Boutique Hotel at Home - a Q&A with Lara Anderson
Q: Red Door focuses on creating interiors that best portray the people that live there. Please describe the homeowners and their lifestyle and how that contributed to the design?
A: The homeowners are two professionals who relocated from the midwest. Initially, I worked with them on furnishings and home decor including art placement throughout the home. When they were ready, they reached out for help with their primary suite. They wanted their bedroom and bathroom to be reminiscent of a hotel with a crisp, elevated design that made them feel like they were being pampered every time they walked in the door.
Q: What was the overall inspiration for the space?
A: Truthfully, it was the textiles that inspired this design. I fell in love with the curtain panel fabric and I knew I wanted to mix very pale colors with bolder saturated colors. I got so excited about the fabric and then found the coppery wallpaper. They couldn’t be more different but they really looked so gorgeous together.
Q: Explain the materials you chose and why.
A: For the primary shower, I was excited to use a new product called Wetwall that provided a beautiful surface and easy maintenance with zero grout lines. Adding the fun capiz shell pendant over the tub was dramatic yet not overly polished.
There is something really magical about a metallic wallpaper. It can really create glamour within a bathroom.
In the bedroom, the existing dark furniture pieces needed to counteract the bedding, window treatments, and paint to be light and soothing.
Texture is always the key element that I use within design. Texture can be exhibited through wallpaper, fabric, and area rugs. It can also be through adding accessories and organic elements, like plants, wood, stone, and ceramics.
In this primary suite, we mixed in texture through the capiz light fixture, textured wallpaper, stone accent tile in the niche, plants, curtain panels, bedding, lamp shades. Adding in texture creates balance and makes the space feel calm, serene, and interesting all at the same time.
Q: What's your process like when working with a contractor?
A: The design is completely finished including working drawings and a complete specification guide for all finishes before bids come from contractors. This enables my clients to get a more accurate bid from the contractor. Instead of generic allowances, the bid includes prices for the actual product chosen for the remodel.
I have a small handful of excellent contractors that I bring along through the remodel process. My work doesn't end after submitting the drawings and specifications. I am a part of the construction process, brainstorming and problem solving with contractors when necessary in order to make sure the integrity of the design comes to fruition.
This is the true gold in working with a designer when doing any sort of remodel. Less stress and headaches, with fewer change orders, Red Door serves as the advocate for the project making the whole process much easier on the client.
Q: What challenges arose through the design process?
A: The bathroom had a very small footprint. I wanted to achieve a sense of luxury in a small space which led me to choose smooth and contemporary finishes to create a refined design.
Q: What did you think when you saw the final design?
A: When I saw the remodeled bathroom and finished styling the primary bedroom, I felt like I was successful in achieving the overall objective.
The final design truly created a hotel experience within a residential home. It felt warm and inviting, yet modern and sophisticated. I was pleased with how the primary suite now related to the home and furniture upgrades we had done in the rest of the home.
Q: What is your favorite thing about the design?
A: My favorite thing was an original piece of artwork we found for the space. It was the icing on the cake bringing the primary bathroom and bedroom together cohesively.
This is such a testament to the importance of combining old and new, using vintage pieces to add personality and depth.
Working with Lara and her Team at Red Door Interiors has been great. Lara asks the right questions, captures the details, and makes great recommendations. The final design and final product exceeded our expectations and is a true gem.
- Jan B., Olympia, WA
