The Yellow Cape Cod

Vintage Ring Inspired Great Room

2012-02-14T05:56:00.000-08:00

This beautiful vintage ring is an image I came across on Pinterest. I was struck by the gorgeous color combination, the graphic design of the ring and it's vintage quality. It spoke to me so much that it became the inspiration for a room I was designing for a client.

{Colormarie.com}

Her request of me was to create a room that is "comfortable, functional and inviting". She also wanted to add personality and fun colors to the space. The inspiration photos she sent to me included these colors and her mention of a vintage camera collection told me that stumbling upon this inspiration piece was no mistake.

Here is the Design Plan this ring inspired:

Let me tell you a little about the client, Julie. She is the sister of one of my very favorite people, no pressure right? She is a the Mom of a young vibrant family and an amazing Photographer. She recently had a great room addition built on to her cape cod style home. The kitchen and living room they added is absolutely amazing. Tall white cabinets with seeded glass door fronts, a gorgeous farmhouse sink, vintage inspired pendant lights, a huge family friendly soft gray kitchen island, and gleaming dark hardwood floors throughout the space.

{Click here to view the entire plan in rock video form larger}

Here are some of the features of the design plan...

{Etsy}

This gorgeous turquoise dresser from Etsy is going to be the new focal point in the living room. The plan is for their large flatscreen TV to sit atop the dresser with a large black and white gallery of Julie's photographs on the wall behind it.

Crisp white slipcovers will cover her current furnishings to create a light airy backdrop for a colorful pillow collection.

{Etsy}

Including this coral and gray felt flower pillow from Etsy.

To balance the bright colored accessories and furnishings, I chose a large natural textured, organic, jute area rug.

{Source}

{Oomph}

Julie has a growing collection of vintage cameras. My recommendation was to showcase the collection by creating a striking display using Potterybarn White Hollman Ledges mounted over a bright coral colored, lacquer-inspired console table.

{Etsy}

I chose turquoise chevron drapes from Etsy layered over natural textured bamboo roman shades for all the windows.

{BHG}

I used this image to show how the energetic colors in this space are grounded by the natural texture of the roman shade. I like to use wood grains and organic textured elements to keep bright colored living spaces sophisticated. Otherwise a turquoise and coral color palette with lots of contemporary patterns could feel slightly juvenile. The jute area rug, bamboo blinds, and white cotton fabric sofas in this plan are all natural elements chosen to take the colors and patterns down a notch and create a perfect balance.

Here are a few more inspiration photos I used to sell the plan to the client...

{Images via BHG, House of Turquoise, Southern Living and Colormarie.com}

Thanks for inviting me into your home, Julie. Have fun creating your new space.

For information on my affordable online design services, please click here.

March is filling up fast, the sooner you reserve your consultation, the better :)

Makeover Monday~Kids Trophy Display

2012-02-13T03:31:00.000-08:00

The older my boys get, the more sports take over their lives - and our house.
This winter my goal was to update their bedroom by transitioning from a nautical theme into a sports theme. Organization and additional storage were a top priority.

Their original bedroom was designed around their love of time spent at our family cottage in Northern Michigan. Now that they are older, most of their time and attention is focused on sports.

Here is the old room...

(Before)

The transformation started with a new wall color, fun stripes and a custom built DIY trundle bed.

Their old artwork was beginning to feel juvenile so it was retired. This created a large open space over the new bed.

The boys are very proud of their trophies, medals and team photos. The growing collection was starting to become clutter around the room. Instead of resisting it, I decided to embrace it and make it the focal point of the space. I created a sports display with a custom built-in shelving unit on the blank wall.

To create the trophy shelf I used two pine boards, two wood brackets and four white picture frames from the dollar store.

After one coat of primer and two coats of white paint, I screwed one of the pine boards into the wall. Using three inch screws I drilled directly through the board into the studs.

The brackets were attached using screws and construction adhesive.

The top board was put into place and screwed into the bottom board and the brackets.

Since this shelf is mounted over the bed, safety was a number one priority.

I used hook and loop picture hangers to mount the frames to the bottom board (covering the screws). By using hook and loop hangers, the frames are secure but still removable.

As the seasons change we can easily swap out the team photos.

For a little added inspiration I printed and framed the boys' favorite quote.

Along with their passion for their individual sports lies a love for our Detroit teams.

I made sure the new built-in shelf was extra deep providing plenty of room to accommodate their growing collection of trophies and cherished Detroit team collectibles.

This project cost less than $40 when it was all said and done. Wood brackets and pine boards are very inexpensive {they are also light weight which is a plus for wall mounting}. The frames came from the dollar store and the accessories consisted of things the kids already had.

Not only was this project budget friendly but it was a snap to put together. I think it took longer for me to write this post than it did to create the shelf.

While I was busy working on the trophy shelf, I put my Hubby to work in the closet. The boys room has two closets. I popped the door off of this one to create a little more room space.

Here is what it looked like before:

(Before)

After removing the door, the closet was painted the same wall color as the rest of the space.

The wire builder grade closet rack was removed and replaced with two built-in laminated wood shelves.

My husband designed the closet to provide storage for sports equipment in an attractive way.

He was able to create a custom closet design with lots of storage by incorporating a tall dresser.

A hanging bar for easy access of sweatshirts, uniforms, singlets and jerseys was hung low within a child's reach.

And of course, another trophy shelf.

Now, instead of stressing out about a lack of storage space for sports stuff, we are excited about adding more throughout the years.

All posts in the BlogHer Winter Home Projects program are 100% editorial content presented by a participating sponsor. Our advertisers do not produce the content. This post is made possible by Home Depot and BlogHer.

Thanks for visiting.

