Close to Home: Refurnishing with the Founders

Many of our projects involve helping others realize their design and furnishing vision, but a recent refurnishing project took place at Rick and Pat Howard’s house. As long-time design professionals, they spearheaded a redesign to refresh their home, using spectacular pieces and demonstrating their insights and style.

Furnishings are what define our homes, establishing the look and character that make us comfortable. Their latest refurnishing focused on their dining room and great room, and demonstrates the impact new furnishings can have in an existing space.

Dining Room

In the dining room, the table, chairs, stools and carpet were all updated. The Hybrid Dining Table is a pure piece of design from Tonelli, with a sublime central pillar finished in wooden strips with chrome structure and a clear glass top to enhance its remarkable presence. A round area rug from Dellarobbia matches the table’s proportions well, reinforcing its effect and building a focal point.

The final elements in the kitchen are the Vela Dining Chairs and Bar Stools from Reflex. Finished in cream-colored neutral leather, these provide function and beauty in equal measure, complementing the dining table and providing a sense of harmony at the countertop.

The Great Room

In the aptly-named great room, a place to gather with friends or relax in peace, some carefully selected pieces create a refreshed, refined, contemporary look with a gracious and welcoming ambiance.

Updating the seating was the core mission. The Vogue Sofa is a classic form with a large, inviting presence—finished in an almost periwinkle blue leather, this uncomplicated design grounds the space, and provides a perfect complement for four Mies van Der Rohe MI34 Chairs, their timeless design bridging past and present.

To build on the minimalism, glass tables were used exclusively, with a Quiller Side Table added beside the sofa. Glass tables enhance the volume of the space by allowing a free flow of light. A high-pile rug, also from Dellarobbia, adds a comfortable ambiance, and its color is complementary to the furnishings as well as the artwork. In terms of proportions, it’s a perfect fit for the furnishings and the space.

The final touch is playful: two yellow Morning Glory Floor Lamps add a pop of color and irregular, organic form—both to brighten the space and to contrast with the well-defined lines of the other furnishings.

The Necessity of Beauty

Initiated and led by Rick and Pat Howard, this refurnishing project is a great example of how a few flourishes and new furnishings can breathe new life into a space. As Rick emphasizes, spaces need to be handled in a certain way that aligns with the vision and style of the people who live there. When something no longer serves that purpose, it’s time to refurnish—a project they’ve undertaken numerous times.

With a deep background in design and constant involvement in the furnishing trade, their home is the purest reflection of their personal style. With just a few anchor pieces in harmony with the pre-existing space, their home refurnishing is proof of the power of the right pieces in the right places.