7 Custom Pieces That We've Created for Our Clients

With a background in fine arts, we can’t help but design a room as if we’re painting a painting. We look at everything from form to function, to how the light comes in, how the color is moving around, the lines, the weight. We see it all and take it all into account as we create something special and unique. For the most part, we are able to bring this vision to life through our trusted vendors and antique dealers however there are times, where we have trouble finding the perfect piece. In cases such as these, we don’t hesitate to go custom, creating the perfect piece for our clients.

Often, its these pieces that end up making the project. Whether its a series of 6’ x 6’ framed wall hangings or a painted coffee table, these are the things that set our client’s projects apart. Today, we’re sharing seven instances where we’ve created custom pieces for our clients!

THE FORDS COLONY PROJECT

When looking for a coffee table for their family room, my clients requested something that was tall enough for them to easily set things on. With so many coffee tables being low in height, we decided to go custom. After finding this beautiful, etched, bronze tray, I asked my father-in-law to create a base for it to sit on. I specifically choose a circular shape for the table, as it allows for ease in walking around and helps to soften the room. I absolutely love how it turned out!

THE FORDS COLONY PROJECT

Similar to the family room, when it came to the living room, our Fords Colony clients wanted something with some height. From the very beginning, I knew that what this room needed was a vintage trunk; so after finding one and adding some feet to it (for height), I gave it a rough, paint job using Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan; to give it a worn, coastal feel.

I don’t have an exact ratio, but I do believe in a “balance” of materials in a room… some new, some vintage, some painted… its this combination that gives the room character and depth.

THE WESTMORELAND PROJECT

When it came to these custom pieces of art, it was go-big-or-go-home. We designed them specifically to take up the majority of the wall, adding some subtle pattern. We’ve long been admirers of Susan Connor’s work and knew that we wanted to incorporate it into this room.

Commissioning my father-in-law to build these massive frames, we then attached Susan’s work, creating a custom piece of art. They are one of our client’s favorite pieces in the home. “No one else has anything like this!”

THE WESTMORELAND PROJECT

Right across from the wall panels are a pair of shutters that we thoughtfully painted to add some texture and interest to the room. Layers of blue with dark wax, they look as if they’re vintage.

Using them as a backdrops (almost like a piece of art), we gently leaned them against the wall, placing a console table in front.

THE SANDS HOUSE

Walking around one of my favorite vintage stores in Williamsburg, Virginia this past year, I had spotted this amazing, vintage pigeon case. I saw it and immediately envisioned it being turned into a coffee table; all it needed was a base. Being the talented wood-worker that he is, my father-in-law kindly built one for me, allowing my vision to come to life.

It is now the coffee table in the family room of the Sands House in Annapolis, Maryland.

ABUNDANT LIFE PARTNERS OFFICE | RICHMOND RD.

When it came to the wall above the sofa in Office 01, I knew that I wanted to do a semi-structured gallery wall. Being on a budget, I decided to create the pieces of art on my own, using torn out pages from an art history book and drawing a series of ferns. The wall ended up catching the attention of Cottages & Bungalow magazine, which featured this project in their August/September 2021 issue!

ABUNDANT LIFE PARTNERS OFFICE | JAMESTOWN RD.

Something I love about all of our clients is how willing they are to say, “go for it.” They trust us and our process; they believe that we’ll see our vision through the end. A perfect example of this is when Meghan gave me the go-ahead in regards to the wall in the waiting room. I had been collecting these baskets from local thrift stores for years now, with the plan of someday doing something unique and dramatic with them. Knowing that we need something warm and sculptural on this wall, I proposed creating our own piece of art. After receiving the thumbs up, I quickly got to work nailing and hot-gluing my baskets into something special.

Whenever I start a new interior design project now, I’m always looking for an opportunity to create something custom for our clients. A lot of times, its these pieces are one of the things that our clients end up being the most thrilled about!

INTERIOR DESIGN: Making Room for Peace | PHOTOGRAPHY: Jenna Miller Photography