Children’s waiting room interior design project at Princeton University. I was beyond thrilled when contacted by a team of scientists ( psychologists and neurologists ) at Princeton University. This group of professors and graduate students from the Turk-Brown Laboratory are conducting research on the infant’s brain by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (or fMRI), to see how they learn, remember and think. My job was to turn a tiny 7’x10′ windowless study room into an inviting but not too “clinical” waiting room for the mothers or fathers and siblings of the babies being studied. We needed to ensure a comfortable place for parents to rock and feed their babies while waiting their turn to go back to the laboratory, as well as a place to change the babies if needed. We wanted to stock some shelves with good books and while the room looks complete, we’re still sourcing something interactive to mount to the wall to help entertain toddlers who want something more active than reading or building blocks. Since there are no windows, I wanted to bring the outdoors inside. Princeton University‘s colors are orange, gray and black and the history behind those colors is very interesting. It seems there are a lot of squirrels on campus and these colors were selected for the three colors of squirrels often seem scampering around the university grounds. The orange squirrels are now extinct, but the gray and black squirrels are abundant, as I found when touring the campus with my son on installation day. Therefore we wanted to reflect this history in the room and decided to paint silhouettes of squirrels in these three colors throughout the room. While the ceilings are 10′ high in this tiny room, they’re very drab and boring. Given that it’s a drop ceiling, we can’t paint it a fun color as I typically do in my nurseries and kids’ rooms. To distract from the ugly ceiling, I contacted My Custom Creation through their Etsy shop and commissioned them to create a custom butterfly mobile to suspend from the ceiling to create a swath of butterflies moving across the room. Their customer service was impeccable and the end product was exactly what we wanted! The flooring in the space was simply coated concrete so I decided to use Flor carpet tiles to give it warmth and a grass-like appeal. These tiles are super easy to install and can easily be removed without any residual on the floor. I’ll be using them more often for sure! See more photos of our commercial interior design job below and contact us if you need a unique space designed for children. We don’t just design nurseries and bedrooms! We’re game for anything!

The well-rounded ingenuity of the legendary scientist, physician and artist, inspired Gianvittorio Plazzogna to pay his tribute by naming a highly innovative and spectacularly styled office desk after him. DaVinci Office Desk is truly one of a kind with layered, multi-dimensional surface and compactly convenient disposition. Manufactured in Italy by Cattelan Italia, DaVinci Designer Office Desk is finished in luxurious Canaletto walnut wood finish and sleek dark grey matte lacquered wood. With two convenient drawers for simple storage, DaVinci Italian Office Desk was meant to accompany the context of the most dazzling modern interiors.

The IL-1 Beta table was a unique and personalized birthday gift for renowned scientist Charles DInarello. We were commissioned to build a custom gift to represent three defining elements of his life; the refining of IL-1 Beta, one of his first monumental scientific achievements; his love of gardening and outdoor living spaces; and his enthusiasm for entertaining guests and fitting as many people around his table as possible (both figuratively and literally). We combined these three defining elements, and designed an outdoor table, a courtyard centerpiece, that would represent IL-1 Beta and enhance the scientist’s garden parties. One of the most important and challenging design aspects of the IL-1Beta table were the pedestal legs. The recipient of this beautiful gift, Dr. Dinarello, loves entertaining guests, introducing strangers, and encouraging conversation, so we designed a table that could sit many and then add more. The pedestals are each composed of seven pieces of wood that had to be assembled in a precise order for strength, stability and beauty. The table stands delicately with just the tips of the pedestal legs touching the ground, like a couple mid-waltz, poised and strong and light on the dance floor.

Photo by Jillian Northrup. For more info see http://www.becausewecan.org/Resin_Inlay_Swiveling_desk

Eclectic home bar photo in Seattle

Home bar - eclectic home bar idea in Seattle

Whoa, is it real? Take it all in. We’ve added a new member to our Pixi Collection, the Pixi Curve. Designed with you in mind, we visualize you transforming your important space with intriguing illusion. The curvy console is an eye-opener and an icebreaker. The soft but edgy lines of curvy dark bronze steel supporting gorgeous bamboo will fancy all personalities, from the artist to the architect to the scientist.

