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Meet the Designers Web Page

June 1, 2008
Las Vegas, Nevada

A Career of Superlatives!

      Thomas C. Burger, founder of Zen Interiors Inc., describes himself as a man on a mission. His extraordinary talents have transported him from the quietude of Indiana to a career that has spanned the globe. Recognized as one of the nation's preeminent designers, Burger now embraces the beauty, glamour and cache of living, of all places, in Las Vegas, Nevada. A fact that seems all the more unlikely with a review of Burger's astonishing path to stardom in the design world. He is known as the "International Guru of Design and Style to the rich and famous, and the powerful of the world," as quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Entertainment Tonight, Black Tie Magazine, HD Magazine, Luxury Las Vegas and HotOnHomes!Las Vegas.

      Since the launch of his firm in 1987, Burger has established an envious portfolio of projects and clients including King Hussein, King Rainer, Prince Albert and the royal family of Monaco, American sport's heroes, playwrights, TV and film celebrities and CEO's of Fortune 500 companies. Burger is recognized not only for his designs-which reach as far out as our space labs and space centers, but he has been honored as well by four White House Administrations and the Congressional Business Advisory Council for his outstanding business practices. In 2005 he was Business Man of the Year, in 2006 he received The National Leadership Award. Over the years Burger served as honorary chairman to the House Majority Trust for four presidents.

      This is not your ordinary interior designer. A look back may help to explain Burger. His French mother was a chemical engineer; his German father was one of the top plastic surgeons of his day at the Mayo Clinic. In school, not surprisingly, Burger focused on the sciences and holds five degrees in chemistry, biology, psychology, mathematics and physics. However, after living abroad in Europe and Asia, he realized that his true passion was for design. When he returned to New York City at the end of his youthful sojourn, he created Zen Interiors. "I was Zen before Zen was in,' said Burger. "I finally realized what I really enjoyed. I grew up appreciating the fine antiques and antiquities that my parents collected. I spent my childhood weekends with them in auction houses all over the world. My mother's family was wealthy merchants and aristocrats, my father was descended from the Krup family, and so we traveled often to Europe and even China. As a young adult I was exposed to and studied the art and architecture of the countries we visited.

      Flash forward to 2008, and this man of the world, larger than life, has found a new perspective, and residence, in Las Vegas. "This is the right place and the right time," mused Burger. "I lived in New York for almost 30 years. I had the prerequisite mid-town office, the penthouse apartment, and a business staff of more than 50 people. We competed for all of the biggest jobs from Paris to Munich, New York and beyond. One day I realized I wanted to live the way I designed for others, and Las Vegas afforded me that opportunity." But, don't assume he delegated decisions then or now. "I am totally hands-on. I still select everything personally. I want to touch, see, experience. My selections impact people's lives, it is their immediate environment. The business end of my firm is based on state-of-the-art technology, and the design end of the firm is still old world."

      Amazingly, in its latest reincarnation, Las Vegas has all the right elements-the sparkle, nature, space and energy that appeal to the sophisticated Burger. "Just think, Las Vegas created something out of nothing in the middle of nowhere. It's truly amazing. I think that was quoted in Vegas Magazine," added Burger. Sitting and talking with this talented gentleman, you begin to relax. There is something "Zen" about his demeanor. His home is filled with beautiful things from the worlds of art, antiquities and yes, nature. It is this aura that envelops the unsuspecting visitor and draws you into the peaceful world of Thomas Burger.

While Burger still has clients all over the country, and the world, his goals have now shifted to focus on larger projects here in the desert. "Right now, Vegas is 'the' city. It attracts the best of the best. Every city of note has its moment where it exudes a magical appeal, and right now is Vegas' time to claim that moment as its own."

      Recently Burger put the finishing touches on a multi-million dollar home in The Ridges for the semi-annual Parade of Homes here in Las Vegas. He is also the interior designer for a new luxury hillside home development, Canyon Edge by Robert Cione, and represented by Ken Lowman of Luxury Homes of Las Vegas. "I love the modern lines and styling of Canyon Edge. We had a lot of European visitors at the Parade of Homes, and Canyon Edge has great appeal for our European and Asian buyers who are looking to purchase in Las Vegas. In Europe, design trends over the last few years have moved away from classical and traditional to modern. Think Italian designs, for example. These are sophisticated buyers who enjoy a greater exposure to the internet and are accustomed to the very latest in modern design. I felt these homes had an international flavor, so I designed the interiors accordingly." The designer is also busy with the interior design for a 17,000-square-foot home in McDonald Highlands for Vision Horizon Development that will premier the Fall Parade of Homes event; and he just completed a major project in Palm Beach.

      According to Burger, "Zen" doesn’t refer to a style. "It is an ancient Japanese term that means - dynamic stillness. So when everything is in perfect harmony it causes you to be still. It can be created or achieved with any style of furnishings. It's the balance and scale and color in a home that creates 'Zen'. It's finding that balance with the space and client."

Not satisfied to sit idly in the desert doing interior design, Burger immediately became immersed in his new community. He is involved in all of the arts-a man of infinite curiosity and generosity. He helped to form the new Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater. The group appears locally and already has a performance tour scheduled abroad. "It's up to all of us to create the culture of our community," said Burger. "It's up to us to transform, to bring the level of art, and culture forward."

      Burger doesn't just meet people. He is involved with people. It is as much a part of him as breathing. He met Joey Luna and Lee Imperial, owners of Furniture Direct (based in Las Vegas, and worldwide on the web as FurnitureOfAmerica.com). "I met Joey and Lee through another friend Janice Wilson who had just published "The Goodness Experience". They really anticipated where the design market was moving in the valley. That it was turning a corner. So, they expanded by opening the new Furniture Direct modern on Dean Martin Drive. Their showroom is a testimonial to the new modern demand in our market. All of the At Home in Tuscany looks are still popular, but Las Vegas needed a contemporary store that showcased the latest upscale Italian designs that are so popular in Europe. For the model homes at Canyon Edge, instead of flying to New York, or going to dozens of different locations, I was able to work directly with Furniture Direct modern, to select from hundreds of sources, all in one place. I worked with one person who coordinated the orders, shipping and delivery."

      So, just what is important to Burger for his own environment? "Right now I am planning on redesigning my own home. I originally purchased it during a weekend trip to Las Vegas, and I have waited two years to start any renovations. I wanted to assimilate into my new environment now that I am living in the desert after being a city dweller all my life. I wanted to absorb like a sponge before I started making any changes. I want to create my vision of what 'could be' in the desert. After all, as a New Yorker, I'm used to being 'on the go'. People like to say that New York is more sophisticated. But I think it is fast paced because it has no alternative. In the desert, in Las Vegas, I can wear cowboy boots all day, and go diamond-studded at night. Now that's what I call diversity!"
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For more information about Thomas Burger visit online at: www.zeninteriors.biz