Behind the Scenes: Studio Tour
Welcome to the Beehive! One of the reasons our clients love to visit is because we are blessed with an amazing work space….And we want to share it with you!
We are located in the historic Price-Valentine Manor House in downtown Hopkinton at 1 Main Street. We can see the grand blue and gold starting line of the Boston Marathon from our front porch. The marathon is near and dear to all Hopkinton hearts!
As you know, the Bees LOVE working on older homes, so you can imagine the fun in renovating our work space within this very special circa 1830 home. It's very important to play off of the original character of the building, which is why we did our best to save as much as we could. We were successful in salvaging the wide plank floors in our large meeting area but sadly they were too far gone in our work area. The ceiling in the front room was bowed and unsightly so it had to be removed, along with several non structural walls that chopped the space in an awkward way. Original fireplaces remain, we wish they were working but they sure look pretty! Through the years most of the doors and windows have been replaced. Thankfully a few of the original exterior doors still exist! We added crown molding for a finished look, along with built in shelving throughout, essential for organization and storage. This was obviously a fun project as we were free to express ourselves however we wished!
BEFORE
Of course, we would be remiss if we didn’t start off with a few before shots. The space itself was in need of a refresh. Check out the before and demo pictures below.
AFTER
Let’s start with the overall space. You’ll notice a beautiful wall-covering throughout the studio - a favorite classic from Farrow & Ball (pattern: Silvergate). We added a long table, a multi-purpose area for meetings and client presentations, or a quiet place to work and take advantage of the outdoor views. This is a fave perch during a winter snowstorm as a magical scene unfolds outside. Snowflakes collect along the exterior architecture of our beloved local library and create quite the vision. Above the table we installed two large scale Currey and Company light fixtures (Elizabeth Gold Chandelier). They pack a visual punch and light the space effectively for all of our needs.
While using the original ornamentation that was salvageable we updated the space by adding some pops of color, another signature trait. We (up-cycled) an old sideboard in a stunning chartreuse color which nicely compliments pillows in one of our favorite Schumacher patterns, Chiang Mai Dragon. Details abound within our space. While you can find the ever-convenient coffee maker (a life-line on those early mornings…), you can also spot our mascot on the mugs and beyond. In the powder room you will spy another Farrow & Ball fave, on the wall-covering (Bumblebee pattern, of course)!
We have a beautiful fireplace in the middle of our meeting space. Flanking the art work, metal candle holders contain candles or fresh floral displays, according to whim.
The artwork and decor are special and meaningful to us, whether it be an oil painting or a zip code sign, greeting guests to our warm space. Through the years we have collected a vast array of resources to add to our sample library. A fun place for clients to “shop” and a huge time saver for the Bees. Not to mention, a great benefit to our clients as it cuts down on our travel and sourcing hours!
And you can’t miss our outdoor area, we have a two beautiful covered porch areas, where ferns flourish in the summer and holiday greenery greets winter season visitors. Exterior lanterns give a warm ambiance to the outdoor space.
Want to see more? Stop by and say hello! Follow along to learn more about the Bees’ methods and aesthetics on their blog today!