Tri Sigma Sorority House (GVSU) Design Recommendations
Description of the Project The Grand Valley State University chapter of Tri Sigma is moving into their very first house. They need a space that is inviting , warm, comfortable, and conducive to studying (for the 25 women living there and the 80+ members who will be visiting). The design should be timeless, modern, and stately, but with a fresh, youthful vibe that will inspire both residents and visitors. The Tri Sigmas are searching for interior design professionals that can assist in space planning, paint colors, furniture, artwork, and install.
Designer Goals Our goal is to create a modern, yet stately living space that is functional, smart, and inspiring while respecting/paying homage to the history, culture, and values of the Tri Sigma sorority and the women who live there. We will try to push the women to think outside of the box & trust our expertise while listening to their needs. We will leave a beautiful space and lasting impression with the ladies of Tri Sigma.
Color & Texture Story Royal purple and white are the colors of Tri Sigma. We want to honor these colors while adding in accent colors that will make it feel more three-dimensional (grays, golds, dusty teals & blues, and beige). In the pages to follow, pay close attention to how we are intentionally adding those elements through paint, rugs, and furnishings while still making it feel natural/well-designed.
Additionally, we will be utilizing elements that will balance each other out. Wood, linen, leather, acrylic, etc. Without a balance of materials, a room can feel very one-note and cold. We will be intentional with using the white bead-board finish from the kitchen island to blend with the rest of the space and will add in a mix of both modern and vintage/stately elements to exude class & youthfulness.
Between the two storage doors on the main wall of the chapter room, we’d like to add a simple seating vignette with commissioned portraits of the eight founders in gilded frames.
Walls on the main floor would be painted within the color story presented. We’d also like to do a wood wainscoting pattern to elevate the stateliness of the chapter room. Colors haven’t been specifically identified yet as furnishings & availability need to be determined first.
Chapter room would also feature two large tables (holding 10-12 people) that lay parallel with the room that can be used for dining/ studying. The tables would be more traditional, but would be paired with simple, modern white chairs. A large area rug would also cover the space. The seating vignette would feature a single sofa with lamps on either side. Finally, a chandelier would be added to the chapter room to give additional light & to be a focal point from the minute you step through the front entry space.
Rugs throughout would be a mix of new and traditional style with numerous colors strewn throughout the house for depth and drama.
The living room would have ample seating for large groups (either two large sofas or sectionals), and even the coffee table would be available for seating (ottoman style/durable). A white lacquer media cabinet would be added for storage. Decorative accessories & pillows would be added for personality.
The study would be painted a deep color or wallpapered to make it feel cozy and studious. Shelves for storage, a round table, and 4-5 chairs added for function.
Generally speaking, many of the hard furniture finishes would be a mix of nice wood (classic) and white lacquer (modern). The soft seating would be a mix of performance velvet, leather, and a durable linen. The main entrance would include a round table, large floor mirror, rug, and curtains (Note: curtains would be in each main floor space).
The kitchen would simply need some rugs and stools that coordinate with the rest of the house to make it feel clean, but complete. The back entrance would include some benches, hooks, and a utility rug.
The second floor would have a combination of bistro tables and stools for studying in addition to a couple of desks. There would also feature a comfortable seating area with two chairs, a sofa, and a coffee table for bonding & relaxing.
Art throughout the house would be commissioned by local artists to intentionally feature of some the symbols, values, and vibe of the Tri Sigmas.
Let’s Talk Budget… Entryway
If you’re going to “DO” it, we recommend doing once & doing it right. Since this is your first house and you don’t have any other furniture, we recommend expanding your budget a bit as every item adds up. For just furnishings, we are at $26,000. Costs can be saved at all levels, but that also means that we would have to lose some of the impact (for example, if we opt not to paint the main floor). We gave rough estimates below, but also wanted to be realistic with some of the prices (since shipping is also an issue we inflated some).
Kitchen
Table
100
Stools (4-‐5)
700
Mirror
200
Rugs (2)
600
Rug
200
Curtains/Hardware
150
650
Back Entry UBlity Rug
Chapter Room
50 300 400
Benches
Extra Large Tables (2)
1800
Chairs (16-‐24)
2000
Rug
1200
Sofa
1000
Framing/Portraits Chandelier/Wiring
1300
Hooks 9000
50 Guest Bathroom
Towels
50
1500
Floor Rug
50 150
1500
Art
50 Second Floor
Study
Bistro Tables (2)
500
Shelving
1000
Chairs for Table (4)
250
Chairs (4)
300
White Board/Trim
100
Round Table
600 2450
Rug
Rug
250
Sofa
500 1000 4100
Curtains/Hardware
300
Arm Chairs (2)
1000
Hallways Art/Rugs
1500 1500 Living Room
Sofas (2) Coffee Tables Media Center Abstract Art Rug
Art
500
Desk
150
Desk Chair
100
Paint/Wallpaper Main Floor
5000 5000
Designer Fees*
5000 5000
4000 200 1000 6500 300 1000
*half to be paid at start of project and other half to be paid upon compleBon
What’s Next? Whew! That was a lot of information. Now that you have seen the inspiration/recommendations, soak it all in. Let us know if you have any questions. After processing the information, you have a couple of options. ü Call or e-mail to set up an appointment to discuss your likes/dislikes of the design and how we can move forward together with Hunt & Gather managing the project (we would discuss specific items, purchasing, what we should be hunting for, finalized budget/purchasing requirements, and timeline). ü Nothing. This wasn’t what you were looking for, and you would like to discontinue working together. Of course none of the ideas you’ve seen are written in stone. The WHY is more important than the WHAT at this point, so don’t get too hung up on individual pieces. Instead, think about this: Do you like the mood? Do you understand the concept? Can you see the Tri Sigmas living in a space like this? We hope you are inspired by what we have come up with. We hope you feel pushed to think outside of the box. We hope you feel listened to, and we hope you see that we were intentional in our designs. We look forward to hearing from you!
THANK YOU Kelley Howley & Fernando Ramirez Hunt & Gather 740 Curve St. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 huntandgatherGR@gmail.com