A few years ago we designed a really dynamic space with a client who had a vision, great taste and energy for the unexpected. Fast forward and we’re circling back to document and share this project post-pandemic - with the lovely gift of their new baby girl in the mix. While you may have seen this home before, it’s worth a revisit to parse out the process and capture the unique vibe of this special family.
First - and this is a dream - the couple came to us asking for a Wes Anderson inspired library. Whether you’re a fan of the filmmaker for not - you owe yourself a swing through the dreamy and quirky visuals of his films. Stark and gorgeous, with technicolor palettes, and juxtaposition of scale, pattern and era - they are a feast for the eyes. In addition to a Friday-night movie marathon, a quick primer in the visual vernacular would be the Instagram account @accidentallywesanderson. This feed can draw you in, so be careful! Only artists at heart would have the bravery to charge such a design manifesto, and despite their training as doctors, this couple had the heart to get out of the box and go for it.
Source: THE CENTRAL TREND
Source: @ACCIDENTALLYWESANDERSON
Housed in a charming 1920’s Spanish colonial, the room is an explosion of color, pattern and detail that works as a sum of its parts. Storage for a well-loved and used book collection was top of the functional list. To that end, a custom bookcase hugs a cozy velvet sofa with reading lights perfect for lounging. Vintage chairs reworked in custom fabric round out the seating to allow the room to service coffee or cocktail socializing and a pair of chairs by the window accommodate sunny days. The couple’s older daughter gets a place of pride with her family heirloom drop-leaf desk for projects or homework. This is a tech-free zone in the home, with cozy lamp light and the fireplace for reading.
Our recent return to the home was full of laughter and the pleasure of meeting their new daughter, Linnie. As a designer, I was thrilled to experience that the punchy chartreuse and black palette was as fresh and inviting as we had remembered. Instead of feeling overwhelming, it’s engaging - drawing you in to a vibe and energy that inspires. Perhaps the highest compliment is that our clients have felt freedom to experiment and express themselves creatively in other areas of their home because they so confidently love the library we created. Facilitating the expression of clients’ personality is truly the best part of our job.
Take a tour here:
