Design Homies IRL: Taking The Design Out Of The Chat
Our Design Homies IRL project started years ago as a casual group chat between three friends. We’d share design finds, current trends, and even some what-were-they-thinking design moments. Fast forward a few years, and two of those long-time friends—an incredibly stylish, fun couple with two kids and two dogs—bought a home and hired us to bring their vision to life.
The Clients
Let me introduce this family I’ve known for over 20 years. They’re young, edgy, and completely immersed in fashion and high design. The wife shares our obsession with all things beautiful, custom, and unique, while the husband values quality and well-thought-out, functional design. That combination gave us the ultimate creative freedom to push the boundaries and create something truly one-of-a-kind.
What began as a simple cosmetic refresh quickly spiraled into a full gut renovation. We reworked the entire layout, designed the kitchen, three bathrooms, and handled all the decor. And because every reno has its surprises, we uncovered structural and insulation issues that demanded extra attention. Thankfully, our clients took it all in stride, choosing to fix things the right way rather than cutting corners. With an amazing team behind them, they completed this project in record time—despite all the unforeseeable challenges.
The Design Vision
We knew this project would lean contemporary, but our goal was to infuse warmth, character, and movement into the clean lines. The foundation of the home’s design started with a stunning custom parquet floor from Unik Parquet. The intricate pattern creates depth and visual interest without overwhelming the space. From there, we embraced the idea of curves—softening corners on walls, adding Venetian plaster finishes, and designing custom doors and frames that followed this organic language. The cabinetry in both the kitchen and principal bathroom was fully custom, including door hardware that we meticulously sketched, sampled, and perfected with the cabinetmaker.
Lighting was kept understated to allow the design details to shine, except for one showstopping moment: a felt, tree-like pendant floating above the dining table.
The staircase, visible from every angle of the main floor, became a major architectural feature.
In the kitchen, we designed two islands instead of one oversized piece with an awkward seam. That functional decision became a defining element, allowing us to create a three-face waterfall effect with bold curved interior corners, adding movement and elegance to the stone.
The office bathroom took on a moody, dramatic feel with natural marble, a material that we echoed on the counter and backsplash of the office built-in.
The principal suite required a complete rework to optimize the flow, including a closed water closet and a luxurious, hotel-style atmosphere.
This project was a testament to what happens when creative trust meets great design. Every detail, from the custom elements to the material choices, was carefully considered to reflect the personality and lifestyle of the homeowners. In the end, we didn’t just design a house—we created a home that feels effortless, elevated, and undeniably them.
Photography: Mike Chajecki
Construction: Trelli Construction
Cabinetry: KB Signature