"Colorful and Cozy Charlotte Living"

It's usually my intent to publish a blog post each month, but lately the months seem to zoom by at the speed of light and sadly sometime they slip by me.  Today, I'm making up for lost time with a post packed with some great before and afters...I promise!

Cam Richards Photography

Earlier this year, we had the pleasure of working with a client who was looking to spruce up the main level living space in her new home.  One of my favorite things about her was that she wasn't afraid of color.  She'd seen our work at a friend's home and knew that she had to level up the living at her own place.

The client loved to entertain so we needed ample seating for gatherings with her family and friends.  With a toddler in the home, we also needed things to be pretty kid-friendly.  We started with the color story on this one.  Like I said, she was totally game for color so we took advantage by wrapping the space in a rich moody purple called Graphy by Sherwin Williams.  She'd mentioned that purple was her favorite color and this particular hue helped create that warm sexy vibe she wanted. 

Immediately after the paint went on, the space was transformed and had so much more personality!  With the purple as a base, we begin layering in rich golds, blues, reds...you name it.  Sounds a little crazy but it totally worked.  The purple Windy O'Connor wallpaper was going to be just the thing to give the spaces flanking the fireplace some interest.  

The hand-rendering brought our vision to life and she was SOLD!  Not a single revision made to our original plan.  I love when they trust us! 😃

Artist: Jackie Ramdin

It honestly couldn't have come together any better.  The colors in the space just pop without being jarring at all.  Take a look...

Bassett Furniture Sectional in Revolution Performance Fabric

We knew those nondescript niches needed something and the graphic stripe paper gave us that rich global vibe we wanted.  Subtle and impactful all at the same time!

Sylvester Alexander swivel chair
 Wildwood Lamps side table

Bassett Furniture

While the space was a good size, it really didn't have a lot of storage.  We added large media cabinets flanking both sides of the fireplace to add ample storage for toys, blankets and media components. 

With so much color in the textiles, we kept it pretty neutral with the accessories.  

Funny enough, the link that made it all work was this Brentwood Textiles cut velvet fabric.  It was our jumping off point for the colors in the project and allowed us to pull our accents from it.  We used it as the covering on the large tufted storage ottoman from Baity's Custom Upholstery and it's one of my favorite things in the space. 

In the adjacent dining area we needed to create a more comfy seating are and update the space a bit.  Enter the Anderson banquette from the Belle by Cheryl Luckett collection for Sylvester Alexander.   The current seating and lighting were functional but not on par with the client's current style.  We also wanted to address the option for privacy on the sliding glass doors to the patio. 

The Revolution Plus fabric provides a beautiful and completely durable textile for the banquette and the golden cut velvet adds a lush layer to the wall that combines function with high style. 

Wildwood Lamps, Bassett Dining Table and Chairs, Hudson Valley Lighting

The art and lighting are the real showstoppers in this space.  

Anderson banquette- Belle by Cheryl Luckett for Sylvester Alexander 

The addition of bar stools provides ample seating our clients when entertaining.

Leftbank Art

Two often overlooked areas of a home are the entry and the powder bath.  Often situated near the front of the home, they can set the tone for your guest's entire experience.  We encouraged our client to address them both and boy was she glad she did!  Here's where they began...

We decided to keep the entry mirror but updated the storage piece to be a bit more contemporary.   A little change went a long way in connecting this small entry with the newly revamped living area. 

The powder bath was a basic as they come.  It was screaming for wallpaper.

We selected this bold peacock paper from York Wallcoverings to add pizazz to this small space and upgraded the lighting.  

Two small changes...BIG difference! 

This project proves that playing with color doesn't have to be a scary thing.  We love the warmth, life and cozy factor this Charlotte home now has.  What do you think? 

"Bright and Airy South Charlotte Home- Part 1"

Every now and again, you have the opportunity to complete one of those projects that is so "you", that you don't want to leave when you're done.  This is one of those projects.  Early last year, I was contacted by a recently retired couple looking to relocate to Charlotte from the DMV area.  As native Carolinians they longed for the slower pace and milder weather down south.  They had decided on a Classica Homes property and were getting close to completion on their new-build.  Being new to the area, they realized that furnishing and decorating their home would be a tall order...that's where we came in.  

The couple was clear that they wanted a bright and airy vibe and we were able to pull together a design plan for their home that struck just the right note.  

Lots of soothing blues and greens to create a comfy livable environment, thanks to tons of Revolution Performance Fabrics. The color palette wasn't our typical flavor but it was so much fun playing with hues and pattern to create interest.  The project was a bit large for one blog post, so I'll be breaking it into two.  

Beginning with the entry, which was a late addition to the project, we addressed eight areas in the home.  The entry is an often overlooked area of the home but I encourage clients not to forget about it.  The entry sets the tone for what visitors can expect upon entering.  Nailing it is essential in my humble opinion. 

Entry

The art was the showstopper in this narrow entry.  We went with something that had a relaxed feel, but that was a nod to the client's culture and heritage.  We amped up the console with Addison Weeks hardware and upholstered vintage stools beneath. 

In the same way that entries are often overlooked, powder baths can also receive the cold shoulder when it comes to upgrading the home.  Remember, if your guests are staying for any length of time, they're likely hitting the powder bath.  Do yourself a favor and address it. 

The good news is these are small spaces so you can get major bang for your buck with wallpaper.  We went with this beautiful floral from York Wallcoverings and it immediately changed everything.  

In the kitchen, the homeowners had worked with the builder on finish selections, so we just needed to add a little color with accessories, floor coverings and stools.  

I love the clean and airy feel in this space.  The area provides a nice place to rest the eye since the adjacent spaces are filled with color.

In the dining area, it was wallpaper to the rescue once again.  This blue and green abstract floral from York Wallcoverings was just what the space needed.  We kept the furnishings casual with a whitewashed oak finish and gray faux bamboo chairs. The table expands to seat six, perfect for holidays and family gatherings.

When we're completing a dining room, we always inquire about China.  In this case, the client had wedding China that we used to build upon and created a beautiful table setting with the help of Replacements Ltd.  The client and I both loved the bird print salad plate that adds interest each setting.

 This home had such a fresh feeling about it.  We couldn't have loved it more.  Stay tuned for the remainder of this reveal.  Trust me, there's so much more to see! 

Until next time...

Photography by: Cam Richards Photography