Known affectionately in our Shelfology stores as the "Metal Mavens," the Hey Now team consistently employs a variety of slim-line metal shelves in custom and made-to-order designs to add both storage and color accents to smaller spaces. In this project, the team tackled space limitations and embraced a full spectrum of colors, giving them a chance to showcase their creative talents.
Amy Hadley, the Ambassador of Awesome at Hey Now Interiors, takes us through her "Schoolhouse Sorbet" project in Austin, TX. When a high school chemistry lab meets an ice cream parlor, you know it's going to be a vibrant mix of color and functional design.
Let’s dive into Amy’s Schoolhouse Sorbet project:
[Insert Image Caption: Photo Credit: Avery Nicole Photography]
“From the get-go, the vision for our Schoolhouse Sorbet project focused on the kitchen, the heart of the home. We aimed for a space that was joyful, unfussy, and packed with functionality.â€
We were tasked with designing for a young family with three energetic boys. They purchased their home knowing it required some TLC but recognized its potential. The kitchen was dark and outdated, and the previous owners had DIY-ed an addition to the back of the house that felt less than polished. Thus, this hidden gem needed some serious sprucing up.
To enhance the flow from front to back of the house, we began by knocking down walls and raising the ceiling in the dining room and expanding the tiny, previously exterior window over the kitchen sink. Given the active nature of the family, we sought to incorporate color and durability while ensuring the kitchen was practical for both mom and dad. Clever storage solutions were key.
[Insert Image Caption: Photo Credit: Avery Nicole Photography]
Our goal with every design is to simplify life, improve flow, and inject more joy. Creating spaces that cater to families is often our most enjoyable challenge because every room must serve multiple purposes. By strategically layering in functionality, even without increasing the square footage, it feels like solving a 3D puzzle. Choosing durable and playful materials ensures less maintenance and more time for family activities.
We always begin by understanding how our clients' homes make them feel and identifying what works and what doesn’t. We focus on space planning first to address flow and functionality, starting with storage and seating. We love maximizing storage opportunities. Walls and vertical spaces are utilized with built-ins, cabinets, wall shelves, and hooks. Storage not only keeps everything in its place but also adds architectural depth to the rooms.
For instance, we arrange seating to encourage connection, inclusivity, and smooth movement. We adhere to the principles of human proportion to ensure both physical and psychological comfort. Adding pockets of possibilities, such as reading nooks or game tables, almost always allows for a bit more creativity. We also love those moments that elicit delight and surprise, like unexpected pops of color or quirky art pieces.
[Insert Image Caption: Photo Credit: Avery Nicole Photography]
While we didn’t alter the orientation or square footage of the kitchen, we managed to completely transform it. The footprint of this galley kitchen remains unchanged, yet we added more functionality with walnut cabinetry above the sink, strategically placed floating shelves, and specialty organizers inside the cabinets, such as a pull-out cutting board beneath the microwave. Additionally, we introduced a wrap-around lower bookcase that provided extra counter space, storage for cookbooks, seating for counter stools, and served as a transition from the sitting room to the kitchen. The aesthetic here was a blend of "vintage-meets-science-lab," so we opted for a countertop that resembles high school chemistry lab tables and sourced 3D tile for the backsplash that feels retro.
We’re big fans of adding ledge shelves below upper cabinets as part of the backsplash. This provides functional storage for everyday items like spices and tea without sacrificing any additional space. It’s our favorite detail in this kitchen, with an unexpected pop of orange that complements the mint green tile beautifully.
[Insert Image Caption: Photo Credit: Avery Nicole Photography]
We’ve found that shorter stretches of counter space tend to become clutter magnets. Therefore, we frequently convert these into full-height cabinets for added storage. In this project, the refrigerator originally stood beside a set of upper and lower cabinets. Instead, we centered the fridge between floor-to-ceiling cabinets that offer extra pantry space and a built-in wall microwave.
[Insert Quote: "Now this busy family with three young boys has a happy, durable home for cooking, cuddling, crafting, and creating."]
The house initially felt dark, but since we couldn’t add or modify any windows, we had to rethink how to channel more natural light throughout the house. We achieved this by opening up the dining room, enlarging the opening above the kitchen sink, and removing an unnecessary partial wall at the end of the kitchen. We also repainted the gray walls with a bright white. These changes allowed light to flow and reflect throughout the home.
We adore the cheerful and functional kitchen. However, we’re equally smitten with the dining room. As a small and transitional space, anchoring the dining area to the wall with a banquette improved flow. Adding a row of upper cabinets and a floating shelf above the banquette made the space feel cozier and added storage and character.
Shelfology was truly our secret weapon for adding storage without increasing square footage. The home lacks a dedicated coat closet, so both the front and back doors received Peggy Wall Hooks, which are both functional and cheerful. In the kitchen and dining room, floating shelves contribute significantly to the energy of the bright Oranjelo color and provide extra storage for items the family uses daily—plus, they double as a display area to tell their story.
Thank you, Amy! While we’re off to explore amazing tiles and consider adding a dozen more colors to our living room, you can check out more of this project on our Instagram and Hey Now’s website! Here’s to another rainbow-perfect project deep in the heart of Texas!
[Insert Subheading: METAL MAVEN: Expert Tips]
“As an expert metal shelf user, what are three tips you would give customers considering Tromso shelves for their projects?â€
1. Our go-to choice is the Tromso line. They install effortlessly; our contractors always rave about how easy they are to put up. You can secure them into the studs behind the drywall using the regular Tromso, or mount them on the wall with the FM 1 and FM 3. The holes for mounting are spaced every four inches and come with quality hanging hardware suitable for masonry or drywall. The magnetic cover takes just half a second to install and hides all the screws on the FM 1, 3, and 5 models.
2. If you require floating shelves that can bear significant weight, the Tromso line is your best bet. An 8-inch-deep shelf can support up to 250 pounds per linear foot. So they’re perfect for books, dishware, plants, or all of the above.
3. Customization is a breeze with Shelfology. For this project, we submitted hand-drawn sketches for custom L-Tromso shelves, and the Shelfology team sent back detailed shop drawings for confirmation. They turned out exactly as planned!
[Insert Image: Amy Hadley, Hey Now Interiors]
[Insert Caption: Certified Rad: Hey Now Interiors]
Amy Hadley is the founder and principal designer at Hey Now Interiors, an Austin-based interior design firm renowned for its joyful use of color and clever space solutions. Amy spent two years as an expatriate in Prague, Czech Republic, where she discovered the transformative power of home—a place set up with intention to serve its occupants. Amy founded Hey Now based on this environmental-behavioral approach, creating spaces that inspire joy, creativity, and connection. Follow her at @heynowinteriors.
[Insert Product Details]
Entry: Peggy Wall Hook in Minty Breath
Kitchen: Custom corner Tromso FM 1 Steel Floating Shelf in Oranjelo; Bender FM 1 Metal Floating Shelf in Oranjelo, installed behind backsplash tile; Backsplash tile: Clayhaus – tile: Signal Collection
Dining: Bender FM 1 Metal Floating Shelf in Oranjelo
Back Door: Peggy Square 5 Wall Hook in Minty Breath
Photo Credit: Avery Nicole – photography*
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