For 36 years, interior designer Dahli Brant has been creating extraordinary spaces for people’s everyday lives. “My approach is to learn what makes a client feel at home, how they utilize it, and what visually appeals to them, and then to make their home a beautiful, functional space surrounded by things they respond to,” she says. “That's why I love really strong, interesting pieces, whether it be art or furniture, and particularly handmade pieces or antiques to give a house personality.”
For Brant, it's about curating a combination of elements that make the space feel truly unique to that person and their home, whether designing from scratch or refreshing a house that needs updating. “I'm sure every designer prefers starting from scratch, but it's also fun to come in, take something basic, and then make it really special,” she reflects. “The goal is for the homeowner to be excited with their home and eager to entertain friends and family.”
An ASID and CID certified interior designer and a graduate of UCLA where she studied interior architecture and design, Brant says that design can be as simple as adding an antique piece of furniture or a special light fixture. “Just something that livens up the room and gives it a whole new personality and a little soul.”
This is why Brant was the perfect choice for a family that wanted a total refresh of the entryway, kitchen, family room, and living room of their ranch home in Sunriver, which they had built 22 years prior. “They did a beautiful job building this incredible home, but it was ready for a bit of updating,” she explains. “It's a fairly large home, around 8,000 square feet, and has the look of a grand mountain lodge.”
The homeowners wanted to preserve a true, authentic look. “They used wonderful quality materials, such as reclaimed wood beams, natural stone, and hand forged hardware from France. It's a well-used, well-loved family home, so their goal was to keep it classic, warm, and friendly. They wanted it to be a place where everybody feels comfortable and relaxed in an elegant but non-fussy, timeless way.”
Brant incorporated some of the client’s antiques into the design. “The wife is a collector, and I loved her fabulous finds, including art, wooden trunks, and accessories, many of which she hand-carried back from her trips to England, France, and Switzerland. She had some amazing 17th- and 18th-century chairs that we repaired and recovered to give them a new lease on life. I happily worked with her around the pieces that were special to her and the family.”
Since she appreciated luxurious materials, Brant used 100 percent alpaca fabrics from Italy as well as some fine Belgian linens. “She didn't want it to look like she just bought new furniture, so we made everything custom for her.”
When the project was finished, the husband and wife were thrilled with the results. “I’ve found working with Dahli to be both a fun and a creative process,” shares the homeowner. “She has helped me with two homes, working to incorporate my collections and love of antiques with luxurious fabrics and antique rugs.”
Brant, she says, understands that a home should say something about the people who are living in it. “Her attention to detail and her creativity, along with her warmth, make working together an enjoyable experience.”
In order to provide this type of refresh on a larger scale, Brant opened Tumalo Home in downtown Tumalo in November of last year. “It's my more traditional eclectic vision where people can come and buy something special with a lot of personality to round out a house they already have, or designers can come in and find a special piece to work around,” she notes. Personalized design services are also available.
Just this past April, she also opened Tumalo Home Gallery & Collections. “The gallery was always an idea I had in the back of my mind because I have a lot of antiques and interesting pieces,” says Brant. “I had quite a bit in storage as backup for the store, and so I wanted to have a bigger than normal storage unit where I could spread it all out and people could come in and see what I have.”
Because the space is so vast, she wanted to liven up the walls with large-scale oil paintings that are colorful, energetic, and suitable for both traditional and contemporary interiors. “I happen to know a lot of artists that I've worked with over the years. I chose two artists, John Goetz and Tanja Rector, because I felt they would be ideal for the Bend area, no matter what kind of home people have.”
The gallery is open on Saturdays, 11-5, and by appointment. To keep up to date on the gallery openings and changing exhibits, follow them @tumalo_home.
“Beautiful buildings and places have always inspired me,” Brant reflects. “I am so grateful for the incredible experiences and opportunities I’ve had working with the most kind, collaborative clients on their properties all over the world. For me, the beauty and the friendships we create are what it’s all about.”
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