The right wallcovering adds color, texture, nuance… especially in this case. Pause on the close-ups to feel these walls — accent walls in the living room and bedroom that compliment the gorgeous textures of the soft goods and furnishings; all specified by the designer, LMB Interiors.
LMBI personalized this iconic Marin County Eichler home in a way that both completely compliments the homeowner’s personal taste, and harmonizes with the classic Eichler details and aesthetic.
A few snapshots of a stunning whole house remodel with interior designer Mead Quin. This 1990s-build Craftsman-style home needed a refresh inside and out. Mead took the modern sensibilities of the client and a few of her beloved family heirlooms, plus a love of natural light, and created a complete transformation.
A sweet corner Craftsman in Oakland gets a loving restoration by our craftspeople! What was once a dull beige (click through to second-to-last image of former barely-there colors via Google Maps), now sings in harmonious shades of green and violet, inspired by the bee-friendly California native plants in the surrounding gardens and the color of the sky at dusk. Beautifying and protecting the stucco and original details like the wood windows is one of our favorite things to do!
For this portfolio, we included photos of the garden and shots of the color tests, which show how this house painting project could have gone a few different directions, but all would have stayed within the palette of the flora.
Oakland, CA – December 12, 2024 – Arana Craftsman Painters, a trusted name in the Bay Area’s painting industry, is proud to announce its continued dedication to providing top-quality house painting services in Oakland, CA. With over 60 years of combined experience, Arana Craftsman Painters is a family-owned business committed to delivering superior craftsmanship that enhances the beauty and value of homes across the community.
Expert Painting Services Tailored to Oakland Homes
Arana Craftsman Painters specializes in both interior and exterior painting, offering services that are tailored to meet the unique needs of Oakland’s diverse architecture—from historic bungalows to modern builds. By combining traditional techniques with contemporary innovations, the team ensures stunning, long-lasting finishes that breathe new life into any property.
“We take immense pride in preserving and beautifying the structures that make Oakland such a vibrant place to live,” said a spokesperson for Arana Craftsman Painters. “Our goal is not only to protect homes but also to create spaces where families can thrive and take pride in their surroundings.”
Why Choose Arana Craftsman Painters?
Arana Craftsman Painters stands out for its dedication to excellence, personalized service, and use of premium, eco-friendly materials. Key benefits of choosing Arana include:
Custom Solutions: Whether it’s a bold new color palette or a delicate restoration, the team works closely with homeowners to bring their vision to life.
Attention to Detail: Every project is executed with precision, from surface preparation to the final brushstroke, ensuring a flawless result.
Eco-Conscious Practices: Arana uses low-VOC and environmentally friendly paints to ensure safety for families and the planet.
Licensed and Trusted: Fully licensed (#1085077) and highly reviewed by satisfied clients throughout Oakland and the Bay Area.
Comprehensive Services
Arana Craftsman Painters offers a wide range of painting services, including:
Interior Painting: Transform your living spaces with vibrant, mood-enhancing colors or subtle, sophisticated tones that reflect your personal style.
Exterior Painting: Protect your home from the elements while boosting curb appeal with durable and weather-resistant finishes.
Custom Finishes: Explore specialty painting techniques, including faux finishes, wood staining, and more.
Historic Home Restoration: Arana’s expertise extends to restoring Oakland’s historic homes, ensuring preservation while adding contemporary elegance.
Client Testimonials
The reputation of Arana Craftsman Painters is backed by countless satisfied homeowners:
“Arana transformed our 1920s Oakland bungalow. The attention to detail and quality of their work were beyond what we could have hoped for,” said a recent client. “Our home now feels brand new, and we couldn’t be happier with the results.”
Free Consultations Now Available
As part of their commitment to serving the Oakland community, Arana Craftsman Painters is offering free consultations to homeowners interested in revitalizing their properties. During the consultation, clients can discuss their vision, explore color options, and receive a detailed project estimate.
About Arana Craftsman Painters
Arana Craftsman Painters is a family-owned business dedicated to delivering exceptional painting services throughout Oakland, CA, and the greater Bay Area. With a passion for craftsmanship and a commitment to customer satisfaction, Arana’s team of skilled painters works to preserve and beautify homes, creating lasting impressions for generations to come.
For more information about Arana Craftsman Painters and their services, visit their website at www.craftsmanpainters.com.
The glass art greets one on the approach to her front door, sculptures both vertically and horizontally oriented, in the garden and on the porch. I am at the home of Mary Albert, glass artist, and longtime Arana client. Fans of our newsletter may recognize the sumptuous interior colors she chose for her basement ADU which we’ve featured before in this newsletter, or her kitchen with the art-tile backsplash, included among the many favorites in our cookbook.
We start our tour in the driveway; her mosaic tiles in non-matching designs are set along the two sides. The tiles used to be just laid in the dirt, until somebody stole one, and she took the rest inside to reassess. “Why did they take THAT one? Am I angry or am I flattered?” she mused at the time. (Today, the missing tile has been replaced by a new one, and all 26 are now permanently installed.)
The garage door opens to reveal an inviting mad scientist’s/artist’s lair, outfitted all around with shelves holding pounds and pounds of colored glass and gear; workstation front and center.
Inside the house, our first stop is the dining room table where all of her current for-sale pieces are laid out in piles and wrapped in foam, awaiting pricing for her next show. More of her glass-art dishes, plates, plaques, and organic shapes are displayed throughout the house, sometimes next to pieces made by other glass artists she respects and admires. We visit her kitchen, featured in Arana’s cookbook, and I get to see close-up the mosaic backsplash featuring a fleur de lys; a piece she commissioned mosaicist Gina Domingue to make for her and that they built to be removable, should she ever decide to move.
We retire to the back balcony, surrounded by chirping birds and more of her outdoor landscape adornments, a set of glass and cement stepping stones are visible in a path that meanders down through the garden below.
Our interview begins… Artist, artisan, crafter? All of the above.
Mary explains, “People love the Craft vs. Art discussion. I don’t hold that distinction, necessarily I think possibly the difference is that craft is usable and art is a visual feast; and so many arts are crafts and so many crafts are art.
“When I started, I was making pieces I was really enjoying making, which were very large and kind of expensive to make, and they weren’t selling the way I wanted them to.
“I didn’t know what I was going to do to change that. I started looking at ways to use up scrap glass. Every week I would make small pieces with that; wasabi dishes, sushi dishes, dessert plates for petit fours, and they were selling – people loved them!
“The big stuff, people think, ‘What am I going to do with that? Who can I give it to? I can’t afford it.’ But then, sometimes something speaks to you and you really want that thing. Someone might say to me, ‘I love that! Do you have anything like that, but smaller?’”
Her light eyes sparkle as she speaks. “What’s been lovely is that people come back a couple months later for the larger piece: ‘Do you still have it? I can’t stop thinking about it! I really want it.’”
Her voice has distinctive rasp, and a cadence that is almost bubbly but with an underlying intensity, the fierceness with which she approaches everything – from her past experiences as a law school student, a denizen of corporate America, a second career as a voice-over actor, and now her work making fused glass. Her nom-de-kiln is Glass-Vox (glass-vox.com), a nod to her two favorite professions.
Utility and beauty are almost equal parts of her ethos. “I like making things that people can use. Most of what I make is useful – not just art. I believe to my core that art is crucial. And, I like color. I love to set a pretty table! If you have color popping on that table, that’s fun!”
At the time of publication, Albert and other artists like her are gearing up for holiday craft sales. While she is adept at gift-sized art, Albert is not in the business of making multiples past an individual set.
“A lot of people go into production and they are brilliant at it,” she notes. “But I don’t typically make the same thing more than once.” Her plates come in sets of two or sometimes four. “I have too many ideas in my head to do sets!” she laughs. “I love a matched pair and have done things that are similar or could go together; I will use the same color palette to make a serving set – bowl, platter, plates – but they will not be exactly identical.” She doesn’t repeat her mosaic pieces, either.
Albert’s “functional art glass” is also not just for sale. She regularly donates pieces to community fundraisers and rents work out for staging homes.
Her passion for glass art started with a class in the early 2000s, and later, joining The Crucible in 2013 was a turning point, giving her access to a large-scale kiln to make bigger pieces, as well as immersing her in the inspiration and encouragement that comes from being among a community of fellow women-artists.
She says, “What I discovered, working alongside this group of all-women, some who had been doing this for 20-plus years; they were all so generous and kind, offering advice and suggestions and tips…. In the classroom you are making smaller pieces. Once you join a lab, you are sharing molds and other resources. You learn so much in that situation, even just observing, and that emboldens you to try something new.”
The kiln itself is a collaborator and co-conspirator. Albert describes, “A lot of magic happens in the kiln; forgiveness and joy comes out of the kiln. You put something in and you didn’t know it would flow like this and fill in that gap and when it comes out, all the faults I saw going in have corrected themselves; the kiln makes me look good.”
We finish our meeting with a tour of the downstairs ADU. Where the main living area of the house boasts a more subtle palette, the ADU is where Albert let her imagination run a little wilder. With the assistance of a color consultant, and her experience in a painting-textures class, she selected the rich coppery textured wall for the entry and kitchen, and the deep “dark cherry” almost-purple textured walls with glossy chocolate-brown trim and ceiling in the living room – colors that evoke a feeling of “steam-punk” luxe.
Our very last stop on the tour is back out front, admiring more of Albert’s glass art pieces, which are placed amongst the river rocks around a tree in that little patch of garden next to the sidewalk; all of which, so far, remain in situ.
2024 Holiday Art and Craft Shows Shadowlands Holiday Faire & Holiday Teas; Shadelands Ranch Museum, Walnut Creek, November 30-December 15 Oakland Cottage Industry Show; 4101 Park Blvd., Oakland, December 7 GIFTY at The Crucible 1260 7th St., Oakland (near West Oakland BART), December 7-8 (Mary will be there on the 8th)
As the name of our company implies, we (Donatella and Simona) are both Italian, and our interior design style takes inspiration from the wonder that is Italy. Although we live in California, we return to our home country every year – to visit family, source from our vendors and of course, for inspiration.
Drawing from the elegance, history, and artistic heritage of Italy while blending in a more laid-back, contemporary vibe of California we create home designs for our clients that are stylish, classic yet fresh, and beautifully livable. Would you like to bring a bit of Europe into your California home?
Here are a few design tips, along with photos from our most recent trip, this past summer:
Classic Meets Modern: Think of a sleek minimalist living room adorned with a vintage Venetian mirror or a rustic Tuscan dining table paired with modern chairs. This juxtaposition creates a unique and eclectic aesthetic that is both sophisticated and inviting.
Natural Materials and Textures: Italian design emphasizes the use of natural materials like stone, marble, wood, and wrought iron and brass. Consider pairing a marble sink reminiscent of an Italian villa with a modern kitchen; or terracotta tiles to bring warmth and texture to a patio, reminiscent of the landscapes of Tuscany.
Artisanal Craftsmanship: From hand-painted ceramics to custom-made furniture, investing in quality pieces sourced in Italy not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also creates a sense of connection to European artistry and heritage.
Earth Tones and Neutral Palettes: Italian interiors often feature a palette of earthy tones, inspired by the natural surroundings. Warm beiges, soft browns, and muted greens evoke the tranquility of the countryside.
Maximizing Natural Light: Taking full advantage of natural light is a concept that Italians and Californians share. Large windows and open floor plans invite light in; sheer curtains or strategically placed mirrors can enhance this effect.
Indoor-Outdoor Flow: Taking inspiration from Italian courtyards and terraces, add comfortable seating areas, outdoor kitchens, and lush greenery to the backyard.
Al Fresco Dining: Adding a rustic wooden table, string lights, and potted plants evokes the charm of an Italian piazza and encourages leisurely meals under an open sky – embodying the relaxed, communal spirit of both cultures.
Curated Collections: Europeans, particularly Italians, have a knack for curating collections of art, books, and antiques. Californians can adopt this approach by displaying personal collections that tell a story and add character to their homes.
Timeless Elegance: Choose pieces that transcend trends – quality over quantity, classic pieces, and a cohesive design scheme can create interiors that are both stylish and enduring.
To see more of what is possible when bringing Italian aesthetics and sensibilities into California homes, visit www.florentine-design.com
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Photo info:
Marble and coffered ceilings balance the contemporary feel of the lighting and colors in this completely transformed kitchen in San Francisco. Interior Design by Florentine Design. Photographer: Nadia Andreini | DILUNA Photography
Venice Canal: Colors mirrored by the water are a feast for the eyes. Photographer: Donatella Mazzini
This modern chandelier perfectly fits in the classic foyer of this San Francisco Victorian; Interior Design by Florentine Design. Photographer: Nadia Andreini | DILUNA Photography
Minimalism meets beautiful details in this restaurant interior – with a Murano glass chandelier, rich wood tables and beautiful, original, 1500s vaulted ceilings; in Tolentino, Italy. Photographer Simona Corradini
Donatella Mazzini (left) and Simona Corradini (right), founders of Florentine Design
Arana has been fortunate to partner with many talented interior designers in the Bay Area and our long-term relationship with Laura Martin Bovard and LMB Interiors (lmbinteriors.com) is a standout in this regard. It is our pleasure and joy to contribute our team’s craftsman skills to realizing the visions in Laura’s projects, many of which are transformations of architecturally-significant older homes into gorgeous, playful, and inviting environments for the modern families moving into them. We asked Laura to share with our community her thoughts on creating balance between the two forces, old and new; how she approaches adding beauty and enhancing liveability – while touching on some of the recent projects we’ve worked on together for her clients.
When I first arrive at a client’s home, I greet the space, the landscape, and the architecture, as if they are their own entities. My next step, if it is an architecturally significant home, is to assess the original craftsmanship. I always intend to maintain the original details, the quality that went into the building of the home.
And then there’s so much more than what meets the eye to consider: There is soul and lived-memory infused into the space, whether from previous owners or the original craftspeople who built it, or both. The history and the stories of how people moved through and lived in a home are woven into its walls and play a part in the way a home feels and looks; just as the new homeowners will add their story.
I’m such a firm believer that stories are how humans weave together their existence across lifetimes. And historic homes carry a soulfulness that new homes just don’t. Historic homes cure over time; there’s a richness to them. A certain level of groundedness. You can imagine who else was staring up at that ceiling 80 years ago. The passage of time in a given space is something that’s fun to contemplate; doing so furthers one’s connection to it.
We greet the soul of the home to be reverential toward the original quality craftsmanship, because legacy homes, historic homes, are almost always built better and with more integrity than what’s built now. A lot of the woodworking was more detailed; you are not going to see a lot of that level of quality and attention these days.
However, when we begin an interior design project, we want to consider who’s living there today. And if they really want to infuse a totally different aesthetic onto this home, we will necessarily walk a line between honoring the clients and honoring a home.
Most clients today don’t want to be surrounded by a lot of ornate, heavy velvets and dark colors. They tend to prefer a lighter, fresher palette. And so we find ways to bring in some of that without tipping the scale too far toward one direction or the other – the direction of the original architecture or the direction of the client. That’s the conversation we are having. It’s a very thoughtful process.
Project: Hollywood Regency
When people buy an estate home, there is a certain amount of stewardship that comes along with it. In particular, our “Hollywood Regency” project demonstrates this. The homeowners – a couple – see it as the community’s home as much as it is their home. They throw parties often, fundraising for civic entities and causes, including Oakland Parks and Rec, Fairyland, and organizations that impact education for Oakland’s youth, plus political fundraising, supporting Barbara Lee and other East Bay politicians.
Their home, known as The Morse House, is on the list of historical landmarks in Oakland, and it is just stunning. The house set the tone. These clients had a passion for local art, so it was fun to weave their love of it into the designs. Their aesthetic was their own version of what’s known as “Hollywood Regency,” which harmonized with the home being so grand. Hollywood Regency style reached its height of popularity in California between the 1920s and 1950s, so playing with this historical sensibility in this landmark home built in 1934 felt just right.
We brought in bright colors in the furniture and art, with plenty of jewel tones, while keeping walls neutral. We needed painters who understood how to perform a high-quality job on such a significant home, so of course we teamed with Arana Craftsman Painters.
Some wood features needed to be sanded down and prepped really well to maintain the provenance of the craftsmanship; you can’t just throw a new coat of paint on top of the original wood! The process requires skilled painters who can achieve clean edges and leave it in a good state for either the next homeowners, or the next paint job 20 years down the road. It has to age well. Having a clean, expert, professional paint job keeps the level of quality congruent with a historical home, ensuring the home is maintained with that sense of stewardship and respect. This kind of attention takes a certain level of investment, but it’s longer lasting, looks better, and celebrates the house.
Project: Piedmont Craftsman
A lot of people buying historic homes today are not only far younger than the structures themselves, but also they potentially have not been exposed to legacy homes before. And so the question becomes, how do you integrate a home with history with the needs of a younger family? In this case, the family that purchased this Craftsman estate were certainly worldly and appreciated quality, but we wanted the interior to reflect their style which was more playful, more energetic, a little bit more fresh.
One technique we used was color. We enlivened certain areas: the kitchen, the sitting area, the solarium, and the little library with a lighter palette, while maintaining the original kind of grand Craftsman quality of the manor in select other areas throughout the home.
But then there were the very grand touches that were not part of the original architecture to contend with. One set of the home’s previous owners had been Italian, and the owners after them inherited their design additions, which skewed towards a rather heavy-handed Italianate look. These next owners layered in some Asian touches, per their taste. And so, in working with the home and its history for our clients, ultimately, we needed to peel the layers back to restore the original, timeless, tasteful Craftsman elegance.
Some of the layers we liked, and those we kept. For example, we all agreed that we enjoyed the spirit of the Italianate fireplace. And we liked the more-recently-added tile details and flooring in the solarium, because it felt appropriate for a sunroom to have that. In the dining room, we also kept the ornate ceilings, just touching up and refreshing them. We left that original, very grand application, while choosing to temper the impact with a natural woven grasscloth wallcovering, thus connecting the room in spirit to adjacent, lighter areas of the house.
Project: Maybeck Craftsman
For this Maybeck Craftsman that had been purchased by very discerning clients, the work was going to involve a very specific challenge: restoring and/or replacing huge areas of redwood paneling – a key design element in Maybeck homes. We knew we needed an expert team, because we needed every detail to be flawless. So of course, this project called for Arana’s “stainmaster” Ernesto and his team.
Color matching the stain from old redwood to new redwood is a challenge, and in this situation, after decades of life, curing, sunlight, et. al. – let’s just call it “50 shades of brown-and-red.” It is a massive undertaking to have new wood look like it was there all along, and to freshen, clean, and care for the old wood at the same time so that it will continue to serve. It’s an art. Color matching it all took many rounds of mixing to get right, and in the end, the results were exactly what the home needed.
Stewardship Is a Relationship
Historic homes and modern families and the design that brings them together is a relationship benefitting from exquisite listening, understanding, respect, communication, and connection. Like any good marriage, each partner affirms and appreciates the strengths the other brings to the equation. Good design is like a marriage counselor, helping the parties to maintain their unique qualities in some areas and choosing where to blend in others; ultimately creating something greater than the sum of their parts.
When it comes to enhancing the aesthetic appeal and value of your home in Berkeley, there’s no better choice than Arana Craftsman Painters. Our dedication to excellence in house painting sets us apart from the competition. We understand that your home is a reflection of your identity, and our skilled team is here to ensure it radiates beauty and sophistication.
Why Choose Arana Craftsman Painters?
Choosing the right painting service is crucial for achieving the desired look and longevity of your interior and exterior surfaces. Our commitment to quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and customer satisfaction ensures that you receive the best possible service.
Experienced Professionals
At Arana Craftsman Painters, our experienced professionals bring years of expertise in both residential and commercial painting projects. Our team is not only skilled in traditional painting techniques, but also in modern trends and eco-friendly practices that meet the diverse needs of our clients. We pride ourselves on our communication skills, ensuring that you’re informed and involved throughout the entire process, from initial consultation to project completion.
Comprehensive Painting Services
Our services go beyond simple wall painting. We offer a variety of specialized services tailored to meet your specific needs. This includes:
Interior Painting: Transform your living spaces with our interior painting services that reflect your personal style. From color consultation to the final touches, we ensure a flawless finish that will breathe new life into your home.
Exterior Painting: Protect and beautify the exterior of your property with our comprehensive exterior painting solutions. Our high-quality paints and techniques are designed to withstand the elements while enhancing curb appeal.
Trim and Molding Painting: The details can make all the difference. We specialize in painting trim and molding, providing a polished finish that adds elegance to any room.
Cabinet Refinishing: Refresh your kitchen or bathroom with our cabinet refinishing services. We use advanced techniques to restore your cabinets, providing a new look at a fraction of the cost of replacement.
Custom Finishes: For those looking for something unique, we offer various custom finishes, including venetian plaster, faux finishes, and more. Our artistic team is ready to collaborate and create a look that is uniquely yours.
Our Process
At Arana Craftsman Painters, we believe that a successful project begins with thorough planning and communication. Our process can be broken down into several key stages:
1. Consultation and Estimate The first step is scheduling a consultation where we discuss your vision and assess the project site. Our team will provide a detailed estimate, outlining the scope of work, materials, and project timeline, ensuring there are no surprises along the way.
2. Preparation Preparation is critical for a successful paint job. Our team meticulously prepares every surface, filling cracks, sanding rough patches, and ensuring that surfaces are clean and primed. This step guarantees optimal paint adhesion and a smooth finish.
3. Painting Using only the highest quality paints, we meticulously apply the chosen color or finish. Our attention to detail during the painting process is unmatched, allowing us to create a uniform and vibrant appearance. Whether it’s a single room or an entire home, we approach each project with the same level of dedication and professionalism.
4. Final Inspection and Clean-Up Once the painting is complete, we conduct a thorough inspection to ensure that everything meets our high standards. Additionally, we take pride in leaving your home just as we found it, ensuring all areas are cleaned up and that you can enjoy your newly painted space immediately.
Quality Materials for Lasting Results
We understand that the longevity of your paint job relies heavily on the quality of materials used. That’s why we utilize only the best paints and coatings that are not only durable but also environmentally friendly. Our selection includes various finishes and colors, enabling our clients to achieve their desired aesthetic without compromising on quality.
Customer Satisfaction
At Arana Craftsman Painters, customer satisfaction is our primary focus. We strive to create a seamless painting experience characterized by respect, professionalism, and attention to detail. Our clients’ testimonials reflect our commitment to excellence and our desire to exceed expectations.
Timely Completion
We recognize the importance of timely project completion. Our team works efficiently without sacrificing quality, ensuring your home is transformed swiftly. We provide clear timelines and work diligently to adhere to them, keeping you informed every step of the way.
Follow-Up Services
Our commitment to our clients doesn’t end once the painting is completed. We offer follow-up services to ensure that any necessary touch-ups are taken care of promptly. Your satisfaction with the final product is essential to us, and we are here to address any concerns you may have.
Areas We Serve
Arana Craftsman Painters proudly serves Berkeley and the surrounding neighborhoods. Whether you are located downtown, in the hills, or along the waterfront, our team is ready to bring your painting dreams to life. We understand the unique architectural styles and aesthetic preferences of the area, allowing us to deliver a service that resonates with your community’s character.
Your Vision, Our Expertise
Engaging with Arana Craftsman Painters means partnering with a team that values your vision as much as you do. Our interior and exterior house painting services are designed to reflect your tastes while enhancing the natural beauty of your home. With every stroke of the brush, we aim to create spaces that you’ll love coming home to.
Get Started Today
Ready to revitalize your home with professional painting services? Look no further than Arana Craftsman Painters. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step towards transforming your space. Let us help you enhance the beauty and value of your home with our expertise and dedication to quality.
One of our greatest joys as a paint contractor is supporting Interior Designers in the artistry that they create for their clients’ homes. The Bay Area is fortunate to have so many talented designers, and especially who are such a delight to work with. In this month’s newsletter, we share our interview with Mead Quin, discussing the details of a project from her portfolio that we were honored to be a part of, “Tuscaloosa Avenue,” as well as delving into her personal vision as a designer, and what it’s like to run a firm with a team of designers contributing to the execution of that vision.
Arana Craftsman Painters:Every designer has a unique style. How would you describe your creative vision? What makes you, you as a designer?
Mead Quin: I think one thing that makes our firm unique is that I didn’t train to be a designer. It was never a path I set out to be on. I studied art, was painting portraits and pursuing my MFA and then life happened and I decided to pivot. Interior design interested me because it’s a creative industry. Little did I know it would be about 20 percent creative and 80 percent managing a business and people!
ACP:That makes sense! Let’s dive into the creative part first: How does your background as an artist impact your design style?
MQ: When I approach spaces, I am looking at them through an artist’s lens. A room is like a blank canvas and I’m pushing and pulling on it as if I were applying paint to it, a little color here, a little depth here, sensing what the lines and the dimensions are calling for, and from that, I’m developing the look and feel of the room. My love for art also informs how much my team and I emphasize it in our designs.
Art is an important part of what we curate for our clients and encourage them to value in our projects. They don’t always feel as strongly about it as we do. But when we can, we include it, both by curating pieces the client already owns and assisting them with selecting new works.
ACP:It seems like questions of acquiring art or other high-quality items and materials will always come up against budget. How do you reconcile that for clients?
MQ: Possibly our most important value at Mead Quin studio is timeless design. Timelessness, beauty, restraint, and serenity all go together for me. Things that are beautiful are often simple, they don’t need a lot of embellishment. When you are seeing the core essence of something, it doesn’t have to be fussy or overdeveloped or ostentatious, there is just a quiet beauty.
From an environmental perspective, I feel like we can do better by our environment if we buy items that are made with care from quality materials that will stand the test of time and can be appreciated over generations. This philosophy costs more up front, but costs less in the long run because you are not having to replace items, and you’re not wasting resources.
ACP: Yes! We feel the same way about the products and processes we use. Longevity, long term costs, and reduced impact on the environment are important factors to keep in mind. Speaking of guiding tenets that help us run our businesses… Let’s get back to the other 80% you mentioned earlier. What is it like to run a team of designers, assistants, and staff?
MQ: I have an amazing team! With any studio, but especially a young one like ours — we just celebrated 10 years — I think at first, in the early years, you’re just figuring out who you are; you’re figuring out how big you want to be; you’re figuring out if you’re going to make it at all.
Of course, there’s turnover; people come and go; especially when hiring new designers — they try us on; they’re in discovery for themselves as young professionals. My goal has been to build a team that would be here for the long haul. I know one can only hold on to people for so long, but one of our designers has been with us for eight years, so that’s something to celebrate! I have a few other people who have been with us for three or four years.
Our current goal is to have two design teams. When a project walks in the door, we assign it to one of the teams which is composed of a senior designer, an intermediate designer, and a junior designer. Together each team is rounded-out in their skill set and can address all of the various needs from design to writing proposals to returning samples. There’s a wide range of tasks for any given project. By employing designers at different levels in their careers, we are able to service all of those different needs.
ACP: How much design autonomy do the teams have? Is the creative aspect all you and they’re managing and implementing, or are they also contributing ideas?
MQ: They’re definitely contributing ideas. But for the teams, I’m the client, right? Our firm has a specific point of view that comes from the way that I see the world. And so, when they’re looking at projects, they’re in charge of bringing their own creative ideas, but they’re also keeping in mind “What would Mead do?” “How would she see this?”
At the beginning of each project, we always make sure that we’re in alignment. We put together a set of adjectives that describe the project, mood boards that create a look and feel, and color stories, so that we are all headed in the same direction. And then we have design reviews every week or sometimes twice-a-week where they show me what they’re working on and I push and pull on it a little bit; say yes or no. And then they’re off and running again; and then we meet again the following week. So, that’s how it works. They have a lot of autonomy, but since the MQ aesthetic is fairly distinct, they’re designing within that parameter.
ACP: Speaking of implementing design, let’s talk about Tuscaloosa Avenue. What were some of the design challenges and how did you overcome them?
I enjoyed the overall challenge of taking this 1990s-built Craftsman home in Atherton that didn’t have a lot of style on its own, and making it beautiful. For example, painting the exterior a dark tone helped the house merge with the landscape — turning it into something serene, and feeling nestled into the property, as if it had always been there.
When we first were brought in by the client, in 2013, we were just updating a few rooms. But about seven years later, during COVID, the client was ready to do a full-scale remodel. We completely gutted the kitchen and all of the bathrooms and re-furnished every room in the house.
One particular challenge was the living room. It was an oddly-shaped room. And the client wanted us to use her heirloom Indian rug, which was rather small for the space, but this was a non-negotiable. Our furniture choices were dictated by the need to incorporate the rug while also wanting to create coziness around the fireplace and yet still have the room be somewhat formal and elegant, because she wanted this space to be a place for entertaining. It’s also the first room you see when you walk in the door, so we wanted it to feel special.
We were working within the constraints of a pretty traditional Craftsman home, but the client herself has a more modern aesthetic. So we were trying to figure out a way to pull some of that modern, clean aesthetic into this more traditional envelope.
We removed the crown moldings and made the doorways taller, which drew more attention to the views of the gardens and allowed more light to come in. I’m always inspired by the connection with nature, like how much can we bring the connection to the outdoors, inside? And we went with a neutral palette with gentle pops of color that create interest, but the effect is very calming overall.
ACP: The results are just stunning! So, returning to where we started, on the importance of art in interior design, can you share some tips for our readers who might be inspired to start collecting?
MQ: I think the first thing is to just get out there and pound the pavement in whatever city you are in, and go into galleries. Gallerists are always so informed and have such a wealth of knowledge about artists, whether national, or international, or local. I recommend exploring the highs and lows, in that sense. A local artist’s work may be less expensive than one that is internationally-known.
Also, thinking about your values is key because art is important to different people for different reasons. For example, we have clients who are really focused on supporting local artists or LGBTQ artists, and then others are more focused on “blue chip” art and resale value.
There is no right or wrong answer. It’s just knowing what matters to you. Because the world of art is so vast, understanding what’s meaningful to you is a good place to start and then getting out and seeing art and talking with gallery owners can be a way to clarify and expand that awareness.
You can work with a designer to help you choose art, and there’s amazing art consultants out there. Or you can use Instagram and filter by hashtags and just get on a trail and go forever.
ACP: Are there particular Bay Area galleries or annual art shows that you recommend?
I would say the annual FOG Design+Art fair in January is important to attend. It’s huge and amazing — with all of these galleries showing contemporary artworks at Fort Mason. There’s around 40-50 exhibitors. So you can see a lot in one fell swoop! (More info: fogfair.com)
I also really love Artsource Consulting and Jody Knowlton (artsourceinc.com). Jody has helped us on a couple of projects. She curated our Decorator Showcase room in 2018.
I appreciate working with Jody because I know what looks pretty and I can talk to the galleries myself and figure out the meaning and make a selection, but also it’s really helpful to have an art consultant who — that’s all they do. So they know all the ins and outs and can explain to you why an artist or a particular piece is significant. Having that information and education can help you determine why you might or might not want to purchase a piece and include it in your collection.
For more images of Mead Quin’s interior design work and many examples of how beautifully art and design play together in her world, visit her website: www.meadquin.com
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