2 On-The-Rise NorCal Designers Share Their Creative Processes
Northern California designers Alexis Smith and Becky Carter give us an inside look at how they each approached a recent interiors project.
Alexis Smith
Photo: John Merkl
In renovating this centenarian Piedmont abode, the Luxe Next In Design honoree and Shoshin principal Alexis Smith created a foyer suited for modern living while honoring its roots. Step inside for a closer look.
The inspo: The client loved the grand foyer for entertaining but didn’t want it to be intimidating for everyday life. It felt almost hotel-like, so we used furniture and rugs to create a more intimate scale.
The stars: A Visual Comfort & Co. fixture hangs above a table found on 1stdibs and a rug from Tony Kitz Gallery. The settee’s Kelly Wearstler stripe keeps the formal piece from feeling too serious.
The palette: We opted for blues to play well with the warm wood tones of the refurbished paneling.
Becky Carter
Photo: Joe Kramm
Becky Carter, principal of the eponymous Studio Becky Carter, took her design chops into the hospitality realm with Taub Family Outpost, a restaurant in Sonoma. Here the Luxe Next In Design 99 talent gives us the scoop on the project.
The inspo: The clients wanted a comfortable space where people would linger, so I looked to the area’s Craftsman-style homes for inspiration.
The stars: I designed the wood-and-tile cabinet and tables, and I actually made the light fixture in my woodshop! For the artwork, I combined paintings, drawings and prints with the owner’s family photos to give it that living room feel.
The palette: Brown leather and wood call back to Craftsman style. The colors feel earthy and warm but also modern and intimate.