“I believe that telling the homeowner’s personal story is paramount, understanding our surroundings is our bedrock, and adding more than a bit of drama and romanticism is necessary.”– LAURA UMANSKY
Interior design is a great way to tell your story and have your home be a reflection of who you really are. Our collaborative process is a guided experience that supports your design story, articulating your personal joys into a thoughtful and authentic space.
We honor what matters most to you by celebrating your own unique aesthetic. We push the boundaries with bold creativity, surrounding you with textures, tones, and a timelessness you simply cannot live without. With exceptional care, we uncover the art that lies within your day to day, those treasured moments spent with family, and the memories you will hold for a lifetime.
Telling a Story with Interior Design
What makes a truly great interior design project? We’d say, when everything runs smoothly ranks right up there! But that never happens, so…it’s got to be when the end result = an ecstatically happy client.
One in particular comes to mind. We were prepping for the final install and our lead designer picked out some accessories she just knew the client would love. Turns out, that when the client saw them in her home, she came to us and said, “I was just about to buy those! How did you know?!”
Your home is more than a collection of things. It’s a reflection of you, your lifestyle, and your personality.
Over the years, we’ve had some pretty interesting clients, and seeing their faces at the final reveals has been priceless. Getting to live in a space that is so reflective of who they are is really the ultimate goal in residential interior design. So today, on the Journal, we want to share some of our best design stories.
Design Storytelling Tip 1: Telling a Story with Collections
Home to a travel-loving young couple, this Indo-Asian-inspired space was influenced by our clients’ wanderlust. Splitting their time between Houston and Europe, our clients needed a space that was a sanctuary and an homage to their most beloved trips and art pieces.
In the picture above, you get a small peek into their lives. Burgeoning art collectors, this couple loves having their favorite pieces on display along with artisanal ceramics and a Chinese tea set they grabbed on one of their trips abroad.
Yes, there is a mixture of styles here. And it works! We kept the color palette desert-like: terracotta, sienna, rust, and sand. This earthy backdrop grounds the mingling of styles into one cohesive design. This not only works visually, but makes our clients happy to come home.
Showcasing your collections is a unique way to add personality to your interiors. Whether you collect vintage barware, antique mirrors or tea sets, don’t be afraid to display something you’re passionate about.
Design Storytelling Tip 2: Telling a Story with Your Family History
We love learning about our clients. It’s absolutely essential to have a good relationship because our projects can take years to complete. We get to know each other pretty well over time!
Take the image above. Our client’s Indian background inspired this gorgeous, worldly space. We chose a neutral color palette layered with luxe textures and pops of bright color. The ornate cocktail table and footstools are representative of the traditional architecture found in India. It’s a subtle and timeless nod to the client’s culture, while remaining modern.
We love to blend traditional with contemporary, old with new. Display your family heirlooms or make sure to make memories with art or accessories that commemorate a specific time in your life. Laura and her husband, Michael, celebrate their anniversaries with a new art piece every year!
Design Storytelling Tip 3: Telling a Story with Your Interests
The key to designing timeless interiors is to blend form and function. How you use a space is just as important as how it looks.
In this client’s California retreat, we created a laid back, airy sitting space on the landing of their second floor. We’ve detailed the Encino retreat several times, and it was featured in Rue Magazine last year. One of our favorite spots in their home is a wine tasting room that we converted in a meditation space. The homeowner’s mindfulness practice was a huge influence on the entire design.
It’s a little boho, a little glam, and oh-so-chic. The white walls are atmospheric and calm, allowing the contrast of the black rattan to really pop. The woven fan chairs and lush plant bring the outdoors in and add natural texture. While the chairs create beautiful symmetry and the gold mirrors add a luxe touch. The client’s beloved portrait of Gandhi adds the perfect personal finishing touch. It’s a relaxing space that invites you in.
If you practice yoga, set aside a place for your routine, so you can indulge regularly and happily. If you love to read and write, turn your den into a library. If you love to cook, create the kitchen of your dreams!
Interior design, as we practice it, is truly a luxury. Human hands touch every corner. Human minds plan out the formation of objects, the colors of rooms. We create, design, and build custom pieces that are uniquely scaled to our clients’ homes. It is a highly personal experience that results in a highly personal space.
BE INTENTIONAL
It doesn’t matter whether your style is eclectic, contemporary, traditional, bohemian or anything in between. We believe in intentionally designing a home that’s tailored to you. Check out some of our other favorite projects that really spoke to our clients’ unique tastes and personalities.
Our English-born client brought a little of her homeland into her new home.
Our client loved showcasing these antique mirrors, which are family heirlooms.
Our clients are now professional grandparents, and created a kid-friendly home.
So, What’s Your Interior Design Story?
Turn what you love, what matters to you into a beautiful story you can tell throughout every room of your home. We’ve had interior design clients come in from all over the world, with a variety of interests and from many different backgrounds. This is why each one of our projects looks so unique!
Check out our Instagram for more pics and get inspired to write your story through design.