Leslie Tyler Design & Build

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Soul Pieces

Client Project Leslie Tyler Design 2022

Cheers to making it to Friday, am I right?

This week has been laborious and much more like a marathon than a fast pace sprint. This slowing has been welcomed, but I would be honest, the tedious tasks have demanded my persistent.

This weekend will be another “working weekend” and I will be hitting the road to solve a “coffee table crisis” I have found myself in. It is no secret that I enjoy using vintage furnishings in my design. My Soul Pieces add that touch that is indescribable, yet makes all the difference. What I originally had sourced from CB2 won’t arrive until April and, with most of the room being complete and entertaining for my client on the horizon, I am hitting the road and crossing my fingers that I will find that perfect piece that checks all the boxes, and I can finish this room off in plenty of time for all of the neighborhood moms to swoon.

When COVID initially hit the U.S. in early 2020 many of the hidden treasures that I source these Soul Pieces were on lock down and closed. I began working with retail much more than I had before and depended desperately on websites like Cherish and Etsy to make sure our proposals didn’t get too “matching showroom”.

The problem I found, and still at times, find myself in is the inability to be present with what it is I am selecting for clients. I want to not only “see” a piece, but I want to touch it… I want to feel its energy. I went from being very “hands on”, to being forced to being almost entirely “hands off” to now this little mix of the two. So, while I am frustrated that I won’t be sleeping in tomorrow, or giving time to my own personal projects, I am eager to explore and discover what will ultimately find me.

I get asked a lot, “How do you find these pieces?” The truth, time, patience, but most importantly (especially if you don’t have the other two) is having very limited expectations. Luckily this room has a very neutral base, so I have options of what could “work”. Other than scale and preferred shape I have left myself, and design open. I select art next week, and I find that a good opportunity to tie everything together. But at this exact moment, the piece that will be literally center of attention, is unknown. And there is something downright magical about that.

For now, I send you on your way and hope to be a gentle reminder to leave yourself open to the unknown.