No two interior projects are the same. Nor should they be. Every townhouse, condo, and vacation getaway is as unique as its inhabitants. And, in order to create a true haven, tailoring each project according to preferences, needs, and personalities is absolutely vital.
Which is exactly why the novel and inimitable cottage of Emily Byrum is so beautiful.
Sustainability, Aesthetics, & Cats
A retired schoolteacher, Emilly Byrum came to us with a very specific list of requirements for her 600 sq. foot cottage. Some of these requests include an uncluttered minimalist aesthetic and environmentally sustainable sourcing. But even more important was that the space be conducive to a few feline friends.
After saving and rehoming hundreds of cats from the streets of Brooklyn, Emily found herself caring for six of these rescued cats that had special and specific health needs. With this new family, Emily wanted her new cottage to be comfortable and safe for everyone.
Shaker Interior Inspiration
Once we established the interior goals, we worked to hone the desired aesthetic for the project. We drew inspiration from traditional Shaker interiors which aligned well with her preferences and specific needs.
The Shaker design aesthetic is simple and intentional, influenced by Shaker philosophy for practicality and beautiful craftsmanship. Every piece is functional, even eye-catching art and unique decor. So, these Shaker interiors not only matched Emily’s tastes, but also our mission of sustainability and purposeful design.
White walls and wooden furniture create a warm, homey, and light-filled atmosphere that is historic while looking comfortably modern with clean lines and no clutter—exactly what we needed for a small and cozy space.
Feline Functionality
Consequently, aesthetic design and mood boards wouldn’t be quite enough for this project. This mission went beyond creating a beautiful space; rather, this home needed to be optimized for the six feline residents. All while remaining clean, clear, and comfortable.
As such, these furry friends influenced every decision. For example, the large couch in the living room was specifically designed to offer space behind it for the cats to run and play. However, the space underneath the couch was limited, preventing any critters from getting hurt or stuck in such an unreachable place.
Similarly, simple wooden shelf-like decor provided the cats with space to hide, play, and laze about without encroaching on the already limited elbow room. These shelves, and every other piece, were sourced sustainably, taking fragments of nature that had already fallen. Though admirable and undeniably sustainable, this made some ideas particularly difficult to execute—namely, the cat tree centerpiece.
Madrone Cat Tree
The beautiful and unique Madrone wood cat tree became the heart of this Shaker inspired project. Made of rich Madrone wood, this natural playground stretches from floor to ceiling, decorated with platforms at varying heights and a subtle hammock. Exquisite craftsmanship meets whimsical practicality in an organic phenomenon.
But this piece began as an idea that seemed far-fetched, especially when it came to the requirement of using environmentally sustainable materials that have already completed their natural cycle. How would we find such a beautiful fallen tree?
As it happened, our talented cabinet maker found the solution when he was boating on the canal and heard a tree fall. Before him was the fallen Madrone. He wasted no time, approaching the owners of the property and receiving permission to take the tree off their hands. This wonder of nature perfectly matched the model we had drawn up.
Just like that, we had the finishing touch for this cozy and elegant cat-friendly space. It seamlessly blends into this Shaker design cottage as a focal point with gorgeous color and natural lines while acting as an ultimately functional and useful piece.
The Miller Mission
This project became an incredible example of our mission here at Miller Interior Design. We want to create a space that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but is uniquely useful for you! Something that fits your lifestyle, your family, your goals.
