by  Elise Habel

photo by Renata Haidle

Billings designers are giving fresh life to our dear but seasoned downtown buildings. As different businesses roll in and out of the classic architecture, numerous opportunities open up for the spaces to receive the updates and TLC some have been waiting decades for. Most recently, the building that once housed Toucan Art downtown became an oil and gas company office. However, to transform from an art studio to a workspace, the building was due for a refresh before the big move-in. While the space required a few updates, the bones of the building still boasted a beautiful, classic framework that became the canvas for Tiff Davidson-Blades' latest design project. 

Tiff has been with Davidson Home Furnishing and Design since the company was established in 1988 when she was 18. Tiff and her associate Kara Dahlberg received the opportunity to work on the office redesign and were excited to tackle the project together. "That's how we do a lot of projects at Davidson's," Tiff smiled. We're a team!" 

Tiff focuses on finding the perfect balance of modern style and timeless design in her projects. For a historic space like the Toucan Building, all the inspiration for the new style came from the classic features and character already built into the architecture. "We, along with Billings architect Eric Simonsen, wanted to bring back and enhance the original look of the space," says Tiff. "Old brick walls, wood floors, and the beautiful decorative ceiling—that was the focus of the design." 

Billings's historic downtown buildings are a testament to the generations of businesses that grew in and out of them. So, it was important for Tiff, Kara, and their clients to refresh the space without excluding its natural, classic manners. Such a project is among Tiff's favorite projects to work on. "I love older buildings," she says, "they have a tremendous amount of character and charm." Seasoned buildings have seen times and stories that are simple history for most of us. Over each decade, the building experienced the typical wear and tear after years of hosting guests in and out. In Tiff's perspective for this redesign, any blemishes, scratches, or gaps only added to the appeal of the space. "My favorite part of this space is the 'imperfection' of the old!" Tiffany told us." For example, we didn't 'fix' the gaps in the brick walls unless it was necessary; we let that character remain." 

Of course, the new space would also look bare without its hand-picked furnishings. Being a local home furnishings business owner, Tiff always advocates sourcing furniture locally and never shops online for her projects - ever! "For this project, we chose leather for the transitional sofa in a warm complimentary color to the walls and brick for practicality and style," Tiff told us. "The chairs are a great swivel design that is comfortable and functional for a commercial setting." This office goes beyond the classic chair and desk furnishings; it also flaunts a long, beautiful natural wood bar table with metal accents and is accompanied by leather stools for entertaining guests and casual meetings. "We try to choose pieces for their timeless qualities, but also for being 'unique.' In each project we are a part of, we strive to have the look and the furnishings be a reflection of the client."

Tiff, Kara, and the rest of the Davidson team are proud to have restored instead of replaced the timeless personality of the new studio-turned-office space in our historic downtown Billings. "I hope [that this project] teaches that design is not about 'trends,'" Tiff told us. Design is about taking a space, new or old, and creating something beautiful and functional based on each individual. It should be timeless and classic!" SLM

Originally printed in the September 2024 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Check this article out in the digital issue of Simply Local here!

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