MODERN EDWARDIAN DESIGN
Photographer: Vivian Johnson
Hello all, this is my first official entry and I am thrilled to share with you my monthly newsletter of all the things….I love!
I plan to update you with happenings at Anja Michals Design including projects we are working on, and those we are wrapping up, furniture pieces I am coveting as well as my love for Fashion + Beauty. A lifestyle journey that I want to take you on from my perspective.
BRAND REFRESH
To kick it off, I wanted to dive in with what has been happening at Anja Michals Design. My first blog post is coinciding with a full brand refresh at AMD. I started my business back in 2014, on my own, organically. It has been growing steadily since. I am a self-starter, so I have really done all of this on my own but then realized it was time to get some external support so I recently hired a branding company to work on the AMD brand expansion, including a whole new feel to my website.
For my brand refresh I hired Deana over at Simple and Soulful, who not only made the process effortless but also fun! It has been so rewarding to have another creative working with me on this. The result is a beautiful fresh take on my logo, a color palette that I really gravitate towards plus a completely new layout of the website.
THE AMD TEAM
My team has been working stellar + smoothly this past year, with Hannah as my Senior Designer and Kelly as my Project Manager. We are also gearing up to bring one more person on to help with all things logistics.
I have realized you are only as good as the support behind you in this industry and I’m so proud of my team and the work we produce.
EDWARDIAN LUXURY
Our latest project wrap up is an Edwardian style apartment on Hayes Street in San Francisco. My client approached me with this gem and it has been so much fun breathing new life into the space. This wasn’t a build project, but rather a furniture, lighting and accessories redesign. I love transformations like these just as much as new builds or remodels. My client is a single professional who wanted an eclectic one-of-a-kind-vibe to call her own.
BEFORE
Image source: Redfin
Photographer: Vivian Johnson
AFTER
The room layout was centred on this art piece by contemporary artist Kiki Slaughter, based in Richmond, Virginia. We commissioned this piece to have all of the warm colors of the room, particularly deep greens, to tie back into the Vintage Swedish chairs reupholstered in a Zak + Fox Boucle.
Photographer: Vivian Johnson
We added Neutral Philip Jeffries wallpaper on the walls for a warmer, inviting feel, alongside an extra layer of white classic drapes and Zak and Fox textured pillows. We wanted the home to feel eclectic and special, with personal objects and art layered into new pieces in different materials such as ceramics, wood and resin.
HALLWAY HEAVEN
In the apartment, there is a beautiful space off the entryway that divides the living and dining areas which was also part of this Edwardian project. We upholstered the seat cushion in Zak + Fox fabric, as well as added layering through pillows and a Moroccan rug which gives a more eclectic look. The beautiful pendant light, that we kept referring to as the “pancake light”, is the focal point in this area room, and came from Paris. To add interest to the space, we intentionally kept the wainscoting and original, charming stained glass windows.
BEFORE
Image source: Redfin
AFTER
Photographer: Vivian Johnson
TEXTURED LAYERS
Moving on to the bedroom, my client really wanted to inject color into this space and create a moody vibe. We used a lime wash paint from one of my favorite paint companies, JH Wall Paints. The lime wash paint gives a beautiful textured finish, yet is easier to apply and a less expensive option than plastering.
Photographer: Vivian Johnson
To add interest and more texture to the room, we commissioned this beautiful, soft, arched art piece with Cindy Zell, The peachy pink color was chosen to pop against the dark green walls and tie in the wall sconces from Triple Seven Home. The bedding and pillows we used is from St Frank, a brand both my client and I have a common love for, and the introduction of the soft, subtle pattern adds another dimension to the room.
ECLECTIC ENERGY
As a designer, I get as much satisfaction bringing to life small spaces as I do large ones, and this bathroom certainly did not disappoint! Bringing the small space to life, we used a bold Zak and Fox wall covering and paired this with a beautiful dark green paint from Farrow and Ball. This tiny room is one of my favorites and I just love the ornate brass leaf oval mirror.
Photographer: Vivian Johnson
MY FALL FAVORITES
Recently I discovered New York based furniture company Maiden Home, who use techniques of North Carolina furniture artisans to craft their pieces. Their price and quality are outstanding and my picks of the moment are The Perry Chair and the Mulberry Ottoman.
Image source: Maiden Home
Right now, I’m obsessed with Isabel Marant. Her effortless casual French chic-wear is my go to! I love her boots; they are chic and comfortable which are super important to me. I’m swooning over these beautiful classic suede ankle boots.
A new purchase this month has been this camel / black cardigan from L‘Agence. It gives me vintage Chanel vibes and I just adore the elegant black trim and gold embossed buttons.
Image sources: L’Agence and Net a Porter
ABOUT THE AUTOR
Anja Michals is an experienced, reputable interior designer who prioritizes lived-in comfort and streamlined spaces infused with eclectic and thoughtful personalization. Her creative inspiration comes from her Scandanavian roots, traveling, nature, and the relaxed vibe of Southern California.
