"Cool, Colorful and Cozy Project Reveal"

So excited to be back today to share with you one of our favorite projects this year.  You may remember this project from last year, when we gave the client's master bedroom a new lease on life with a heavy dose of pattern and a new cozy seating area.  You can read more about that in my

  "Pattern Play Master Bedroom Reveal" post.  

Early this year, our clients returned ready to tackle the living spaces on the first floor of their uptown Charlotte home.  The spaces had really good bones and in my opinion, they'd done a great job getting the foundation right.  The paint color worked well with their style, the layout wasn't bad, but overall the space lacked the life and personality that reflect the cool young family who lives there.  

Since we'd worked with them previously and had already gotten to know them, we jumped right into the design phase of the project.  In fact, we actually started it before they ever called us back for Phase II of their project.  Let me explain...

So, we’d completed the first phase of the project last year, but during the initial consult I snapped a picture of an art print they had tacked up in the kitchen.  Honestly, I was just data collecting to get a sense of their style. 

Fast forward several months after their project wrapped and we were out treasure hunting in the NC mountains during our team retreat, when this abstract fell from the sky.  

It was the prefect complement to that print and perfect for our clients (who hadn’t yet hired us back).  We had a feeling they would, so we bought it and held it... and guess what? They called!  That beautiful original art became the basis for the entire first floor of their home. 

We used it as a driver for the color scheme and vibe for the project and made selections to complement the piece. The vibe was cool, colorful and cozy.  

I really loved this one from day one, so to see it in real life was really amazing.  Love it even more!

We kept the original layout and even several of the family's existing furniture pieces.  There was no need to replace the leather chairs, x-benches, storage console or bookshelves.  However, the sofa, window treatments, lighting and decor were definitely due for an upgrade.  The windows got a heavy dose of pattern and color with a red geometric print roman shade, a subtle nod to the fraternity and sorority affiliation of both clients.  

Check out that sconce in the background!  

We opted for family-friendly pieces that would stand up to the play of two little boys and a pup.  Revolution Performance Fabrics to the rescue on both the sofa and new window seat cushions.  I'm also a little obsessed with the pass-through coffee table.  I can imagine the little ones crawling through it when it's not doubling as substantial storage space.   

While we were working on the master bedroom project, our clients expressed the desire to add a piano to their home.  They went for it and we made its placement much more intentional with the addition of lighting and that original art print.  Love it!

In the kitchen we needed to address the dining seating, the obnoxious fan, dated backsplash and under-scaled lighting.  

Again, the paint selection seemed to work, so we left it unchanged and went BOLD on the backsplash.  We knew we wanted to work with the existing cabinets and countertops as they weren't quite ready for a full kitchen renovation.  

You'd be surprised what a good backsplash, new lighting and hardware can do.   Maybe you won't be after you see this.  Check it out...

Crazy right??  So much better.  The graphic print really does make the cabinetry and countertops seem so much more intentional.   In the eat-in space, we added a modern oval table and fab leather chairs that allow for the family to seat six-- essential when they have friends and family over. 

Lastly, wanting to set the tone as you immediately enter the home, we encouraged them to address the entry.  I think it's so important not to leave this space overlooked.  In this case, a modern wool runner and swanky lighting do the trick. (You should see these at night!)

 I love this home and I love this family.  I'm so pleased that their home is now so much more THEM! You can't ask for more than that.  😊

Photography: Laura Sumrak Photography

Client Project Reveal: Casual Living

 

Well, it's my favorite day and you know what that means.  It's REVEAL day!!!

 

 

Weeks of hard work go into each and every project I complete, so it's especially sweet when I finally get to share the fruit of my labor.  Last weekend, I installed a living/family room and eat-in kitchen space for the cutest young family.  I'm so blessed to work with awesome clients who appreciate and trust me to help make their houses homes. 

 

After determining the client's preferred style, we put together this idea board that screams casual living.  Knowing that this is the main "chill zone" for the clients and their two young kids, I wanted to create a casual, cozy and kid-friendly space with a few classic elements.  

