_{EverWood^® Alternative Wood Blinds   Color: Shortbread}

Dining by Design

Rinehardt Miller overhauled the dining area with modern multifunctionality in mind — or, as firm cofounder Marvin Miller puts it, “something more special and curated, rather than the typical or utilitarian type of room you might expect.” To that end, the firm implemented an inviting, 14-foot custom-made banquette, along with Marvin’s other favorite design moments: custom lacquered bookcases with art books and objects, a bar, a whimsical neon sign, and a newly functional fireplace.

But the room also posed considerable lighting and privacy challenges due to its ground-floor location. The firm tackled both concerns with the help of Parkland^® Wood Blinds in Eggshell, which added warmth, and blended perfectly with our paint choice. The blinds also offered the ultimate in privacy and light control options, since they are conveniently battery-operated with a remote control.”

Warmth and Whimsy

Studio Jai was tasked with crafting a writer’s studio, what firm co-founder Parul Jain Ghei calls, “a whimsical space that inspired creativity while emulating a jewelbox.” Color was at the forefront of their design process. “While we had a light gray-purple on the millwork and jewel tones throughout the wallpaper, we chose to pair it with black vinyl and leather detailing on the sculptural chair as well as the upholstery detailing. Another leather detail is also the Casa Ankan side table-stool by Estudio Andean, which enhanced the masculine feel in the room,” shares the designer.

That feel continued when it came time for window treatments — in this case, charcoal-colored Provenance^® Woven Wood Shades which Parul says also “added a masculine feel and texture to the window treatments which accented well with the leather embellishments. We chose the texture and color because it added a layer of visual interest on an otherwise empty window.”

Travel-referencing accessories from India, London, France, Egypt and Spain, including a beetle wood-knocker on the door, provided patina. The studio presented a challenge, though: as the smallest space in the house, it demanded some creative thinking. “We used every inch to enhance the function of it,” explains Parul, who implemented hidden desks in the drawer fronts, installed extra storage underneath the window seat, and designed built-in shelves from floor to ceiling.

_{Provenance^® Woven Wood Shades   Fabric: Fairy Glen   Color: Charcoal}

Studied Elegance

In the third floor study, Casa Angulo wrangled with two particular challenges: staying true to the Brooklyn Heights’ location, known for its shutter-clad homes, and managing the lack of light in their space, which only has a single window. “Many of our residential projects are historical residences,” reflects firm cofounder Jennifer Paccione Angulo, noting that archival research was key in the design, particularly since the showhouse’s location, Brooklyn Heights, was the first designated New York City historical district. She infused the study with history-laden elements, from “expanding on the crown molding to be more resemblant of the original and adding wooden shutters to the window, a quintessential feature of most historical brownstones.”

With their window treatment choice, Jennifer and her team were able to let in precisely the right amount of light without sacrificing style. “We chose Heritance^® Hardwood Shutters because they reminded us of the historical window characteristics true to 19th-century brownstones in Brooklyn Heights. It's an element that we adore, and we wanted to bring that subtle historical reminder to those stepping into our room.” The shutters allowed for a helpful visual trick, too, she says. “We wanted to exaggerate the window treatments here in order to call a layered attention to the window, making it feel larger and grander in the space.”

_{Heritance^® Wood Shutters, Cafe bi-fold   Color: Rich Leather}

Architectural Influence

In the downstairs den, Steven Walsh of the eponymous firm drew inspiration from fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy’s celebrated Paris apartment, outfitting the room with a daybed, hand-selected artwork and a richly textured palette that plays heavy on creams and blacks. He relied on EverWood^® Alternative Wood Blinds, in Shortbread, to communicate a very particular vibe, accented with gold tape to tie together the other select colors in the room.

“The blinds contributed in three ways — three big ways, actually,” he explains. “They bring a nostalgic reference of an earlier time, which I wanted and which the house and room are perfectly suited for. Secondly, the linear blinds add to the strong architectural strength of the space, adding even more depth. The horizontal elements create the third reason I was drawn to them: filtered light. Filtered light creates a subtle beautiful quality that enhances the overall spirit I wanted to be reflected in this timeless room,” notes Steven, who counts the garden views as a few of his favorite features of the room. “The blinds were the perfect choice making this possible.”

_{EverWood^® Alternative Wood Blinds   Color: Shortbread}

Vintage Wanderlust

A custom closet door mural sets the tone in Rebecca Amir’s fanciful kids’ room. Commissioned from artist Robert Christian, the botanical mural draws its theme from vintage postcards the designer collected on eBay. “It was so fun to watch the progress and see my vision come to life,” shares Rebecca, who also sought out seaside inspiration for the restful space. “I was inspired by a vintage book, Family Houses by the Sea, that I found on a trip to Block Island this past summer. The design is meant to evoke a deep sense of nostalgia and longing, inviting anyone who steps inside to momentarily escape to a beloved seaside sanctuary.”

To that end, the designer, who added wood planks to the ceiling and shutters to the window, evoked a family heirloom-filled room replete with vintage and current furniture finds and used Hunter Douglas Heritance Hardwood Shutters in Arctic White — a cordless, child-safe product — to shut out the outside world. As Rebecca shares, “You could close the shutters and pretend you are anywhere!”