Sustainable Luxury In Interior Design: The Home & Willow Approach
Over the past few years, “sustainability” has become a hot buzzword, and rightly so. While definitions vary widely, think of it as the ability to meet today’s needs without sacrificing tomorrow’s. It is finding the balance that empowers us to become more conscientious and intentional in our approach to design – and to life.
To us, sustainability is not a buzzword, nor a trend. It is part of our philosophy; a willow moves with the wind. Its resiliency is its strength. In our designs, we prioritize this capacity to endure, creating spaces with timeless elegance. Sustainability comes naturally.
Living Sustainable Luxury
What does sustainable luxury mean to Home & Willow?
Selecting with Intent
For many top manufactures, sustainability isn’t just marketing speak but rather business as usual. Vanguard Furniture, for example, seamlessly blends exquisite quality and style with environmentally-conscious production practices. The result: Pieces that you’ll be able – and proud – to pass on generation after generation. Vanguard lives up to its name by leading the way in the use of renewable energy, sustainably sourced and reclaimed wood, byproduct recycling, natural, recycled, and salvaged materials, and more.
As Vanguard says, “Sustainability is more than a program. We see it as a way of life.” It is a way of life that will fit flawlessly into your way of life.
Investing in Durable Materials
Opting for “green” products is one route to sustainable luxury. There are others that are equally powerful and impactful when we keep the goal top of mind: To reduce waste and the pervasive love-it-then-toss-it mentality while designing a home that truly reflects your personality. One avenue through which to pursue sustainable luxury is choosing highly durable materials.
Too often, fabrics, textiles, and even furnishings are not made to last. Our partner, Norwalk Furniture, challenges this status quo with exceptional products like their Purely Protected Leathers. This upholstery collection is designed to withstand intense (yet everyday) use. Think dogs jumping on the sofa, kids finger painting with PB&J on the dining room chairs, and hot sun pouring into the great room. The highly durable, and supremely sumptuous, line lasts beautifully while resisting tears, scratching, fading, and staining.
Quality and endurance on this level means you will not have to replace or reupholster your keystone pieces, which helps reduce waste in terms of resources and of money.
Designing for Longevity
As Home & Willow founder and senior designer Stacy Stater says, “We don’t really concentrate on current trends. We welcome them and receive them as a nod towards a certain look. We like to encourage more timeless, classic looks that will give our clients greater longevity.”
With longevity comes sustainability. When you have space that resonates with you, that captures your essence, and that is able to evolve with you, you leave behind a fad-driven aesthetic. You choose pieces that speak to you – and that you won’t feel the need to jettison with each changing season. That doesn’t mean your look stays the same year after year; you have the flexibility to change and grow. And you have the freedom to do so in a way that is intentional – and thoroughly you.
Our Approach, Your Results
Our passion is empowering clients to make a house a home, one that will bring joy today, tomorrow, and in years to come. Sustainable luxury is simply an organic part of our process. Learn how we can work together to create spaces filled with timeless elegance – and beautiful memories. Connect with Home & Willow.
Behind-the-Scenes with Home & Willow Design
“We do have a character trait, a core value that we’re teaching here,” says Home & Willow Founder/Owner Stacy Stater. It’s called Willow. You need to be flexible, deep-rooted, graceful… and go with the storm.”
A willow shows its strength by moving with the wind; we show ours by embodying that same flexibility and resiliency. In doing so, the Home & Willow team empowers clients to create spaces in which they can put down their own roots and make indelible, and incredible, memories.
Making a House a Home with Home & Willow Design
Our designs are thoughtful and intentional, and this is… by design, if you will. Our process is driven by your needs, goals, and aspirations. Rather than chasing trends, we seek to create timeless interiors that help you weather whatever storms rage outside your doors. The Willow Way is built on trusting relationships, ensuring the journey from vision to fruition is seamless. Our team guides you through a Discovery Session, a deep dive into you, and an in-home assessment.
From the Design Scope, an organized list based on our assessment, to delivery day, when the metamorphosis begins to take place before your eyes, the Willow Way empowers you to make your house a home.
The Willow Women
Each of Home & Willow’s team members embodies our core value, the Willow. Their creativity and passion are a force to be reckoned with – and collectively, they have decades of experience in effecting inspiring transformations. Stacy’s own transformation led to the founding of the company. As a child, she drew floor plans and scoured catalogs for furniture to fill her dreams. After earning a financial counseling degree from Purdue University, though, Stacy went into business. Finding it sapped her of her creative energy, she decided to follow her passion… and Home & Willow followed soon after.
This passion is evident in the team that Stacy has nurtured and in the quality of their work. Rather than specializing in one genre or one “look,” they take the time to specialize in the client. “We pride ourselves on getting to know the client and their specific desires” so we can “hone in on making their homes reflect their personalities and not ours.”
No two clients are the same, which is why no two Home & Willow projects are the same. Fortunately so! “Our designers are so creative. It would kill us if we had to do the same design over and over. We want it to be different each time,” Stacy emphasizes.
From Designer Bron Dailey, who uses her background in both design and psychology to wow clients, to Office Manager Kamryn Camp, whose high-energy, humorous, and innovative mind keeps everyone on track, each Willow Woman is committed to excellence and to delivering exceptional results.
Our Favorite Project…
Is yours. Whatever your goals and aspirations, we are keen to understand them and deliver results that capture your vision. In fact, many of our clients find that the finished product exceeds their expectations and reflects their personality and lifestyle in a way that makes a space truly feel like home.
Experience the Willow Way. Connect with Home & Willow.
5 Ways to Stick To Your Budget When Working with a Designer
Can you design a beautiful home on a budget? Absolutely! Let’s be real: The vast majority of us are working within some type of monetary constraint, but this does not have to detract from the results we achieve. And it can even help us make better decisions when it comes to the durability of our style.
5 Tips to Stay On Budget When Working with a Designer
Planning a home improvement project – whether it encompasses your entire home or a room or two – can be overwhelming, particularly when it comes to budgeting. Here are five ways to stay on track:
- Take Time to Consider What You Really Want
It sounds simplistic, but taking your time to determine what you want, what suits your lifestyle, what feels aspirational, is anything but simple. Dig deep – and forget what you think you should do or how your home should be or look. This is your space, your home, your memory-making command central. It should reflect… Well, you. Gourmet Michelin Star-worthy kitchens may make a splash, for example, but if you are a take-out or go-out person, fine!
Focus your attention on the spaces that matter most to you. It could be an indulgent owner’s suite or family-friendly great room. This is all about you; deciding on your priorities is step one in sticking to your budget.
- Engage In Open, Honest Conversation with Your Designer
Most of us are hesitant to talk about the “M” word. Money. It can be a rather taboo topic, but when it comes to sticking to a budget when working with a designer, engaging in transparent conversations is paramount. The right designer will have keen insight into sourcing materials, supplies, and other elements at optimal cost, and they can also help you direct your budget to the spaces that will yield the most impact.
Don’t be afraid to talk about money. You can design a beautiful house on a budget – but only if your designer is aware of said budget!
- Clarify the Scope of the Project
What needs to be done? Everything! It may feel like this, but, no, not everything needs a major overhaul. At least not at the same time. Be strategic when it comes to the scope of your project. You may need to complete it in phases, and this can be an excellent move to minimize disruption on both your budget and your emotional state. Again, clarifying your priorities plays a central role.
And if you do want to overhaul everything, ask a designer about where to start and what should be included in which phases. This allows you to allocate your funding where it will make the most impact.
- Take Advantage of Customized Design Services
Let’s circle back: We mentioned that it can be challenging to determine your priorities and to establish a starting point when it comes to your home project. We get it. This is why Home & Willow offers services specifically tailored to your needs. To gain clarity and to guide budget discussions, get the advice and guidance you need via:
- Designer for a Day. If you are uncertain about where to start or if you need full design services, we’ll block out a few hours to come to your home and help. We’ll tackle any design issues you have and develop a list of ideas and solutions for your project(s).
- Design Consultation. Home & Willow will help you create a plan for your home improvement project. Whether you want to focus on the entire home or one room, we bring our creative problem-solving to you. We use this time to listen and understand the challenges ahead of you so we can help you get from Point A to Point Beautiful.
Your budget is an important part of these conversations and will help inform your next steps.
- Prioritize Timeless Over Trends
In the pursuit of creating the “perfect” home, many people focus on now. They splurge and director their budget towards fleeting design trends that are “hot” this season or this year. Rest assured, fads will fade – and fast!
At Home & Willow, we wish to create timeless beauty and elegance that lasts. By investing in high-quality, enduring pieces (from furnishings to artwork to window treatments), you make the most of each of your budget dollars. These are elements that will stand the test of time and create a great canvas that can be easily refreshed. For example, focusing spending on exceptional furnishings gives you the flexibility to add splashes of today’s “it” color with throws or fun accessories.
It is often not worth it to compromise on quality; in fact, when you are strategic, these elements are what will save you money in the long run.
Let’s Work Together
You have a vision. And you also have to stick to a budget when working with a designer. The two are not mutually exclusive! At Home & Willow, our goal is to gain in-depth understanding of your goals and aspirations, engage in transparent conversations, and above all, deliver the results of which you’ve been dreaming.
Connect with Home & Willow. We look forward to working with you.
From Discovery to Delivery
The Home & Willow Design Process
When it comes to home design, often the hardest part is getting started. Although the draw of complete control often tempts people toward DIY home improvement, there are many pitfalls and obstacles along the way that can be hard to navigate on your own. By hiring a seasoned professional, however, the process can be both seamless and fun!
“The #1 problem our clients face is that they have some vision of what they want their living space to look like but have no idea how to make it happen,” says Kamryn Camp, office manager and interior designer at Home & Willow. “We solve that.”
The Willow Way consists of four parts: The Discovery Session, the In-Home Assessment & Design Scope, the Visual Presentation, and the Big Reveal.
During the 30-minute Discovery Session, the Home & Willow team learns all about their client’s needs, priorities, and expectations. They ask the client for inspiration photos, inquire about their lifestyle, and pose thoughtful questions to root out the perfect design aesthetic.
“Rushed decisions are usually regretful decisions, but not making any decisions is so naggingly painful and disappointing,” says Stacy Stater, founder and owner of Home & Willow Design. “Our designers take a client through the journey of decision making with ease and assurance.”
During the In-Home Assessment & Design Scope stage, the team asks questions and listens intently to the client’s answers. They also take photos, measurements, and notes of the prioritized areas. Just 24 hours later, they send a Design Scope document to the client. The designer itemizes an hourly fee schedule based on the areas discussed. Any design fees are collected prior to the start of the project.
During the Visual Presentation, the client visits the Home & Willow studio so that the designer can showcase their work via physical mood boards, 3-D renderings, and Keynotes. The retail space enables the team to tangibly showcase fabrics, finishes, furniture pieces, and more.
The Big Reveal is where all the concepts, conversations, plans, and proposals come to life as the team coordinates a home delivery. This is when everything comes together– by the end of this final stage, the home is ready for everyday life.
“We ease the process from start to finish because we want our clients to love their home!” says Camp.
Designers are, at their core, focused on giving you the beautiful and functional space that you’ve been dreaming of without the stress of doing it all yourself. Learn firsthand how The Willow Way can make your design process enjoyable by contacting Home & Willow Design.
The team at Home & Willow Design have a design process that’s so polished they have a name for it: The Willow Way.
