A Chat with Allora Home’s Mary Mac

We recently featured Allora Home as our August product pick, and if you had the chance to look at the post…you’ll see why.  Her chairs offer such a striking blend of color, shape and character thanks to their vintage charm infused with modern updates.  So, we decided to chat with Mary Mac further to find out more about her creation.

 

PSI: What inspired you to start Allora Home?

MM: Allora Home started rather unintentionally when I decided to add some interest to my carriage house apartment by painting an old chair [below] my mother picked up at a yard sale.  I loved how the lines of the chair were emphasized by the bright yellow enamel, creating an unexpected, silhouetted version of the formal chair that I started with.  I began picking up chairs everywhere, painting them for friends and family, cutting out new seats and upholstering them with fun fabrics.  Before I knew it, Allora was born.

 

 

PSI: What fabrics do you use when refurbishing these chairs?

MM: I’ve used quite a broad range of fabrics and don’t have a particular favorite.  I usually go in search of fabric–mainly remnants–once I’ve found a chair and determined what would complement it best.  Recently, I actually found a vintage comforter [below] that I’m very excited to start working with.  It should make for a great set of chairs!

 

 

PSI: Do you have a favorite finish or fabric that you work with?

MM: I do love the high gloss finish of enamel, however, I also like to reuse paint whenever possible.  A couple of the chairs are actually finished with the same paint I used in my apartment!  I’ve also experimented with some recycled paint from Bee’s Ferry, though the color selection is rather limited.

 

PSI: What’s the favorite chair you’ve done to date?

MM: Although I become rather attached to all the chairs, I would have to say my favorite to this point is the allora.signature.KATHWOOD.  The chair itself has the most stunning lines. 

 

PSI: What are your favorite color pairings?

MM: Though this changes fairly regularly [we can relate!], I’m currently a huge fan of sky blues paired with deep–almost vermillion–coral, which is coincidentally my most recent favorite color.  It has so much personality and adds great warmth.  I also love it coupled with chartreuse for a really lux look.

[We like this color pairing too...and this particular interior showcasing the blue and coral palette by John Wiley featured in House Beautiful. Photo credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo]

 

PSI: Where do you find these chairs?

MM: The simple answer would be everywhere.  Antiquing, thrift store shopping, or just killing time at yard sales on road trips–I can’t seem to go anywhere without bringing home a chair or two.  My mom and sister are also great at scouting out the next allora.CHAIR and have been absolutely invaluable. 

 

PSI: What’s the process for someone wanting to commission a chair from you?

MM: It really depends on the client.  If they have an idea in mind, a chair or a set of chairs.  I am happy to come to their home and get a feel for their taste, share ideas, talk colors and fabrics, or be on the look out for a specific type of chair. Or, of course, if someone would like to come see the allora.SIGNATURE chairs that I am currently working on, that’s great too!

 

PSI: Is there a typical price range for your chairs?

MM: Typically, the allora.SIGNATURE chairs range from $100 – $125, while allora.CUSTOM chairs vary by quantity, finish, and fabric–particularly if the client has a chair or a set of chairs that they are looking to reinvent.

 

PSI: What type of clients do you typically work with?

MM: I have worked with clients ranging from newlyweds decorating their first home to a lady looking to revamp a dining set from the family farm.  Some clients already have what they want in mind, while others are looking for fresh ideas.  It’s great to help people meld traditional and contemporary or realize the potential of pieces they already have.

 

PSI: Who’s your favorite interior designer?

MM: I find it hard to delineate between architecture and interior design, but I love the incredible simplicity of Tadao Ando and the beautiful surfaces of Herzog & de Meuron.  I also enjoy Nathalie Woldberg’s playful use of color and light, particularly in Maison NW. 

 

Maison NW via Archinect

 

PSI: Tell us a fact about you that we may not know otherwise?

MM: By day, I work at an architecture firm on James Island, SC.  I’ve recently received permission to sit for the ARE, so I’m hoping to be licensed within the year! [Congrats! We hope you are too!]