Design Challenge - 6 Weeks to Install and on a Budget

March 16, 2021

I just completed a project with a client who challenged me to complete a project in six weeks and on a tight budget. He has a very cool condo in the Warehouse District complete with natural wooden pillars, brick masonry and a fabulous glass staircase rail. We started with a blank canvas - living dining open plan, outdoor space, two bedrooms and baths and a home office had to be completely furnished. I immediately thought: this space deserves a vibe that's hip, industrial, modern and fun! I was also super excited to work with the outdoor space - sliding glass doors open to the space from the living room. I saw a clear extension out into the open space and I knew I could create an outdoor living space. We knew we couldn't wait for custom pieces and our budget didn't call for this kind of high level product so I turned to some resources I had access to through Sotre and I also worked with available stock at West Elm and CB2.

Living Room: I started with a great basic modern sofa from West Elm and added two chairs we had in the store from one of our favorite, hip and budget friendly furniture lines, Dovetail. I added a round coffee table from my personal favorite furniture line, Palecek. Palecek is an eco-friendly, sustainable company that makes most of their furniture with natural plant materials. Palecek quality is really amazing and it costs a little more but the product is worth it. I think the table really helps to center the space. I also chose a natural jute rug from Sotre's in stock vendor, Dash and Albert.

To this I added some fabulous John Robshaw hand-painted peacock pillows and velvet embroidered pillows and a gorgeous mustard-colored Pom throw from Sotre.

In the dining area, I chose a combination ping-pong/dining table and paired it with orange velvet dining chairs from CB2. The rusty orange complemented the stucco and brick wall color and texture.

Unfortunately, Covid has brought unprecedented design delays to the design industry and even though my team tracked everything and checked lead times for all purchases, we received an email from CB2 letting us know that our furniture would not get delivered in time for the install. We had to SCRAMBLE! Sotre had a great oak and brass table in the store and I ending up buying four chairs from Nadeau and staining them to match the table.

We also scrambled for bar chairs as the ones we picked out are still on the same truck with the dining table:

I accessorized with a combination of books, plants and purchased items from World Market. I sent my intern and Teddy, who helps me with retail and styling, to World Market and Michaels and it was amazing what they discovered for almost nothing!

Outside, I chose a bar and stools online, added planters from CB2 and finished with chairs and coffee table from Dovetail!

Downstairs

At the landing, I clearly saw a home office and picked out a functional desk and teal leather and velvet office chair but again.....delays ensued and I ended up finding two zebra chairs which were styled with some accessories from Sotre. We also are fortunate enough to know and love Tony and Tracey Mose and they generously supplied us with art for the project.

Here is the finished look:

The two bedrooms were easy as Sotre has a ton of Queen bedding in stock and many styles to choose from. I went Boho in both bedrooms selecting a mix of bedding from Dea, John Robshaw, Matouk, Sferra and Yves Delorme - just some of my favorite vendors! I also used Sotre as a source for some great bed frames from our vendor Four Hands and some lovely lamps from another of our vendors, Arteriors.

The Sydney Bed and the Lana Woven Headboard: