In order to achieve the client wish list of a more functional floor plan and more linear feet of hanging space, the program included four zones: 1. An “open-concept” style closet system with wardrobe cabinetry; 2. A walk-in wet room with freestanding tub and shower; 3. Separate his and hers vanities; 4. A separate toilet room.
Read MoreCramped Kenwood kitchen updated for a young family
The original kitchen in this Kenwood home was a little dark, a little crowded, and a whole lot of not functional for a family of 4. The lack of countertop space was forcing this homeowner to use a moveable butcher block island every evening for prep space, but the lack of space around that prep space was forcing the client to move the island out of the space after prep was done since there wasn’t much space to get around or through.
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We're 3!
We’re 3! Last month we celebrated FOUNDRY’s third business anniversary!
Three years ago, we stepped out on our own, with a vision of creating a studio and culture that reflected who we were and how we wanted to design. From our days at DAAP to days in offices and on construction sites, we had countless experiences that shaped our view on design and its place in the world. We never felt that design was an individual sport, and we also never felt that design (and designers) should create, design, or exist in a vacuum.
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Overall shot into the main living space of the basement. {Photography by Olga Polo Photography}
Unfinished to Entertaining Haven: a Treeknoll basement
In this previously unfinished Anderson basement, the goal was to create a warm and inviting space that was suitable for all ages—young, old, and everyone in between. Programmatically, the basement needed to house a variety of spaces, an open living area, a wet bar, workout area, a full bathroom, storage, a bedroom, and an open office area.
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Overall of our Design Build Cincy 2018 booth
CREATIVITY + COLLABORATION + CONNECTION x COFFEE + CONVERSATIONS [design build cincy 2018]
So, we viewed the glass half full, got creative, and kept the possibilities of this size booth at the forefront. We wanted to create a space in our 10’ x 20’ booth that would allow various users to be in the space at the same time, allow them to learn more about our collaborative design process, connect with us, and engage in meaningful dialogue with us about design.
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Plantshed: the retail experience of coffee, plants, planters, flowers, and all the lovely things.
Exploring NYC: from Nolita to Harlem
When I lived in NYC, I spent almost every Saturday and Sunday just wondering around. I figured the best way to learn about the city was by a combination of train to a new neighborhood and by foot once I got there. I wanted to spend my birthday the same way.
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Riverside Retreat | A master bathroom redesign (and one of our favorite projects to date!)
Riverside Retreat: from builder beige to vintage eclectic
We wanted to give them a tranquil master bathroom that met their functional requirements—useable storage, a large shower, and better lighting—and complimented the homeowner’s style: an eclectic mix of vintage, craftsman, mid-century modern pieces. The materials palette is a subtle mix of grays and whites, contrasted by black accents and a mid-tone wood vanity.
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Exploring Cincy: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Last month, we had the pleasure of joining IIDA CinDay for their Inspire Me Series tour of The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Our tour was led by members of the design team from GBBN as well as members of the Cincy Shakes team. Drawing inspiration from and paying homage to historical theatres such as The Globe Theatre, while keeping in mind the needs of today, Cincy Shakes displays a raw but refined attitude toward design and materials.
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Exploring Cincy (and The Cov): Workshops at The Frock
I've always been a big fan of weavings and wall hangings. There are so many droll-inducing designs by artisans who are true masters of this historical craft. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to take a weaving class while I was in design school, but when I found out Natalie Kaelin was hosting a class at The Frock in Covington, I jumped at the opportunity.
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The Artwork of Nature
As the winter season slowly moves on, the lingering drear and cold begin to make us anxious for everything to “spring” to life again. Accessorizing indoor spaces with plants and fresh flowers is an easy way to brighten your surroundings and immediately give a space life. Like a piece of artwork, we value plants as much for their color as for their texture and form.
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Exploring Cincy: Transforming Fashion, Iris van Herpen
Write here...Happy 2018 everyone! We continually draw inspiration from the world around us, and there are so many places, spaces, and moments of great inspiration in Cincinnati and beyond. This coming year, instead of keeping those thousands of photos on our phones, we’re going to share them with you, giving you a glimpse of what inspires us and keeps us going, showing off our Queen City and other places, too.
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It's about farming, not hunting
Plant your seeds. Get to know people. Nurture your crops. Establish quality relationships over quantity relationships. “If your network is a mile wide and an inch deep, it will never be successful” (Misner). Aim for a rich harvest, not a quick kill.
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O-ho the Wells Fargo Wagon is a-comin' down the street.. // Details from the financial office's conference room
An Investment in Design
A well-designed office environment is not only an investment in the people who work there, but also an investment in their clients and their potential clients
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It's Officially Wedding Season!
May is already halfway over (where does time go?!) and there’s been a lot to celebrate this month! We celebrated momma’s everywhere last weekend, we had margaritas on the 5th, and it’s officially wedding season! We love when clients come to us with the task of designing their wedding invitation package. From the Save the Dates all the way to the thank you notes, we see our slice of the wedding pie (or cake) as an important tool in helping the bride and groom to hone in on their wedding vision. The process is very similar to a branding project, helping a client form their identity and establish an essence and distinct look.
We recently worked with a client in developing their invitation package, complete with Save the Dates, RSVPs, maps, programs, and thank you cards. The wedding venue, Voice of America MetroPark, is a casual, outdoor venue, and the client wanted the invitation package to be welcoming and casual, but also maintain a level of sophistication. Succulents and simple florals, similar to those on the invitation package, were included at the venue on tablescapes, bouquets, and boutonnières.
Scroll through to see some of our favorite images of the invitation package. We hope you love the final product as much as we do!
Exterior renovation work at Union Terminal. Soon, the fountains will be taken out to repair the building below (which extends out to the oculi) before they are reconstructed.
Exploring Cincy: Union Terminal
On January 20th, we had the privilege of joining the IIDA-Cincinnati/Dayton chapter for a hardhat tour of the Art Deco beauty, Cincinnati Union Terminal, while it undergoes a massive $217.5 million ($160 million in construction alone) renovation.
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Overall showing the candy and sweets icon motif, fun colors, and bold fonts.
The "sweetest" Bat Mitzvah invitations
One of our favorite projects thus far has been these "sweet" Bat Mitzvah invitations. It's not every day that you get to design for a 13 year old, but when you do, you can use fun colors, graphic motifs, and bold fonts.
Focusing on simplistic and bold design, the Bat Mitzvah invitation package challenges the notion of traditional invitation packaging. The outside "envelope" unfolds, revealing two invitations; then flips over and shows the RSVP information.
With a non-traditional envelope, you have non-traditional how to's
While opening the invitation, one notices the song request on the reverse side of the "envelope."
The back of the "envelope" is also branded, showing the candy motif as well as the lollipop "i" in Caroline's name. The "envelope" opens to show the main ceremony invite.
The party invitation expands on the candy motif, shown here in various colors and applications.
The "envelope" flipped over to show the RSVP info on the left and a song request on the right.
The guest then fills out the RSVP information, refolds the "envelope," places a sticker on the back, fills in their address, and sends it back in the mail.
The bold typeface of the date became a reoccurring motif in the invitation package.
Return address showing the lollipop "i" in Caroline's name.
The bold color palette and simple typefaces keep a fun, consistent, graphic presentation all the way to thank you notes.
Custom thank you notes with the candy motif.
The candy and sweets icon motif, the lollipop "i," and the fun colors all reinforce the Bat Mitzvah's theme, "Sweet Caroline." This was one of our favorite projects to date, and we cannot wait to design more.
Sandstone and granite walls are accented by decorative bars on the windows.
Exploring Cincy: Art Deco on Dalton Ave
What I like most about cities is their depth. The ability to always find something “new,” even if new means you’ve seen it from the highway 100 times, driven down its road 12 times, and the structure itself has stood for 84 years.
Read MoreHow I Got Here, Part II
Becoming the co-founder of an interior design firm was not something I thought would be part of my career path. I always knew I was a problem solver and enjoyed helping others, but developing a business focused on helping others see the ideas they have come to life and promoting new concepts to solve problems was not always a clear path for me. Taking note of several experiences in my life helped me realize my passion for design and solidified the decision to start a design business.
Read MoreHow I Got Here, Part 1
As they say, do it with passion or not at all. Here’s to a new beginning...cheers!
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