The Sketch Book Files

Meet Jen!

Jen's spot for inspirations, inside her life as designer and artist. I share progress, tips on sources, spaces that inspire and how to push the boundaries of every space.

Be brave, and go for it.

xo, Jen

Posts in Dining Room Design Ideas
Swoon-Worthy Dining Chairs

When searching for furniture the natural inclination is to analyze how it appears from the front. Dining chairs, however, are different because they are tucked under the table where it is difficult to appreciate that view. Let's remember that dining chairs are usually approached from the side and back. Adding unexpected details to the backside of a chair makes them more dynamic and interesting.

Product Source: Bartoli Design

Product Source: Bartoli Design

Bartoli Design's 1085 uses Italian leather for the back and seat. The natural hide is softened and folded around the frame, then pinned with a nautical tie-rod. The folding plays with the natural properties of leather textures by revealing an under layer of subtle suede material. 

Product Source: Flexform

Product Source: Flexform

The Crono by Antonio Citterio blends comfort and elegance. The armrests flare at the perfect point for elbows to relax. The back is hand-woven with cowhide cording, creating a visual pattern of solid and void. The upholstered seat invites the diners to linger long after the final course has been served. 

Product Source: Vonnegut Kraft

Product Source: Vonnegut Kraft

A traditional chair has a relatively square shaped seat with four legs in each corner. But what if the seat is round? Vonnegut Kraft's designers play with this concept.  Kana Chair's main structural frame becomes legs, arm rests, and back in a fluid movement. Lucious mohair is upholstered on the cushions. 

Product Source: agrippa

Product Source: agrippa

As designers we often dive head first down the rabbit hole, searching for the perfect product. We develop intense crushes along the way. The Sara Bond arm chair sparks that fire. Available in walnut, ash and oak, the wood is lovingly carved into spectacular curves with delicate valleys. The weight is balanced, and the back is sculpted for maximum comfort. Each chair is handcrafted in the Mediterranean city of Valencia, Spain. #swoon

Best Counter and Bar Stools

Author: Sydney Piwowar

The perfect bar or counter stool requires a balance of aesthetic, lumbar support, and seat comfort. We have curated a few of our favorites below that we believe contain that perfect harmony. 

1. Phase Design — The Bride's Veil Stool 

2. Gabriel Scott — Bardot Stool

3. Palecek — Pratt Stool 

4. Lawson — Fenning — Elysian Barstool

5. Interlude Home — Darcy Stool

A backless stool allows for cleaner, more streamlined views as you can tuck it fully under a table or counter. This is perfect for spaces where you don't want to overcrowd the room visually. Here are a couple of our favorites!

1. Interlude Home — Colton Adjustable Stool

2. Mr. Brown — Lorca Counter Stool

3. Noir — Diora Brass Stool

4. Lawson Fenning — Orsini Stool

Loft Living — Adams St Install

We are so excited about our recent install- we can barely contain ourselves. The space previously was a dated space stuck in 90's, with rounded walls and random suspension cable tracks lights. We gutted the loft, including every bathroom, ripped out the old gym style railing with a fresh clean modern version and replaced a curved wall leading into the master bedroom with a open concept steel and glass wall- punctuated by a dramatic white curtain.

We still have yet to professionally shoot the space. Stay tuned that is slated for end of August!

How to Add Color in Your Home, Naturally

In the last several years, I've noticed a trend in the striping of color from wardrobes and adding it to environments. Color can be tricky and much harder as a sweater paired with someones complexion. In art school students are first taught to draw in pencil, only using black and white- in order to understand highlights and low lights.  If color is introduced too soon students are not able to get a full understanding of how light affects a shape and ultimately affects the color when finally applied.

The same rules apply when adding color into your space, be thoughtful and selective about which colors and how much color to add.  Pick two colors and keep with those two mixed with neutrals. Feel free to use a variation on tones of the color you picked- meaning not all blue need to match to feel cohesive. If you mix the tones of blue, it will make the space feel more natural. Often times the use of selective color can make that highlighted color stand out more than if a multiple of colors were combined together. 

Be Brave! xo, Jen

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