Sometime ago, I mentioned that I was working on a special design project that I'd share with you all in due time. I never gave many if any details on the project at all, but only that I was excited to share as soon as I could. Well, that time has finally now come. Early last year, I received an inquiry about transforming a renovated basement into a home office space. At the time the inquiry came my way, I was heavy into the crowdfunding phase for my upcoming web series. In addition, I was preparing to head out of the country to Italy for a much needed vacation.
However, I was able to schedule a thirty minute complimentary discovery call with the potential client to learn more about the project and if I'd be able to take it on. I rarely take on full service design client projects, as my schedule hardly allows me to do so. I am after-all a full-time multi-hyphenate creative juggling both my film career alongside of my growing home & lifestyle brand, Allured By Design®. Producing consistent content for my design brand alone takes up a great deal of my time. On top of managing and executing collaborations I do with larger brands.
In addition, when I'm contractually obligated to coordinate or produce a film or television project...
I am completely limited on time or oftentimes shut down altogether from being able to take on another project simultaneously. Hence the reason, I rarely take on client projects. However, when and if I do...it absolutely has to be a project I'm interested in executing, as well as a project that has a realistic budget I can work with, as my most valuable currency is my TIME! If I'm going to make any room or space in my calendar to take on a client project...it absolutely has to be worth my TIME!
I don't say this with a boastful or arrogant spirit but only from a firm place of having learned the hard way that not every project is worth my time or energy. It ultimately comes down to budget and unfortunately, not everyone understands the expenses that are associated with interior design. As a Designer, it's my job to always make sure clients understand the realistic costs it will take to transform their space.
And, while every Interior Designer is different in their approach and execution...there is absolutely no getting around standard and basic costs of any design project, which include but not limited to...consultation fees, design fees, renovation and construction fees (if applicable), trade professional fees (for any outsourced work, which is highly common and part of the process), procurement costs of furnishings, textiles, materials, accents, etc...
I personally pride myself as a Designer that has a very specific appetite and taste for all things luxe and luxury not only for my own home but even for client projects. So the places I source from and with are usually on the higher end scale. However, I can just as equally source for high end products at affordable or discounted prices. The budget of a project will usually inform or direct exactly where I can source from.
Thankfully, this particular inquiry which ultimately moved to contract was already familiar with the design process having worked with a previous Designer once before. This made my job a bit easier when going over costs and budget. The biggest challenge was working this project into my very busy schedule, which was even busier after my return from Italy. Yet, once I wrapped up filming my web series...this client project became my priority to handle and execute.
Amidst the holidays, shipping delays, discontinued products, several design concept changes, replacement orders and the start of a New Year...we are finally DONE! And, I now happily and excitingly present to you...
PROJECT BROADMOOR: HOME OFFICE
(an infusion of color, airy & bright, sophisticated comfort and luxury, and inspiring textures)
Sources + Creative Credits:
Interior Design & Styling: Allured By Design®
Creative Direction: Tachic Hickman-Piazza & Stacy Marks
Still Photography: Stacy Marks
Location: Client's Home
Special Note: With respect to my client's privacy, contractual obligations and the company policy of Allured By Design®, source information for this project cannot be shared. Many of the purchases for this project were trade only pieces. In addition, client projects reserve and deserve the right to not have their spaces mass produced, copied or duplicated.
My main focus for this space was to make it gender neutral, as my clients are husband and wife and would be sharing this space. Not always at the same time, but sharing it nonetheless. My client's had already completed renovation in their home prior to me coming aboard. So flooring, painting, construction, etc...had already been taken care of in the space. But it was still highly in need of some tender love and care in the form of a beautiful transformation from drab to fab.
Here's a few before transformation shots, which basically shows that it was badly in need of an elevated look. Be sure to click on the arrow to the right center of the photo to view the next couple of slides.
Usually during a consultation, one of my first questions to a client is...
What is your favorite color?
Why? But of course, I'm so happy you asked!! 😜💁🏽♀️😂
Color is extremely important to me and I like to know immediately if I'm working with someone or people who are open to color or not. Now, while I can also execute a gorgeous neutral interior if need be, as I do have some beautiful neutral themes in a couple of the rooms in my home as well. Color is just always so much FUN!!!
And, I was so excited to add pops of color all throughout this home office space, including on the walls.
Also, there were a few existing personal pieces of wall art my client's desired for me to work into their transformation. Two being wall art of the golden gate bridges, which I had re-framed into a more high-end and updated gold antique finish.
I can't even begin to describe how gorgeous the antique finish is in person, pictured above as the center sample. Photos only do it so much justice. But, it is truly a BEAUTY!!! The close-up at least provides you all with a good idea of the varying textures and tones all throughout the frame.
