When we work with clients, we set off on a journey to explore their lifestyles, needs and wants — and we tap their world experiences for inspiration. Their collections are breathtaking. Our goal, as designers, is to connect those experiences with the spaces we create.

A personal museum can take the most unexpected forms. It can be an intimate nook or a dramatic display of art that holds personal meaning. And we never know how a casual comment may work its way into an idea — so we note any intimate detail that helps us get to know the homeowners’ personality.

During one such casual conversation on a recent project, the client mentioned not having a special, quiet place to enjoy coffee or tea at the previous home. As we worked on the design of the house, a narrative began to shape for a small “away room” — a spot that was quiet and at the same time felt connected with the home’s activities. A private nook, or an away-room, where the homeowners could relax yet still engage with the family.

The ideal area was just off the kitchen, a small alcove that had an advantageous sight line into the corridor and a gorgeous view of Puget Sound.

Playing off the home’s colors and contrasting shapes, and drawing from the clients’ global perspectives, designer Dawn Larson started with one basic element: the seating. With the right chairs selected — after various tryouts — Dawn used them as the anchor pieces to create the promised narrative. The colors of the space, the personal items such as family travel photos, the artifacts — all were selected to complement the anchor.

The result was a personal museum in a space that’s both functional and visually dramatic. A spot that can be enjoyed both in an intimate setting and from afar. And, just as important, it’s deeply personal — and reflects the overall vision for the home.

There are likely as many definitions of personal museums as there are personalities. But they all have one mission in common: to show the world through the person’s eyes, and to enrich us all.