B3 Design
Sometimes you are looking for some extra inspiration to get that specific look that you want for your projects and this is the intention of this weekly series.
See the featured designers with their latest projects and leave us your comments! We’d love to know your opinion.
"My favorite thing about this project is that it was an opportunity to create an “experience” in this small, very odd-shaped room that still met all of the client’s needs in a beautiful package. We actually closed off a lot of dead space to square off the room and make it a sophisticated, art-filled, grown-up atmosphere. The room could not be climate controlled so we had our challenges with the design. We had to fit two large wine refrigerators in the space without it feeling too utilitarian. The client was resistant at first to having storage for wine cases but we felt it was necessary so we designed a very functional closet next to one of the refrigerators with a simple edge pull. It blends away in the overall aesthetic but has five adjustable shelves in it for the cases, magnums, extra glassware… anything they might need.
Another one of my favorite things is how easily and successfully we were able to sell the concept through to the client. They were able to view the 3D rendering while standing in the (currently torn-up) space and decided on the spot, within minutes, that it was a full go! Prior to seeing the rendering, there had been resistance to having a second built-in in the space behind the door but simply having the visual right in front of them took away any and all trepidation on their part. The contractor and the carpenter were also happy that they had such a clear view of the vision.
Another favorite thing that cannot be understated is working with Fabiana! She is wonderful: so patient, positive and creative. We had an odd soffit to contend with and she was great handling all of the back and forth on it!
This is for a lovely couple in suburban Connecticut with two very sweet teenagers and two beautiful dogs. The recently moved from the UK to the States and *right* after taking ownership of the home had severe basement flooding which affected this room. We felt so badly for them so we are thrilled to be able to create something so much more unique and special than what the room was before.
We really wanted to paint the room a dark color to intensify the immersive feeling as you enter. (The render greatly helped in selling that through!) We wanted to do large art straight ahead which not only made an impact as you entered but was visible through the glass door from the hallway. Because the paint color would make the room very dark, it was important that we got the lighting right. For the built-ins, we matched the tone of the wood shelves in the wine refrigerators to lighten those up and we planned strategic, overhead, movable recessed lights to aim towards the features such as the art and the shelving. We also specified a high gloss light blue on the ceiling which matches the blue of the hallway outside and reflects a bit of ambient light throughout the little space. The shelves have LED strip lighting gouged in for additional task light. The floating shelves are intentionally sized to accommodate the decanters and glassware the clients wish to display.
That sometimes going smaller isn’t a bad thing. This would have been a long, odd, partly trapezoidal shaped room that would not have had nearly the same impact as it has once we squared off the room and gave each wall it’s own standalone purpose— two for function with the fridges and the storage, one for the art, and one for the beautiful iron and glass door.
Also, it might be nice for other designers to note that the client paid for this render as a line item in our Letter of Agreement. Duke Renders had helped us to create a 3D rendering of another room in this client’s home which they had found immensely helpful (and which we covered fully because we were experimenting with 3D renders for the first time.) This was such a small project that absorbing the cost of the rendering into our design fee didn’t make sense. We simply added the render cost plus a small amount to cover our time in creating it. The client didn’t even hesitate and I think all parties involved are happy with the outcome and feel the render was invaluable to the project. "
- Beverly Brokaw
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