everyone should have a studio

As some of my clients would tell you, I'm in a pattern happy place. This inspiration was fed this past weekend on a visit to Chicago. We saw beautiful Matisse paintings at the Art Institute. I always get so lost in his colorful, pattern clad paintings. We also visited Oak Park Village. Though we did not tour any of the Victorian homes I am day dreaming about their interiors! This week's (and inaugural!) post is a studio. It is a space to express and explore creativity. It is fresh but bold and would work for a large or small room...

Walls

I adore this wallcovering from Lee Jofa. The textured grasscloth is covered in a delicate gold painted geometric pattern. (P2007004 416; 27" W; 18" Repeat; 85% Jute, 15%Cotton)

It would be beautifully paired with a boldly colored palette. In this case we are going to use corals, tangerine oranges, and bright magentas, and rich aubergines.

Paint

Paint your base boards, crowns and window trims in a rich semi-gloss color. Farrow & Ball's Brinjal 222 would be perfect. Its strong plum color will offset the textured wallcovering. Use the Oil Full Gloss finish for all woodwork and doors. Matchstick 2013 in the Estate Emulsion Finish is a nice neutral for the ceiling. (Brinjal left, Matchstick right)

Floors

Wood or concrete floors can be painted an unorthodox color - go for a relaxed coral red shade, such as Farrow & Ball's Blazer 212. F&B has a special finish for floors.

Furniture

Normally I'm not a fan of Chair & 1/2's but this one is too fun to overlook! Mitchell Gold Bob Williams has great quality, reasonably priced upholstery. The best part is that their retail locations allow COM (customer's own material). The Jeanie Chair & 1/2 makes a perfect furniture piece for the studio. Its fun shape screams inspiration and it's perfect for daydreaming or working. Pull it off the wall and let it float so you can experience it on all sides. (Jeanie Chair & 1/2, 62" Dia)

Upholster the body in Clarence House's Hoffmann Velvet. The rainbow of colors (marigold, tangerine, persimmon, aubergine and everything in betwee) are a cut velvet texture, adding luxurious texture to the palette. (Clarence House Hoffmann Velvet - Red 34266-2, 51" W, Pile: 100% Silk, Base: 65% Silk, 35% Cotton)

Instead of doing the back pillows in the same fabric as the body, add more fabrics. Have 3 of the pillows covered in Galbraith & Paul's playful Citrus print in the Apricot colorway. Do the other 2 in Castel's electric Constance, color Or. Incorporate as much pop as possible - this piece can take it! (left, Galbraith & Paul Citrus, Apricot, 100% Upholstery Linen, 54" W; right, Castel, Constance, Or, 2276/54, 53% Viscose 47% Cotton, 55" W)

Place this graphic Clover Screen from Wandrlust behind the chair. It's important that this chair not be shoved against a wall, but it needs an anchor. (Antique Screen White Clover Design, SKU Number: 001102, 72.5" x 55.25" x 1.5")

Pair the chair with a table that allows you to work from a comfortable position. A pedestal base dining height table is the perfect thing. This octagonal game table from Mecox Gardens complements the shape of the chair without competing. (Octagonal Leather Game Table, FNT-1903-004, 36" dia 30" H, nail head details)

Group a colorful hand-blown venetian glass floor lamp from Donghia with the chair, screen and table. Shown below in a blue finish - go for the red! (Donghia, Piroetta Alta Lamp Granata finish, 80042-02)
Across the room you need a work space. Instead of a traditional desk go for a counter height table. This is a more productive way to do creative work. If you can find a rustic farm table that is 36-40" high grab it. Alternatively many of the large furniture companies carry these now. For instance, Pottery Barn makes The Bedford Project Table which would work just fine in this room. Be sure to keep this off the wall as well and orient it so that you have the most pleasant view available for working.

Work table lighting should be practical task lamp(s). Design Within Reach has a number of great options, such as the Kelvin Task Lamp. (Kelvin Task Lamp, 6989 W: 7.9" H 50")

For storage a piece like Anthropologie's Bird Cut Armoire adds pattern in a different way. (Anthropologie, Bird Cut Armoire, #56009, 74"H, 42.5"W, 20"D)Drapery
Use GP & J Baker's Mistral fabric for floor length drapery panels or a relaxed roman shade depending on your window style & room function. This wavy stripe has a lovely and colorful painterly quality about it. Ask your seamstress to make ring top panels. (GP&J Baker, Mistral Red, R1383 4, 37% Cotton 51% Linen 12% Nylon, 54" W)

Hang the panels from an earthy drapery rod with decorative finials, such as this one from Fabricant. Specify a 2 or 2.5" Diameter on the rod and a finial to your liking. I would also order this one in a dark brown wood finish, such as dark oak to offset the wallcovering. (Honeycomb, shown in Antique Cream - from l to r T55 Tieback, F55S small finial, F55L larger finial)

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Questions? Let us know - we would love to hear from you!