A NOTE FROM JESS
There have been many lessons for our team over the past year. New demands and novel approaches to working through the pandemic have shown us where we are strong, and where we need to reinforce our systems for working with contractors, subs, and clients. It’s an unprecedented time to be working in our field and I couldn’t be more proud to be doing it in Berkshire County. If you’ve recently purchased a home here, or are looking to, here is some advice for operating in this new paradigm . . .
CREATE A TEAM OF PEOPLE you can trust - and get them on board very early in the process. We specialize in creating teams for each project that will serve our clients best. Among many other factors, we consider each entity’s working style and their experience in certain areas. Once we have our team in place the process runs smoothly, and we are able to serve our clients optimally from start to finish.
COMMUNICATION IS PARAMOUNT to success - whether you are building a new home or renovating. There should be one point of communication for the team you are working with (and one point of communication on the client side). Working long-distance with clients has its challenges, but the process can go very smoothly when roles are clear and established. This is an area our team excels in.
SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS for timelines and continue to check in on them through the process. Demand for labor and materials is at an all-time high; subcontractors are being stretched thin and contractors are booking years out. Setting realistic milestones could not be more important than it is at this moment. It’s better to rip the band aid off from the start on this topic than use the “wait and see” method. We find that people are incredibly grateful to know when their project will really be done so they can navigate the process with clear plans and practical goals.
HAVE A FRANK DISCUSSION about budgeting with your team. Contractors sometimes underestimate costs from the start then incrementally add as they go along, and clients might hold their cards tight on the real budget. If an open dialogue about money (allowances, overages, targets, etc.) takes place at the start we have the ability to execute a more successful plan. All too often we take two steps forward, one step back in this area. Creating space for these conversations is vital.
YES, YOU CAN ACTUALLY HAVE FUN in this process. If all of the above items are checked on your list it is possible to relax and enjoy the ride of new construction or a renovation of your home.
NEW TO THE TEAM
Our studio is evolving, and our team is growing. We’re thrilled to introduce the three newest faces of JCI . . .
Katie Murphy Furnishings Project Manager
Katie received her MAT in Art Education from Tufts University and brings a diverse skill set to JCI, her background including urban arts education, floristry, and graphic design. Prior to joining the team she worked in an interior design firm specializing in high-end residential and hospitality projects in Boston, Wellesley, and Nantucket. Originally from Cape Cod, Katie manages the firm’s custom furnishings division, working in tandem with clients to curate the finishing touches that truly make a house a home. She believes that thoughtfully-designed spaces are transformative, and loves nothing more than seeing a client's emotional and physical wellbeing uplifted by their newly furnished home.
Shannon Ferguson Business Manager
Shannon received her BA in English from Franklin Pierce University, and commends her broad-scope liberal arts education as being the reason she developed such finely-tuned communication skills and ability to work well with others. Shannon has worked in various backgrounds, usually under the scope of business operations, and brings that expertise with her to Jess Cooney Interiors. An avid organizer, Shannon has come on to manage finances, oversee office staff, and maintain project schedules. Born and raised in Salem, MA, Shannon relocated to Putnam County, NY for several years before finally giving in to the call to return to Massachusetts; this time to picturesque Sheffield where she now lives with her fiancé.
Jacque Ivory Office Assistant
Born and raised on Long Island, Jacque fell in love with the Berkshires at 19 after meeting her now husband, a native of Great Barrington. Despite living all over the world (15 moves in total), she settled back in Sheffield in 2017. Through her travels and resettlements, Jacque developed a love for design and renovation. Having to quickly turn a house into a home became a well-honed craft, as did organization and precision. This arsenal of skills is put to use each day in managing receiving and logistics for JCI. Jacque ensures each moving part for thousands of details, from order to final installation, runs smoothly.
FROM OUR PORTFOLIO :
A Timeless Sheffield Refresh
This historic home in Sheffield, built in the late 19th century, started out as a boarding house. A trip to the Sheffield Historical Society would allow you access to photos of the boarders at large formal dining tables on the first floor, set on the backdrop of lovely formal gardens. Since then it’s served the community as a doctor’s office, apartments, eventually evolving into a single family home in the 1940s. The homeowners are often stopped in town by long-time residents, eager with tales of the many lives lived within its walls.
