Favorite Room Feature: SHELTER

Aside from my head that currently feels like a fishbowl (Airborne and Tamiflu induced) and me running around like a chicken with my head cut off, I am EXTREMELY excited for today's guest. I have been a huge fan of Julie from SHELTER since the beginning of blogs. I have stalked, begged and pleaded for her to join this series and finally, I broke her down. Persistence really does pay off. When I look at her favorite room, I dream of camping out on that couch in a mound of used tissues and in a complete haze that can only be blamed by Nyquil. Sounds exactly like what Julie had in mind when designing this space. Hope you are wearing shoes, because your socks are about to be blown off. 

First off, thank you so much Lindsay for asking me to be a part of your favorite room series! I love this series and your adorable + inspirational blog. 

I couldn't resist sharing a project I recently had photographed. I adored these clients, so working with them was a creative + fun collaboration! Designers always have a vision for each design so when client's sign off on nearly everything in the presentation, it's a dream! I design rooms around client's wants, needs and aesthetic. I love to combine vintage + new, plus classic + modern elements in my spaces. I've found the best way to start the process is to devise a mood board for the project.

I also designed the dining room and foyer but I chose to share the living room with you!

This seating group is approachable but also chic, it's the perfect spot for gathering with friends but intimate enough for the couple who lived here. I mixed an array of patterns at slightly different scales and textures such as velvet, wool, silk velvet, linen and cotton. I was thrilled at how the chairs and ottomans turned out. They were both furniture designed by moi. I was inspired by a photograph of the vintage chair. I updated the style then added limed wood legs to keep the feel light. I'll be selling both the chair and the ottoman design when I launch a small furniture line on my website this Spring.

I love large cocktail tables with brass details right now, they're perfect for entertaining and when not for pretty vignettes! I found this beautiful table at The Well Appointed House.

I'm a bit obsessed with fabrics and pillows as well as vintage and new objects. I usually have most f my pillows custom made, this gives me creative license and the quality is perfection. The sofa was an updated chesterfield style upholstered in a royal blue velvet. It was so cozy and comfy. Well designed furniture should both look and feel good.

I decided to set up a spot for the home owners to enjoy their morning coffee but also work on their laptops. This room was narrow but long so we created various seating areas to break it up a bit. I then unified the room and seating groups with a custom sized David Hicks patterned rug. Thanks again for having me!! It's been a pleasure. xx

 Photography by: Molly Akin

Julie Richard