VINTAGE PIECES, REUPHOLSTERED HEIRLOOMS, AND CUSTOM TEXTILES MARK THIS EXCEPTIONAL LIVING SPACE.

This project started less than a year after officially opening the studio, so I was still green to say the least. However, I could tell immediately that my client, Josie, and I were on the same page about what she was hoping to accomplish. After decades raising a family in this stunning Albany, CA oasis, she was ready to really give each room a total overhaul. The living room already had some great pieces, including the sofa and ottoman, but desperately needed a facelift. We changed the layout to center her sofa on the window and I found a gorgeous antique rug from Frances Loom that really grounds the space. In her storage space, Josie had two really beautiful mid-century armchairs, but the fabric was totally washed out so we reupholstered them in a stunning green velvet-patterned fabric that really makes the room pop. Adding a few more side tables and strategically placed floor lamps, my client now has the most luxurious space to entertain guests.

The upstairs lounge presented a greater challenge because it was a completely empty space and open to the stairwell, which meant we needed to figure out how to make it blend with the rest of the home while also distinct from the main living room. Josie envisioned a little retreat for her and her husband – a place to enjoy an evening cocktail or play a little piano. Her favorite color is blue, so I thought “why not make it ALL blue?” By layering different hues and textures together, we were able to keep the space dynamic enough to hold such a bold palette. I particularly love the way the grasscloth wallpaper blends with the mohair loveseat and armchair, which we had custom made in Berkeley. The mid-century accents also shine, like the sputnik ceiling fixture, thick patterned curtains, marble coffee table, and vintage bar cabinet my client snagged at a local reseller.

The guest bathroom off the lounge also needed a facelift. While we weren’t willing to completely redo the tile work, we decided to make it work by adding the same wainscoting around the room that we added to her main stairwell, and create a mystical forest feel with this gold floral wallpaper and glass light fixtures. The intention, throughout this home, is for every room to have its own unique identity. While there are parallels across spaces, ultimately you walk into a different vibe from space to space, allowing each room to have its own functionality and feel. I’m so proud of this project, it’s truly a crowning achievement of my first years in business.