Ep. 241: Vivian & John Bencich of Square Feet Studio

02/22/22 • 48 min

Today we welcome husband and wife team, John & Vivian Bencich. They are the founders of Square Feet Studio; an award-winning architect, planning, and design firm based in Atlanta. With Vivian’s background as an interior designer and John’s as an architect, they and their team specialize in smart, simple, and sustainable designs meant to last a long time. They have created beautiful and warm spaces throughout Atlanta including many popular restaurants like the iconic Kimball House. Listen in as they share tips on how to recreate our favorite restaurant ambiance in the home, the importance of numbers in planning, how to use a holistic approach to design, and more!

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

How did Vivian and John get their starts?
How John and Vivian take a holistic approach to design.
A glimpse into how they create such a warm, intimate, and hospitable space like in the Kimball House.
What tips & tricks do they have for narrowing down a style?
What small yet important adjustments do professionals bring into design plans?
What are their thoughts on impulse buys within the design plan?
How a restaurant mood can translate to residential design and how to create it.
How we can design a home while thinking about how we move through our space.
How to create a mood in an outdoor room or space.
Tips & tricks for choosing the right paint color (and not wasting time or money).

Decorating Dilemma:

Hi Bev,

We like the way the color looks! But if you want to change it, I would not recommend a darker gray and would instead make it very warm. From Benjamin Moore, I would suggest using either Calm or Lacey Pearl to go with the blue furnishings. To select the right paint color in the future I would suggest getting sample pods and painting a 3’ x 3’ square on the wall. To test how it looks in different lights you could either paint one square on every wall or use a loose piece of drywall and move it around. Always test the actual paint sample vs. pictures or swatches!

Another tip we have, even though you didn’t ask, is to pull the seating apart a bit to air out the space. Great job with the space, Bev!

Mentioned in This Episode:

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

How did Vivian and John get their starts?
How John and Vivian take a holistic approach to design.
A glimpse into how they create such a warm, intimate, and hospitable space like in the Kimball House.
What tips & tricks do they have for narrowing down a style?
What small yet important adjustments do professionals bring into design plans?
What are their thoughts on impulse buys within the design plan?
How a restaurant mood can translate to residential design and how to create it.
How we can design a home while thinking about how we move through our space.
How to create a mood in an outdoor room or space.
Tips & tricks for choosing the right paint color (and not wasting time or money).

Decorating Dilemma:

Hi Bev,

Another tip we have, even though you didn’t ask, is to pull the seating apart a bit to air out the space. Great job with the space, Bev!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Previous Episode

Ep. 240: designer Gail Davis

Interior designer Gail Davis joins us today and gives us a glimpse into her unique journey and style. For 15 years, Gail has transformed her clients’ houses into homes using her eye for colors, textiles, and traditional styles. After leaving a career in fashion, Gail studied at the New York School of Interior Design and interned for two New York design powerhouses; Bunny Williams and David Kleinberg. Her work has been featured in House Beautiful, AD PRO, Domino, as well as many more publications. She also hosts her own podcast Design Perspectives. We discuss how Gail’s background in fashion heavily influences her design, how she creates spaces that are elegant but livable, as well as her love of layering, fabrics...and dogs!

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

How did Gail switch careers to become an interior designer?
Why is the job of a designer much more logistical than creative?
How supply chain and delayed lead times due to COVID are impacting designers.
What is the biggest change in design Gail has seen this year?
How does Gail’s process begin?
How does Gail define “the wow factor”?
How Gail’s fashion background impacts her design process.
How does Gail choose her color palette for a room?
Why Gail wants a space to be enjoyable and livable; especially for people with dogs!
How did Gail add femininity to the traditionally masculine home office?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Next Episode

Ep. 242: Renovation Tips with Rasheeda Gray

Our guest today is the inspiring and highly knowledgeable interior designer Rasheeda Gray. Her Philadelphia-based firm, Gray Space Interior Design, specializes in residential and boutique commercial projects. Her work has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Architectural Digest, ELLE Décor, HGTV, and more. In 2021 Rasheeda was named one of House Beautiful’s Next Wave Designers. This episode is all about renovating! Rasheeda gives us tips and tricks for the entire renovation process, insight into her personal and professional experience answers all of your renovation questions and more. She gives us an in-depth look at why planning is so important as well as how to stay focused and on budget!

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

What kind of questions should you ask yourself before a home renovation project?
Rasheeda walks us through the budget and pricing process.
How often do clients veer off course during renovations?
Is it better to renovate project-by-project or all at once?
When to hire a professional vs. when it’s okay to DIY.
How supply chain issues are affecting renovation projects and what delays to expect.
The importance of taking a holistic approach to renovation and design planning.
How to keep a focus and theme during the entire process.
How much should you worry about resale value when renovating?
What colors are trending in 2022 and where can you use them?
If you’re on a tight budget, what one room would Rasheeda suggest focusing on?
The importance of getting measurements and creating a floorplan.

Decorating Dilemma:

Hi Tracy,

This is definitely a complex design dilemma! Keeping in mind that you want the space to be comfy and inviting, let’s start there. Since there are no defined walls I would suggest you float the furniture. I would recommend getting an area rug that’s big enough to contain all the furniture and ground the space. I would lean towards putting the sectional on the window wall. Then I would have 2 chairs and maybe a small ottoman flanking the sofa to create conversational areas. The ping pong table is a really difficult addition to this space! But you could put it to the far right side of the room. If possible, I would look for a table where you can put a cover or nicer fabric over it that makes it look less “ping pong-y!” To save space I would put some ottomans for seating in this zone that can slide under the table. Regarding window treatments, I wouldn’t cover the windows since you love that natural light. Think of window treatments like eyebrows in that they frame and complete the look. It will give the room a sense of cohesiveness, as well. On those 2 thin windows on either side of the main window, I would hang the curtain rods the same height and use one small panel on each. If you’re worried about baseboard heaters you could use shades, but I don’t think it’s a problem. I prefer floor-length curtains for this space and you could always use tiebacks when you use the heaters. The chandelier is a bit big and formal for the space so if you’re looking to change it, I would personally get rid of it. If you have a choice I would go with recessed lights throughout the space with a few accent lamps, as well. For paint, I always say pick it last. You can certainly go with white, but to make the space feel really cozy I would go with a medium neutral color like a taupe or gray to warm it up. One of my favorites is Repose Gray. Then bring color in with all of your furniture, artwork, accessories, etc.

We’re so glad you enjoy the show, Tracy! Please send us the after photos!

Mentioned in This Episode: