Breathing Room with Kelly…..

I am excited to have fellow designer, Kelly Finley, back for her regular “Breathing Room” series where she discusses space planning and design.  However, I am even more excited to officially say congratulations to Kelly and her husband on the birth of their beautiful daughter!  This month, Kelly uses one of her recent projects to explain some of the spacial concepts she introduced in her first column …..

For the next installment discussing space planning, I thought it would be helpful to look at one of my actual projects to begin to understand how the space planning process works.  So before we get into the nitty-gritty of space planning, i.e. the mechanics and tools needed to properly plan a space, let’s discuss an office space that had a few space challenges.

In this project, my client bought a townhouse that was previously used as the model for potential buyers.  The developer turned one of the bedrooms into a gym with a full wall of mirrors.  My client didn’t need a gym or a wall full of mirrors (or at least that’s what she said J) but she did need a home office.  Interestingly, the mirrored wall was the least of our concerns as the desk placement turned out to be more of an issue when designing the space.  (We decided it would be too costly to remove the mirrors and fix the dry wall so we came up with a plan to cover it.)

As you can see from the before pictures, the mirrored wall was the only wall without any obstructions or openings.  The wall with windows was the longest one in the room but the view was of the street in the townhouse community plus there were restrictions because we needed to be concerned with leaving enough space for the entry into the room.  The other walls were either too short because of the closet or door openings.

The only direction I received from my client was that she needed as much desk space as possible.  After touring the rest of the house, I noticed a comfy antique chair that previously belonged to her grandfather that I thought would be great in the space.  With this information in hand, I drafted several space plans to show her the different options available.

For the first option, I went with a typical (legal) office setup.  I placed a regular size desk in the middle of the room but created space for a custom built-in along the back wall that would provide extra work space as well as much needed storage.  Additionally, this option would allow us to block the majority of the mirrored wall while benefiting from the mirrors effect of making the space look larger.  We decided not to go with this option because I was concerned about the walkway into the bathroom with the desk in the middle of the room and the chair in the corner.

In the second option, I moved the desk to the window wall and kept the built-in.  This option would keep the center of the room open and therefore give more space for the chair and the walkway.  However, I thought the room looked awkward.  Plus the likelihood of her using the built-in cabinets while sitting at the desk was slim and therefore her overall desk space was limited.

The third option included an L-shaped desk in the corner of the room while converting the closet to storage space.  This option was essentially a variation of the second option but created a better flow and was more visually appealing.

My client went for the third option which satisfied her need for desk space and my need to ensure that there was adequate flow around the room.  We initially planned to create a custom desk to make sure to maximize the workspace but we found a desk that was the right size (not quite as large as the initial design but still sufficient) as well as being modern.  After this discover, the space came together beautifully and my client has been happily working in her new space.

I’ll be back next month to discuss the most common methods and tools used to properly plan a space.  Be sure to send any questions to Courtney and I’ll try to work them into a future post.

Thank you Kelly!  It is always so interesting to see where different designers go with a space especially when it’s so different from what you originally envisioned.  You can find more of Kelly’s work on her blog, Joy of Design.

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Motivational Mondays: Raise Your Glass…..

The perfectly crafted cocktail is a thing of beautiful.  A mix of herbals, liquor, fruits or vegetables and water – it’s a reminder of the end of the work day and the start of relaxation.  It’s one of the reasons I enjoy placing bar carts in many of my designs; something just so sophisticated and debonair about them.  The tinkle of ice in a crystal tumbler.  The refraction of  light off amber bottles.  The neat discovery of forgotten spirits.  At the fear of sounding like I need to go to Betty Ford, it’s a bit magical to me so I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that fellow designer (and equally snazzy dresser) Scot Meacham Wood shared my love of the bar cart……..

I was even more surprised when I went to see Scot’s design that was part of the Peninsula Volunteer’s Decorator Showcase Home.  His homage to Lily Pulitzer was inspiring but what truly caught my eye was the magnificent yellow bar cart that he had in the space…….

As I said, I was smitten with the cart (and Scot’s pants too FYI) and quickly inquired where to get the piece.  A few emails later and I am happy to say that not only was I able to connect with the folks who produced the piece, I was able to convince them to be part of my Joy & Revelry store!  I am so excited to be able to have the Shaftesbury Cart as part of my permanent shop…..

