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West End Process :: Furnishings
Bespoke, turn-key interiors are a signature of Huntley & Co. First, the architectural envelope and materials are perfected. Next, we turn our process to furnishings and softgoods that complement the space and the client and are unique to the project. Lots of love and labor goes into the design, drawing and specification of these goods.
| FURNISHINGS |
// Living Room channel-back chairs
We custom designed a pair of channel back lounge chairs to maximize flow, circulation and style. Visits to the workroom gave us the opportunity to make adjustments to the design, layout fabric and to monitor progress.
L to R: Leg finish selections; our chair frame gets mocked up in muslin; laying out the large scale fabric.
// Living Room armoire
We source a lot of antique and vintage furnishings for our projects. Sometimes, however, these pieces need modifications to “fit”. This armoire was the perfect scale for the open concept living area and provided much needed storage, but modification to the finish and interior were necessary. New hardware and shirred curtains turned this beauty into functional storage.
L to R: Removing the old finish; specifying all the new details; installation in progress.
// Master Bedroom canopy bed
Each project has its share of logistical challenges – and we love a good challenge because it inspires us to get extra creative. Our process never leaves things to guesswork. When we discovered that the bed, as originally designed, could not be brought up the stairs or through the windows, we had to go back to the drawing board (literally) to custom design a version that would fit.
L to R: Verifying stairwell and doorway dimensions; studio drawing of the custom pieces and parts; Ironware‘s workshop with assembly pre-shipment.
| SOFTGOODS |
// Master Bedroom roman shades & softgoods
Tailored, functional, bespoke. We designed the window treatments and pillows to complement the quietly sophisticated scheme in the master bedroom. Troubleshooting tricky corners and sourcing one-of-a-kind details makes all the difference.
Top: Detailed site measures and schematic review; finished product! Bottom: A pillow workorder; a treasure chest of trim; a well-styled bed.
Stay tuned — Next week we’ll bring this project full circle and share our install with you! And in case you missed the other West End posts, check them out here and here.
xo, Huntley & Co.
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West End Process :: Envelope
For Huntley & Co., the first and foremost concern in design development is the “envelope”. TH can’t talk about it enough! Getting the envelope right – spacial relationships, interior architecture, materials and finishes – means a thoughtful, comfortable home that needs less stuff to look good.
| CONFIGURING THE SPACE |
Reconfiguring an interior is a process – it requires a lot of drawings and plenty of site meetings. It’s important to be as technical and thorough as possible while understanding there will likely be a few surprises and adjustments along the way.
Top photo: One of the pages in the H&Co. drawing set. Bottom L to R: Meeting with the contractor; a study of the circulation in a tight area; drywall in progress.
| MILLWORK |
Millwork is one of the most impactful aspects of an interior. When it’s done well, it can make the house. When it’s done cheaply, it’s like bad teeth – it doesn’t matter how pretty the face is. With this project, our main focus was to reconcile the incongruous architectural details throughout the home and create a more finessed envelope. This included doors, crown, paneling and custom mantels as shown below.
The mantels were designed to complement adjacent millwork for a quieter, more elegant presentation.
| MATERIALS |
Material selection – wood, stone, tile, metal finishes – sets the tone for the home’s atmosphere and lays the groundwork for decorative elements. When selecting a material, we keep everything else in mind. In a bathroom for instance: Are the windows facing north? What type of glass do the vintage sconces have? How white is the tub? These details are part of the “conversation” and influence what marble slab I approve and tile colors I select.
Top L to R: Slab for a fireplace surround; master bath materials, final wood selection for the library.
Bottom: The tile layout for the master bath was a hands-on (and ugh, thighs and knees) process that took several hours. Click photo for a video of the legendary H&Co. attention to detail.
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We hope you’ll join us next week when we’ll share more about the process of specifying furnishings and softgoods! Or take another look at our Concept: West End post to see how this project began.
xo Huntley & Co.
