Andy Yates Design + Maya Romanoff
It is an honor to share a recent milestone from the studio. The global standard in artisanal wallcoverings, Maya Romanoff, featured one of our recent Michigan residential projects in their latest design showcase. For those familiar with our portfolio, our affinity for utilizing bold textures and bespoke finishes to elevate interior spaces is well known. To be recognized by a brand that has pioneered high-end material design for over five decades is a meaningful validation of our firm's design philosophy.
Redefining the Focal Point
When conceptualizing this spacious lake home living room, we recognized that the fireplace required a presence that would serve as the undisputed architectural centerpiece. We aimed to transform a traditional hearth into a floor-to-ceiling sculptural element. Conventional finishes like paint or standard tile lacked the highly tailored, custom aesthetic this property demanded.
Our solution was Maya Romanoff’s Ajiro Coffers™ in Silver Birch Luster.
This material is truly remarkable in application. It is a micro-thin, flexible wood veneer featuring a geometric pattern, which allowed us to seamlessly wrap the entire chimney breast.
We selected this specific wallcovering for a few distinct reasons:
Organic Warmth: It provides the rich, tactile soul of authentic wood, bringing an immediate sense of warmth and groundedness to the high-vaulted room.
Architectural Flexibility: The veneer's flexibility allows it to hug the structure precisely, resulting in a clean, custom-built, and highly sculptural finish.
Tailored Luxury: The subtle luster and geometric pattern introduce a layer of elevated sophistication without rendering the space overly formal or unapproachable.
As Andy noted in the official feature:
"I chose Maya Romanoff's Ajiro Coffers™ because it brings an instant sense of tailored luxury and warmth to a room. Working with it is a dream—it provides the rich, organic soul of authentic wood, but with the remarkable flexibility to wrap seamlessly around a space."
Curating the Surrounding Space
A statement architectural feature requires a thoughtfully composed surrounding environment. To ensure the fireplace remained the focal point, we intentionally kept the supporting elements refined and complementary. We curated a soft, neutral palette for the custom upholstery, layered a subtle blue area rug, and incorporated warm, ambient lighting to gently draw the eye toward the wood texture. The result is an inviting space, purposefully designed for gathering and connection.
Whether we are designing a modern estate in Grand Rapids, a waterfront retreat in Douglas, or a sophisticated residence in Chicago, our mission at Andy Yates Design remains consistent. We are dedicated to crafting authentic, intelligent environments that elevate the daily experience of the people who inhabit them.
We are proud of the resulting space and extend our gratitude to Maya Romanoff for their role in bringing this vision to life, and for sharing our work with the broader design community.
This elegant living room features Ajiro Coffers wall covering on the renovated two story fireplace. Photo: David Sparks
About Andy Yates Design
Andy Yates Design is a premier, full-service boutique residential interior design firm with studios in Grand Rapids and Douglas, Michigan. Serving discerning clients throughout Michigan and Chicago, the firm is celebrated for its comprehensive architectural planning, bespoke interior styling, and commitment to creating magnificent, elevated spaces that perfectly balance luxury and livability.
About Maya Romanoff
The Maya Romanoff Corporation is the largest manufacturer of handcrafted wallcoverings in the United States. For over 50 years, the Chicago-based artisan studio has combined unique materials—such as glass beads, gold leaf, mother-of-pearl, and delicate wood veneers—with old-world craftsmanship to grace the walls of the world's most prestigious properties.
