In this busy world we all need time to relax and unwind after a long day. We asked five uber-talented designers where they take refuge at home to recharge their creative batteries. From garden to table and everywhere in between, you’ll be inspired to create a little space of your own.
Photograph by Kat Stevenson
BIG PLANS
“We recently moved into a new-to-us home that was built in the 1920s, and one of my favorite spaces to unwind is in my living room. I appreciate the original architectural details that only an older home can provide. Arched doorways, window seats, original tile, built-in bookcases with rounded detailing, gorgeous woodwork, and a wood burning fireplace that is used regularly — are all right in this room. The colors are soothing, and there’s enough space for my family of five to get together and play games and decompress at the end of the day.
The design is a work in progress, so I love to sit in this space and plan my design scheme for the rest of this room and for my home in general. The designing and decorating have just begun, but I have exciting plans for it all!” — Paige Loperfido, Décor and More Designs
Available at MDC: Kravet | Lee Jofa | Brunschwig & Fils area rug, Rita O’Brien Interiors sofa, City Lights Detroit sconces.
Photography by Brett Mountain
DAILY DEVOTION
“Although I may appear to be an extrovert, I truly enjoy time alone to recharge. Being intentional about moving out of work mode and into relaxation time is sacred to me. Sometimes that’s lighting a candle, other times it’s burning sage and pulling a card, or it may be just curling up on the sofa with my husband and dog. Every day is a little different, and I think it’s important to tune into what you need that day to help downshift your nervous system.
My basement lounge is a true departure from the rest of my home. It is secluded and has an atmosphere all its own. I love having the ability to adjust the lighting and music to support the desired mood. I also have a variety of seating options, from lounge seating such as sofas and chairs to a dining table and chairs. I can even push the coffee table to the side and stretch on the ground. This allows me to accommodate whatever I need that day.
You can’t pour from an empty cup. If you’re going to show up for clients and be a good creative partner to them, you must take care of yourself and fuel your own creativity.” — Rachel Nelson, Concetti
Available at MDC: Schumacher custom sofa pillow fabric.
Photograph by Jimmy Doran
CULINARY DELIGHT
“My husband KC (pictured center) and I relish cooking for others. In this picture, we are making dinner for our friends Bonnie (pictured left) and Jimmy Doran. I love to cook while friends either assist in the meal preparation or sit at the kitchen island and chat. We enjoy taking cooking classes when we travel, and we recently returned from Oaxaca, Mexico where we took two classes. We learned how to make different kinds of mole, ceviche, salsa macha, and tortillas.
Our green kitchen reflects my husband and my favorite color, and we have a large collection of vibrant Majolica glazed earthenware and architectural artifacts in the kitchen as well. I have always loved color, and the Mexican culture is an explosion of tones in both their food and table settings. We have purchased several items that allow us to have that same exuberance at our dinner parties.
While we’ve always enjoyed setting creative and extraordinary table settings, we are getting to be better cooks, which means we want our food presentation to be on the same level of design as the table setting itself.” — Dan Davis, Dan Davis Design
Photograph by Joseph Tiano
ARTISTIC CHALLENGE
“To decompress and recharge, I like to paint and listen to music at the same time. My space is away from any distractions, and the music drowns out any noise or conversation going on in the home that may break my concentration. My easel is framed by a window that brings in natural light and I love looking outside. I really enjoy continuous connection with nature.
As a designer, art challenges my imagination, visual organization skills, and helps me to bring an idea into a finished product. It’s also beneficial in maintaining my knowledge of color while working with texture. Painting is not only an enjoyable activity, but it tests my creativity and is a lovely diversion from the demands of running a business.” — Anita Sneideraitis, Gunnar Olivier Design
NATURAL BEAUTY
“I really value being outside, soaking up the sounds and colors in nature. Gardening, hiking, and kayaking out on a lake or river fill my soul and refresh my creative spirit. It allows me to just focus on what is in front of me and quiets my mind — which is often spinning with projects and deadlines. I love the sound of birds, the wind through the trees, and the feel of dirt in my hands.
I’ve always leaned into colors found in nature. From the greens of a forest to the various shades of blues in the sky, and the bright, bold colors of the songbirds that come each spring — they inspire me to always bring nature into my design concepts. The tones and textures all around us provide inspiration for interior design selections, lighting, and especially fabrics and tiles. One of my favorite colors is green. The mixture of blue and yellow can be seen everywhere and in thousands of shades. In fact, the human eye sees green better than any color in the spectrum. Different shades pair perfectly with just about every other color, which I love to see throughout the seasons outdoors. My own front door is a cheerful shade of turquoise.
If I were to design my dream garden, I’d like a little bit of structure with a wandering path, a soothing waterfall feature, and the rest would be something of a mess — like a classic English country garden. Plants that attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies are a must. I also would have gorgeous flowering plants and shrubs that bloom at different parts of the year so there is always a burst of color somewhere. Living in Michigan is an incredible resource for inspiration. We have it all! From gorgeous beaches, to rivers, forests, and beautiful farmlands that I can imagine even Claude Monet would have enjoyed capturing.” — Joanne Ledbetter, Joanne Ledbetter Designs
Available at MDC: Joanne Ledbetter Designs exterior planters.