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West End Process :: Concept
One of our favorite Huntley & Co. projects this year was for a young couple who hired us to design and renovate their newly purchased townhouse in the West End neighborhood of Washington. Much to our delight, the duo brought a combination of sophistication and excitement to the endeavor. Translating that into a concept and then into a finished product was a multi-step process — and worth every minute.
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| THE CONCEPT |
Our clients inspired a decidedly cosmopolitan aesthetic. Accordingly, we imagined an eclectic mix of vintage and antique furnishings, unexpected stone and tile, and layers of complex colors and tones. As shown below, the mood board we created conveyed our idea of an elevated yet spirited home – a true classic that’s never boring.
Selected photos clockwise from top left: Cartier Tank watch via Goop; Timothy Corrigan vignette; a crisp Madrid living room by Isabel Lopez-Quesada; a bedroom from Architectural Digest; a corner of Sandra Nunnerley’s home featuring “Diamond” artwork by Kenneth Noland; an austere and elegant marble bathroom.
| HOW WE GOT THERE |
The start of a project is full of excitement and potential. Before diving into design, we take time to fully understand both the space and the client. On the technical side, we site measure the building and generate CAD drawings for study and revision. On the conceptual side, we issue a questionnaire and cull images related to our clients’ answers. The questions range from pedestrian to abstract and are intended to give us practical information as well as insight into their lifestyle and aesthetic.
// Question & Answer
A two page questionnaire sheds light on what’s important.
The client questionnaire is a key part of our initial survey and analysis.
// Pulling Together a Visual Story
We pull images that reference our clients’ feedback … and they share photos as well.
TRAVEL // From a honeymoon spot to favorites in Paris and NYC, these hotels topped our client’s list. L to R: Royal Mansour Marrakesh; George V in Paris; The NoMad Hotel in NYC.
FILM // Playful, witty and adventurous. L to R: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels; Amélie; The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
MUSIC // Eclectic and soulful music that bridges time and genres including the Hamilton soundtrack and Carla Bruni’s album, Quelqu’un m’a dit.
FASHION // Classic, all-American cool c/o Vince, J. Crew and Celine.
INTERIORS // Rich and sleek. Warm and bright. Tailored and organic. L to R: Interior by Joseph Dirand includes works by Anish Kapoor, Pierre Jeanneret and Paavo Tynell; Patricia Urquiola collection for Georg Jensen; a sculptural Alvar Aalto chair; master suite cabinetry seen on Pinterest.
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We love the conceptual stage of a project. Engaging in a thorough deep dive to excavate both the practical and the magical is the difference between a good project and a great one. Stay tuned for our next post where we transition into design development and project management — when we make the concept a reality.
xo, Huntley & Co.
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Looking Back / Looking Forward
2017 was quite a year. Despite all the drama, trauma and homegrown insanity in the world – there was plenty of good to celebrate at Huntley & Co. Leave it to design to keep our spirits up. We’re looking back at a great year and looking ahead to even bigger and better things in the 12 months to come. Stay tuned!
Spring
– Traditional Home Designer Panel –
I talked design, business and keepin’ it real with Traditional Home at the Washington Design Center’s Spring Market. Sharing the stage with 3 smart, sassy blondes – Tori Mellott, Liz Levin and Maria Crosby – was a treat. #blondedesignmafia
Photos by © 2017 Kaz Sasahara (www.lancerphotography.com). All rights reserved.
– Washingtonian –
Our petite pied-a-terre project at The Montrose was featured in Washingtonian magazine’s March issue.
Summer
– Bethesda Installation –
We redesigned and installed a family room in Maryland for one of our most beloved clients. We had completed the majority of the house previously and have always enjoyed collaborating with the husband and wife. The room had great bones, so we changed up the finishes and furnishings to complement its geometry and lift its spirit. It lost it’s rigidity (thanks to plenty of sinuous shapes) and now has a healthy dose of verve.