Decorators’ Show House: Home & Willow Designer Julie Curry Takes on an Indianapolis Tradition
Indianapolis is gearing up for one of the year’s most anticipated fundraising events: St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild’s Decorators’ Show House & Gardens. In its 63rd year, the Indy institution brings together the area’s top interior designers and landscape architects, including Home & Willow Senior Designer Julie Curry, as they transform the stately “Sylvan House at Northern Estates.” Julie brings extensive industry experience, as well as her passion for creating cozy, comfortable, and functional spaces, to this unique challenge.
The Decorators’ Show House: An Indianapolis Tradition
The St. Margaret’s Decorators’ Show House is the longest run show house in the country, and to date, it has raised over $14 million for Eskenazi Health. The goal for 2024 is to raise $1 million for the John & Kathy Ackerman Mental Health Professional Development Center at Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center. Over 20 designers and trade professionals are putting their ingenuity to work to make that goal a reality.
Nanette Wiseman, St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild President, says, “We would be nothing without their guidance, their creativity, and their support. I love the fact that [they take] this blank slate and [make] it into something incredible.”
The Home & Willow Touch
Seeing the possibilities and potential of a space is a skill that designer Julie Curry has honed over 20+ years in the business. “While this is not our company’s first time participating [in the Decorators’ Show House],” Julie says, “It’s my first time taking the lead in decorating one of the rooms.” It is far from her first time working in the pressurized world of designer home shows, however. She has lent her creativity to multiple designer show homes, including Home-A-Rama, Extreme Home Makeover, the Indianapolis Show Home, and Indianapolis Monthly Dream Home.
Representing Home & Willow, Julie had the opportunity to tour the Sylvan House in March 2024 and see it as it was when the homeowners and their possessions filled the space. And then it truly became a “blank slate.” Everything that wasn’t nailed down (and a few things that were) was removed from the home in preparation for a complete transformation.
Julie was assigned “Back Hall Bedroom II,” formerly utilized as a teenage boy’s room. “I have two teenage boys myself, so that appealed to me.” Informed that the space might also be used for exchange students, Julie wanted to create a fun, funky vibe – and choose the universal language of music to speak to young inhabitants. With a Rock & Roll theme, she was ready to get to work.
Preparing for the Big Reveal
Designers involved with the Decorators’ Show House submit their proposals to the St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild prior to starting work. From there, these professionals have a largely free hand in transforming their given spaces. In a marked divergence from the usual Home & Willow process, which involves building a relationship with clients, Julie and the other designers have never spoken with or met the Sylvan owners. This, she says, was certainly a challenge. But “there was something freeing about doing what I thought the space called for.”
Like typical assignments, there are some innate challenges in designing for the Decorators’ Show House. Nothing may be changed structurally, for example. Back Hall Bedroom II features stucco walls as the home was built nearly a century ago. Julie says, “I did have to come up with creative wall treatment to overcome bumpy walls but also add a cool element.” She also had to think critically when it came to the scale of the furnishings she chose. Trying to lug outsized pieces up a narrow set of stairs, with a twist and a turn, is a rookie move. “I’ve been in the business – you learn very quickly not to make that mistake again!”
Perhaps most challenging was scheduling. “The [Guild] gives you a month to set everything up, so you have to make sure your contractors are available during that time. Preparation is key in getting the right people there at the right time.” Again, with her background and track record in the field, this is a challenge Julie knows how to navigate with agility.
Unlike typical assignments, designers dissemble their spaces at the end of the show “unless the homeowner falls in love with it and decides to purchase the items we’ve placed in the room.” Though Julie might just have her eye on them. “I have a teenage boy, so I might decide I want to purchase the [items]!” In any case, the design will surely strike the right chord with show attendees – and a lucky teen.
It’s (Almost) Show Time
Julie and the other designers will be ready for photographs in March, and the public will have a chance to tour the Sylvan House from Saturday, April 27- Sunday, May 12. This is an opportunity to experience design at its best and help support the mission of St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild. For tickets, visit https://showhouseindy.org/ – and be sure to take that narrow staircase to Back Hall Bedroom II!
