Behind the Design with Regan Baker: Sepia Grasscloth sets the tone

After admiring the work of San Francisco designer Regan Baker from afar (or more specifically, via instagram), I had the pleasure of meeting her last year at an LA design event. We chatted while testing our block printing skills at a workshop, then she showed me photos of a recent install using our Sepia Grasscloth wallcovering. It is always such a treat to see my designs installed in a space, and it is even better when the designer shares insight into their inspiration and design process for that project.

In this post, Regan does just that! I really love how she used Sepia grasscloth in this family dining room, and enjoyed hearing about the design process in her words.

Kate Miller: What was your vision for this space?

Regan Baker: We wanted to introduce some informality when designing this Presidio Heights home for our clients and their three teenage children. Part of creating a space tailored to their needs involved eliminating the formal dining room and transforming this area off the kitchen into a fun, casual gathering spot with a hip feel, warm palette and layered textures. The client wanted a welcoming space that her children and their friends could hangout in, but also wanted the flexibility to host large dinner parties. To help the room function in different ways, we chose an extendable dining table and added cabinetry along the back wall to serves as a coffee and wine bar. The addition of a wall mounted TV also makes this an ideal spot for our clients to start their day with coffee and the morning news.

KM: What drew you/your client to our Sepia Grasscloth for this project?

RB: Working with existing finishes creates a challenge of its own, but when we found this paper, it was the perfect fit — it not only blended with the existing kitchen finishes, but also added a level of hip sophistication that our clients really wanted to bring to this house. We loved the warmth and movement in this design and the color palette worked well with the existing busy tile backsplash. We particularly liked the notes of teal in the Sepia Grasscloth and chose to repeat the color in the painted cabinetry and custom leather upholstery.

A closer look at Sepia Grasscloth

KM: Was sustainability and using eco-friendly materials a factor in this project?

RB: Any time we can bring  beautiful, sustainably-made pieces into a project it’s a win for us. We enjoy being able to work with brands that approach design and production with environmental impact in mind. For this room we were able to bring in key elements made from eco-friendly materials — Elworthy Studio’s agave fiber grasscloth, a hand-woven renewable bamboo pendant and a dining table made from consciously sourced teak, by Ethnicraft.

KM: What effect does the wallpaper have in the finished space?

RB: Grasscloth wallpaper is a great way to bring warmth and texture to a space without being too overpowering. It also provided the perfect foundation for layering with other natural materials, like the bamboo pendant and teak table. The wallpaper really was the art piece in the room, the item that really helped pull the palette together and personalize the space showcasing our clients personal style.

Thanks to Regan and her team for showcasing our wallcovering so beautifully, and to Suzanna Scott for the photography!

Inspired by what you see? Check out other projects by Regan Baker Design here.

Love the textural look of grasscloth? Shop all our grasscloth wallcoverings here!