“I have always been unsatisfied with life as most people live it. Always, I want to live more intensely and richly. Why muck and conceal one’s true longings and loves, when by speaking of them one might find someone to understand them, and by acting on them one might discover oneself?” – Everett Ruess
It was that very quote that our client, Drew Hansen, introduced in our initial design consultation and conversation, and ultimately, it rang 100% true in our collaborative efforts in the redesign of his home. Two short exerpts–“to live more intensely and richly” and “by acting on [one’s true longings and loves] one might discover oneself”–served as the sort of guideposts for the project. It needed to be tasteful, sure…but more importantly, it needed to invite reflection on Drew’s cultured tastes and daily inspirations. Clients of this caliber are often a dream to work with; Drew brought heaps of indispensable creative insight to the table (think: countless links to art installations, author quotes, lifestyle websites, and inspirational books ranging from 2Pac to Zen culture). Thanks in no small part to his vision and creative elevation, we started to shape his Sugar House bungalow into a Soho-inspired loft with modest Asian roots that reflected his lifestyle to the proverbial T.
Above all else, we’re a COLLECTIVE, and we take that pretty seriously. Our constant cheers for Salt Lake’s talented tenants often translates directly to collaboration of the best kind. In this case, we brought Chris Henderson of Rexx Studio on–his museum-gallery install know-how is incomparable, as it so happens. For Drew, he created a one-of-a-kind motorcycle pipe installation in the dining area, a nonpareil anchor to the open-concept living space and the much-needed industrial design element. As with any well designed space, however, balance is an oft-ignored necessity. In order to add a few strokes of nature to the final design, we introduced plenty of desert foliage and an awe-striking photo of a Buddhist monk in smoke, taken by famed photog, Matthieu Ricard. All told, the project was a blend of sorts…modern, industrial, down to Earth. To quote Mr. Ruess again, “…while I am alive, I intend to live.” We just want to help you love where you do it.