 

 

The two spaces we worked on weren't in terrible shape.  They did however need a little life added to them.  So here we go....

 

BEFORE

 AFTER

 BEFORE

 

AFTER

 

BEFORE

AFTER 

 

 

What I love most about this project was the navy and coral color scheme.  I think navy blue is an excellent choice for the sofa.  I'll tell you more about the sofa (and those stunning wingbacks) later this week.

 

 

The attached casual dining space was working in terms of function, but just wasn't representative of the family's style.  Thankfully, I think we solved that little problem.

 



BEFORE

 

 

AFTER

 

 

You know I'm a believer that design is in the details.  It's the thing that I think most people neglect thereby causing their decorating efforts to fall flat.   NEVER, I repeat NEVER neglect the details. 

 

 

 

I'll be honest, this project was a little more them than me and I'm totally fine with that. The more I do this, the more I learn that not every project will be completely my style.  My mission is to create a beautiful and affordable space that allows my clients to dwell in a place they love.  They loved it and I loved that they loved it. 

 

So.....What do you think?  I'm dying to hear. 

 

Special thanks to Cam Richards Photography and Darcee Stiner. 

 

Note: As a courtesy to my clients I do not share sources for items used in their projects. 

Casual Living: On the books...

Well it's mid-week and I'm back in full swing again.  I've begun my latest client project and I'm excited to share that the design plan has been completed and approved.  The clients are a young family and they prefer a casual kid-friendly style. We've decided on a navy and coral scheme for their living and eat-in kitchen space, and I couldn't be more thrilled with the plan for the space.

I'm most excited, as usual, about a couple of the upholestery projects.  We've got big plans for a set of wingback chairs.  I'll keep you posted as things progress.  Be sure to follow along on social media if you don't already.  You'll get all the behind the scence on fabric selections and purchases along the way.

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Modern Master Client Project Reveal!

Well, it's my absolute favorite day, REVEAL DAY!  I can't tell you how excited I am to share this project with you.  And again, I know I say this every  time, but I think this one may be my favorite of all time.

I guess if you think about it, that's basically the point; to get better at it each time. 



I had the best time working with my clients, they were so awesome. Not to mention, very hands off, which I really like.  I think they are proof of what you get when you trust your decorator. 

We debated over which space to begin with in their home and settled on the master bedroom.  I mean, who doesn't want a nice retreat to come home to? After only being in the home for a short while, the family decided it was best to get some help making their new house a home.

It began pretty much as an empty shell....

We started by giving the space an update with a cool (and very popular) gray called Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore.  The paint color alone did wonders. 

 

 The addition of lush upholstered pieces and accents of green make the space a perfect retreat.  The homeowner's also had some fabulous antiques that I was excited to work into the design.

I love mixing in old pieces of furniture even in a modern space.  They provide that collected over time look that is so very warm and appealing. I was slightly obsessed with the tall storage piece at the far end of the room.  I knew it had promise, but needed a way to make it pop.

 

The power of social media led me to one of my Instagram friends leftover green trellis wallpaper that was the perfect addition to the back of the cabinet.

 

We wanted to make sure we protected the client's family piece so we actually wallpapered cardboard, cut it to size and slipped it into place before reinstalling the shelves.

 

 

Worked like a charm.

 

 

 

 

Isn't it amazing what paint and drapery can do?  The clients requested a workspace in the room so we added in a killer secretary that I secretly wanted to keep for myself.

 

 

And last but certainly not least is this custom, down, tufted sofa.  I mean, seriously?   It deserves its own blog post, so I'll be back later this week to tell you all about it.

 

 

In the adjoining bath we just spruced things up with a fresh coat of paint, new mirrors, accessories and a huge clock that makes a big statement.

 

We're still waiting on a couple of the client's art pieces to be framed for the bathroom.  Even still, I think it's a vast improvement.

So, what do you think?  I'm dying to know if you like this one as much as I do.  Drop me a comment below. 

Special thanks

to Cam Richards Photography