Matt McKay, Parsons Interior Design '12, Creates Unique Spaces and Designs Bold Furniture

The article delves into the selection of furniture and decor pieces that have become perennial favorites in Studio McGee's design projects. It highlights that while each project necessitates unique selections, certain pieces consistently resonate with both designers and clients, earning them a spot as 'most-loved.' The process of selecting these items is described as a cherished part of the design journey, tracing back to the studio's inception where shelf styling marked its first client endeavor. As the scope of projects expanded, so did the depth and breadth of sourcing efforts, leading to a curated collection of highly favored items. Among the featured items is the Orla Dining Table, noted for its timeless, simple form and inviting white finish that showcases the rustic oak woodgrain, adding a sophisticated yet organic quality to dining spaces. The Parker Coffee Table is presented as a piece that provides contrast and anchors a room, with its marble top and metal frame creating visual weight and stability through a contemporary design that emphasizes material and line. For the bedroom, the Henrietta Bed is highlighted as a stately yet neutral upholstered bed, made with coated linen in an oatmeal hue, offering a versatile anchoring point with a subtly traditional curved headboard. Seating options include the Reeves Chair, which successfully merges contemporary and traditional styles with its spindles, architectural base, and tapered legs, crafted from solid kiln-dried oak in a modern black finish. The Everleigh Slipcover Sofa offers a streamlined design with classic details, featuring an eye-catching arm, a kiln-dried solid oak frame, and foam-wrapped cushions with a down and feather layer for luxurious comfort. The Molly Stool is recognized for its sophisticated style, with tapered legs and a brass bar detail, built from solid kiln-dried oak, and featuring a textural woven back and crisp white cushion. The Reese Curved Sofa stands out with its unique silhouette and fluid curves, handcrafted from alder wood with down-wrapped cushions for durability and comfort. The Heath Cabinet, an oak piece with a traditional design, is described as stately and elegant, featuring keyholes, round pulls, glass doors, and bun feet. The Molly Chair mirrors the stool's sophisticated style with tapered legs and structural base details, crafted from solid kiln-dried oak with a textural woven back and white cushion. The Delaney Nightstand is characterized by its elegant design and intentional details, made from birch veneer with brass hardware, rounded edges, and bun feet, offering ample storage. The Ralph Oak Counter Stool provides a welcoming feel with its comfortable linen cushion and white oak legs, complementing a neutral aesthetic. The Mina Bed updates classic design with its bench-made, upholstered frame, featuring streamlined channels and subtle wood bun feet. Mirrors such as the Gala Floor Mirror, nearly seven feet tall, offer simplicity and magnificence with a domed top and delicate trim, while the Giles Floor Mirror provides subtle elegance with a simple curved top and matte black stainless steel border. Console and desk options include the Dana Console, which elevates spaces with contrasting materials like black-finished oak and woven seagrass, and the Bodin Desk, combining natural finishes with modern lines for a streamlined and functional workspace. Additional seating includes the Clemence Lounge Chair, a timeless piece with turned legs and traditional curved elements, and the Gulliver Swivel Chair, featuring a modern, feminine look with a boucle upholstered drum seat and natural parawood base. The Greely Chair, crafted with an aniline-dyed leather and solid white oak frame, and the Elton Dining Chair, upholstered in a linen blend with elegant lines, further exemplify the blend of style and comfort. Ottomans like the Ackley Leather Ottoman add texture and visual interest with an intricate woven leather pattern. The Orville Extension Dining Table, designed for both intimate and large gatherings, showcases unique form and exceptional function with its solid oak construction and self-storing butterfly leaf. The Dana Nightstand, focusing on contrast, adds texture and mixed materials to the bedroom with its open shelving, soft-close drawer, and woven seagrass shelf. #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #Furniture #DesignProjects #ClientFavorites #HomeStyling #StudioMcGee #DecorSelection #LivingSpaces

The Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas features an entry foyer designed by Rottet Studio, envisioned as a cleansing and calming experience, providing a respite from the urban environment. The design emphasizes wellness, incorporating elements that evoke a Southern garden while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic. The entry foyer, considered the heart of the home, utilizes verdant hues and a dramatic color palette to create a striking contrast with modern furnishings. Lauren Rottet's 'Garden Within' concept subtly addresses the growing importance of wellness in design without making it overtly explicit. The existing millwork in the foyer is painted in Benjamin Moore Salamander, establishing a coordinated visual flow that enhances the transition into the home. The design draws inspiration from a lush Southern garden, featuring custom hide rugs from Kyle Bunting that depict magnolia petals. A tiered chandelier by Fisher Weisman serves as a central lighting fixture, complemented by Rottet’s own Fascio sconces for Visual Comfort, which add a sparkling effect and subtly hint at the gardenscape below. The furniture selection includes Pierre Charpin’s Stump tables for Ligne Roset and an Archiduchaise chair by Xavier Lust from Ralph Pucci. These pieces are integrated with custom-designed items by Lauren Rottet for the Rottet Collection, such as a white marble-and-glass table and a marble bench, fabricated by Sigma Marble. An acrylic garden trellis guides visitors towards a window perch, where the Xavier Lust chair is strategically placed to create a silhouette. A white marble vitrine is positioned beneath this perch. The staircase features a custom-dyed green wool stair runner produced by The Rug Company, which winds its way to the second floor, visually connecting the entry space with the upper levels of the house. The project benefited from contributions from numerous partners, including Benjamin Moore for paints, The Rug Company for the stair runner, Kyle Bunting for custom rugs, Visual Comfort & Co. for sconces, Ralph Pucci for furniture, Lutron for lighting controls, Trove, E&D Plastics, AB Modern, Fisher Weisman, and Jean de Merry for various design elements. Additionally, other sources included Forestwood Antiques Mall for antique bowls and vases, Moody Gallery for art by Page Kempner, United Quality Restoration for chandelier boxing, J.B.’s Move Team for chandelier transport, and Haile Wossen of Anthos for florals. Paint services were provided by B & R Professional Painting, and plants by Ruibal’s Plants of Texas. Wallcovering installation was handled by RTA. The design showcases an integration of architectural splendor with a focus on creating a serene and welcoming atmosphere. #RottetStudio #KipsBayDecoratorShowHouse #EntryFoyerDesign #InteriorDesign #WellnessInDesign #LuxuryInteriors #CustomFurnishings #ArchitecturalDesign #DallasDesign

This article celebrates Studio McGee's ten-year anniversary by highlighting ten of its most popular and influential design guides, reflecting the company's commitment to sharing design expertise. From its inception, Studio McGee broke industry norms by openly sharing product selections and paint colors, a practice it continues to uphold. The compilation of guides covers a range of essential home design topics, aiming to empower individuals in creating a home they love. The first guide focuses on kitchen cabinet paint colors, emphasizing the transformative power of a fresh coat of paint in a significant area like the kitchen. It provides examples, such as 'Midnight Oil' by Benjamin Moore used in the Houston Estate's butler's pantry, to illustrate the impact of color choices. The second guide delves into the art of hanging art, underscoring the importance of treating walls with the same attention as floor space. It offers comprehensive advice for enhancing a home's aesthetics through proper art placement, whether for a single piece or a gallery wall, ensuring spaces feel polished and personal. Rug Textures 101, the third guide, educates readers on the significance of rug material beyond just pattern and color. It explains that texture is a primary factor in long-term satisfaction with a rug, recommending wool rugs for their versatility and ability to add personality and softness to various rooms. Following this, the fourth guide addresses how to choose accent pillows, detailing how the right combination can revitalize a room and introduce new elements of personality, pattern, and depth. It offers a foolproof method for selecting pillow sizes to achieve an updated look. Next, the fifth guide, 'How To Mix Wood Tones,' tackles a common design challenge: blending different wood finishes. It argues against the use of a single wood tone, which can lead to a lack of dimension, and provides insights into creating an enhanced aesthetic through harmonious wood curation. The sixth guide, 'Cabinet Hardware 101,' discusses the impact of hardware on a room's design, from updating existing pieces to selecting new ones. It stresses the importance of correct placement and functionality to ensure the hardware complements the overall aesthetic. The seventh guide covers pairing two sofas in one space, a technique Studio McGee employs to avoid monochromatic furniture sets. This guide explains how to create harmony through contrasting pieces, using varying textures, fabrics, and subtle design details to achieve continuity and balance. 'Our Guide to Tile Patterns' is the eighth inclusion, advising on the selection of tile layouts beyond color and texture. It illustrates how different patterns, such as herringbone for a classic look versus stacked for a modern feel, can significantly alter a space's overall appearance. The ninth guide provides essential tips for light fixture hanging heights, addressing the complexities of diverse ceiling heights and uniquely shaped spaces. It offers practical measurements, like the recommended distance between a dining table and a chandelier, to simplify installation. Finally, the tenth guide, 'How to Select Dining Chairs and Stools,' focuses on furnishing open-concept living spaces. It advocates for mixing and matching seating rather than using uniform sets to achieve a layered and curated look while ensuring a seamless flow within connected kitchen and dining areas. #HomeDesign #InteriorDecor #DesignTips #CabinetColors #ArtPlacement #RugTextures #AccentPillows #WoodTones #HardwareSelection #SofaPairing #TilePatterns #LightingHeights #DiningSeating #StudioMcGee