Our Design Studio Story
Hi friends! I’m so glad you’re here and I’m thrilled to be sharing the story behind our Studio & Showroom. If you’ve been following along on Instagram then you’ve surely seen our space in action, but in this blog we’re taking a deep dive into it alllll. We’re sharing with you our design process, materials and links to some of our favorite items for you to shop!
First, we need to go back in time. In 2022, the world was still overcoming the challenges from the Pandemic. People had been spending SO much time in their homes, which in turn made the idea of home (and the comfort and functionality it provides) more important than ever. At this time we saw a huge increase of clients who were ready to reimagine their homes and it seemed like everyone was ready for a remodel! As business started to boom, we began expanding in our previous location. It was a shared office situation and we’d take over a new suite everytime we needed more space. It eventually got to the point where we basically occupied the entire building! While those tiny suites hold so many wonderful memories, we had nowhere left to grow. We dreamed of creating one cohesive space - a Studio for our designers to work, a Showroom to display our gorgeous material collections and a retail shop where people could source our handpicked home decor and accessories.
When we decided to take the leap of faith and expand, we toured commercial spaces for months and found them all to be sad and dreary with low ceilings and little natural light. The moment we walked into our current space we knew it was beyond perfect! Not only was it absolutely flooded with gorgeous natural light and tall ceilings - but it was ready for build-out (no rooms, flooring, cabinetry, or paint selections had yet been made!) We were thrilled to be able to completely customize the space to our needs and fill it with life and personality.
Now, let’s jump on in and explore our space!
step inside!
Just like with clients, we gathered tons of inspiration, made a list of our wants, needs, and non-negotiables to create a cohesive design plan. We knew that we wanted the vibe of the space to be modern and organic with moody pops. I love spaces that showcase a beautiful balance of earthy elements paired with rich colors, playful patterns & fabulous textures and I wanted that to be apparent the moment people stepped inside.
For this front entry area, we closed in the existing opening, which allowed us to create this beautiful tile feature wall AND a sizeable storage room…something every designer needs in their life!
For the finishes, we’ve always loved this Honed Fan Deco Porcelain Tile from Bedrosians and knew it would make a striking statement. By choosing dark, thin grout we acheived a seamless look…so seamless in fact, that most people think it’s wallpaper! Our brushed gold sign was custom made on Etsy and it’s hard to describe the feeling when we finally saw it up on the wall. It made it feel officially, official! Also, big shoutout to our installers. Not only did they have to drill through the tile, but they really only had one shot to get it right and it’s absolutely perfect.
To contrast the dark wall and bring the organic vibe, we ordered this bespoke white oak desk, also from Etsy, then styled the space with some plants and natural woven materials.
For the adjacent entry area, we were super excited about the little inset area because it was perfect for installing floating shelves…and who doesn’t love floating shelves? It’s ideal for displaying our Shop goods and there was even room for a cozy seating area.
We wanted to create a cohesive feel so we painted this wall our favorite black paint color, Iron Ore by Sherwin Williams. This deep charcoal is great for well-lit areas and it wraps the space in a coziness that is perfect for entryways!
SHOP THE LOOK
get comfy
To the left of our entry, we created an inviting, open-concept seating area or as we like to think of it, our living room! We incorporated a beautiful balance of modern lines and organic materials to add to the welcoming and homey feel.
As a team of creatives and avid stylists, we enjoy mixing up the vibe in this space from time to time. We especially love switching up the decor to reflect each season which provides styling inspiration for our clients and guests.
Behind the seating area is a conference table that is in constant use. Whether it’s for team meetings, client presentations, or large events, this area is always buzzing with energy!
On the back wall, mounting a Samsung Frame TV was the obvious choice. It's perfect for displaying presentations at our remodel workshops, showing 3D renderings to clients, or having team meetings and sharing our work. Plus, when we're not using it, we can display beautiful artwork from its library. We love swapping out the art to keep the vibe fresh and exciting!
SHOP THE LOOK
doors galore
Now let’s talk about all the beautiful materials in our space! We have displays everywhere - it’s like a candy shop of remodel materials and we’ve displayed them in a way that invites our visitors to play and explore. Every inch of our Studio is thoughtfully curated and designed with warm and homey elements that are woven throughout the entire space. The idea is that people can really immerse themselves in design, feel at home, discover and get inspired!
Are you noticing a theme yet? Yes, we love a black wall. It adds a rich feeling to the space, and it really allows all the materials to pop, like our stunning collection of cabinet doors. Over the years, we’ve expanded our cabinet collections to consist of both semi-custom and custom lines that feature a wide range of price points, styles and finishes.
