Designer Advice with Chelsey Schafer
Material board created by Chelsey.
DETAILS
Where — Tulsa, Oklahoma
Beautiful — Advice
From commercial to residential!
Chelsey and I met at W Design, a design firm in Tulsa, and became best friends immediately after bonding over blue cheese and horror films. But beyond that, we both share a deep love for design! Since working with Chelsey, I’ve ventured into the residential realm. However, I’ve always felt that working in commercial interiors has helped improve my residential design practices. So, I wondered who I could turn to for advice on blending commercial and residential interiors. Of course, Chelsey Schafer came to mind. Not only is she my dear friend, but she’s also an incredibly thoughtful and talented designer.
What kind of spaces do you design?
I’ve designed commercial spaces, including retail, workplace, and hospitality, ranging from 2,000 square foot restaurants to 1,000-room hotels.
What has been your favorite project and why?
I loved working on locally owned co-working spaces, as the goal was to create fun, vibrant, and exciting spaces that stand out in the market. That said, I’m currently working in hospitality, and the larger budgets, scale, and the ability to design completely custom spaces from top to bottom are hard to beat. The creativity at this scale is far less limited.
What are some of your favorite products used in commercial interiors that can benefit residential design?
I wouldn’t say there’s anything groundbreaking or drastically different in commercial design. However, I think the mindset of designing commercial spaces with health, safety, and welfare in mind can be applied to residential projects. For example, using slip-resistant tile, ensuring wide and open space planning, and incorporating built-in storage for easy accessibility are all strategies I implement in residential designs. As designers, one of the best things we can do is design for the long term. For residential designers, focusing on aging in place and maintaining a safe and accessible home is crucial.
What have you learned from commercial design that you’ve applied to your own home?
Oh, so much! From the wide range of products I can use to the buildability of what we design, everything I learn from commercial spaces applies to my home as well. It’s always on my mind—whether in public spaces or at home.
What design advice can you offer to residential designers from a commercial perspective?
Think about the constructibility and sustainability of what you design. I’ve gone through many versions of the same design to refine it into something that works for the designer, contractor, and client. This ensures we get the best possible product.
Current favorite design trends, materials, lighting, or designers?
I’m definitely loving the return to natural woods and incorporating rich, dark colors into projects. I also enjoy mixing metals and multiple finishes and colors—it’s a great way to add interest and uniqueness to a space. You can see this in the finishes I mentioned, and I love how designers and architects are consciously returning to historical architecture. Hopefully, this trend will result in more timeless designs as we move through the years.
Any other tips or tricks?
Try as many design sectors as you can. You can get so much knowledge from a design sector you wouldn’t deem aesthetic or desirable and you can apply that knowledge to a design you love.
Well, there you have it, readers and friends! I hope this insightful advice gives you the courage, motivation, and maybe even some inspiration to make your space that much more beautiful!
Images from Chelsey’s projects.
