Square Foot Studio: Ann Sutherland, Shannon Cotten, Vianey Villalva.
Top Talent . . . Ann Sutherland, co-founder and president of the outdoor textile company Perennials and president of the David Sutherland Showroom entity, has launched a boutique interior design firm, Square Foot Studio.
While most know Ann Sutherland as a powerful force in the world of design, running six national showrooms in addition to one of the most respected outdoor fabrics companies in the country, her first love was interior design. "Before I married David (Sutherland) and moved to Dallas, I was an interior designer in Oklahoma City. I worked for a firm there, and hung up my own single for a while," she says. When she opened Perennials 15 years ago, she put her interior design business on hold, but it was never far from her mind.
"It's fun to get back into interior design, and I think I have an even better understanding of what clients want and what is needed on a project, after being on the product side of things for so long. It brings things full circle," says Ann, who has teamed up with established interior designers Shannon Cotten and Vianey Villalva to form her new firm. Cotten spent 9-years with Wilson Associates and gained experience in residential, hospitality, and boutique commercial design. Her work has been featured in Veranda and Architectural Digest. Villalva has a background in fashion, art, and design and has worked on custom design projects for private aircraft, lighting design, and restaurant concepts.
"Square Foot Studio is a separate design firm (from Sutherland) and we won't be limited by what the showroom represents," explains Ann. "We will use whatever suppliers the project calls for and we have access to a wide range of products. I want to also stress that we will be completely transparent on how we price. We'll have contracts. We are professionals who are reliable and responsible. So many people are afraid of hiring a designer and paying money up front, because they don't know if the designer will show up, or disappear. We want our clients to feel very comfortable hiring us."
Square Foot Studio's focus will be on residential and the look will be contemporary and transitional. "We are interested in designing clean and updated rooms that are fresh and current," says Ann. As a new team, they're working on a 2,400 square foot renovation in the M Streets area of Dallas, whose progress they will document in photographs and post on their site, and on a backyard terrace in north Dallas in conjunction with Lambert's landscaping. Both projects will be ready early next year.
Below is Ann and David Sutherland's AIA-award-winning house in University Park, designed by Lionel Morrison and Square Foot Studio.
Interiors by Square Foot Studio, architecture by Lionel Morrison.
Living room furnishings by John Hutton.
John Dickinson's iconic 4-Legged Table, and view of small inner courtyard.
Interiors by Square Foot Studio, architecture by Lionel Morrison.
Vintage bronze Indian statue; drawing by Louisiana artist
Jean Sidenberg of Taylor Sutherland as a child;
Interiors by Square Foot Studio, architecture by Lionel Morrison.
Interiors by Square Foot Studio, architecture by Lionel Morrison.
Korean temple guardians flank the pool; Peninsula Chaise by Terry Hunziker
View of the living and dining areas from the central courtyard, which features
a limestone-rimmed lap pool. The exterior material is stucco.
Interiors by Square Foot Studio, architecture by Lionel Morrison.
The living and dining spaces have a dramatic view to
the central courtyardvia 32 feet of glass windows and doors.
Interiors by Square Foot Studio, architecture by Lionel Morrison.
The living and dining room floors are concrete, defined by limestone detailing.
Large artwork over the fireplace is by Robert Kelly.
Interiors by Square Foot Studio, architecture by Lionel Morrison.
Sutherland bar chairs;Dark oak cabinetry is used throughout the house;
Counters in the kitchen are raised to 43" for better working surfaces.
Interior by Square Foot Studio, architecture by Lionel Morrison.
For more information, go to Square Foot Studio.
