Condo Design: Second Level

If you missed the first level of the condo I am designing for my Design Studio term project, you can catch up here. The first floor was all about open space entertaining, and a chefs kitchen for Mike.

Today, it's all about the second floor and all about Alicia, who wanted a cozy and colorful home office to do her writing from. Here is the plan:

When you come up the stairs, there is a bit of an awkward but spacious landing. I decided to put a small laundry closet here, as well as a little bench and a console which can be styled up really nicely.
I love the shape of this desk that Lindsay shared the other day:

via Sadie and Stella

 On the other side of the staircase is Alicia's office, which overlooks the first floor. For the desk, I knew I wanted to repurpose the couple's existing dining table here:

It's the West Elm Collapsible Saw Horse Table, no longer available. They love this table and so do I. Also, Alicia is getting a bright and cheerful tribal Rug:

via Rugs USA

This area is also going to double as a guest bedroom. Rather than choose a pull out sofa, I thought that a day bed (from West Elm) would be a good look and add to the laid back vibe of this space:

I am going to cover the mattress in this La Fiorentina fabric:

I had it picked out before I spotted this picture on Alicia's Pinterest:

via

 Looks like we are speaking the same language ;)
Even though the space is open to the floor below, I think the deep burgundy tones amp up the coziness factor. I know I could get lots of work done in this pretty space!
xo

Designing the Coolest Condo Ever

Alright love doves, yesterday I shared a bit about why the condo I'm designing is the strangest ever, now onto why its the coolest ever: The Aesthetics.

So as I mentioned we had to loosely base our design on a real life person, so I interviewed my cousin Alicia and her husband Mike to get a feel for their style. I also stalked Alicia's Pinterest page for inspiration.
My Design Concept: A Modern Couple with Old Souls.
I'm not talking Grandma-old here people. I'm talking Old Souls who put on a record late at night and drink scotch and dance together like in the black and white movies. I want an eclectic mix, combining fun, modern and colorful touches with architectural details that add character and warmth. Also, I'm going classic midcentury modern vintage with many of the furniture pieces.
Basically, think Traditional Bones with Contemporary Styling.

Here is what I've got for the first floor:
Foyer and powder room are getting some rad wallpaper. I'm thinking something dark (with black) for extra drama. Anyone have any goodies to suggest?
The foyer is also getting this fixture:

via

The staircase is going to be substantial and traditional, to give the condo a feeling of hominess, just deciding what areas to paint and where to leave the wood:

via

Kitchen, the heart of the home. Mike loves to cook, so I put in as many bells and whistles as I could in a somewhat limited space.

via

 It's going to be an all white kitchen a beautiful butcher block island. Plus, the Wolf Range was a must because of the red knobs. How amazing!
Instead of closed upper cabinetry, I'm going for open shelving from reclaimed wood (the couple's idea). They also want a hanging pot rack, so I'm stealing this idea from the IKEA booth at IDS this year:

via

They are also getting these pendant fixtures over the Island:

via Apartment Therapy

and of course a bar cart:

via

 Living Room:
The living room is going to have an amazing extra tall built-in unit to house the television and the couple's large record and book collection. I'm going to add a library ladder to reach the high shelves.
The backs of the shelves might be getting the orange paint treatment like so, only more drama:

via dmagazine

They are also getting a blue tufted velvet sectional sofa a la

via Rue Magazine (March/April 2011)

 and a Moroccan Rug:

via Rugs USA

 Ideally, a seperate dining room would have been created, but there was not enough space without really chopping up the layout. Instead, I opted for a dining area that's high on style.
It's getting a banquette upholstered in a wide blue and white stripe (Alicia loves stripes and Mike likes nautical) with tons of fun pillows:

via Whitlock&Co Etsy

Hot House Spark via AriannaBelle Etsy

 A Saarinen tulip table with marble top:

and natural wood wishbone chairs:

via

 Ooohooo hooo it's going to be good, don't you think?
This post is getting pretty long so I will wrap it up here (I could go on and on about every detail on this floor alone...the deep window ledges I've added, the storage under the stairs, etc. etc.) and share the second and third floors in other posts!
Peek at this floor all laid out:

Designing the Stangest Condo Ever

For my Design Studio class this term, we have been working on a condo with one of the strangest layouts imaginable...I guess they didn't want to make it easy on us!
Just look at the sectional elevations and how weirdly each level stacks up on top of one another:

Not to mention the super high ceilings on the third floor. Usually, I'm all about high ceilings, but a 30 foot ceiling in a small washroom is a bit of a strange set up...think 'beam me up' type of vibe. It's something I'm going to have to find a creative solution for, but I've got an idea up my sleeve!

The stairs were also a bit of a nightmare. Any time I tried to put the stairs anywhere, a big cement post would get in the way on another level, or the landing wouldn't reach high enough and there would be a floating door, etc. I had a couple of late night sorting those out but I actually love where they ended up, so it was worth it. Here are some quick shots of the floor plans penciled in:

I'll share the aesthetic direction of the condo soon, it's pretty exciting. The client is based loosely on the needs and desires of my fabulous cousin Alicia and her husband Mike. They aren't afraid of colour, which makes it especially fun.
 Oh, and if you're wondering how I draft in my tiny studio apartment, I pretty much clear off my entire desk to make room for my drafting board, like this:

xox