The Urban Penthouse Project began at onset with a mission to design a final home product in entirety. The start up canvas solely provided wood flooring, kitchen & bath cabinetry, granite counter surfaces, and kitchen appliances. Working long distance with the homeowner whom had a home base in Chicago, power design sessions on scheduled visits to Asheville provided the best opportunity to work closely. Traveling to ADAC and various trade showrooms together were crucial to provide visuals for furniture and textile selection for the project in short windows of time.

The client began the start up for design with one simple source of inspiration, the request to incorporate Elizabeth Eakins rugs into the project. The design and planning of these rugs were a project on their own, requiring selection of 52 yarn colors to incorporate within their intricate floral/vine patterning, their custom borders and central motifs planned for the individual spaces where they would finally land. Initial samples in hand, we began the journey.

The soft scope of the Urban Penthouse project included custom Larsen drapery and pillows, Baker framed Bergamo upholstery in sofas, lounge and dining chairs, and layered bedding design.
The hard scope incorporated case goods from Neirmann Weeks, Baker, a glorious barley twist four poster bed and bedsides from Dessin Fournir, and many one of a kind antiques purchased though Brunks Auctions and Darnell & Company. Exterior balcony seating from Janus & Cie were connected to garden urns from Mecox. A custom designed bluestone balcony floor commissioned with Marc Archambaut of Hammerhead Stoneworks mimicked the clean sweeping lines of the balcony irons and added the sweet twist of local art. Lighting selections incorporated the noteworthy Lille chandelier from Neirmann Weeks to showcase the dining table, their rock crystal chandelier highlit in the master bedroom, a Myran Allan polished clear glass ball ceiling mount dances with light in the entry foyer, Fine Art Lighting selections for living and bedroom wall sconces, and an innocuous Venetian glass pendant to drift above the yoga room. Limestone bath and shower tiling, a glass kitchen backsplash,

a pair of marble fireplace surrounds and mantels as well as built in cabinetry for both the living and yoga rooms were all KWL designs.
The semi precious gilt mirror over the living room mantel features a show from within television, a vented frame partnered on with Blackbird Frame & Art. Homeowner commissioned artwork by Wendy Whitson graces the penthouse, all framed by KWL Design.

This project goaled a clean, timeless urban chic vibe, one we are proud to stand behind.

Project Date: 2009-2011
Cover Story and Published Feature - Carolina Home + Garden - Spring 2010