the region’s long history of creative culinary combinations.

There is a small boutique restaurant in Tubac, Arizona called Elvira’s.  The food is superb authentic Mexican and the hand-blown glass ceiling adornments make it a one-of-a-kind environment. It’s been my favorite restaurant for years.

My favorite bar is in the tiny unincorporated hamlet of Tumacacori, Arizona.  It is frankly what some folks would call a dive bar, but it has been around forever and has a truly authentic Sonoran appeal.  I mean if it was good enough for John Wayne, it’s certainly good enough for me. I see that all my favourites are in Arizona.  Don’t get me wrong I love to travel and experience new places, food, and drink, but I guess the above-mentioned places give me a joyful and comforting feeling while providing excellence in their own way.

Your favourite book, film, and song?

Book: The children’s book, “Goodnight Moon”.  No it isn’t Moby Dick, but it certainly is what popped into my head first due to wonderful memories.

Film:  Days of Heaven by Terrence Malick.  A touch stone movie for me that has truly wonderful cinematography of the prairie lands of my youth.  I think it captures the complicated history of a very important time in America.

Song: The Long and Winding Road by The Beatles.  There are other songs that I truly love, but this one in particular symbolizes a special brotherly bond that I have had the good fortune of having for a very long time.

Your favourite food and drink?

Authentic Mexican with Silver Patron tequila.  Specifically, I really enjoy Mushrooms al Ajillo coupled with Mole Coloradito Oaxaqueno.  It’s a bit difficult to pronounce, but tastes heavenly.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?

Start off by reading, then perhaps a midafternoon lazy swim, and finally a trek up a local small mountain to take in the setting sun.  I used to always carry a small camera for snapping pics of nature at its finest, but I find my iPhone now does this well.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?

A musician and composer.  I have played guitar since the age of 7 and piano since the age of 12. I’m also decent on 6 string banjo, mandolin, and upright bass. To add a bit more information, I think that I really didn’t learn how to play any instrument until I stopped taking lessons.  Joni Mitchell has been a favorite of mine due to her unique tunings and artistic lyrics coupled with an almost jazz like interplay. 

Bomhoff Limited


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