A Study in True Transformation, a New Face, and Inspiration from the Team.
fall 2023 style story
A Note From Jess
We speak a lot about transformation in our industry. We transform a space, we transform a house into a home. But what exactly do we mean?
Let’s start at the beginning. A client comes to us to renovate their house because it’s not working for their family. It needs certain elements for the family to function better. It may need more storage or a different flow to the rooms.
It’s our job to bring all these issues to the surface, examine them closely, and suggest solutions. There is a practical approach to this of listening and implementing. I also believe that the house itself tells us what it wants, what it wishes it could be for the client. How it could serve and function better.
We move these puzzle pieces around until each one fits. That’s the start of the transformation. Next, we implement this plan with careful execution, bringing to life a 2D drawing and layering it with beautiful finishes that polish the design by adding dimension and character.
The space transforms, the flow opens up, the feeling of being in a home comes forward. On the last day of an installation, we have flowers on the table, books on the shelves, and linens on the bed. We stand back and marvel at the transformation. What has been the site of tireless work and activity for many months becomes a family’s quiet respite.
Happy Fall,
- Jess
From Our Portfolio
japanese modern
When these clients came to us, they were looking to create a primary home for their young family. We had very clear directives from the start: create a space that was multigenerational, add a great deal more function, and echo many of the Japanese design traditions they grew up with.
One of the biggest challenges, aside from revamping every surface of the 1980s contemporary home, was how to make the most of the limited footprint. The flow of its functional zones was disjointed and the capacity insufficient, so we reimagined two underutilized areas - a screen porch and an unfinished basement. The basement was rethought as an office, laundry room, and accessory apartment so that grandma could live comfortably with her family, with her own space to relax in.
What was once a screen porch was transformed into a proper mudroom. We outfitted the once single-use space with tons of storage, but made sure it had enough polish and comfort to also serve as a playroom for the two kids. This had the added benefit of taking pressure off the open concept living space to be both adult and kid friendly, leaving it preserved as a cozy spot for the grown ups.
Following Japanese philosophies that embrace reuse, it was important for the clients to honor felled ash trees from their former property. This became the foundation of our design, and we used ash for most of the envelope of the interior. The flooring was custom milled from those trees, and we matched their tone and character in the ceiling treatment, millwork, and other architectural details. This restrained approach created a truly calming effect throughout the home.
kitchen before
kitchen render
living room before
living room render
Both inside and out, we were intentional about bringing in Japanese elements. The entire exterior was updated with Shou Sugi Ban treated siding - a technique that chars the outer layer of the wood, thereby creating a naturally rot and bug resistant material. The bathrooms were thoughtfully designed with modern finishes and traditional function. The outcome is a highly organized family home where everything (and everyone) has a place to comfortably rest, and day-to-day life can feel as clean and intentional as its surroundings
Ann Albert
new to our team
Anne is a fashion designer and comes from a varied fashion background. Over the course of her career, Anne has run her own clothing business, collaborated with numerous fashion, lifestyle and beauty brands and has worked producing, casting and styling everything from catalogs to advertising campaigns.
She began her career in fashion working in Europe and Japan before moving to New York City to study fashion design at FIT. During this time she also began producing fashion shows in New York, Paris and Milan.
In 1999 Anne launched her own collection, MARTIN, which soon had a cult following including models, celebrities and fashion editors.
Anne moved from NYC to the Berkshires 18 years ago and never looked back. She brings years of organizational skills, experience, an eye for detail and design knowledge to JCI.
procurement manager
Our Staff Style Picks
This month our staff shares the design trends they’re most excited about.
Lauren
creative director
If a color could have a sound, brown has reached its crescendo. Love it or hate it, it’s had a resurgence in all forms and styles recently, serving as the antidote to our collective fatigue with blue. I’m intrigued by the fresh ways I’ve seen designers use brown in bathrooms and bedrooms, going bold with dark tones, pattern mixing, and bright color pairings.
Rachel
senior designer
I’m seeing saturated rooms everywhere, fully washed with warm earth tones. From rust and caramel to rich oxblood and earthy terra cotta red, these nature-inspired hues bring a sense of boldness to any space.
Benjamin
Senior project manager
I am thrilled to see traditional doors and door casings go by the wayside. This image shows an arched doorway but without a traditional door trim or casing. This arched doorway is classic in form but reads as a completely modern design element.
Marie
senior project manager
I love seeing plaster walls incorporated back into kitchen spaces lately. After years & years of brick-laid subway tile trends, plaster is both a practical and beautiful relief.
Leila
senior project manager
Plywood has been turning up in fresh ways with saturated color wash stains and exaggerated high-contrast grain. It provides a bold element to otherwise minimalist spaces in the form of kitchen cabinetry, millwork doors or wall paneling.
Grace
project manager
The aesthetic of the Bloomsbury Group features hand painted furniture and decor, a riotous mix of color and texture, and a total disregard of formality. I love seeing these joyful motifs sneak into the monochromatic minimalism that has been so prevalent for the past few years.
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