Rooms affect moods. Having a clear, well-appointed home is just plain good for your emotional and physical health. What that looks like is different for each person and the unique architecture in which they find themselves. We approach every new project with this in mind and without preconceptions. We tailor each room for its occupants with a creative and bespoke approach. A shared respect for people, our environment, and a sense of history informs our design sensibility. We frame our designs through this lens, which is why you will find that we love to use natural materials and lots of upcycled, repurposed pieces in our work.
Houses must work. Sensible layout, classic details, & quality workmanship are key to making and keeping a space functional and long-lasting. To make such a house, Michelle & Audra engage with artisans, builders, and vendors known for the integrity of their work and wares. They love to connect their clients with the right people to conjure wellmade, comfortable spaces. Their work strives to enhance the lives of their clients through design and provide a sense of wellbeing.
Decorating is fun. Building a new house or redesigning an apartment is serious work… but don’t forget to live a little! Michelle and Audra are always looking for creative ways to infuse a project with color, pattern, and texture. The right mix of these elements can make a room sing.
PROCESS
What is our typical design process?
At the beginning of the design process, we will talk over the phone and have an informal client interview where you tell us about your project. If we all agree the project is a good fit, we visit your space for a design consultation. We then follow up with meeting notes and a proposal for services. Once terms are agreed upon, we get to work!
At the onset, our main goal is to create environments for our clients that can grow and evolve with them, to set a stage for their lives. So much of interior design is about editing over time and how our clients plan to use their space in the future.
A good design begins with drawing inspiration from our client and their space. Be it their home, favorite place to work, or a branded boutique project, we begin by gathering as much information as we can about our client’s tastes, surroundings, and how they envision the final product.
CREATIVITY
How do we inject creativity into a project?
The creative design process is an exploration. Intense brainstorming of concepts in color, pattern, and texture. Imagining. Drawing. Working out details. Stepping back and looking at a problem from many angles. Always collecting ideas, collaging forms, and layering elements. And finally, editing all the ideas down to the perfect ensemble.
From there we pitch and present ideas to clients and collaborators as a sounding board. This is where an evolution often takes place. With design and construction, the best outcomes are usually honed and formed by responding to constraints and unexpected variables. And sometimes you get that one great idea, out of the blue, that simply works. It’s all part of the process!
IMPLEMENTATION
How do we make it all work?
Our formal design training and work experience have shown us the importance of using systems to manage real world projects. We typically follow these phases of design for each project:
CONSULTATION / PROGRAMMING Define goals and objectives for the project with a detailed scope for each space.
BUDGET / SCHEMATICS Develop 2-3 design schemes which incorporate space planning, furniture layouts, material and finishes, furniture styles, and color palettes.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT Further develop and tailor the scheme for the clients’ needs. Finalize floor plans, interior elevations and details of bathrooms, kitchens, and custom cabinetry. Colors and finishes are honed; furniture, fabrics, and equipment are selected.
PROCUREMENT Designer presents client proposals for each item to be purchased for final approval and payment. Items are ordered, tracked, and stored, and scheduled for delivery.
INSTALLATION / PROJECT MANAGEMENT Meet with architect and contractors to specify and answer all design and construction questions. Oversee the installation of rugs, furniture, wall coverings, window treatments, art, and accessories on site for the final reveal.
