I was so excited to see this amazing fuchsia pink room we designed as a fun project for the Times appear yesterday. I really loved the experience of doing something so different - you don’t get to play the way we played with most (real) jobs. The best part of this project was that I really had to let my imagination go – and there were no reigns from the client. In fact, I think she was worried I wouldn’t be outrageous enough in my approach to the project…but it all turned out just perfectly. While the budget was much smaller than the average, we really weren’t restricted by it because we utilized our imaginations in a playful way.
Just goes to show…I don’t only work with taupes!
#1 by Alexandra on August 6, 2010 - 4:53 pm
Uber fantastic room!! L.O.V.E I.T!!!
#2 by EM on August 6, 2010 - 5:16 pm
I read that yesterday. That is one happy client!
The article ALSO said that your budgets generally start at $100,000. If that is a general number, what is the corresponding square footage?
#3 by helen louisy on August 7, 2010 - 12:22 am
Unrelated topic.
habituallychic’s Heather Clawson revealed
that Margaret Russell has been named
the new editor of Architectural Digest. If I
remember correctly Margaret is your friend.
What are your thoughts on this news?
Helen.
#4 by Caroline on August 7, 2010 - 6:13 am
What a great story! Love that you are able to bring the client’s vision to life without compromising your own design philosophy. Not always easy to do. I’m curious to know if the items and services (beyond the free design service you and your firm provided) were discounted? Hard to believe those chairs were reupholstered for $600!
#5 by Willow Decor on August 7, 2010 - 12:31 pm
Fabulous Room! I adore the rich color scheme.
xx-Gina
#6 by Just Verte on August 7, 2010 - 2:10 pm
Vicente, just saw this at the NYTimes Style page and had to tell you that, once again, you have created magic! I have both your books, can’t wait for the next one to come out. Isn’t it fun when you have a client who’s willing to go that extra mile!
Best regards, April
#7 by Maryam in Marrakech on August 7, 2010 - 6:32 pm
Holy moly, I would have never guessed in a million years that this was your work. Has this changed your perspective at all? Do you think that you will be working more with this kind of saturated color scheme?
#8 by Vicente on August 9, 2010 - 2:09 pm
Maryam – I think that if you would see my restaurant in Las Vegas (Diego), it’s all these colors and even more saturation. Somehow I’ve gotten pegged with the idea that all I do is white and soft-colored spaces. I often use intense and saturated colors…The approach? No different that with any other room. They are usually shells and the color gives it a calming quality.
Did it change me? No. It just game me a lot of pleasure as it’s something I don’t often get to work on.
#9 by Vicente on August 9, 2010 - 2:12 pm
We shopped around to see who would be able to do the best job at the best rate. This upholsterer actually did not discount the cost, he priced it out at his regular rate. We always shop around to find the best deal for our clients. However, I think the fact that we’d get a full page in the Times was certainly a good payback. That said, it just goes to show that good design doesn’t have to have a crazy price tag.
#10 by Vicente on August 9, 2010 - 2:18 pm
No idea! Each project is completely individual and sometimes it can be a foyer and a dining room only. Every job is as unique as its owner and that amount is one that we seem to find as an average – sometimes it’s less, sometimes it’s more, depending on the scale of the space.
#11 by ashlina on August 9, 2010 - 5:34 pm
YES. i had to blog about this one. such a fabulous job, well executed!!!!! love it. xo
#12 by Christine on August 9, 2010 - 11:54 pm
This is a great room, and I love how you brought the clients vision to life given her budget and without compromising your design integrity. It proves that great designs comes in any budget and with bit of creativity.
#13 by Gary Nelling on August 11, 2010 - 2:29 pm
Vicente – Here’s a belated thought.
I think the process is as interesting as the final product. I think getting the client to set aside her preconceptions, and then offering her something that was sympathetic to her taste but different and realistic was masterful. I also think that the budget/final cost answers many of the questions about how much a well-designed project costs. Answer: How much do you want it to cost? – Gary