Continuously faced with design challanges, and a variety of clients, we as designers are always working towards designs that not only suit the client’s aesthetic and style, but their lifestyle and needs.  In order to achieve this, sometimes we have to ‘create‘ opposed to ‘work with‘ furniture!  This can be beneficial for multiple reasons; not only are you creating something to the EXACT desires of the client, but you have the ability to control quality, costs, and finishes.  On the downside, it takes a lot more time, energy, and ingenuity in most cases.  BUT we are always surprised at just how capable we are at creating innovative, functional, and beautiful pieces along with the fantastic work of our millworkers!  It’s all about collaboration, as designs are always works in progress- you live, learn, and hopefully learn from your mistakes!  Here are a few examples of the custom millwork pieces we have created in the past, enjoy!

THE SUPER CHIC DEN

It was extremely important to utilize this space as efficiently as possible thus providing a functional work surface, storage, and display; all without overwhelming this small space!  Equally important was the material selection as we decided to go with a sleek, reflective, and light color; white lacquer.  We were also able to achieve our goal by playfully working with the millwork elements but keeping it symmetrical in order to not visually disturb the eye- making it seem larger than what it is in reality.

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

THE ELEGANT BEDROOM

Going with a unit mainly for the purpose of visual display, we decided that it would also be fun to include some physical function- an integrated  seat bench.  Also by going with a dark stain and finish on this unit, we were able to pull focus to objects of display, and keep a very dramatic focal point without overwhelming this larger Master Bedroom.  To also contrast texture and finish, we selected a glass mosaic tile surround for the fireplace adding that elegant ‘glimmer’ to the space, accented with the textures and tones of the neighboring upholstery on the bench.

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

THE HIGH FASHION PENTHOUSE

This was all about the ‘wow’ factor, and creating an exotic touch to a space rather sleek, monotone, and minimalist all-round.  Meant to be treated more as accents though built-in, the zebrano wood utilized offered texture, unique tones, and patterning to the space.  Floating all of the built-ins also gave them more of an ‘airy’ or ‘lighter’ feel.  Secret touches such as built-in seating, hidden drawers, shelving, and easy-glide mechanisms added that special touch!

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

THE MOD APARTMENT

The unit that truly “wears all the hats,” was a challenge not easily solved!  This unit had to encompass a ‘slew’ of things such as entertainment, display, storage, and work!  Here asymmetry, maximizing height, and focusing the aesthetic to more of an architectural focus; all helped in providing the perfect solution for the space and the clients’ lifestyle.  The office was all about lines, and focus to the horizontal aspects in order to play focus to the view; all while serving the functional aspect of work!

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

THE OCEANSIDE BEDROOM

One of the more traditional installations and designs we’ve created, the millwork in this space had to be warm, inviting, and VERY functional.  Hidden storage spaces, moving units, secret latches, and inconspicuous screened-millwork all helped to serve the purpose of sleep, rest, lounge, store, and watch!  In order to also maintain the look while being conscious of budget, we opted’ for painted millwork which best met the needs to this project!

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

THE SOUTHWESTERN INSPIRED TOWNHOUSE

Mainly focused towards entertainment and storage, we designed a unit to reflect symmetry, and to truly encase the rest of this main living space.  We wanted it to ‘architecturally’ fit-in and to serve its purpose as a highly used item in the everyday life of our clients.  The finish also matched other millwork details in the space to not draw focus or attention towards the unit, and to maintain a sense of warmth, elegance, and cohesiveness!

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

WESTCOAST CONTEMPORARY OFFICE

Used by a variety of people everyday at work, and seen by a variety of clients, this millwork for this space had to be extremely functional but visually clean and sleek.  The wood tones and textures brought the warmth and textures necessary to work with the ‘nature-inspired’ design, while also creating contrast and depth playing with two wood tones & types.  Multiple functions, hidden storage spaces, and full-height millwork brought great function and visual drama to the office space- also resulting in a very custom and luxurious office look.  Here, hardware was an element that was also extremely important.  To play with the verticality, we selected long, sleek, stainless steel hardware when it came to door pulls- also to mimic the door hardware we selected for continuity!

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

image from www.kaluinteriors.com

image from www.kaluinteriors.com