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A former social worker turned interior designer, Christina Oliver, founder and president of Oliver Interiors LLC of Boston, Mass., was recently honored with two interior design awards for her work.
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| Christina Oliver |
For Oliver’s residential kitchen entry, she won the 2011 Annual Design Competition Award’s First Place from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) New England. In addition, as a graduate of Boston Architectural College, she was honored with the 2010 Alumni in Practice Award for Interior Design.
Currently, Oliver is the national spokesperson for ASID and is president of Massachusetts Interior Design Coalition.
Award-Winning Residential Kitchen Design
The elegant kitchen was redesigned for a right-handed cook; the previous owner was left-handed, Oliver said. The original kitchen was challenged for space and seating. Moreover, a series of doors and a poorly designed island made the kitchen difficult to use, she added.
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All photos by Damianos Photography |
| The award-winning kitchen in this Boston-area condominium was redesigned as a warm and functional space by Oliver. Interiors: Oliver Interiors LLC; Custom Woodwork: Steepleview Cabinetry; Tile: Olympia Marble & Granite; Contractor: Marvel Construction. |
Oliver selected a theme of “earth and water” for the redesign and used a neutral color scheme and natural materials throughout.
The new blonde wood floors and creamy walls are accented by smoky-blue iridescent granite and tile, she said. Old cabinetry and appliances were donated for re-use, and a new floor plan and shifting a door way achieved optimal seating and storage, the designer noted.
Design elements like the curve of the island and the Blue Astral countertop added eye-catching focal points. Also, specially lit display boxes above the cabinets worked with the high ceilings to re-create the space as a warm, yet functional kitchen.
Alumni Award for Career
Boston Architectural College alums who receive the “Alumni in Practice Award” are considered to be those who bring “honor to their professions and provide exemplary service in the fields of architecture and interior design.”
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| Oliver specializes in “empty nest” designs; shown here is her design for the Truro residence. Interiors: Oliver Interiors LLC; Architect: Peter Woerner, FAIA; Builder: Cape Associates. |
Oliver earned a certificate in interior design from the college in 1990, after an accomplished career in social work.
“Design and social work are actually closely connected,” said Christina. “In fact, my husband is fond of saying that as a social worker I used to help people work on their interior interiors, but now as an interior designer I help them work on their exterior interiors.”
Oliver has been a prominent figure in the Boston interior design community for 20 years, said colleague Felice Silverman, president and principal at Silverman Trykowski Associates. “She has demonstrated her commitment to the profession as a designer in her own successful practice, as an educator and as a mentor, and as a leader in professional associations and initiatives.”
Design Specialty
One of Oliver’s design specialties is residential interior design for families in transition: recreating spaces for adults whose children are leaving the nest, or whose needs within the home have changed due to the addition of family members, she said.
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| Another look inside Oliver’s design for the Truro residence. |
“Some of the most rewarding work I do is with empty nesters in Newton, Brookline and Cambridge who are looking for modern home interior design,” she said. “I love working with people who want to transform their houses or condos into unique living environments. I understand this time of life: the desire to explore new concepts and new ideas, to literally open up the door to fresh influences.”
Oliver is the daughter of renowned architect, educator, writer and critic Peter Blake. He was chair of the Boston Architectural College, America’s oldest design school, she said.
More information: http://www.oliverinteriors.com.
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