Home & Willow: Services Designed For You
Why did we choose the name, Home & Willow Design? A willow moves with the wind, showing its strength in its flexibility and agility. This is the premise that underlies our work and that informs and inspires our services.
Now, why will you choose Home & Willow Design? Our team empowers you to accomplish your goals, to realize your dreams, and, above all, to make your house a home.
Home & Willow Design Services
Home is everything. For many of us, it is the single most important place in the world. As Founder and Senior Designer Stacy Stater says, “It’s where we build our most important relationships” and create our most treasured memories. The path that takes us there – that takes us to home – differs for everyone. Home & Willow’ Design's services are designed to accommodate your needs and goals and, ideally, make that path much more meaningful and rewarding. We offer:
Full Service Interior Design
We call this the “Willow Signature.” Our full service interior design experience empowers homeowners to create space that allows them to put down strong roots. Best of all, there’s no need (or pressure) for you to worry about anything. Whether you are building from the ground up or transforming your home one precious room at a time, our experienced team takes care of all the details.
And we understand what a leap of faith this is. You are, essentially, putting your home into our hands. This is why, Stacy explains, we spend so much time and energy getting to know clients and learn about their specific desires. Strong relationships allow us to “hone in on making their homes reflect their personalities and not ours.”
Because our clients trust us, and because we focus on building those relationships, entrusting your design to us is not so much a leap of faith as a logical next step.
Designer for a Day
Not ready for a leap, or a step, quite yet? Designer for a Day is a targeted option that allows you to test the waters, so to speak. We visit your home and start delving into any design issues, challenges, or visions you have. From there, we’ll develop a detailed list of ideas, including retail solutions, that will enable you to make your home truly yours. This allows you to clarify the scope of your project(s) and decide what your next move is.
Interior/Exterior Paint Selection
Choosing colors for your home is about more than perusing the latest Color of the Year (which, by the way, range from Peach Fuzz to Renew Blue for 2024) and settling on one that strikes your fancy. Of course, hues that hit the right note are important – but we consider the entire arrangement. That is, how do colors work together cohesively in your home… as well as outside of it?
The right colors look great and can increase value and curb appeal. More than that, though, they influence mood, evoke certain feelings and emotions, and help reflect the personalities of those who call this home. If you cannot pin down color, we can assist you in creating a complete color palette that works in your space.
New Home Construction or Remodel Selections
Perhaps the single biggest obstacle that many of our clients face is the heavy feeling of overwhelm associated with a new build or remodel. It is a lot, to say the least. You will be faced with a staggering number of product choices during your building or remodeling process, and it is all too easy to run into decision fatigue.
The Home & Willow team specializes in creating a stress-less experience. Again, relationships are key, and when we fully understand your desired decor, your lifestyle, and your goals, we can design detailed concept boards, guide you through your options, and bring a feeling of calm to the chaos.
Accessorizing Your Space
They say that the devil is in the details. We beg to differ! The magic is in the details. Putting the finishing touches on your home, through art, pillows, window treatments, and other accessories, is one of our favorite aspects of design. If you need to add your personality and flair to your space but need help navigating your choices and deciding how to make elements work together, send us pictures or invite us for an assessment. We’ll take care of the rest (because we know just what you’ll love).
Let’s Work Together
What is home to you? Our services are designed to ensure this ideal is brought to life through classic, durable style. Learn more at https://homeandwillowdesign.com/.
Rooted in Resilience: The Story of Home & Willow Design's Journey to Success"
When Home & Willow Design founder, Stacy Stater, realized she was brave enough to open her own studio, she knew there’d be no turning back. The seed has been planted in April of 2021 and was taking root. The Showroom opened in the Hub & Spoke Design Center in Fishers early January 2022. Stacy designed it like all her projects. She put a pencil and ruler to paper with her client in mind… With demand at an all-time high, everyone in the home industry is trying to keep up with this new normal. Subsequently, new venues are invaluable. Home & Willow Design was cultivated to be an inspiring meeting hub for designers and clients alike to create amazing spaces.
