about us
OUR MISSION
TO BE MAKERS OF “HOME”.
We create spaces that make every day a GOOD DAY…whether that space is where you LIVE, PLAY or WORK. We aim to elevate spirits, support ease, provide comfort, rouse curiosity and inspire fun + humor…...all with the intent of creating the BEST MEMORIES.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
AUTHENTICITY, BEAUTY + COMFORT
“HOME” should be a unique expression and extension of each individual. It should be interesting, comfortable, beautiful and fun. To that end, we believe in DISCOVERY….of who you are and what makes you tick. We listen, learn and create spaces.…about YOU.
When we turn to DESIGN, we believe historic accuracy and a sense of place are important to the longevity of that design. We understand you have picked a place to live which is MEANINGFUL to you in some way. So….we believe that the essence of ground up or ground-breaking design, should HARMONIZE with that environment, through use of materials, scale, quality, and mood. We believe materials should be REAL…….if you want it to look, walk and sound like a duck..….it should be a duck. We know that, in the end, this will make the design of your space last longer, feel better, and look TIMELESS.
OUR VIBE
THE COMMON THREAD …
….running through the varied styles + moods of our work is that it’s relaxed but tailored, unique yet familiar. We like to mix it up rather than remain in one era, whether the project is an historic restoration or a modern new build. We search for old treasures, and work with our creative artisan partners to produce new bespoke furnishings. This STRATEGIC MIX is the secret that keeps a space FRESH, easy to update when the mood strikes, and so much more INTERESTING. In the end, we want to tell a STORY….and we work hard to make it YOURS.
ABOUT KATIE
KATIE DENHAM
FOUNDER + PRINCIPAL DESIGNER
Born and raised in Prairie Style house designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright in Pasadena California, Katie was exposed every day to the rich and diverse architectural history of her hometown.
Home was an artful arrangement of antiques, midcentury furniture, Persian rugs and modern art. The art filtered into the house through the art career of Katie’s mother and included such notables as Andy Warhol, Frank Stella and Larry Bell, providing wonderful contrast with family heirlooms and antiques. There were always kids, pets, arts, crafts and cooking projects going on, simultaneously of course! It was beautiful chaos!
Katie went on to study Art at UC Santa Barbara and then earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. After a foray into the worlds of Marketing and Fashion in the Bay Area, Katie moved into Interior Design, the perfect connection of her art, design and business background. Katie relocated to beautiful Baton Rouge to study Interior Design at Louisiana State University for a year, then back to Southern California earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from the Design Institute of San Diego. She began her Interior Design career while living in Newport Beach where she met her now husband, Tim. They made the move to Northern California four years later, and the California State Capital has been home ever since.
With over 25 years of design experience, Katie has completed creatively driven hospitality designs for boutique businesses, restaurants, residential projects, and Designer Showcase Houses in Sacramento and the Bay Area. Katie earned numerous ASID + NKBA design awards and media mentions along the way.
In her spare time, Katie takes full advantage of the amazing farm to fork scene in the California Capital, hunts for treasures at the local Antique Faire and beyond, scouts for emerging artists, and plans outdoor adventures and travels as much as possible. She lives with her family in a classic 1911 American Foursquare home (which has become Katie's personal Design Laboratory) in the historic neighborhood of Curtis Park.
Katie started her own design studio in 2008, and made the move to her current design studio in 2018 where she shows products from some of her favorite resources. The 3400 2nd Avenue Studio was chosen for its connection to the vibrant, creative and inspiring neighborhood of Oak Park.