Latest Project: A Hacienda Inspired Whimsical Kitchen

As a designer I have designed projects both big and small, and over the years I have found both extremely enjoyable for different reasons.  One of my favorite aspects of working on a single room project is the transformation you can often make by using a single material.  In the case of the whimsical hacienda style kitchen, my material of choice was paint.  

Thats right!  A complete face-lift on this kitchen using only paint.  No contractors, just paint!!!!

Like my Moroccan sitting room I designed several years ago for the St. Matthew's Dickens House in Hillsborough, this kitchen is an example of designing with a theme in mind.

And I just loved designing with the hacienda theme the client chose because all items we used were the client's treasures from his travels with his family.  Check out the before and after photos:

BEFORE

AFTER

Paint and glazing -- using a reclaimed board as the shelf over the window with a tequila bottle collection displayed.  Cactus' displayed in the window.  

Peruvian pottery displayed throughout the space.

A complete kitchen facelift-- in a matter of days!

Latest Project: Hillsborough Library

Home Libraries are inspiring.  They are one of the few rooms in the home that are a bridge between a public and private space.  Living rooms can be created just to impress.  Bedrooms can be created just to soothe.  But libraries always have to consider function along side the aesthetics of the space.  And in this blend the observer can get a glimpse about the people and families who live in the home.

In arranging libraries, I learn about the client's travels, heritage, hobbies, work, -- their education.  Their personal goals and aspirations.  I learn about their work style and even their sense of humor.

Big or small, we all have libraries of some type - it could be a stack of magazines and catalogs, or a small bookcase in the corner of your room.  Whether a stack of books or the span of an entire room, your personal library gives the observer a glimpse of "you."


In this particular project I was commissioned to design a beautiful wood paneled library.

Our goal was to create a comfortable space to slip away to for reading or work. I imagined this space to be a wood paneled "think tank", that had all the comforts required for work or reflection.  With the splendor of the bookcase that creates the backdrop for the room, I had to make sure that the furnishings could stand-up to the drama and beauty of that piece.

I choose a palate that was both rich in color and texture.  Deep red velvet for the sofa, accented with a contrasting rope welting finish on seat cushion.

For the side chairs I chose regal napoleonic bee pattern.   I accented the sitting area with woven damask pillows trimmed with tassels and a singular lumbar pillow in a rich autumnal yellow finished with a beautiful greek key tape trim.

Window coverings are the one element of the room where you can layer on the pattern and trim details without it looking "overdone."  For the library I choose an updated Asian chinoiserie finished in a tassel trim but chose a simple, parred-down window treatment style of a relaxed flat roman shade as a juxtaposition to formalness of the fabric.

      

The end goal the client requested was a comfortable and intriguing space for work and play.  Mission accomplished.