We are excited when we learn that our interior design clients collect things. It allows us to creatively include decor, art, and other special items that hold a special place in their heart (and then their home)! The homewoner of our recent Turtle Lane Project in East Hampton collects – you guessed it – turtles.
Upon first visiting the house to assess the design project, I noticed the turtles. They were everywhere: the living room, bedroom, kitchen, outside…
I kept this turtle collection filed in the back of my head until one day I came upon this dude while on a visit to the D&D building at the Patterson Flynn and Martin (PFM) showroom – a handmade black and natural abaca rug.
Unable to contain my excitement, I asked my rep (and local Pelhamite), Livia Curti if they just might carry a turtle rug. Knowing that my turtle-loving client would LOVE this for her husband, Livia told me they can create anything if given a sketch and an idea. This is when I hatched a plan (no pun intended) to make a custom turtle rug.
This is my rough sketch of our turtle in my horrible right-handed scrawl. (I was born lefty like my Dad and brother…but the nuns did not let that continue no matter how many times I practiced my cursive.)
Then our RWD photographer extraordinaire took my drawing into her little magic Illustrator program and traced and colored this little ditty. (I thank her for her patience with me!)
We sent this image to Livia at PFM and sent in a deposit – WE WERE DOING THIS! The client was so excited to surprise her husband with this work of art! PFM came back with the below iteration. But of course, I am a stickler for the finest details, so I gave more edits.
Finally, our turtle friend was just right. 5 colors of pure reptilian joy! He was ready to come to life and discover his new habitat in East Hampton.
Voila! Here he is! Amazingly gorgeous and totally fun. Lovingly named Harvey, after the turtle my Kindergarten best friend developed in a children’s book we wrote about 20 years ago (still unpublished).
