How this Oakland design firm approached a building tailor-made for West Coast families
Current Affair is an interior based design and styling firm focused on making design accessible to everyone. We caught up with Kylea Borges and Jennie Gale from Current Affair to learn a little more about how they approached designing Mily on Piedmont.
1. Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with us. We are excited to get some insight into your design process! What exactly is involved in the process of interior styling and how did you approach this when designing the apartment at Mily on Piedmont?
That’s a great question! We like to start by getting an overall feel of the space to consider scale and placement of furniture. There should be a cozy seating area, ample flow through each space and proper lighting throughout. When looking at the units on Piedmont, the views and natural lighting were so important, we wanted to plan around that. We built each room around the windows and added low, soft lighting. The space also has a modern, yet organic aesthetic that we accented with light, simple wood pieces and neutral tones.
2. Mily is so excited about our first building opening on the West Coast! What are some design considerations when designing for the Californian lifestyle?
As a native Californian, I would say having casual living spaces and bringing the outdoors indoors are important to many of the people that have chosen to live here. California is known for its beautiful landscapes and great weather so naturally it attracts those who want to take advantage of the outdoor lifestyle. We like pieces to be comfortable yet stylish, modern and also organic. Working with neutral colors and natural wood, but playing with shape, texture and pattern can help achieve this feeling. As mentioned above, working around windows, natural lighting, and adding indoor plants will create a more seamless flow from indoors to outdoors.
3. Mily is designed for families, but made for everyone. What advice do you have for designing a space that’s family friendly?
When considering spaces specifically for families, the first thing we think about is functionality and materials. Will each piece be functional and practical for its users? Materials being used should stand up to wear and tear while also being safe. Consider furniture with rounded wood corners, commercial use textiles, patterned or colored rugs. It’s best to use materials that wipe clean easily or disguise dirt. Storage is also key! Look for creatively enclosed vertical storage to maximize space and keep things looking tidy. If you have open shelving, put items into storage baskets to keep clutter out of sight.
4. What are some of your tips and tricks to maximize space especially in smaller urban city apartments?
We love multi-functional pieces! Consider modular sofas that can be reconfigured, sturdy ottomans that can double as a coffee table or dining tables that fold down with stackable chairs. Again, maximize vertical space, but keep design choices simple so it’s not overwhelming or feels too busy. You don’t need a lot of pieces, just a few of the right ones.
5. As a local Oakland resident, what are some of your favorite home interior stores in the Bay Area or any other sources you love to draw inspiration from?
One of our favorite Bay Area gems is STUFF. If you love wild Mid-Century design, STUFF is a vintage interior store that delivers! Whenever we’re in Pacific Heights, we like to stop into The Future Perfect and March on Sacramento for more trend forward artisanal pieces. In the Mission check out Norden Living for all things Scandinavian and Super Simple on Valencia St. The East Bay doesn’t have quite as many good interior retailers, but we do have vintage furniture. Some of our favorites are Narrative and Mid Century Mobler.
6. Finally, what is your favorite piece of furniture, art or object that you included when you designed the apartment at Mily on Piedmont and why?
The chairs in the living room are new pieces that we just loved right away. The rounded silhouette is elegant, but they are still cozy and inviting. I appreciate that they are still fairly low profile and can be used to make a big impact in a small space. We also constantly obsess over a Noguchi style paper lamp. This one is courtesy of STUFF, of course! As an avid lighting fan, I highly recommend anything that draws the lighting down from the ceiling to create atmosphere.
Love the space? Want to learn more about Current Affair? You can follow them on Instagram and check out their website. Mily on Piedmont is now open for leasing. With only a few 2 and3 bedroom units left, the time to join the Mily community is now. Visit our website to learn more!
