With 2017 around the corner, our team had the idea of rolling out something new and fun and pretty candid to share with you, our loyal readers and design mavens. We’re pleased to introduce The Dressed Nest, a before and after series featuring some of our favorite design projects over the years.
Oftentimes we get so caught up in the excitement of installing a project and making sure our clients and homeowners get everything they need to make their house a home, that we forget to document the process and cherish the little victories, like when everything arrives on time, or personalized accessories turn out even better than we imagined. With The Dressed Nest, we want to give you a behind the scenes look at our process, our design ideas, and how our team operates. So without further ado, meet Bit of Black!
Our family of four (plus a fur child) were looking for a comfortable place to call home. Calling out low-maintenance and welcoming as their top requests, our designers, Lori Brazier and Katie Tomlinson, got to work.
Katie: Being a brand new home for the family, they were actually thrilled with how the previous owners had styled the space. Once they settled on a neutral color palette featuring primarily shades of black, white, and gray, we sprinkled in warm leathers, textures, and family heirlooms to customize the space to their specifications.
Lori: Our clients wanted a home that could serve as the epicenter of entertainment for their kids, doubling as a homework station or sleepover central when necessary. Overall, their vision was a sophisticated but easily-maintained space everyone could enjoy.
When our designers stepped into the ‘before’ space they were actually pretty excited.
Katie: We had a blank canvas! The home was already a great backdrop with beautiful dark hardwood floors, smooth creamy white walls, and great built-ins that were original to the home.
Lori: The previous owners had done a beautiful job with the space, so we were excited we could layer onto an already well-maintained foundation with rich leathers, textured neutrals, and lots of contrast.
Katie and Lori teamed up with the homeowners to create a space that was warm and inviting, specifically targeting the family room and dining space. The home had so much potential to be cool and sophisticated, but needed to maintain its approachability, especially with a pup on the loose.
Katie: The leather sectional took a little extra nudging, and because we used it as a jumping off point, it was crucial to the design of the family room. We went back and forth between ourselves and the client between fabric or leather, trying to find something that would pass the scratch test. Once we found the right leather, everything else fell into place from there.
And the reaction once the finished project was installed?
Katie: Pure JOY! After moving into the house without any furniture, our homeowners were so happy to have it furnished with their favorite things.
Lori: So much excitement and appreciation. Even the youngest boy ran through the house exclaiming that it was all so beautiful! Definitely the cherry on top of a wonderful project.
Out of respect to our clients, we do not reveal our sources. Please contact our design team for any product or design inquiries!
