{The First Layer} A Client E – Design Project

Over the summer, I worked with a client to develop her great room into something better suited for her and her family. They love their home and so do I, but it needed to be lighter and brighter with some modern touches. Most of their interior, including the ceiling, walls and floors are wood. We needed to add some contrast and take away some of that wood overload, so that you can truly appreciate the home and its beauty. Let’s take a look at the plan…

The Plan 

This client wanted to just start with the first layer… before we even get into the furniture and accessories, she wanted to lay the initial groundwork and choose the wall color, ceiling color, floor stain, drapery panels and wood stove. They have the space for a wood burning stove, which I thought was so much fun! I got to work, selecting a more modern stove, darker stain for the floors and a lighter color palette for the walls. This board ended up looking more like some of the inspiration boards I do for clients when I want to get a feel for their style. This board helps lay the groundwork for what’s to come in the future. I chose to include interiors that spoke to their style, showed texture, layering and an overall warmth, which they were craving for their home. I proposed they paint the wood walls the top left color on the board and the window trim would be the smoky black color. The fireplace trim would be the creamy color to the right, which compliments without competing with the walls. {Just to explain, I am not against keeping some of the wood walls in their original form, throughout the rest of the home. In some spaces, I am all for staining the wood walls a darker color and working with what you have. But for this particular area, we were looking to lighten the walls. In future rooms, I can picture bedrooms or the entry way with dark stained wood walls. It would be very rustic chic!} I suggested they choose a gray toned brick around the wood stove and lay that out in a herringbone pattern. It would be a chic, subtle way to add texture. The stove surround would be a black stone and would anchor that side of the room. Owning and caring for dogs is their passion, so the brass bookends on the top right of the board gives a glimpse into future accessory pieces. The gorgeous interior on the center right side of the board was designed by Lauren and gives a great example for how we can add layering and texture to their home. I was so excited that my client loved the design! It actually made my week when she wrote and said…

The part that is so special, so validating, so meaningful, really has turned out to be your ability to see the heart & guts of our home.  — you and I are a terrific match. I was absolutely elated to go through the pictures and read your advice.

Wow, that’s really what it’s all about! I truly love what I do and when I have the opportunity to work with such special people, it makes it all worth while. I can’t wait to see how this space comes together. 🙂

To help create a space together that you love, click HERE to get started!