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Guest Bathroom Makeover

Sep 192011

AFTER: Wainscotting in a crisp white made all the difference. I buy it pre-cut to height at the hardware store: fits in the car better and saves me time on the install.

Listening is one of the most important things I can do for my clients. When asked for my opinion, I’ll give it, but in the end, a finished product has to be what the homeowner loves. In the case of the small bathroom here, my client had some things in her bathroom that were reflective of her, they meant something to her. Since the room is right off the kitchen, it’s the bathroom she uses most throughout the day, and she wanted it to be white and soft, but still be able to have some colorful, treasured pieces on the wall. Simply reframing some of those pieces (out of their 70′s oak frames) made her love them all over again!

BEFORE: The faded wallpaper was a tiny floral print of blue and red, my client's favorite color combo.

BEFORE: The thing that started it all: The need for a new vanity/sink.

AFTER: My client loves all things cats/birds/butterflies and flowers. It was so much fun to find things around her home and use them in this room in a new way.

AFTER

Inspiration

decorating No Responses »

Sep 112011

I’m so excited – it’s finally here! My favorite super blogger (my daily inspirational eye candy) just published her first book: Design Sponge at Home, by Grace Bonney. Every page is a moment! Why do I love this so? Because it’s for any style and any budget. It’s sometimes about using what you have, and sometimes about a shopping spree. Just all around good design ideas. Check out the blog for your daily inspiration!

Wardrobe Makeover

decorating, funky junk, ikea hacking No Responses »

Apr 052011

Oh wow. I wish I needed this wardrobe for a client. Or me. This is the kind of thing I live for! How amazing is this deal? But oh how homely is this thing? There is so much potential here I can’t stand it and I just have to share the ideas in my head…………..

Paint it! Use a primer first because this isn’t real wood on here. (Add 1/2 round trim molding to the front to make it more interesting). change out the handles to something way cooler. Or wallpaper it. Use it in the family room for a media cabinet. For those who like to play with power tools: cut out a shape or pattern in the top half of the doors and add frosted acrylic panels for ‘windows’. For a soft and sexy Old Hollywood boudoir, upholster the doors! (spray glue some thin batting to the doors, cover with fabric, then hammer upholstry nails into it) add glass knobs.

Someone has to buy this, hack it, then send me the photo – too good of a deal to pass up if you need more storage at your place!

warning: this is Ikea, so it isn’t the sturdiest piece of furniture you will ever buy – hence the fab price. You will have to assemble it (but it will probably fit in your car to get it home!) Be sure to anchor it to the wall when you are done, okay?

Faux Faux Faux!!!

decorating No Responses »

Dec 302010

I just had the opportunity to help new homeowners transform some walls and fixtures for their home. They bought the home for the view and the fact that it is gorgeous, but the colors were wrong for them: too cool and pale. They like a more traditional look – warm wall colors and dark finishes. Hmmmm, what to do. Well, with a few tips and a few stokes of my paintbrush, they will be on the road to what they want – it will look even better when their furniture moves in!

First of all, I suggested they give Mark from CertaPro a call. I have done consulting for quite a few of Mark’s clients, and they have great things to say about his company. His team painted all the existing trim in this home a beautiful creamy white – really warming up the original stark white from before. Then, the walls in general hallways were painted beigey-taupe (my professional description!) and individual rooms went a little darker. In the den (below) I faux painted the walls with a wash – giving the impression of an aged look to go with the heavy cherry furniture that will live in here.

During the process....(the original color is on the right.)

One wall down, only 3 to go......

The fireplace surrounds in both the living room and family room were not what the homeowners wanted. The one in the living room was just a stark white. It was given a coat of the creamy white, and then I detailed it out to look aged. This gave it the feel that it had been there a long time and added much more dimension.

before

AFTER

before

AFTER

The family room fireplace was another story. My client wanted it to look like cherry wood. Uh oh. Well, we did get there eventually. The trick here is patience and a light hand – and view it in all lights until you get the look you want. So much fun!