View of the "hers" section of the room. Ample hanging space with plenty of light for this busy scientist and entrepreneur.
Example of a transitional carpeted dressing room design in Raleigh with shaker cabinets and white cabinets

Photo by Jillian Northrup. For more info see http://www.becausewecan.org/Resin_Inlay_Swiveling_desk

Children’s waiting room interior design project at Princeton University. I was beyond thrilled when contacted by a team of scientists ( psychologists and neurologists ) at Princeton University. This group of professors and graduate students from the Turk-Brown Laboratory are conducting research on the infant’s brain by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (or fMRI), to see how they learn, remember and think. My job was to turn a tiny 7’x10′ windowless study room into an inviting but not too “clinical” waiting room for the mothers or fathers and siblings of the babies being studied. We needed to ensure a comfortable place for parents to rock and feed their babies while waiting their turn to go back to the laboratory, as well as a place to change the babies if needed. We wanted to stock some shelves with good books and while the room looks complete, we’re still sourcing something interactive to mount to the wall to help entertain toddlers who want something more active than reading or building blocks. Since there are no windows, I wanted to bring the outdoors inside. Princeton University‘s colors are orange, gray and black and the history behind those colors is very interesting. It seems there are a lot of squirrels on campus and these colors were selected for the three colors of squirrels often seem scampering around the university grounds. The orange squirrels are now extinct, but the gray and black squirrels are abundant, as I found when touring the campus with my son on installation day. Therefore we wanted to reflect this history in the room and decided to paint silhouettes of squirrels in these three colors throughout the room. While the ceilings are 10′ high in this tiny room, they’re very drab and boring. Given that it’s a drop ceiling, we can’t paint it a fun color as I typically do in my nurseries and kids’ rooms. To distract from the ugly ceiling, I contacted My Custom Creation through their Etsy shop and commissioned them to create a custom butterfly mobile to suspend from the ceiling to create a swath of butterflies moving across the room. Their customer service was impeccable and the end product was exactly what we wanted! The flooring in the space was simply coated concrete so I decided to use Flor carpet tiles to give it warmth and a grass-like appeal. These tiles are super easy to install and can easily be removed without any residual on the floor. I’ll be using them more often for sure! See more photos of our commercial interior design job below and contact us if you need a unique space designed for children. We don’t just design nurseries and bedrooms! We’re game for anything!

Photo by Jillian Northrup. For more info see http://www.becausewecan.org/Resin_Inlay_Swiveling_desk

The Honeymoon Cottage began as a childhood dream for Vinny as he watched his grandfather build his home. A house for a Scientist and a future architect, in both process and product, this house served as an opportunity and challenge. Physically fabricated by him and his wife, as architect and owner, contractor and client, laborer and occupant, this house has the same program, budget and type of construction as its neighbors. A goal of the Honeymoon Cottage is to celebrate and reinterpret, rather than reinvent, the framework of its early suburban neighborhood. 2002 – Raleigh, NC 2005 News & Observer 2004 25 Houses Under 1500 Square Feet James Grayson Trulove 2003 Dwell Houses We Love December 2003 AIA South Atlantic Region Merit Award 2002 AIA North Carolina Merit Award

Photo by Jillian Northrup. For more info see http://www.becausewecan.org/Resin_Inlay_Swiveling_desk

Alison Sigethy's Sea Core Bubble Tubes are her artistic tribute to the beauty and mystery of the sea. She handcrafts each component out of glass and calls them Sea Cores because they are inspired by the core samples scientists take to study and monitor the oceans. They are easier to care for than a houseplant and are wonderful to live with. Photo credit Pete Duvall.

Inspiration for an eclectic home bar remodel in Seattle

Photo by Jillian Northrup. For more info see http://www.becausewecan.org/Resin_Inlay_Swiveling_desk

Time had stood still at this 1970s ranch in Armonk when the owners invited us to collaborate with them to transform it into a modern, light-filled home for their young family. The budget was lean, so economy was a primary consideration for every design decision. The challenge was to identify the modest home’s virtues – vaulted ceilings and a lovely backyard – and accentuate them by strategically optimizing available funds. We were tasked with rectifying a dysfunctional interior stair, connecting to the outdoors with new large windows, and updating the exterior. We focused our attention on a finite set of architectural moves which would have the biggest impact and improve our clients’ daily experience of the home. Detailing was kept simple, using common grade materials and standard components. All exterior walls were revamped with new windows and siding. Although these materials were not particularly costly, thoughtful layout of boards, battens, and openings produced a cohesive, rigorous composition at each facade. Since the budget would not cover the homeowners’ complete wish list, some items were bracketed for subsequent phases. The challenge was to establish a framework that would allow future work – including a new roof and kitchen renovation – to proceed smoothly. The homeowners, both scientists, were enthusiastic collaborators, contributing their outstanding design sensibilities to selection of fixtures and finishes. Construction ended just in time for the arrival of their baby – and with that, the transformation of their family home was complete.

Eclectic home bar photo in Seattle

Photo by Jillian Northrup. For more info see http://www.becausewecan.org/Resin_Inlay_Swiveling_desk