After falling into disrepair for years, it was partially rehabbed and then sold to our ( wonderful ) clients. The kitchen and back section of the house, while updated, had lost some of the original character of the home and needed reconfiguration. When we took on the project, we were tasked with creating a 100-year kitchen - a timeless design that echoed the original beauty of the home while affording the homeowners modern function.
We set to injecting whimsy, fine detailing and craftsmanship - using materials that have a story and will age with grace. This part of the home was given new life while honoring its history.
The home was neglected for years before a local contractor purchased the property with the intention of saving it.
The clients wanted to use local craftsmen to construct cabinetry that echoed the arched detailing found in other areas of the home. The island was built out of reclaimed material left over from the makings of musical instruments. Unlacquered brass fixtures and honed danby marble counters will continue to take on a beautiful patina as they age with use.
The home had retained its beautiful and original pantry cabinetry, which was a must-save for the clients. The hutch located in the kitchen (left image) was removed. Our design team opted to shorten the long run of the pantry and salvage the standalone cabinets.
In place of the kitchen hutch went a custom banquette and table for casual dining. Whimsical touches of pattern and color completed the look, while the tumbled limestone flooring added holds up to Teddy, the client’s 210 lb. pup.
We continued past the kitchen and pantry, reworking the floor plan of the area at the back of the house to accommodate a fully-equipped mudroom and powder bath. The trick was to carry the same delicate charm from the main spaces into these zones. The powder bath got a pop of pattern, while the mudroom stayed quiet (but still interesting enough for a sniff around).
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Early this year our project managers embarked on an apprenticeship with nearly a dozen young people from Railroad Street Youth Project (RSYP) to share what it’s like to work in the design world.
With all of us at JCI new to teaching (and teaching in the time of COVID), we took to Zoom for 6 weeks of discussions and work sessions, while the participants utilized their new skills to put together a full design for a real client. We navigated each step in the process, from how to use a scale ruler, to the ins and outs of programming a space, to sourcing plumbing fixtures and making a case for why you chose that chair.
It was a grand experiment and fantastic learning experience for our staff, exposing us to new ideas and new challenges. We’re forever grateful to the team and participants at RSYP and hope to build on the experience for the next go around.
OUR STAFF STYLE PICKS
It’s been a long winter. We’re shedding the muted, the neutral, the austere. We want punch. Color. Life. Here’s a check in on trends and what we’re all excited for this spring . . .
Katie Project Manager
THE TREND : FINISH WITH FLOWERS
“For many second home owners, caring for houseplants can be a bit of a challenge. Another way to bring the outside in is through fresh flowers. The 'double tulip', not to be confused with the traditional tulip, is becoming increasingly popular. It offers a smaller and more expansive petal structure and unique colors. A single bunch of double tulips from your local flower farm, paired with a simple vessel, is the perfect way to add a natural element to your home and celebrate the start of Spring.”
Marie Project Manager
THE TREND : LANDSCAPE MURALS
“Whether it’s a timeless hand-painted chinoiserie or a more abstract watercolor print, a paneled mural wallpaper can immediately transform a room to feel like a completely different setting or environment all within your home. And since we’ve all been sheltered in place this past year, who would say no to that?”
Benjamin Project Manager
THE TREND : PLANTS AS THE PALETTE
“I like to integrate plants into the home as much as possible. Sometimes a pop of green is exactly what a room needs. Taking care of plants can also be a very therapeutic experience. My goal would be to have a room like the one shown here.”
Lauren Project Manager
THE TREND : UNABASHEDLY YELLOW
“When I was about 13 my mom let me paint my room a very mustard yellow, and since then I haven’t gone anywhere near the color. But yellow has come back in a big way, and it’s being used in materials and applications that are completely fresh and intriguing. Make it the color of a highlighter or a warm gold - in any form I’m enamored with it once again.”