Behind the Scenes at Designer House 2023: An Interview with Designer Will Chambers
Just days ahead of its grand opening, we’re thrilled to give you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into one of Richmond's most illustrious events: The Richmond Symphony League’s Designer House. Read on for an exclusive interview with designer Will Chambers, who shares a bit about his creative process while transforming the Formal Living Room for this year’s event.
As you might already know, the setting for this year’s event is the Taylor Estate, a stunning Italian Renaissance Revival masterpiece nestled at 2325 Monument Avenue. The Taylor Estate's main home, envisioned by acclaimed architect Duncan Lee, boasts dazzling, elaborate ceilings in the public rooms, along with exquisite detailing throughout.
The residence served as a remarkable backdrop, providing endless inspiration for the event's designers to begin the journey of breathing new life into a historic home. Among them, our very own Will Chambers embraced the theme of the year as an opportunity to inject a touch of modernity into the tapestry of tradition.
Meet Will
Will Chambers is a Designer and Merchandiser at u-fab interiors, and the principal designer for u-fab interiors’ room in the Designer House Showhouse.
With an affection for color and an eye for detail, Will enjoys executing his designs affordably and on time to create beautiful and functional spaces for his clients. He is known for his fabulous ability to combine an individual's style with a fresh perspective in a cohesive design that fits his client's taste and budget.
For more on Will, click here.
Where did you find your inspiration for this year's design?
The estate, itself, was probably my greatest inspiration. I was immediately drawn to the details and classic grandeur of each space. When I stepped into the formal living room for the first time, I was greeted with gorgeous, intricately detailed trim and molding and a stunning grand piano. I knew the piano had to stay. I could just envision folks gathering in the space, listening to beautiful music, having wonderful conversations about music and art and life. I knew that this room had to function as a gathering space.
The room will feature live music throughout the event, played by the incredibly talented members of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. For details and a full schedule, click here.
This year's theme is "breathing new life into a historic home." Can you talk a little about how your color palette and overall design concept achieves that?
I would describe this year’s overall color palette and design concept as: Updated Traditional with a nod to Art Deco. The palette features burgundy, deep wine, forest green, ivory and gold. When used together, these colors create a harmonious blend of traditional and Art Deco elements:
The deep red tones, often associated with traditional and classic design elements, provide a sense of history and richness.
Forest green brings a natural, earthy element to the palette, introducing a refreshing contrast and a connection to nature. Green also symbolizes renewal, which aligns with this year’s theme.
Ivory serves as a neutral backdrop, allowing the other colors to shine.
Gold accents bring a touch of luxury and sophistication. In Art Deco design, gold was often seen in metallic finishes and geometric patterns. It adds a sense of opulence and timelessness to the palette.
The key to successfully achieving the [updated traditional with a nod to Art Deco] concept is in the balance and harmony of these colors. When applied thoughtfully to furniture, textiles, and decor elements, they create a space that feels both timeless and contemporary, paying homage to classic design while infusing it with a modern appeal.
We chose our fabrics, furniture, and custom pieces with this in mind. We designed and installed traditional cornice boards but with a really fun and whimsical shape. The sofas feature a traditional tight back, but the shape is updated and contemporary. The accent chairs are in a trendy, heavy sari silk and wool blend fabric but on a classic frame with nailheads. It was important to me to showcase the classic, elegant styling of the home while making it accessible and livable for 2023. I think each piece reflects a nod towards the traditional beginnings of the space, but in a refreshed way.
Can you provide any information about some of the other furniture pieces we can expect to find in the room?
At U-fab interiors, we work with several different furniture manufacturers. The upholstery in the room is from Wesley Hall and Lee Industries. The burlwood coffee table and arched console, both exquisitely designed, are from Modern History. Most of the accessories and accent pieces have been curated along our travels, infusing the space with global flair.
What is your favorite piece?
Well since I can't say all the fabrics and beaded trims, I'll go with the unexpected and completely one-of-a-kind side tables. They are astonishingly unique, elegant and heavier than the piano. The most intriguing thing about them is that it’s hard to figure out what the material is just by looking at them–is it onyx, marble, granite or something else entirely? The answer is that they are made from petrified wood. Can you even begin to imagine the history of them, as well as the journey that these tables have undergone to be here in this room?
What are you most excited about in this year's Showhouse?
I am so excited that guests will actually be able to hear live music in the room! I’m also thrilled to have been able to work with fellow u-fab designers and fabricators to bring this design concept to life. I worked closely with my colleague Diana Vicenti to design the window treatments, and was so grateful for her expertise in designing the custom-shaped cornices! Our incredible fabricators Jeff Timlin and Karin Newton also played a huge part in bringing our vision to life, making the cornices, pillows, drapes, table covers and more by hand with incredible attention to detail. Everything turned out even more perfect than I could have imagined, and I’m so excited to see it all come together in the space. Beyond our room, I’m looking forward to seeing the transformation in other designers’ rooms as well. Central Virginia (and Richmond, especially) has such an incredible and talented design community. It's wonderful to see the collaborative effort of all of the designers coming together to make this estate breathtaking. I can’t wait to see everyone’s work!
Designer House will be open to the public from September 11-October 9, 2023. The month-long celebration of design, artistry, and the spirit of our vibrant community is definitely one you don’t want to miss! You have the opportunity to discover the estate and find inspiration for your personal living spaces through either a daily general admission tour or one of RSL's exclusive special events. You’ll also find an on-site café, perfect for a leisurely meal or a quick refreshment, as well as a boutique where local artisans showcase an array of handcrafted treasures, from clothing, jewelry, accessories, and home goods to stationery and crafts.
The hours for this Designer House are as follows:
Monday through Friday - 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sundays - 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thirsty Thursdays - 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
For tickets and a full schedule of events, please click here.
Stay tuned as we prepare to fully unveil our space this year's Showhouse later this month. And be sure to mark your calendars for an unforgettable experience. We look forward to welcoming you to this remarkable event!
