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(Photos courtesy of Black Lacquer Design)
MADE by Ann Sacks, Swiss Cross Field; Photography by Mary Costa
Thank you so much! I love hearing that feedback because those are adjectives I definitely aim to demonstrate in all things design. I appreciate any opportunity to incorporate unexpected elements by way of materials in a project, which makes working with tile really fun. Ann Sacks has such a fabulous selection of unique options with so much ability to customize, and this totally speaks to me. I like to do things in ways I haven’t seen done before while avoiding anything too trendy. These tenants help me achieve spaces that feel both timeless and fresh.
Eastern Promise by Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Gatsby Field; Photography by Mary Costa
Color is everything to me! When done well, it can really inform on how to feel, and above all, I want my work to feel good. In my opinion, no color is a bad color—it’s all about application. I let my clients’ personalities and the inherent architecture of their spaces guide my selections and I get excited about trying combinations I’d never previously considered before a current project. I like to think I use color the way an abstract painter might; to create depth, balance, emphasis, proportion, rhythm, movement, and variety.
MADE by Ann Sacks, Swiss Cross Field; Photography by Mary Costa
The only time I find myself at a slight loss for inspiration is if the task itself lacks it—and then I know it’s not a good fit for either me or the client. This is super rare because generally, our projects are amazing! To jumpstart a solid concept, it always helps me to find a pattern and/or color palette I’m excited about and build the rest of the design out from there.
Savoy Classic Ribbed Field; Photography by Jessica Alexander
Creating a space is all about building it out in layers, so I always begin with anything that will be installed during construction (like tile!). From there, it’s fixtures, large pieces of furniture, secondary pieces of furniture, rugs, and art. Accessories are the last to be selected but some of the most important elements for adding that cozy, soulful layer that makes a space feel complete. I like to source a mix of vintage and new pieces to make the room feel like it’s been slowly curated and collected over time, not staged or styled. Going vintage has the added bonus of being sustainable and an investment in pieces that actually appreciate in value, versus something popular and mass-produced that might end up in a landfill five to ten years from now. To help vintage and contemporary pieces coexist, I ensure that both are special and of high quality. From there, it's all about the variety—you want to have different sizes, shapes, and functions when it comes to smalls. Think a combo of sculptures, trays, vases, books, baskets, and oddities.
Photography by Nate Cook
I’m really looking forward to trying out some of the new Ann Sacks marble mosaics!