Photographed by Seth Smoot
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Designer Emily Ward of Pierce & Ward On Warmth and Windows in Northern California
June 15, 2023
by Hunter Douglas
Emily Ward, one-half of the buzzy AD100 design firm Pierce & Ward, was first smitten with Northern California while at school in Berkeley.
Provenance Woven Wood Shades Fabric: Rustica Color: Weathered Timber, Edge Banding: Copper
As for the aesthetic, the designer had a vision from the outset. “I knew what I wanted the vibe to be,” Emily reflects. “I wanted it to be really earthy, lived-in, and not perfect.” Learn more as the designer delves into the rustic escape’s unassuming charms, and how the design has evolved with time.
Q: The house is evocative of the natural beauty that surrounds it. What do you love most about living here?
The wood, the windows, the lawn, the proximity of the beach. The area is laid back, majestic, organic, fresh-feeling and cozy. The house is built from all the redwood that you see from the property, which is so cool. All the kitchen cabinets are made from fallen trees. It brings me back down to earth from having a busy life in L.A., with a lot of clients and putting out fires all the time. It's really settling to be here — I think it's because the trees are so big.
Q: Tell us about the design process. Were there any challenges?
The temperature regulation was such a difficult problem. That's when I got these Duette Honeycomb Shades
Q: How has the house evolved since you first moved in?
I've moved the pieces of furniture in this house 100 times by myself — like a psychopath carrying a sofa on my head! You keep trying until it feels the best for your family. People often buy a new home and they want to design it immediately. But the best thing that you can do is live in a space and figure out how exactly it is that you're using the space.
There wasn’t always an island in the kitchen, for example, it was just this big, open space, which was great when my kids were little and crawling around. Now, it's great because I have an island for more storage for pots and pans. It’s best to just keep adding, layering and shifting things around.
Duette Honeycomb Shades Fabric: India Silk Color: Taj
Q: As a designer, you’re known for layering textures to create authenticity and warmth. How does texture play into your approach?
For my house, I chose the Provenance Woven Wood shades
Q: The space strikes a balance between curation and playfulness. Is there a piece that represents your vision for the house?
My best friend Louisa, my business partner, gave me a hand-me-down collection of pottery that she inherited from her mother-in law. I never really felt like I had it in the right spot, but now it's really on display. I am also a big fan of Elsa Peretti. She was a designer for Tiffany & Co. and did some terracotta in the 1970’s. I have that piece [pitcher on the dining table], and a bowl over there. It's a collected group of things that I like; there's not one thing. I only brought things here that I really love.
Designer: Pierce & Ward
Images: Michael Clifford Photography
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