Known in our Shelfology shops affectionately as the "Metal Mavens," the Hey Now team consistently incorporates a variety of slim-line metal shelves in made-to-order and custom designs to add storage and vibrant color accents to small spaces. In this particular project, overcoming spatial limitations and embracing a full spectrum of colors gave them the perfect opportunity to showcase their creative flair. Speaking of creativity, our very own Ambassador of Awesome, Amy Hadley from Hey Now Interiors, guides us through her Austin, TX "Schoolhouse Sorbet" project. Imagine a high school chemistry lab colliding with an ice cream parlor—where else would you find such an explosion of color and functionality? Let’s hear it from Amy and the Schoolhouse Sorbet project...
The vision for our Schoolhouse Sorbet project began with the kitchen, which sits right in the heart of the home. The new vibe is one of joyfulness and simplicity, brimming with functionality.
We were designing for a young family with three energetic boys. They purchased their home knowing it required some TLC but believed it held immense potential. The small kitchen was dim and outdated, and the previous owners had DIY-ed an addition at the back of the house that felt... well, DIY'd—but not in a good way. So this hidden gem needed a touch of polish.
To enhance the flow from the front to the back of the house, we started by knocking down walls and raising the ceiling in the dining room while expanding the tiny, formerly exterior window over the kitchen sink. With three active boys, we wanted to inject color and fun using durable materials, along with a kitchen that functioned better for mom and dad with clever storage solutions.
Our main objective in design is to make life easier. By improving flow, functionality, and joy, we aim to create environments that feel seamless and inspiring. For families, this often presents the most exciting challenge since every room needs to serve multiple purposes. Incorporating clever storage solutions, even within limited space, feels like solving a three-dimensional puzzle. Choosing durable and playful materials ensures less maintenance and more time for play and relaxation. We always begin by understanding how our clients' homes make them feel and identifying what works and what doesn't. Spatial planning comes first, focusing on flow and functionality, starting with storage and seating arrangements. We love adding storage wherever possible. Walls and vertical spaces provide opportunities for built-ins, cabinets, wall shelves, and hooks. Storage not only keeps everything organized but also adds architectural weight to rooms. For instance, we arrange seating to maximize connectivity, warmth, and movement. We follow human proportion principles to ensure both physical and psychological comfort. We layer in possibilities for how and where our clients can spend their time, whether it’s adding reading nooks or game tables. There’s usually room for a little extra, and we adore moments that surprise and delight, like unexpected pops of color and quirky art pieces.
We wanted to preserve a vintage feel as a nod to the home's history...
Although our team didn’t alter the orientation or square footage of the kitchen, we managed to transform it entirely. The layout remains the same, yet we added more functionality with walnut cabinetry above the sink, strategically placed floating shelves, and specialty organizers inside the cabinets, like a pull-out cutting board beneath the microwave. We also introduced a wrap-around lower bookshelf that created additional counter space, storage for cookbooks, seating for bar stools, and served as a transition from the sitting room to the kitchen. The overall aesthetic embraced a "vintage-meets-science-lab" vibe, featuring countertops reminiscent of high school chemistry lab tables and 3D tile for the backsplash that exudes a retro charm.
We love the trend of installing ledge shelves beneath upper cabinets. This provides functional storage for everyday items like spices and tea without sacrificing any extra space. It’s our favorite detail in this kitchen, with an unexpected splash of orange that complements the mint-green tile beautifully.
We’ve found that shorter stretches of counter space tend to accumulate clutter. Therefore, we often convert these areas into full-height cabinets for additional 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 offered extra pantry space and a built-in wall microwave.
Now this busy family with three young boys has a cheerful, durable home for cooking, cuddling, crafting, and creating.
The house felt dark, but we couldn’t add or modify any windows. Instead, we focused on redistributing 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. Additionally, we repainted the gray walls with a bright white finish. These changes allowed light to flow freely and bounce through the entire house. We’re absolutely smitten with the cheerful, functional kitchen. However, the dining room also caught our attention. As a small and transitional space, anchoring the dining area to the wall with a banquette enhanced the flow. Adding a row of upper cabinets and a floating shelf over the banquette made the space feel cozier and provided extra storage and character.
Shelfology was our secret weapon for adding storage without increasing square footage. The home lacked a dedicated coat closet, so both the front and back doors received Peggy Wall Hooks, which are both practical and cheerful. In the kitchen and dining room, floating shelves added vibrancy in the bright Oranjelo hue while providing extra, effortless storage for everyday items and decorative elements that tell the family's story. Thanks, Amy! While we’re off to explore incredible tiles and brainstorm 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 creation deep in the heart of Texas!
METAL MAVEN: Expert Tips
As seasoned users of metal shelves, what are three tips you’d share with customers considering Tromso shelves for their projects?
1. Our top pick is the Tromso line. Installation is a breeze; our contractors always rave about how straightforward it is. You can secure it into the studs behind drywall with the standard Tromso or mount it directly on the wall using the FM 1 and FM 3 models. The mounting holes are spaced every four inches, complete with quality hardware for both masonry and drywall. The magnetic cover takes just half a second to install and hides all the screws on the FM 1, FM 3, and FM 5 models.
2. If you need floating shelves capable of holding significant weight, the Tromso line is your best bet. An 8-inch-deep shelf can support up to 250 pounds per linear foot! It’s ideal for heavy items like books, dishware, and plants.
3. Customization is incredibly easy 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 approval. The final product was flawless!
Certified Rad: Hey Now Interiors
Amy Hadley is the founder and principal designer at Hey Now Interiors, an Austin-based interior design firm celebrated for its colorful and clever space solutions. Amy spent two years as an expat in Prague, Czech Republic, where she discovered the transformative power of home—a space designed with intention to serve its inhabitants. Amy founded Hey Now based on this environmental-behavioral approach, creating spaces that inspire more joy, creativity, and connection. Follow her at @heynowinteriors.
Get her fresh look here:
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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Certified Rad: Amy Hadley, Hey Now Interiors
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