Home & Willow Design is staffed with a super-talented, energetic team of core designers who await anyone needing help with a project. We consider it a high honor to be invited into someone’s home…their most private and prized asset. It’s not taken lightly, and our ‘Willow’ Designers listen carefully, in order to come up with unique and creative solutions to any problems that homeowners have. Stacy says, “Our job is to create a home that is a beautiful reflection of the client’s personality…not ours!”
The Nature of Design is symbolic for H&W. Stater remembers her late mother planting a Willow tree in the backyard, because nothing else would grow there. Deep rooted and resilient, the Willow grows in less than perfect conditions. With graceful and forgiving limbs, the Willow withstands the storm. Proud of her Willow team for weathering the busiest season the home industry has ever encountered, Stacy says she leaves most days misty-eyed. “It’s so inspiring to spend your day with ‘Creatives’ and to see their passion to help people”.
Are you ready to work from Discovery to Delivery Day? We’re ready to walk with you. Connect with Home & Willow.
Room-Specific Design: Creating a Whole… One Space at a Time
If there’s one thing designers dread, it is creating (or recreating, as it were) the same look… over and over and over again. Luckily, each client is unique, and each deserves a style that reflects their personality, their lifestyle, their goals, their dreams, and their aspirations. This is good news for you because it means the possibilities are wide open. And yet, this can be so intimidating! The number one challenge clients face is feeling overwhelmed.
Our advice: Take it one step at a time. Room-specific design is not just about choosing the right sofa for the living room or window treatments for the bedroom. It is about approaching design room-by-room, if necessary, in order to create the beautiful home you’re dreaming of.
The Basics of Room-Specific Design
Home & Willow Design client Mike M., captures the challenge perfectly, saying, “Julie Curry has been my interior design consultant on a number of projects and truly helped to make my home feel and functionally work the way I want. She's so good at listening to my thoughts and offering her own design style and experience to provide me with a handful of options from which I can select. There's no one better for me than Julie, and would recommend her to anyone that needs help interior design that is as pleasing to the eye as it is functional in nature.”
This strategy allows you to focus on one space at a time, which is helpful in working towards a harmonious whole. It can also empower you to decide where your priorities lie, where you want to splash out and where you can pull back in order to maximize your budget and results.
With all of this in mind, how should you approach room-specific design?
Before You Pinterest…
Each room in your home has a purpose, a place in how you live your life. Think about how you use the room – and how you would like to use the room – as well as who uses it and why. This will help clear your head and focus your thoughts and ideas in terms of must-have furnishings, flooring, window treatments, accessories, artwork, and accents. Your design is most satisfying when it reflects your individual preferences and aligns with its function.
Start with Your Favorite
Why not? What better place to begin the transformation from house to home than in the spaces that you love and that your household will use most? If you love entertaining, it could be the kitchen/dining room. If you crave peace and calm, it could be the owner’s suite. If you are a child-focused household, it may be the family room/living room.
Prioritize Your Most Important Spaces
Again, your most important space is unique to you and your household. Focusing on these rooms first can help guide the entire process. In these rooms:
Gather Your Thoughts – and Dreams
Ever been accused of perusing Pinterest or binge watching home shows a little too intensely? No. You were conducting in-depth research! Keep it up. Before you go full-steam ahead on a project, it’s helpful to gather ideas and images that capture your interest. Use these to create mood boards – which can sound technical but can really just be a “collage” of your top picks and favorite features. This can solidify your vision into actual elements. Don’t be afraid to start broad and then begin to narrow in.
Choose the Piece
It may be helpful to choose a main element – from a piece of art to a piece of furniture – that speaks to you especially eloquently. Doing so can help organize and clarify your design. You’re not looking for the latest trend (of which you may soon tire) but rather a focal point around which you can build.
