OVERVIEW
Like staring at a blank page as I begin to write this, staring at a lot of large empty rooms when you move into a new house poses the usual suspects of conundrums. Where do I start? How do I fill the space? How many edits will I have to go through? How long will it take to complete? (Well, writing a small website entry versus filling a room with furniture are two totally different timelines!)
Once in a while, when I stage a client’s house, I get invited to their new property to help out with cosmetic and technical changes: paint, furnishings, handyperson tasks, audio/visual requirements (which always should be mapped out and executed before anything else as it typically involves punching holes in walls!) and more.
In this project my client’s were moving to a much larger property that involved furnishing completely empty rooms along with coordinating existing built in upholstery work with new fabrics in the kitchen. Despite the seemingly fun (it is fun!) tasks, there is a lot of planning, project managment and coordinating to make all of this all happen. Thankfully, and weirdly to some who know me, I relish the minutae and enjoy executing projects just as much as the creative stuff!
With any decorating project like this, taking detailed measurements, paying close attention to materials and colours to ensure balance and flow (especially in this large open space) and most importantly determining how the clients will use these spaces are all taken into consideration. (I think the tones of wood in the Restoration Hardware furniture in the kitchen worked out especially well with the flooring and existing materials!
Scope of work for this project included:
*furnishing family room *sourcing rugs for family room, dining room, upstairs landing *sourcing furnishings and art for upstairs landing (check out the amazing Canvas Gallery online or in person - they only work with Canadian artists, and they have a fantastic collection that appeals to many tastes - the clients made their final selections from this gallery) *sourcing dining room chairs *reupholstering inherited built-in banquette and stools in kitchen (I had some Restoration Hardware stools custom upholstered which was totally worth the effort and not that expensive) *furnishing eat-in kitchen and breakfast bar *assisting with new A/V needs *hanging art and mirrors (yes, those mirrors in the family room are from Pottery Barn, they are stunning, and yes they are very heavy!!!, and did require a lot of measuring, grunting and groaning from myself and the handyman to get these installed). The results were worth it - I ike the reflection of light and the balancing out of this space a bit more by creating more depth on the fireplace wall.
Services provided:
I particpated in this project in numerous capacities:
*fabric, furniture, rug, accessory selection *shopping with clients *art consultation *project management *booking and working with upholsters, A/V company, furniture companies
WHAT THE CLIENT SAID
“Kathleen’s creative approach and efficiency was great. We appreciated her attention to detail in mapping out delivery dates, costs and keeping our project on track. We love our new spaces.”
Grace