Three other existing wall art pieces were a series of maps all framed in a beautiful teal finish. My clients favored the color teal and various hues of blue. If you've been following me for a while, then you surely know blue is my color love language so I was very happy to know my clients favored the color as well.
However, because my focus was to remain gender neutral in theme not swaying too heavy to a masculine or feminine look...and to strike a cohesive balance, I allowed the teal framing from their existing wall art pieces to inform the design and color direction I'd go in. From there, I begin building a design concept based off neutrals, whites, teals, mixed metallics and mixed wood tones.
And, of course loads of varying TEXTURES!!
I wanted the office to feel colorful, yet inspiring, bright, airy, peaceful and calm. In addition,
I wanted the office to feel high end, yet still be a comfortable space to work in.
Once I knew teal would be my color direction, I also knew I wanted to source a rug that would either compliment the color or even better have some tones of teal in it. For me personally, rugs are artwork for the floor. In addition, they anchor an entire space, including the initial design concept by visually pulling the complete look together.
And, it worked out so perfectly that the artwork I sourced for this project further enhanced the color mood of the space and tied in so well with all the other elements, including the rug.
My clients...the wife being a teacher and the husband owns his own architectural firm. I kept thinking about providing them with a space they'd both love to come home to after a long day at work, or a beautiful home office space they could start their day in. In addition, my goal was to provide them with proper storage, stylish accents and a seating area to kick back and relax when they need to step away from the desk.
Two main requests my clients had were...
Husband: No glass top desks please!! I need a good sturdy wood desk.
Wife: I'd really love some comfortable sitting chairs that I can curl up in, read a book and snuggle under a soft throw.
The day after the final install, my client messaged me and shared that their new home office is now her favorite space in her home to begin her day. I think it's safe to say I did the job I was hired to do, which makes me very happy and proud.
And, of all of the wood desk options I presented to my clients...they went with my top preferred option. It was the most expensive of all the other trade desk options I presented and I wasn't sure if I'd be able to convince them of the quality they'd be investing in with this particular desk.
But the brass details of this desk alone and the sheer swag and style of it...just couldn't be beat.
So we went with only the best!!
You'll notice as you go through the above slideshow of photos, the very bottom row of the wall unit was left bare. It was intentionally left bare to allow my clients an empty row to place their own personal things and more books. Remember the wife is a teacher and she has tons of books. It's also the reason I purposely styled the shelves with leftover space in each cube, offering my clients the freedom to add more of their personal items to each shelf should they choose to do so.
Full Service Design is a lot of work and it’s extremely time consuming!! Not just from the overall labor and execution of design, but also and most importantly, from overseeing the project management of everything, including shipping and receiving. Smaller scale projects can take anywhere from four to six months or even longer if renovation is involved. Larger scale projects can take up to a year if not longer. Shipping delays are sometimes imminent and can add on more time to the length of the project. In addition, any damaged pieces coming in from a vendor can also alter your timeline. Patience is indeed the name of the game!!
But the end result paired with a great budget usually makes it all worth it in the end. While many see interior design as a luxury, I much prefer to see it as a necessary luxury because we all deserve to have a beautiful home. Our homes are ultimately our biggest assets and there's absolutely nothing comparable to having a stylish and well designed home. It is forever the gift that keeps on giving and can also provide so much peace and harmony in our lives amidst all of the chaos of the world.
With so many of us now working remotely from home in these last few years of a global pandemic...I think it's equally important for us all to have beautiful, creative, and inspiring home office spaces where we tend to spend a bulk of our day. I hope this client project of mine has inspired many of you to spruce up your own home office space. And, if you're not quite sure how to do so...that's precisely the reason for you to hire a Designer like me. 😉
Tachic-
XOXOXO ⚜️
"I believe a person's home should be a true reflection and extension of their personal taste and style...with beautiful collected pieces that compliment who they are, what their interests are, and what makes them feel good."
Founder & Principal Designer
Tachic Hickman-Piazza
Tachic Hickman-Piazza is a creative in every sense of the word. A professional Filmmaker with an Associate of Science in Film & Video from Full Sail University with a career spanning the course of nineteen years of experience in the entertainment industry. Blogging is a personal and beloved extension of her years spent studying creative writing for television and film.
Yet, Interior Design and all things Home Decor are two of her greatest passions, outside of Filmmaking. To learn more about Tachic and her journey into the world of Design, please visit her ABOUT page by clicking here.
To view one of her most ambitious design projects to date where Tachic merged both creative worlds of Filmmaking and Interior Design, all while proudly wearing the mantle of both Designer & Executive Producer, with the release of her House Piazza Home Tour video, click here.