CASE STUDY

Cygan Library

CASE STUDY

Cygan Library

We own a single-family home in Dublin, Ohio, a suburb just outside of Columbus. Built in the 1990s, the house has been our home for the past 10 years. It’s currently lived in by my husband Joe and me, along with two of our children, Florence and Jack. Our oldest daughter, Julia, has moved out but still lives nearby.

Our home is a constant hub of activity, filled with the everyday hustle and bustle of life. Since we both work remotely, we spend a lot of time here. It’s also the place where we gather with friends and family, whether for holiday celebrations or our much-loved annual Halloween party. I especially enjoy cooking and thoughtfully decorating our home to create a unique, welcoming space for guests.

Creative collaboration

Both Joe and I come from long careers in marketing and advertising, and we share a deep appreciation for good design. We’ve partnered with the interior design studio Dear Gary to help us transform our home into a space that truly reflects who we are. What we love most about working with them is their ability to elevate and reinterpret our personal style in a way that feels authentic and thoughtful.

Creativity is at the core of our lives, whether through food, travel, music, or design. We’re both deeply inspired by experiences that engage the senses, and our home has become a reflection of those passions.

When it came to re-imagining our library, we wanted to make it feel more inviting, more like a destination within the home rather than just a pass-through space. Though it housed a lot of deeply personal and meaningful items, we weren’t using it as much as we’d hoped. So we turned to Dear Gary to help us take a holistic look at the room: how we move through it, how it functions, and what stories it tells.

Moody and distinct

The transformation started with the bold choice of black walls. We wanted the library to feel moody and distinct, creating an atmosphere unlike the rest of the house. It gave the room a new energy and turned it into a place where we could truly unwind. It’s now the room we retreat to in the evenings, cocktails in hand, just the two of us catching up on the day without the distraction of dishes or screens. It’s become our favorite place to connect.

This moody atmosphere contrasts beautifully with the rest of our home, which features bright white walls and a more neutral palette, intentionally creating two distinct experiences within one space.

Moody and distinct

We moved next into spatial planning, testing different chairs, configurations, and sofa sizes. Because the library sits in the heart of the home, it was important that the flow worked and the furniture didn’t feel overwhelming. A smaller seating arrangement made sense, and we were both drawn to the idea of a tufted black sofa. But beyond aesthetics, we needed something durable, comfortable, and timeless. A piece we could enjoy as a couple but also use for entertaining.

Timeless confidence

That’s when Dear Gary introduced us to Fleming Howland. They knew we valued timeless design, thoughtful craftsmanship, and furniture that would stand the test of time. We were nervous about ordering something we couldn’t sit in beforehand—but the attention to detail, seat height, scale, and history behind the brand gave us confidence. When the sofas arrived, they exceeded our expectations. The deep black sofas completed the room in a way that felt meant to be.

We also spent time curating the items in the room, re-framing and re-configuring our collection of heirlooms and personal treasures. One of our favorite pieces is the “Orfanello” lamp that belonged to Joe’s mother, Angie. Moving it from a side table to the mantle gave it new life, illuminating the family portraits that surround it. The photos on the wall were arranged with care and intention. Dear Gary took the time to learn the stories behind each image and object; who the people were, what they meant to us; and used that insight to guide their placement. The result is a wall that doesn’t just display memories, but honors them. The cabinet nearby holds equally meaningful pieces: my father’s varsity letter and old pipes, voodoo dolls and masks collected during our travels, my grandmother Flo’s heirloom teacups and bird figurines, my grandmother Louise’s hand-painted ceramics, and even our wedding cake topper—two skeletons.

We’re now in the final design phase of a full kitchen renovation, again with Dear Gary at the helm. They’ve already mentioned eyeing some Fleming Howland counter stools for the space, especially after seeing how perfectly the library sofa turned out. The attention to detail and craftsmanship continues to impress us, and we’re excited to bring that same level of design into the next chapter of our home.

This story features the William chesterfield sofa design in Saddle Black leather.