– House Beautiful –
I shared a favorite shade of green in House Beautiful‘s June COLOR section. Bonsai Tint is the perfect summer hue.
Fall
– NOLA –
In September I traveled to New Orleans for a design-filled weekend hosted by native Gretchen Everett. We toured incredible homes, visited all the best antique stores, and of course, ate and imbibed. It was fantastic! The intimate view of New Orleans’ beauty and lifestyle had me seriously considering a move to The Big Easy.
Featured Above: Ann Koerner Antiques, Appartique, Balzac Antiques, Bremermann Designs, Hope Goldman Meyer, Katie Koch Home, Marion Cage and Kevin Stone Antiques.
– The Celine in AD –
My Celine Pendant for Ironware International was included in Architectural Digest’s list of things worth coveting. Thank you AD – I’m a fan too! ; )
Photo c/o architecturaldigest.com
I hope the holidays treated you well and you are excited to tackle the year ahead!
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** all photos in this post are my own unless noted as otherwise
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Art to Interior
I love art. I considered curatorial studies for a time while in college. During my first exhibit installation, however, I broke two large glass plates protecting a famous photographer’s work. I concluded pretty quickly that “this is probably not for me”. Still, my love affair continued well into my interior design degree and career. There is almost no genre or medium that I don’t appreciate in some way. A 1982 kinetic sculpture and an oil portrait from the 19th century can both stir my senses. It follows then that artwork sometimes informs my designs.
THE STARTING POINT
Essie, Ruby and Ferdinand – Children of Asher Wertheimer, 1902
It’s hard to not love Sargent. His oil paintings are lush, moody and undeniably beautiful. I chose this work as a jumping off point for a media principal’s office for its sophistication and intimacy.
THE INTERPRETATION
The idea here is art as muse. I pulled what spoke to me – the colors, tones, textures and emotions. My design is an interpretation of the painting, not a copy of it.
Our client’s office is entered by way of an anteroom. The space is a waiting area for visitors and serves as a buffer between her office and the staff workplace. The finish selections and air of elegance are derived from the Sergent painting. But as this is a modern woman’s office and a Huntley & Co. interior, we changed tack by mixing genres and funking up certain elements.
– plan & anteroom elevations –
– office elevations –
Our client is a businesswoman and loving mother. She is worldly, feminine and capable – someone who is both interesting and interested. Her combination of sophistication, warmth and strength is part of what has made her a success in her field. With that in mind, we imbued her workspace with a similar sensibility and furnished it with antiques, modern European pieces and an impressive art collection. We think Mrs. Asher Wertheimer would have approved.
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Whatchu Lookin At?
Vicente Wolf published a book sometime back called ‘Learning to See’. I have always thought that was such a meaningful title. Seeing (and looking, fundamentally) is at the heart of a creative person. What drives artistic and design-minded individuals is a desire to seek out and study what’s interesting, beautiful and/or weird about the stuff of the world.
I’m no exception; I never stop culling the visual data around me. And I have no shame when it comes to capturing what I see on film. I’ll lie down on the sidewalk or crawl in the dirt if I see something worth photographing. Inspiration for my designs can be found in all kinds of places: museums, parks or city streets. It doesn’t matter if I’m looking at a Rodin sculpture or the bark of a tree. Cultivating one’s oeuvre (i.e. learning to see) means looking EVERYWHERE, even in the most unlikely of places.
– 3 unique versions of texture –
Left to right: DIY lattice on a courtyard door in LA; Crepe Myrtle bark in my neighborhood; a broken plate art installation at the 2016 AD Design Show.
Masterfully carved tassels and lace details on a marble statue at the National Gallery of Art.
– a sophisticated collection of swirls and curlicues –
Clockwise from top left: A frozen puddle in West Virginia; an antique carved marble table top at the State Department; an Art Deco planter on a Kansas City sidewalk; an ornamental fabric necklace in a London shop; a felt jewelry display at Anthropologie.
