Vern Yip
Designer
One room at a time, Vern Yip is designing his way across America, having knocked down walls and made over countless homes and restaurants during his four seasons of TLC’s Trading Spaces, on NBC’s Home Intervention, and through his private practice.
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Full Bio
Vern’s most recent projects include his own show on HGTV titled Deserving Design with Vern Yip airing every week, and the exciting prime-time series HGTV Design Star, where every season he helps to discover America’s next great design talent. You can also catch Vern on HGTV in episodes of HGTV Showdown, Bang for Your Buck, and First Time Designer. Whatever he does, Vern’s award-winning work has a distinct flair that reflects his expertise as both an architectural and interior designer.
Vern runs his own design company in Atlanta, Vern Yip Designs and vernyip.com, where design tips are dispensed and top quality products, designed by Vern with consumer value in mind, can be purchased. With a bachelor of arts in economics and a bachelor of science in chemistry from The University of Virginia and an M.B.A. and Master of Architecture from The Georgia Institute of Technology, Vern has used his varied educational background to build a distinguished business.
His creations and room transformations range in budget from the notoriously frugal showcased on television to eight-figure projects for high-end clients nationwide, including special event design for one of 2006’s highest profile Oscar parties. Regardless of the budget, Vern’s design calling card is his attention to detail married with precise, clean-lined interiors balanced with a sense of warmth. Many elements of his creations and eclectic style demonstrate an influence from childhood travels through Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Often with Vern’s designs, less is more and something in the room always “pops” due to its graphic nature.
Having characterized himself as the classic overachiever, Vern and his projects have amassed an impressive list of design awards including: 2003 Distinguished Southerner Award, Southern Living Magazine; 2000 Southeast Designer of the Year; Fusebox Restaurant, Atlanta, 1999 Best New Restaurant; and DeuxPlex Bistro and Night Club, Atlanta, 1999 Best New Night Club. Additionally, Deserving Design with Vern Yip was recently nominated for a 2009 NAMIC awards for Best Original Life Style Programming.
Vern continues to be involved extensively in non-profit work, and has served as honorary chair for Eleven the Event, the 2009 fund raiser for The Ulman Cancer Fund, where he established the Vera Yip Memorial Scholarship (after his Mother), and is now working closely with UNICEF to help raise awareness of the needs of children around the world. At the end of 2009, Vern not only hosted a major fundraiser for UNICEF in the Southeast in his own home, but designed the 2009 UNICEF Snowflake Ball taking place in New York’s famous Cipriani on December 2nd, honoring L.A. Reid and hosted by Al Roker.
Recognized on the street, in home improvement centers, and in public venues across America, Vern has been prominently featured in various publications such as Entertainment Weekly, People, The New York Times, and USA Today.
He is frequently seen on television shows such as NBC’s Today, CBS’ The Early Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and CNN. Recently, both Deserving Design with Vern Yip and HGTV Design Star began airing weekly in China, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and South Korea through the L.I. network.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
An Evening with Vern Yip
Videos
Inside the Manhattan Pad of Vern Yip
Decorating Do's and Don'ts with Vern Yip
Books
News
Testimonials
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