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slate studios | the guide | blog

A collection of essays exploring design philosophy, process, and the spaces we create.
Explore our curated blogs on design.

slate studios | the guide | blog

A collection of essays exploring design philosophy, process, and the spaces we create.
Explore our curated blogs on design.


One Room Challenge | Week 6: Trim, Texture & Architectural Details
It’s hard to believe we’ve already made it to Week 6 of the One Room Challenge! The finish line is finally in sight, and I must say, this week was one of the most satisfying yet. After weeks of prep, painting, and gold leaf, it’s time for the architectural details to bring the vision to life. This is where I get really excited because this is when the walls go from flat and simple to layered and dimensional. I’ve always loved the transformative power of trim. It adds the arch
Katie Walker
Nov 5, 20253 min read


One Room Challenge | Week 5: The Gold-Leaf Ceiling
It's week 5 of the One Room Challenge, and if you've been following along, then you know this is a big moment for my powder bath design. The moment has finally arrived for the gold-leaf ceiling! This is the statement feature that turns this little powder bath into the jewel-box I’ve been envisioning since Week 1. Every bit of prep (yes, even the tedious sanding and skim-coating) was worth it for this. The Technique & Process After lots of research, I followed the Barnabas Gol
Katie Walker
Oct 29, 20253 min read


One Room Challenge | Week 4: Painting Day
Now that the dust has literally settled (and trust me, there was a lot of it from The One Room Challenge: Week 3), it was finally time to move on to a more noticeable phase, painting! Last week was all about the messy prep work of skim coating and sanding the ceiling, but this week felt like a breath of fresh air, watching actual color start to bring this jewel-box powder bath to life. Painting for a Jewel Box Effect This week was all about painting, and while it might sound
Katherine Walker
Oct 22, 20253 min read


One Room Challenge | Week 3: Prep Work & Skim Coating the Ceiling
Week 3 of the One Room Challenge is here! After two weeks of planning, pulling together the vision for this jewel-box powder bath, and sourcing products, it’s finally time to roll up my sleeves and start the real work. On a typical Slate Studios project, this is when the trades come in and things start to get real! I thought to myself, it's a 24-square-foot ceiling, how hard could it be. Well, let me tell you, I quickly learned skim coating a ceiling is not for the faint of h
Katie Walker
Oct 15, 20253 min read


One Room Challenge | Week 2: Design Concept & Planning
Welcome back to your weekly ORC escapades! Week 1 was all about showing the before, Week 2 is where the vision starts to take shape.
Katie Walker
Oct 8, 20254 min read


One Room Challenge | Week 1: The "Before" Powder Bath
It’s time for another round of the One Room Challenge except this time, I’m rolling up my sleeves in a BIG WAY! If you’ve followed along with my past ORC projects (like Fall 2023), you know that normally my role is creative direction, design execution, and coordination with our amazing trade partners. This time, though, I’m taking on my powder bathroom (almost) entirely by myself (cue maniacal laugh.) Why? Because I want to truly show, and feel, the amount of work that goes i
Katherine Walker
Oct 1, 20253 min read


Holiday Décor: Elevate Your Space with Slate Studios
The holidays are the perfect opportunity to reflect your style through festive décor, creating a warm and welcoming environment for family and friends. Whether you're a fan of vintage charm, natural elements, or bold jewel tones, your holiday decorations should harmonize with your existing interior design. At Slate Studios, we believe that thoughtful holiday décor enhances your home's beauty and tells a story. In this post, we’ll explore four unique holiday styles—Vintage, Na
Katie Walker
Nov 18, 20245 min read


How to Style Your Thanksgiving Table
There’s nothing more timeless and elegant than a well-styled holiday table. This fall, we’re channeling the rich hues of nature to inspire a Thanksgiving tablescape that’s sure to impress. Think warm shades of merlot, amber, and spice, mixed metals like silver and champagne gold, layered textures, and touches of vintage glassware to create the perfect setting for gathering with family and friends. Color Palette Inspiration: Merlot, Amber & Spice When it comes to your Thanksgi
Katherine Walker
Sep 25, 20243 min read


High vs Low: Transforming the Same Office Space at Two Different Price Points
When embarking on an interior design project, one of the main questions we are asked relates to how much should be budgeted for the furnishings, finishes, and fixtures. There is not a black and white answer to this question as there are many variables to consider such as the size of the space, the elements needed to complete the space, if existing furnishings are to be used, and weather to invest in forever/heirloom quality pieces or go with more budget friendly pieces that m
Katie Walker
Aug 29, 20244 min read
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