We’re big fans of Barn & Willow’s “View From Here” series, as it often gives a glimpse into the lives and homes of talented designers and creatives. Recently, a talented design duo opened their doors to the brand — and we became instant fans! Alex and Austin (aka @hommeboys) are Northern California designers who design, build, and stage homes. As is the case with many designers, their own home is their greatest portfolio piece. “It’s a family owned property sitting on over three and a half acres,” the pair told Barn & Willow in their View From Here profile. “We live in the second story of the barn, which houses our apartment and office. Below us is the custom cabinetry shop for the family Design + Build firm and there are gardens, orchards and other family members living on the property. It’s our very own commune!” They describe the style of the space as “mid-century modern meets Sonoma wine country with a splash of jungle and eclecticism,” as you’ll see in the slideshow. Below, Alex and Austin talk a bit about one highlight of the space — their custom window coverings from Barn & Willow:
What was it like ordering custom window coverings online?
It was so simple! Like, we can’t express the ease of doing custom drapes with Barn & Willow. They sent us a full booklet of fabric choices including privacy and blackout linings. We compared the colors to our room and held the fabrics up at the window to get just the look we were going for. The online process walks you through every little detail to make it easy to get exactly what your going for in the look of your drapes. Error free!
How did you decide on a look for your window coverings?
So our bedroom is really dark, think moody with a hint of eclecticism- ok it’s full on the eclectic! We have a dark burnt wood accent wall, a gold and black wallpapered wall and the rest is a black pear paint finish. We warmed the room with lots of neutrals in our bedding, furniture and rug and wanted to pick that up on the walls with our drapes. We went with their Belgian flax linen in natural with no lining- we love how the light softens the room through the drapes when they are closed.
Some of our readers may find custom window coverings intimidating. What are your top tips when making a design decision?
Believe us, we did too! It can be overwhelming and a headache. One of our biggest tips for that more sophisticated look is that we recommend having your drapes just kiss the floor. That means to allow your drapes to almost hit the floor but they are free from collapsing on themselves. Even if you ordered the drapes a little too long, just raise the bar- it won’t hurt the look. Also, confirm the fabric choice in person. we can not stress this enough! We have made the mistake of not seeing the fabric in person, it will make or break the room!
