Before and After: Ocean Floral Living Room
When this amazing energetic woman approached us, she was frustrated with a living space that had been through many iterations with the furnishings she had in her home. Each time, the feeling just was not quite right. Something was missing and she couldn’t put her finger on it.
Ocean Floral Living Room- Before:
The home has a phenomenal view and the wall of windows is meant to accentuate this fantastic view. Our homeowner wanted to replace and reupholster her upholstered pieces, and was open to additional recommendations.
We noticed immediately that we needed to use scale to accentuate, rather than detract from the views. We focused on creating unity in the space with a consistent color that ties together a whimsical, colorful space.
Balance was also key to this space. Our goal was to move the taller items to the perimeter and wall, allowing lower pieces to be central, drawing the eye to the focal point- the view.
The image to the right illustrates our intent using tone as well as the height at the perimeter spaces, becoming lighter and lower as we become more centralized.
The design process of custom furniture is definitely a process- sketches, selections, coordination, ordering, shipping, inspection, and finally delivery!
The biggest challenge came during the next phase though when it was time to make the selections. The furnishings were a natural choice and our sketches for what we wanted were almost immediately approved (with a few minor adjustments). Rugs proved to be a bit more challenging. Because we were looking for something cost-effective and quite large, a made-to-order rug was not appropriate, which meant a lot… a LOT of browsing websites, offering suggestions, and reviewing the owner’s suggestions. I think we ended up in a pretty good spot!
The room is an interesting shape, which divided it into three different zones. As we worked through the project, we determined that the homeowner liked to use one space as a reading/office space, the large open area as a social and relaxation space, and the third area as a media/entertainment space.
The ottomans and sofas were custom-designed, down to the construction method, cushion material (a sustainable FSC-Certified Latex fill was used for all upholstered pieces), and the piping on the sofa which was the same GreenGuard fabric provided on the ottomans!
The living area is divided into three distinct zones due to its unique shape. This area is a media room. We designed custom swivel chairs just the right size for the space and custom-sized to our client as well. Again, we focused on sustainable construction (formaldehyde-free, FSC-Certified wood framing with FSC-certified latex cushion fills). It is great to know that not only will our client be comfortable in her pieces, but she will also be healthy and we did not harm the environment with our selections.
These pillows were the highlight for our client- colorful, whimsical, and so suiting to her buoyant personality!
Occasionally we get clients that are so fantastic and we learn so much about them in the process, that a perfect finishing touch presents itself. In this case, these amazing trays created by Dorotea Ceramics were the perfect final touch for our custom ottomans.
This project was such fun to work on and we are thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with someone who shares many of our same values. No animals were harmed for this project- it is an entirely vegan project! Additionally, we created a comfortable space that is sustainable with no harmful VOC’s to off-gas in this home. It seems like a perfect place for Bailey:
Bailey was a bit intimidated by all the hubbub, and being such a well-behaved dog, she wouldn’t lay down on the rug- only in her casita. What a good girl!
Now it is time that I reveal my secret weapon… because there is no chance this installation would have been as successful as it was without our new design assistant. Remember the amazing friendship I spoke of with our client at the Needlecreek Bedroom? Well, about a year after we did his space, he realized his passion for the work and started school for interior design! I am absolutely ecstatic to have this amazing man on our team. His natural talent for decor balances my natural talent for color and our technical skills and attention to detail combined is a duo that can’t be beat. I will have to wait another few years before I get him full-time, but I will absolutely be ready to fight for him to accept a full-time position at Waldron Designs at that time.
My secret weapon and closest friend (my ringer when he calls is Golden Girls “Thank You for Being a Friend”), and incredibly talented design assistant. I hope to have him around for many, many years.
This project is amazing, right?
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Imagine having a designer draw up furnishings specific to your space (over choosing from parts and pieces in a catalog or from a showroom floor). There is no one else in the world that will have these furnishings. They were made entirely for YOU (well, these were made for her).
Every finish is your choice, every fabric is your choice.
The pieces are constructed out of kiln-dried wood, harvested in sustainable ways. The fabrics are Greenguard approved. The air you breathe in your home is not tainted by the off-gassing of foam cushions. You are not sitting on the feathers plucked from live geese.
We develop these pieces, then have them built exclusively for our clients. They are then shipped to a warehouse where they are inspected at the time of delivery for any possible damage. From there, the pieces are delivered in your home by a highly practiced team who can also help to remove your existing furnishings (they will not haul them, but can move them to your garage or another room).
All this is done while you’re out on a lunch-date, at the spa, or running errands. When you come home, a new space awaits.
No packing materials. No dust-bunnies (yes, we clean as we go!). No shoving pieces around trying to establish JUST the right spot.
What do you think? Is it your turn?
All photos by Catie Bergman Photography