From there, you can begin looking at color palettes, “foundation” furniture, and other elements that are meaningful and that will contribute to a cohesive design – room by room.
Inject You
You have a certain je ne sais quoi… Your treasured spaces should too. Design that looks like it was copy and pasted from a catalog may look nice, but they lack an essential quality: You. Again, this is not about trends that you may enjoy now but rather creating a classic, timeless look that you’ll love living with.
Designer for a Day – or for a Project
Room-specific design encompasses the functionality and purpose of the space while giving you the opportunity to achieve a wonderful effect that permeates your entire home. Home & Willow Design delivers services that help you transform your ideas and vision into action – and into results. From Designer for a Day to full scale, end-to-end design, we are here to help you navigate your project.
Connect with Home & Willow Design to learn more.
Home & Willow’s Process: From Discovery to Delivery
What now?
If you are like most homeowners facing the intimidating blank canvas of a new build or the daunting task of remodeling/renovating an existing house, you have put in endless time thinking, imagining, scouring websites and galleries, visiting showrooms and open houses… and, quite possibly, worrying about how you will accomplish your goals and desires.
So, what now? The answer may be much more simple, and manageable, than you expected. At least, that’s what we intended when we created the Willow Way.
The Willow Way
Just as a willow moves with the wind, and thus shows its strength…
We remain flexible in the face of change. In design, it’s easy to chase trends; we believe in creating timeless interiors that instill joy and calm in the hearts – and lives – of homeowners. The Willow Way, our client-focused process, is designed to nurture trusting relationships and facilitate optimal results. As always, we are here to guide you along the journey.
Discovery Session
We want to get to know you! The Discovery Session is a complimentary 30-minute meeting in our studio or via phone that enables us to discuss your needs, priorities, goals, and expectations. Integral to the Home & Willow process is a deep-dive into your vision and dreams. You are trusting us with your space, and this is not something we take lightly. We want to know what home means to you. To paraphrase from the classic Casablanca, this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
In-Home Assessment and Design Scope
Our design team is humbled by the trust our clients place in us. After all, nothing is more important than your home. During the in-home assessment, we take photos, measurements, and notes of your target project areas – and most importantly, we listen.
Armed with information and insights, and full of ideas, we get to work on a Design Scope. This is an organized list culled from our assessment notes, and you will receive it within 24 hours. This is also the point at which your designer will itemize a fee schedule. (Design fees are collected prior to the start of work.) All of this will be explained clearly to you so there are no “fun” surprises during any phase of your project.
Visual Presentation
Picture it. Better yet, let us show you exactly what we’re thinking on Presentation Day. Depending on your unique timeline, you and any additional decision-makers come back to our studio. You’ll see your vision taking shape through physical mood boards, detailed 3D renderings, keynotes, and other methods. Thanks to our brick & mortar retail space, you can see, touch, and experience fabrics, finishes, furnishings, flooring, and more for yourself. This direct and tactile approach really allows the project to come to life in your mind.
Delivery Day
You’ve talked, we’ve listened. You’ve imagined, we’ve created. Throughout the Willow Way process, you have been in control of every concept and every item that will go into making your house a home. Now get ready for the grand reveal! At this point, our team coordinates a home delivery with you and your designer. Don’t worry. It’s not as intimidating as it sounds. We strive to make this step as smooth and seamless as possible so you can focus on what really matters: Your home. We guarantee you will love it. And we venture to say that you’ll also love this phase of the Willow Way. This is where the transformation magic takes center stage.
Home & Willow’s Process Is Designed for You
Intertwined within each step of the Home & Willow process is the advice, guidance, and support of your designer and team. Our only goal is to ensure that you achieve yours. Bringing our expertise, experience, and connections to the relationship empowers you to realize the transformation you’ve been dreaming of, whether that is customizing a newly built space to your needs or reviving an existing structure so it captures who you are.
Are you ready to work from Discovery to Delivery Day? We’re ready to walk with you. Connect with Home & Willow.