But here is the kicker – while I may be selling it, Scot is giving one away!  Yes folks, you have the chance to win the exact cart that Scot used in his Showcase room.  Go over to his blog and read on how to enter.  But on the off chance you don’t win, know that I will have a drink in hand waiting for you to ease your wounds!

So this week I raise a glass to friends and family as we embark on yet another adventure!

[photo credit: bon apetit // nicolas smith]

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Pen to Paper: Media Console…..

Sometimes you get inspiration from the least likely of places.  I have been working with a client on his San Francisco condo for about a year now, slowly adding pieces that we think represent his urban rustic aesthetic.  He loves the mix of wood and metals but craves a touch of color in subtle ways.  In his living room, we had to contend with his beloved red overstuffed sleeper sofa.  It isn’t my first choice for seating but sometimes you have to play the hand you are dealt.  He then informed me that he wanted a place to house all of his electronics, stand alone speakers and his large flat screen TV.

So I was tasked with providing storage for his electronics and TV, incorporate color and tie in his sofa along with the more rustic elements in the space.  Common sense told me that we needed to do something custom to fit all the requirements.   I immediately set out seeking inspiration for the piece.  During my research, I ran across this image from Mondrian ……

It was instantly struck by the colors and the clean lines.  It led me to do a quick sketch of this…….

I worked with the fantastic team at Oak and Wood to bring my drawing to reality.  After a few back and forth’s with the client and myself, we agreed on this design……

See the Mondrian inspiration?  We all agreed that we could leave the speakers out of the final piece as the client would probably downsize.  However, we did create space for all his electronics in the “tower” to the left, creating a false bottom so we could place a power cord and only snake out a single plug.  The television will sit on top and the drawers will hide all those cords and things that we all seem to have.

A few months later and I could not be happier with the final piece…..

It has all the elements we needed to tie the room together but still hold true to the urban vibe the client desired.  It’s a beautiful piece and I am not saying that just because I designed it!  It is going to be the jewel in the living room and I can’t wait to get the space done!

Need design services?  Feel free to email me to inquire!  Okay I am off to a photo shoot – details to come shortly!  Have a GREAT weekend……

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Talking Out Loud with Miles 112…..

Talking Out Loud is where I talk to young entrepreneurs and artisans about their careers, the path of how they got there and what lies on the horizon for them.  It’s their thoughts, their words and their journey…….

I was recently introduced to the furniture line Miles 112 and it’s owner and creative director, Benjamin Hall.  I was immediately smitten with his work – the lines are beautiful, the materials luxe and it feels how custom furniture should…..as if it was designed just for you and only you.  It is this attention to detail that found me inviting him to create a capsule collection for my Joy & Revelry store.  The three piece collection distills what Benjamin does best —- beautiful quality pieces for the modern home.

I sat down with Benjamin and we talked about his career path, his inspirations and what he thinks is the greatest compliment someone could give him……

Why opening up a furniture store?  There are so many different types of stores to open, so what did you see that was “missing” from the home goods landscape?

It wasn’t a calculated decision. I was personally developing pieces that inspired me to imagine. I have a tendency to want to rethink things we already take for granted. This is my mentality and it’s pointless to explore if you don’t share your journey and discoveries. That’s why my shop exists.

Can you share a little about your background?  Did you always know you wanted to be an artisan?

I grew up loving to draw and helping my dad with carpentry projects. It wasn’t until I went to college for architecture that I found a concrete application of those two passions.

Your designs have a fluidity and balance to them?  What inspired the 3 pieces that are currently featured in the pop-up store?

It’s difficult to say there is a divine inspiration that the three share, but I can say that these three items all share my interest in steel. The planters are about repurposing a commodity item. The two chairs are about sitting in a frame that acts like a spring with or around our body.

  When creating a new furniture piece which comes first, the design or the material?

 This is tough because my mind is subconsciously hardwired to the properties of all sorts of materials, so when I put pencil to paper I usually already know what the material is internally. My biggest problem is when I play the game of switching materials. This typically sends me back to the drawing board for a whole new design.

In your opinion, what makes a “”good chair”?

