Christina Cole on Creating Interior Character from Scratch

Rip & Tan: From ideating to final touches, what does your general process tend to look like? What was the initial vision for this interior project?

Christina Cole: Square one usually is–what is the narrative? This project was a little different from how we normally operate. In this case, we don’t know the end user since the home is being designed for a developer to sell, but we wanted to stay very personal in a situation that might not be as personal. We wanted to focus on honing a custom caliber. You’ll see some moments in this home that are unexpected, and these moments make the home feel really custom and specific to its future owner.

Rip & Tan: How would you describe this home in terms of architectural essence or style?

Christina Cole: When we received the architectural package, it was clear that there was a nod to tradition and a historic reference in the style of the home.  With any architectural context, we typically respond with some harmony and some opposition. In this house, the architecture feels a little more traditional, but then there are elements such as the industrial steel windows and contemporary cabinet styles that keep it from feeling too predictable and on the nose.

Rip & Tan: Any particular finishes or architectural details you’d like to call out? What about them stands out most to you? 

Christina Cole: Yes, I liked so many. The stairs are one of the greatest features of the home. One thing I really love about the stairs is that you can see it from so many spaces in the house and it really transforms depending on the vantage point from which you are viewing it.  It is a unifying element, but also a dynamic element that connects all the spaces as a visual anchor.

Rip & Tan: With a new build, what are a few ways you like to bring in a sense of lived-in character?

Christina Cole: Along the lines of the opposition, this home is eclectic because it brings in different energies in a cohesive way. There is contemporary lighting and vintage lighting. Some finishes are polished while others have patina. Some elements are more feminine while others are more masculine. This home doesn’t follow one exact style, which results in an environment that is collected and perceived to have been assembled over time.

Rip & Tan: In regards to this home specifically, are there any architectural elements that are so seamless we might miss them upon first glance? If so, what was the intention and how did you execute?  

Christina Cole: There is a joy in displaying life’s little treasures and this home gives many opportunities for that. There is an office that has beautiful double pocket doors that slide open to reveal a showcase garage. This moment for the collector reintroduces itself in several places including the primary suite closets. The closets don’t have a door, but rather they have a special design for a central display. This display can be used for anything coveted, be it bags, pottery, books, etc.

The spaces are flexible and able to evolve as the collections are central to the design and are ever-changing based on the owner’s interests.

Rip & Tan: What’s a common misconception about architecture and its role in interiors?

Christina Cole: Many see architecture as spatial and interiors as topical décor but it is quite the contrary in good design.  In good design, furnishings should be considered for their spatial impact as much for their contributions to colors and materials. Equally, architecture should consider surface textures and palettes as much as it is space-defining.

Rip & Tan: Are there any new architectural trends you’re loving lately? What gives them the potential to be timeless? 

Christina Cole: It is not exactly architecture, but I see that floral prints are having a moment and for someone who doesn’t use a lot of patterns, the idea of florals is interesting and equally timeless–especially when reimagined in a new way that feels relevant and contemporary.