i+D - November/December 2021 - 37

In the Mix - By Diana Mosher
Tammy Randall Wood (Image: Courtesy of Interior Archaeology)
East and West Coast sensibilities blend with
classical inspiration and modern lines in the
spaces designed by Interior Archaeology.
(Image: Mali Azima with styling by Darra Baker)
Classical Meets SoCal
Southern California is known for its casual, breezy interiors.
Tammy Randall Wood, founder and principal of Interior
Archaeology, combines that vibe with her classical background
to achieve layered interiors with unexpected elements.
" I am truly a dichotomy of East Coast sensibilities mixed with
SoCal energy: I was born and raised in LA with a family in the
film industry and then spent 20 years raising my own family
in Connecticut. So it comes rather naturally, " says Wood,
a member of The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art.
Mixing her favorite parts of both of these worlds has resulted
in her firm's signature style that, Wood thinks, adapts to real
life for most people. " Classical elements show up in our
cabinetry design and the architectural choices we make of
repetition, symmetry, and balance, " she says. " Heirloom
pieces of furnishings and art are always making a cameo. "
The SoCal vibe presents itself in Wood's irreverent approach
toward mixing things up, taking more sophisticated pieces and
integrating them with primitive, rustic, and worn layers and
increasing the scale of almost everything. " The goal is always
to create a relaxed yet elevated mood-serene but still
somewhat sophisticated, " says Wood. " Grit and grace always
love to play, we like to say. "
The Interior Archaeology team observes two ways to avoid
museum-like spaces when bringing in period pieces and/or
influences from previous design periods. One solution is
incorporating the proper ratio. According to Wood, it's important
to bring more formal pieces in as punctuation and resist making
them the whole sentence. The other key is finding an element
in the period piece that can harmonize with more modern
elements or materials.
" It's the antiqued brass hardware of the Hepplewhite chest
uniting with the burnished brass detailing of the modern light
fixture located above it. Juxtaposing the two makes both more
interesting, " explains Wood. " There is resistance, but there is
also magnetism that creates an equilibrium. "
Wood's work is inspired by people, places, things, and life.
Travels with her father on locations all over the world gave her
a taste and appreciation for the wonder in history and regional
styles such as Morocco and the English countryside. Designer
Michael Taylor also was-and still is-a huge influence in her
work. " He was the originator of bringing the outside in, and
his sense of scale is heralded, " she adds. " His work optimizes
what became modern California style. "
Wood says her motto is " creating noble spaces. " She explains,
" That is what we do. But it's way deeper and more sincere than
it might sound on the surface. A 'noble space,' to me, is one
that is forward thinking and has the power to help you tell your
own story, to support you in the person you are becoming
and the life that you wish to create for yourself. It tells the story
of who you want to be. When you approach the creation of
space with that intention, it takes on a whole new lens. "
i+D - November/December 2021
37
i+D - November/December 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of i+D - November/December 2021