 This is difficult because, like architecture, the needs or comfort change as you get older. I used to love big puffy chairs that I would sink into, but then I got older and realized that I had very poor posture, partly due to how I was sitting in chairs. Then, I developed back problems when building. With those needs in mind, I developed the chair “Modesto,” which has a low-to-the-ground slung cowhide with a simple steel frame. At first look, you might not even know it is a chair, but oddly enough this chair has done wonders for my back. That being said, a good chair is a chair you like to be in.

 Your job is something that many consider a hobby, so it begs to ask what do you do for fun? 

 It’s true, designing and building furniture is a hobby, passion, and a dream. My day job is applying these attributes to architecture, but when I step away from design altogether to have fun, it’s to do outdoorsy things.

If money was no object, is there a furniture piece that you would go out and buy for yourself?

I have always been a big fan of the work of Poul Kjaerholm. I find his work way ahead of the times and much more rich than the Eames, especially when you look closely at the details.

At one time, furniture was bought, as something you know would be passed down from generation to generation.  You are creating heirloom quality pieces that I see future generations coveting, so with that said, what do you think could be the greatest compliment someone could say about your pieces in 50 years?

That’s really kind to hear. I’d would be honored if my work was coveted. I suppose the greatest compliment would not be a verbal one, but instead a visual one. Most of my work is made from natural materials that, when used often, leave a patina. The quality of the patina is a direct story of how much the piece is loved.

A big thank you to Benjamin for sharing his insight and thoughts.  As I said, I am excited to be working with Benjamin on this capsule collection and hope you enjoy it to!  To see more pics of the pieces, visit my Joy & Revelry store.

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Motivational Monday: Entertaining …..

Entertaining guests is one of my favorite things.  I love touring folks around San Francisco and wine country, cooking fancy meals and having the opportunity to open the “good wine”.  Guests mean I can splurge on cut flowers, spruce up the guest room and indulge myself a day or two to rediscover the area I call home.  I wholeheartedly believe that being a good host is part of paying it forward with friends and family.

Well for three days…… On the fourth day, you get cold cereal in the morning, directions to the airport and a bus pass.  I say this in jest, but I do believe that there is an art to being a good host and I share my tips and recommendations in my June column for SheKnows.com where I discuss how to prep your home for the inevitable summer visitor…..

Special thanks to Kelley L. Moore for allowing us to shoot in her beautiful San Francisco home and my partner in crime Adza for capturing the images.  Writing this month’s column got my itching to spruce up my guest room but alas I think I need to turn my attention to the master bedroom.  So many designs and so little time and money…..

So this week, I ask that you be gracious and kind to those who visit you whether it be at home or work.  Once a stranger but your actions may soon make them your friend!  Have a great week!!!

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Joy & Revelry White Box Challenge……

What happens when you give three of the most awesome ladies of the blog world access to one fantastic gold coral vase?  Simply put…magic!  I asked Cassie of Hi Sugarplum, Courtney of A Thoughtful Place and Erika of BluLabel Bungalow to participate in a “White Box Challenge” for my Joy & Revelry store.  They had no idea what I was going to send them when they agreed to the task.  What they received was one of my favorite accessories from my store, the gold coral vase .  Here is a short video talking about why I love this piece so much…….

Each of the ladies tackled styling the vase in their own unique way……

Hi Sugarplum

A Thoughtful Place

BlueLabel Bungalow

Check out each of their vignettes and learn what they think of the vase.  I am just so excited to see how amazing the piece looks in three different spaces!   I am now itching to get one of my own and style it for the house!

Alrighty — I am off to finish an install and hopefully have a relaxing weekend!  I wish each of you the same!

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Play Date: Pottery Barn Photo Shoot…..

A few weeks ago, I was asked by the kind folks at Pottery Barn if I would participate in a project they were doing to celebrate summer and to introduce their vintage lawn bowling product.  Somehow, through a random series of events, I ended up being one of the models for the shoot thus leading me to the following conclusions:

1) Models work hard…..

2) Models have to wear uncomfortable outfits

3) Models get to have a sh*t ton of fun while working

The below shot proves my point……

But in any case, check out the Pottery Barn Blog, Inside & Out for the full shoot.  And I think there may be a video floating around in the ether — I will post that to the Facebook page if I can find it!  Until then, you can bask in my feeble attempts at lawn bowling …..which I thought I would ROCK and alas I didn’t which leads me to my final conclusion…..all lawn games are better when you have a cute date and booze!

[all photos courtesy of Kirsten Julia Photography.]

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