Left: Faux finish inspiration discovered at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Right: A sample of Japanning at the Geffrye Museum in London.
A large mineral sample on display at a mining museum in Creede, Colorado.
So many photos and so little time. This post could have been a mile long, so instead, you can expect a Part II, Part III and maybe even a Part IV of Whatchu Lookin At? Until next time — look, see and soak it all up!
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** all photos in this blog post are my own : )
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DESIGNING WITH PASSION :: THE COLORS OF VALENTINE’S DAY
I love the colors associated with Valentine’s Day. Red, garnet, blush, pink, plum — they’re all so delicious and sexy. This is a palette that seduces in design, fashion, and even nature. I suggest that you soak in the gorgeous inspiration of our post today, especially if you are spending the holiday sans sig-other. There is no balm for the soul like beauty. Well, that and a really good bottle of pinot noir and dark chocolate.
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
** Sources/links for the photos above can be found on our Pinterest page … along with other Valentine’s Day inspiration.
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EDGEMOOR SUNROOM :: THE REVEAL!
The Edgemoor sunroom has been installed! Installation days are such a highlight for interior designers. They represent the culmination of months of hard work, careful planning and patience. Considering this project started in the summer of 2015, we were thrilled to see the room finally come to life. So it is with great delight that we report that the room is even more beautiful than we expected. We always have an idea of how an interior will look, but we can’t necessarily anticipate how it will feel. Being in a space where the architecture, the decor and the surroundings truly sing makes all the trials and tribulations of the previous months disappear. We’re thrilled and our clients are thrilled. Santa couldn’t have brought us a better present for the holidays. Enjoy!
|| Pre-Install Site Review ||
We scoped out the site the day before to ensure that there were no surprises on install day. Thanks to the contractor, all of the construction debris had been removed and the floors and glass were clean. This is a small, but important detail when delivering a room full of fresh, new [and valuable] furnishings. And with a blank slate before us, we were finally able to appreciate all of the beautiful architectural lines and the gracious volume of space.
|| Design is [not] glamorous ||
Installations requires a mix of muscle, troubleshooting and finesse. Pillows get fluffed, furniture placement tweaked, and motorized curtains programmed and dressed. One of the trickier exercises of the day was hanging the porcelain Fenella Elms artwork. Both delicate and heavy — and weighing in at well over 100 lbs — it took four men and two very nerve-wracking attempts to hang it on the wall. Needless to say, we all gave a cheer and a generous sigh of relief once it was in place.
|| A Beautiful Finish ||
Just as we were finishing the installation, the sun came out and cast an ethereal light into the room giving it a magical sparkle. The shadows danced off the porcelain artwork, the plaster walls, and the mother of pearl inlay on the pedestal table top. Simultaneously, the light saturated the drapery with warmth and illuminated the dramatic skylight overhead. Enveloped by so much natural beauty, it’s easy to envision spending hours in this space lounging, reading, socializing or napping.
|| Taking Care ||
Our work here is done! Well, almost. Installations require guidance regarding the care and maintenance of the space. We strive to ensure our client’s satisfaction by giving them the tools they need to enjoy their homes for years to come. Our care packages vary depending on the scope of a project and specific needs of the client. However, they generally include care and maintenance instructions, mechanical specifications and a paint+finish schedule. In this particular case, we also included a separate artwork care package. The art we installed is fragile and valuable, so we provided our clients with handling instructions along with extra porcelain pieces. And of course, we packaged it beautifully in a Huntley & Co. box with ribbon – something befitting the showstopper art piece itself.
We hope you enjoyed following our Edgemoor series. In case you missed anything, check out each phase here, here, here and here. We will be signing off for the next few weeks to enjoy some R&R. We will post again in 2017 with new installations, discoveries and our behind-the-scenes adventures. Until then, Huntley & Co. — and our mascot Nina — wish you and yours the happiest of holidays!
