25 Sep Love Your Home: Design Collaborations
“Stairway To Heaven,” the foyer at the Richmond Symphony Orchestra League Designer House, has an awkward corner. It needed something thoughtful. The giant urn finials reminded me of chess pieces, so I decided to run with it.
The finals on the newel posts at Holly Lawn make an impression on everyone who walks into the house. They are large and wow! The turning equipment that was required to make them in 1901 must have been something else.
I made a template of the urns and turned to Byron and Kalita Pennington of Small Axe Forge. Keep in mind that my best custom furniture designs are never “my designs”, they are collaborations with talented craftsmen and women who have an eye for design. Byron and Kalita were all over these urns—their vision was black and white marble. A surprise coming from metal workers!
Luckily I knew who to turn to: Classic Granite and Marble in Midlothian. Imagine a desktop 3D printer on steroids with the ability to carve your drawing—or maybe sculpt it—in marble, quartz or granite.
These were delivered to Small Axe Forge. A plus: they were cut from sink drops—the pieces left over after kitchen counters have the sink cut out!
This may be the most insane collaborations ever. I wanted a chess table and I received a work of art. Byron’s ability to transform metal is amazing.
Kalita’s vision and handiwork has given us zen like chess pieces with an elegant touch.
Stop by and see the chess table along with the rest of my designers for “Stairway to Heaven,” the Foyer at the Richmond Symphony Orchestra League Designer House now through October 14. Your visit benefits the Richmond Symphony. Buy your ticket here.