While some showrooms display cabinets at an angle, we wanted ours to be front facing so that visitors can touch, feel and admire their beauty. Also, because they aren’t affixed to the wall, they can be pulled down and easily matched with other finishes, like hardware, that we have stored in this beautiful waterfall counter island.
Tile for days
There are SO many variations of tile so we needed a lot of space to display our samples. This slat wall was installed at our previous Studio and fortunately, we were able to keep it intact during the move and reapply it here! From hex tile, to subway, to natural stone mosaics, we have tile to compliment every and any design style.
This area was also perfect to add another little seating area and this sleek, modern pedestal table makes for a sophisticated workspace. With a fun assortment of dining chair styles, clients can do a “sit test” and explore different options for their home.
In addition to our display wall, there are floor stands with 12” x 24” options and multiple drawer and countertop displays - all housing a stunning variety of tile.
You’ll also find flooring, counters, wallpaper and other gorgeous remodel materials showcased throughout the space!
The heart of the studio
Just like a kitchen is the heart of the home, this kitchen is the heart of our Studio and it might be our favorite area in the entire space! So much thought went into this kitchen, and we are just thrilled with the result. We first and foremost wanted our clients to be able to visualize an array of cabinet styles and finishes. We chose three cabinet styles, all with different hardware, to showcase multiple pairing options.
While cabinetry is aesthetic, it’s above all, functional. Behind each cabinet door is an an array of custom inserts to showcase the incredible organizational features that are available. From spice holders, to tray inserts, to utensil drawers, these options ensure that everything has a place and that everything is in its place. We love hearing the “oooohs” and “ahhhhs” as visitors discover what’s behind each door and imagine the potential organization of their future kitchens!
Due to the multiple cabinet styles in the kitchen, we needed to find counters and backsplash materials that would complement each one while channeling the modern organic feel we were aiming to create.
We KNEW we wanted natural stone because we just loooove the elevated feel it provides and its ability to create a warm and inviting ambiance. When we paired this Daltile Namaste & Thassos Capsule marble mosaic with this Daltile Crystalize quartzite slab, it was like the stars aligned. They were clearly meant for each other and they have become some of our most asked about materials.
SHOP THE LOOK
Co-Working Spaces
Workrooms were a must (after all, this is a fully functioning design studio) so we built out these two co-working spaces for our team. Each one has its own unique vibe, equally inspiring, which makes them wonderful spaces for design development and collaboration.
Fun fact: The exterior wall of the offices features Redend Point, the Sherwin Williams 2023 Color of the Year! We had the intention of updating it every year but we’re just loving how it perfectly complemenets the rug, artwork and wallpaper, so for now we’re sticking with this dreamy terracotta hue.
When we first designed this co-working room, we left the walls blank, waiting until we found the perfect wallpaper to jazz it up. We had a few options but ended up with this deco-inspired crane wallpaper that gives the space a stunning, monochromatic vibe. The double monitors and standing desks are great for creating beautiful 3D renderings and computer presentations while the custom built-in shelves house all our functional needs, like extra cords, notebooks, pens and other necessities.
SHOP THE LOOK
buzzing with personality
No workspace is complete without a place to refuel and our coffee bar offers both bold design and bold flavors! Here, our team can quickly whip up an afternoon pick-me-up and visitors can enjoy a caffeine boost while browsing our space and getting inspired!
To complement the other wood tones in the space, we chose this rich, walnut skinny shaker cabinetry and paired it with charming half-moon brushed bronze hardware. As you know, we love black and white but really wanted to kick it up a notch and add a bit of drama to this area. Handcrafted in Morocco, this abstract Popham Tile is an absolute SHOWSTOPPER and creates a fun surprise moment that everyone loves!
SHOP THE LOOK:
The finishing touches
Last but not least, the finishing touches! This corner in the front of our Studio was the perfect layout for our boutique retail shop. I always dreamed of having a curated shop where our designers could pull items for their clients and where someone looking for a little interior refresh could just pop in and shop.
When it comes to decor and accessories, there are just so many options out there in the world, so I wanted to create a shop with quality, beautiful pieces that are guaranteed to look fabulous. Everything here is designer loved & approved and displayed in a way that provides instant styling inspiration!
Designing this space has been a true labor of love and the ultimate passion project. It’s SO much more than a Design Studio & Showroom. It’s a place where our designers and clients can meet and review their projects and where someone tackling their own remodel can come select materials. Fellow interior designers can also tap into what we’ve created and join our growing design community, everyone is welcome!
We hope you found lots of inspiration and plan to visit soon!
feeling inspired?
If you’re looking to kick-start a project, let’s connect! Working with a Designer will not only save you from making costly mistakes but help the overall project go more smoothly.
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