drawing a line
Keeping this journal up to date, or writing anything at all fell by the wayside! Now that I have new work to share, I wanted to write about and share the process. Particularly with this project, because it is the exact type of work I want to continue doing. Not to say every room needs to look like this - and how could it? But the sentiment of the room, the evolution of the room and the process of choosing pieces - it really is the only way I want to work going forward. If you are interested in working with me, please read this! If this style of work does not appeal to you, we aren’t a good fit for each other (said in my nicest tone possible).
After the pandemic I needed a break from design work. Something wasn’t clicking for me anymore and I just wasn’t sure what it was or if I was even still interested in design. An opportunity to help a friend with their own business arose and it kept me in the design world but also let me take a break from helping others with their homes and reflect on what I wanted long term. After around a year this job had run its course, and perfectly timed, a repeat client reached out and asked if I would help with her basement. What I had learned in my time off from designing, was that I was still and most certainly interested in beautiful spaces..however, I really couldn’t bear to do anymore remodels or “copy - paste” design.
What is “copy - paste” design, you might be asking. Ben Weaver breaks it down in his article, Copy - Paste Taste, for The London List: “Today there seems to be an increasing reliance on simply reproducing trends seen ad infinitum, not only as a means of securing glossy editorials, but so as to appease a clientele who are, increasingly, influenced by what they see in such magazines.”
So here I am, drawing a line in the sand: no more copy - paste design. I really have no interest in another marble with heavy veining clad kitchen or predictable arrangement of tastefully tonal interiors. No shade to this style, people who’s homes look like this or designers that work in this medium. There is room for all styles and I appreciate a variety of looks. What was made clear to me during my break from design was that I want to be more poignant about the work I take on and the kind of clients I work with. I want to work in color, with pattern, blending old and new furniture, letting rooms progress over time and not be rushed by some artificial timeline. I want each space to be a unique collection of art and ideas that is not easily replicated.
This room happened to come together rather quickly, in a short seven months from first site measure to final accessory and photo session. We started with an image that both my client and I were very drawn to - a room by K & H Design:
The Inspiration Room for this project, a room designed by K&H Design.
We were drawn to the warmth and livability of the room, along with the use of color and vintage. Along the design process, when I was searching for pieces for the space, I would always go back to this image. There was no intent to copy this room, but to evoke the feeling of it and to use the color palate as a guide.
The mood board for this project. I kept the inspiration room image here to use as a guide for each piece added to the board.
The room rendering helps give an idea of how the room will layout.
The only piece my client already had that was staying was the colorful blue yarn art above the blue table. The process started with the sofa and rug. We wanted a big sectional that could fit a lot of people and after debating on fabrics, we ended up keeping it neutral like the one in the inspiration room. This one is the Carmel from Pottery Barn. I sourced several pieces from Chairish, such as the Antique Gustavian tile top blue side table. We ran into a problem with the original ottoman I had selected. Whenever this happens I know it was not meant to be and that the replacement will be even better. I cannot tell you how many times this has been true - and this was no exception. We ended up having this ottoman custom made and it is a total 180 from the original I sourced. It was the final piece to arrive in the room and it truly pulled the entire look together. The final round of accessories and all of the vintage lighting came locally from Afternoons - a vintage & artisinal home and gift shop that my partner in all things design related, Addison Ford and I run together.
Here is the final outcome. My client happened to not be home the day the ottoman was delivered and Addison and I swept in with the final round of accessories. Her text to me when she got home is the kind of response every designer hopes their clients will have: “It’s my favorite room I’ve ever been in and it’s ours!”
Bespoke ottoman.
Media console by Unruh. All accessories from Afternoons.
Vintage pottery lamp & accessories from Afternoons.
Art by Ky Anderson. Vintage table & lamp from Afternoons.
What do you think? Did we achieve the goal of creating a warm and livable space that is full of interest and could not be easily copied? Does this style appeal to you? If so, let’s talk.