Transitional Design - Taking a Style and Making It Your Own
What’s your design style?
There’s a reason we don’t typically lead conversations with this one! Chances are you’re not quite sure – but that you know what you love, what resonates with you, and what will empower you to make your house a home. For many, transitional style ticks all these boxes. But that’s just it: How do you approach transitional without it appearing like that’s what you did – tick all the boxes? How do you elevate your aesthetic from just another copy-and-pasted look into one that is truly, uniquely, your own?
Transitional Design: Tried, True, and Timeless
Transitional style is typically defined as a commingling, if you will, of traditional and modern design. Formal, ornate touches are blended with casual, relaxed notes to create a look that is comfortable, welcoming, and elegant.
In transitional design, there’s a definite nod towards minimalism with neutral color palettes; classic shapes and silhouettes; simple, clean lines; natural textures and elements; statement lighting; and comfortable, functional furnishings. To this, add occasional bursts of color and ornate accessories and accents. So, we might expect a sleek, linear sofa with a rounded ottoman, for example, as well as some natural textiles and slightly more elaborate light fixtures.
Time to Play
Some designers interpret transitional style on the more traditional end of the spectrum, while others lean towards modern. Transitional is “in the eye of the beholder,” as it were and it allows an opportunity to eschew the rules and play with various styles, shapes, and silhouettes while creating space that speaks to you. Unlike contemporary, which tends to capture a moment in time, transitional sets the scene for timeless beauty – and evolution.
As Los Angeles designer Jenn Feldman says, “Transitional design is the palate cleanser of all design styles.” Serving as a “baseline” for more complex flavors, if you will, this aesthetic offers a foundation that “allows for growth and change, not committing to one singular point of view.” A layer of minimalism. A touch of mid century. A hint of Scandi. It can all work.
And this means that it can all work for you. Are you ready to play?
Make Transitional Yours
Transitional design offers a world of possibilities – but not every avenue is one we want to explore! One to avoid: Selecting pieces and turning your home into a showroom or catalog spread. By doing so, you may have a space that is, objectively, attractive. But it will not breathe. It won’t reflect the lives and personalities of those within its walls.
How do you make transitional style your own?
Go Neutral
Transitional style makes strategic use of neutral tones (e.g. beiges, creams, taupes, etc.). This will work in your favor especially as we know that “neutral” does not mean “boring.” It simply provides you with an excellent backdrop against which you will personalize your space with rich color, sumptuous textures and layers, and elements that speak to you.
Prioritize Comfort and Functionality
One of the tenets of transitional style is comfort and practicality. It’s about choosing a chair, for example, that says, “Relax and enjoy,” rather than “Don’t You Dare Sit On Me.” Remember, your home isn’t a glossy magazine feature; real people live here! Look towards furnishings that are inviting instead of intimidating. For example, you can easily pair a sofa with gorgeous fabric and generous cushions and pillows with two more formal chairs (that are still approachable) to get that casual, sophisticated feel.
Chose Elements That You Love
You might begin by selecting three elements – whether pieces of furniture, light fixtures, or accents – that resonate with you. Now, see if there is a thread that runs through all of them. Do they have similar lines or colors? Is there a commonality when it comes to the textures? Whatever it is, you can use this as a starting point and begin to layer in other elements.
Pick Our Brains
You don’t need to put a label on your style, desires, or goals. If you feel yourself leaning towards transitional but are not sure how to bring it to life in your space, the answers are just a few questions away! At Home & Willow, we do not limit ourselves to particular styles – and we are not afraid to bend and break rules that do not apply to you. Founder and Senior Designer Stacy Stater says, “Our designers are so creative. It would kill us if we had to do the same design over and over! We want it to be different each time. We want to get people out of their box” and into the home of their dreams.
So, if we do a dozen transitional designs, a hundred, or a thousand, no two will be the same – and every one will capture the heart and soul of the client. Of you.
If you dream of transitioning your home to a transitional haven, connect with Home & Willow.
