Musical Chairs
With any event comes preparation, and the grand opening of 70-acre Scissortail Park was no exception. From architecture to layout design, it takes a village to put the pieces together. Here, we chat with local furniture showroom Urban Farmhouse Designs, about creating custom pieces for the park’s two-story greenroom, where performers can rest and prepare. The room was first settled in by rock band Kings of Leon (quite impressive first occupants, if you ask us). Urban Farmhouse General Manager Kat Daggs and its Creative Director McKenna Olsen tell us what it takes to prepare for a high-scale event, furniture trends to be on the lookout for, and putting love into the pieces.
The Interview
Tell me a bit about the furniture being created for the Scissortail Park greenroom.
Kat: Of the eighteen total pieces for the greenroom, we have personally created six. Our custom pieces include an 84-inch farm table, two end tables, a coffee table, a bookshelf, and an entryway shelf. As far as seating, we didn’t want just farm tables or dining room tables, so we incorporated a velvet emerald-green chesterfield sofa into the greenroom, which added a bit of funk to the traditional farmhouse aesthetic.
How would you describe the style of the custom-built greenroom pieces?
McKenna: Scissortail Park is up-and-coming and is a rebirth to a part of town that hasn’t seen a lot of love in a while. When I was brainstorming design ideas, I was thinking about raw metal industrial designs, but also functionality.
There will be a lot people in entertainment and people of influence in the greenroom, so we wanted to create something that would make them feel in awe of what’s in front of them.
Tell me a bit about the creative process behind coming up with furniture designs.
McKenna: Furniture design is a lot like fashion - as time goes on, design trends and aesthetics change. While Urban Farmhouse’s style is still relevant, there’s been a twist to our designs - a little more industrial with a mid-century modern vibe. When I’m creating new products and new designs, I have to take trends into consideration. And of course, one thing we are very focused on and what drew me to Urban Farmhouse is that we really take pride in using sustainable resources. I feel that when sustainability and design come hand in hand, beautiful things are created. One thing I try to do during the design process: I try to think what product we’re using, what materials we’re sourcing, how they come about, and then also what the offset will be. So I go for sustainability, functionality, and then I go to aesthetic. Aesthetic is the number one factor, but it has to function properly before it can be anything.
Where do the furniture ideas come from?
McKenna: When I get overwhelmed, I immerse myself in nature and somehow, I always feel that inspiration right where I am. One of our table vases I designed is called the spider vase and it’s inspired by the looks of a spider. But when I was thinking about that design, I knew I wanted a more modern interpretation while incorporating the element of nature and spider lines into the piece. I try to keep the undertone of earth in everything I do.
Some furniture trends to be on the lookout for?
McKenna: Whether you’re looking at our store or looking at clothing and style, midcentury modern is without a doubt making a huge comeback. There’s also a lot of gold and matte-colored metals coming out right now. People are driving away from the antique and farmhouse aesthetic, but they still love that raw look.
What is the secret behind creating good furniture?
McKenna: Have a passion for what you’re doing. I think everybody has the potential to be a creator in whatever realm they want, but you have to really enjoy the creative process and everything that comes along with it. If you’re not passionate about the work, you can see it in your craft. You can tell when a piece has been made with love.
Photos: Ryan Magnani.