A breathtaking teardrop Studio Bel Vetro chandelier hangs in the foreground of a bold open bar crafted by Bella Ironworks.

Those of you who have tracked this blog or follow me on Instagram have likely noticed a theme that revolves around my passion for quality, handmade objects, and furniture, preferably those procured locally. Often our projects involve a mashup of handmade pieces with more accessible, easily-obtained items mixed in. That said, last year we had the joy of working with a couple excited to have the bulk of what we curated for them made from local artisans. This resulted in a unique and soulful home, for which we were featured in SPACES Magazine. Check out the SPACES Magazine article by clicking here. By working with California artists who were delighted to include them in the creative process, our clients got to weave their own experience into the story of how their home evolved.

Our couple wanted different things. For her: a light, bright and serene vibe. Whereas they both wanted a cohesive, welcoming home, he desired a bit of wow factor. He certainly got it. Every time someone new enters, they say, “Whoa, look at that light fixture!” The entry, dining room, and kitchen island pendants are all from Studio Bel Vetro. Our clients went to their studio in Healdsburg, met the makers, toured their production facility, and selected some of the finishes in real-time. They felt very much a part of the making of these fixtures.

The couple entertains often, and it was important to create a feeling of welcome and celebration. Nothing says, “We intend to have fun tonight” like a gorgeous, open bar. For this design, we hired Bella Ironworks to execute our vision. Jill, the maker, truly cared about the final product, and our clients felt that. It wasn’t just another job – it became a passion to execute every detail just right. Jill was thoughtful in the process and finished strong, which we hugely appreciated.

I am a firm believer that the positive energy of our vendors goes a long way in raising the vibration of a home. In seeking a breakfast table, we needed a size and color so specific that we couldn’t find one anywhere. That is when we brought in the kind and talented Randall Wilson. It was a no-brainer to enlist him in fabricating the perfect table.

This charming nook was made possible by a custom table fabricated by Randall Wilson.

I have long-adored the neutral textures and the soft hand of the pillows from Fog & Fury. I remember spotting them for the first time at DeSousa Hughes, when I was tempted to free fall into the cloud of layered and beautiful pillows. It looked to me like the shades of beach walks and desert landscapes: calming tones of sea, earth, and sky. These were the perfect complement to the earthy chic vibes of Marin, where our clients’ house is located. Kristin Kelly Colombano of Fog & Fury discovered the ancient craft of felting while on a photo assignment in Mongolia, and fell in love with the process and the resulting art. Felting is seldom seen in the states, which makes Fog & Fury all the more unique. We worked with Kristin to select shades and textures that produced the perfect cozy layers.

Handmade pillows by Fog & Fury channel the nature of Marin County in this sitting space.

Every once in a while, a new vendor is found by the client, as was the case with the maker of the counter stools. We were pointed to Thomas Hayes, who designs and manufactures his mid-century inspired designs in Los Angeles. Though not a Bay Area local, we appreciated the fact that we didn’t have to have the stools shipped from across the country. Thomas Hayes Studio’s Pepe Stool was the perfect fit for our clients. Thomas likes to say that “furniture is sexy.” I believe this is especially true when it channels the confidence and charm of its maker.

Counter stools by Thomas Hayes and pendant lighting by Studio Bel Vetro adorn this inviting kitchen.

My vision is always to take who a client is, what they love, and how they move through the world, and channel it into an environment that reflects their entirety. To include clients in the process of meeting and working with the artisans who craft the layers we use in their home: well, that’s a gorgeous alchemy of making a house a home with a story worth telling.

Photo Credits: All photos by Mo Saito

A version of this article appeared in the Piedmont Post