water for elephants
Tami Ramsay and Krista Nye Schwartz
Tami Ramsay and Krista Nye Schwartz are co-founders and partners in Cloth & Kind, a nationally recognized residential and commercial interior design firm with office locations in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Athens, Georgia.
At their very core, they are curators and storytellers who are renowned for their collaborative approach to the design process, and their ability to create spaces with history and heart, with story and substance. Their combined aesthetic is a unique confluence of the myriad inspirations encountered in the world. Their creative vision always results in that splendid mix of one-of-a-kind finds, with a heavy dose of unique and custom textiles, curated art and furnishings. Cloth & Kind’s design aesthetic is always classic, and painted with a modern vibe and a worldly influence.
The design duo has been published in House Beautiful, Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles, Detroit Home, Lonny Magazine and Remodelista. They were also featured in Legends of La Cienega 2014 in Los Angeles.
www.clothandkind.com
Facebook: clothandkind
Twitter: @clothandkind
Other DXV authors
Lisa Mende
Marlena's bathroom contains a shower with tiles by Tempest Tileworks and New Ravenna, Two beautifully appointed compartments hold the DXV Oak Hill lavatory with console and matching two-piece toilet.
“There was a bit of ‘tramp’ style going on in the book,” says Tami. So that’s where the partners started: with matte finishes and beautiful pieces that looked worn and old. They got linens and drapes from a small artisanal textile designer in Istanbul and worked with Paper Mills, a company out of Oakland, California, to find the rich, flocked-looking wallpaper. They used the new DXV Oak Hill Collection, because with its satin brass finish, these fixtures fit the tone of the story and the style of the room. “We found vintage light fixtures that illuminate and just fit with the golden hue of the space,” says Krista. “But then we had to funk it up so we brought in our tattooed lady and hung her up with a kimono and some other arty things.”
The DXV Oak Hill Freestanding Soaking Tub with Weathered Oak Feet anchors the vanity side of the space and becomes the perfect focal point in Marlena's retreat.
The sink really led us to the idea of having these two individualized water closets and separate, private spaces: toilet in one room and sink in another. Which is also in keeping with the idea of a train car and how you would have to use the space. And then, of course, we used these beautiful bath fixtures and that became our focal point. There’s a real sense of the circus big top, especially the bulbs that surround the mirror. And we really played with shapes, specifically the lotus. The vanity really and truly is awesome. Something about the glow and the way it casts its light.