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EDGEMOOR SUNROOM :: PART IV
The Edgemoor sunroom has required patience, perseverance and plenty of blood, sweat and tears (and bones, but I’ll get to that later). After nearly a year of design and planning, construction finally began in early spring. Starting work was both a relief and a thrill.
With a schedule as protracted as this one, there are plenty of progress photos to share.
From start to finish there hasn’t been a dull moment!
— Breaking Ground —
Construction crews arrived at the end of February to dig, set drainage lines and pour the slab for the sunroom. The most dramatic transformations start with a lot of dirt!
— Movin’ on Up! —
Once July arrived, the building finally started to take shape. Remember that patience we mentioned? This phase of the project is all about oversight and troubleshooting as needed. We made several site visits and met everyone from the tile installer to the drapery fabricator to review drawings and inspect details. It may seem unusual to discuss softgoods in a room without drywall, but spotting architectural modifications early allows us, and our workrooms, to modify plans accordingly.
— Finishing Touches —
As you can see in the pictures below, work continued into the Fall. Still, we were happy to have a room with walls, trim, windows and doors — not to mention a massive, one-of-a-kind skylight overhead. With the space enclosed, we were ready for paint and decorative finishes. We enlisted Julia from Monkton Studios (below) to dress the room in a beautiful knockback plaster, adding warmth and subtle dimension to the envelope.
Interior design is often associated with drama. True, but we usually try to avoid it if we
can. Unfortunately, at one of the many site visits, Lindsey fell into an open floor vent
(ahem, a hidden open floor vent that is). Thanks to a broken fibula and fifth metatarsal,
the Edgemoor project is officially going out with a CRASH-BOOM-BANG!
(L) the offending floor vent sans cover; (C) post site visit x-ray; (R) masterful use of the Rollator Walker
… Installation day is TODAY.
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EDGEMOOR SUNROOM :: PART III
Developing a thorough drawing set is critical to the success of all Huntley & Co. projects. It’s the technical backbone of the design, ensuring precision and accuracy. The Edgemoor sunroom features two expansive nano walls, a seamlessly integrated reflecting pool and a dramatic skylight. With fenestrations composing 90% of the room, it was important to consider the furniture and its arrangement carefully. We worked through an endless stream of floorplans to maximize circulation, engage the views and allow for both conversation and lounging. And we selected pieces that spoke to a luxurious “camp” style (think Out of Africa or Lawrence of Arabia). An abundance of comfort promises a room that is open, yet absolutely intimate.
— The Floorplan —
It always starts with the floorplan; a birds-eye view provides a wealth of knowledge. Drawing everything (walls, windows, doors, floor vents, etc.) to the exact measurement is critical. Because an inch can be the difference between a flawless installation and a costly mistake.
As shown in the floorplan above, pulling the furniture into the center of the room creates circulation space.
— The Study of Furniture & Lighting —
Each and every piece that goes into our projects is vetted for size and scale. We collaborate with our vendors to verify, and sometimes adjust, dimensions down to the 1/16″ — ensuring the best possible function and fit.
Drawings above include the custom console and sofas, pedestal table and the Huntley sconce from Urban Electric Co.
— The Perspective Drawing —
Perspectives are exciting because they allow us to “pull a design up” and study the relationship between architecture and décor. The Edgemoor sunroom is visually complex – from the dramatic skylight to all those windows – so it was important to implement décor that would complement, not compete with the envelope. A neutral palette, low slung furnishings and layers of softness add the right amount of quiet.
Our perspective drawing illustrates how open the sunroom becomes when the nano doors are retracted. The layered rugs and sheer drapery panels at the perimeter help create intimacy.A room like this is, without a doubt, a design challenge. Generating meticulous drawings allowed us to tackle the project in an informed, confident manner. With that, seeing our drawings “go vertical” during the construction process is when the real fun begins. Well, typically. Our next post will include on-site progress photos replete with a little unexpected drama. Stay tuned!
xo, Huntley & Co.
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THE MUSINGS OF DESIGNER TRICIA HUNTLEY