Linked up to:
Home Stories A to Z

Winter Project~Sneak Peek

2012-02-12T15:23:00.000-08:00

Here's a sneak peek of my latest winter project, brought to you by The Home Depot and part of the Blogher Winter Project 2012 Makeover Monday Series! You can see the entire project tomorrow 9:00am EST at Blogher.com and here at TheYellowCapeCod.com. Please stop back and say "Hi".

I would love to see what you guys have been up to this winter. Please stop by my Facebook page and post a pic to my wall or leave a comment telling us about your latest project.

See you tomorrow.

Conquering Analysis Paralysis~Decorate Fearlessly

2012-02-10T10:43:00.000-08:00

Today's post is dedicated to a problem that has affected all of us, including myself.
I think it's time we talk about it, openly.
It's become a decorating epidemic.

It's time to face it head on and call it by it's name...

Analysis Paralysis.

{Click here to see the Wikipedia definition}

It's like seeing the trees for the forest and not the forest for the trees.

Sometimes we are so afraid of making a decor mistake that we over analyze and end up not doing anything.

(source)

I think most of the time, fear of making a mistake that will cost money is the cause of the paralysis. Another reason is an unrealistic desire for perfection. Sometimes we get tripped up by one detail that prevents us from taking another step forward.

The other day, I was suffering from this condition while working on a design plan.
I quickly shot this photo from my computer to prove it:

Here are the tips I give myself and clients suffering from Analysis Paralysis:

1. Give up the idea of perfection. Decide to make your house better instead of perfect. "Better may not be perfect but, better is...better".

(source)

2. Make a plan. One project at a time, one space at a time to keep yourself from becoming overwhelmed. Once the plan in that space has been executed, move on to the next.

3. Put a time limit on the creation of plan. Give yourself a deadline to complete the plan. This will give you time to carefully weigh your options before making decisions but, it will force you to make decisions.

(source)

4. Once it's ready, don't second guess your plan. Stick to it and follow through. If something unexpected arises and you need to re-think the plan, go back to step number three and put a time limit on the new plan. The unexpected usually makes the space better in the end. Sometimes it's nice to have a buddy that you can bounce ideas off of. Someone who knows you well and will keep you on track.

(source)

5. You can ease a lot of your fears by keeping big ticket items somewhat neutral and take your decorating risks with less expensive items. This way, if you tire of the look or your color scheme changes, you can switch things out with feeling guilty.

6. Know when to ask for help. Hiring a professional is totally ok. I have had clients spend hundreds of dollars on the wrong paint colors before calling me for a $50 in home color consultation. Choosing paint colors, fabrics and furnishings can be tricky. Having a professional help can save you money and frustration. DIY projects are great, but if you are unsure of your abilities or you are not comfortable with the tools needed to complete the task, call someone for help...it's ok. And, may cost less in the long run.

(source)

7. This is the most important tip...Decorate fearlessly. Have fun and don't be too serious. If you make a purchase and it isn't right, take it back. Figuring out what you don't like is progress. Try not to be discouraged if it takes a few tries to get something right. Design is subjective. There are no right or wrong ways to decorate. The most important thing is that a home is a reflection of the people that live there. "He who is happiest, is he who finds peace in his home". Decorate for your yourself and your lifestyle, not for others.

I love to see and hear what you guys have been up to. Please stop by my facebook page and post a pic or tell me about your latest project. Your project may just be the inspiration someone else needs to conquer their decorating paralysis.

For information on my affordable online design service, Please click here.

Vintage Inspired Home Makeover~Before/After

2012-02-08T04:01:00.000-08:00

Aside from the amazing people I meet, the coolest thing about having an online decorating business is the places I get to go without leaving my home office.
This project was on a home located in a New York City suburb.

The homeowners have busy lives, both professionals dealing with city life. Carolyn, has a dream job working in the fashion industry for a big name company. She and her husband wanted their home to be a cozy, romantic place for them to retreat to. They have a passion for Vintage French Style decor. They were ready to go all out to make their home a reflection of their romantic style.

Here is the design plan video:

{Click here to view the video larger}

The plan I put together included both quality reproduction furniture and authentic vintage pieces.

The clients were eager to get started and wasted no time shopping, decorating and scouring the internet for unique vintage finds. One of the first purchases they made was an antique ladder to use as a quilt rack.

Here are some of "before" shots:

(Dining Room "Before")

(Living Room "Before")

Needless to say, I was pretty excited to open my email and see these "after" shots...

The Dining Room

The Living Room

The Boudoir

Tres chic, Carolyn.

You guys have done an amazing job. Everything is beautiful and couldn't be more perfect. Thank you for inviting me into your home and allowing me to share your "before and afters".
Enjoy your new place.

For information on my affordable online design service, please click here.

**Out courtesy to my clients, I am unable to share product sources. Thank you for understanding.

80's Ballads and Design Videos, My Two Favorite Things.

2012-02-06T05:16:00.000-08:00

One of the reasons I enjoy putting together online design videos is that it gives me an excuse to rock out to my favorite tunes.
My kids are constantly rolling their eyes at me.
"Mom, not that music again".

Sorry kids, your Mom is an 80's girl now and for...like...ever.

{The image isn't me, I had to borrow her from Totally 80's.com because my bangs didn't cooperate back then. I was the only girl in school with flat hair.}

I'm about to sound really old... 80's rock ballads seem more appropriate than today's music. I tried using a new song recently and it didn't work out well. These days, some four letter words make the cut during the editing of the edited versions. Not a good thing for a family friendly internet business. I apologize if I offended anyone that may have watched this design plan video.

Anyway case in point, Allison's Living Room Design Plan Video:
{Click on the bottom right of the frame to view larger}

This video design plan was created for an online design consultation I provided for a family looking to "pull together" their family room. They have great new furnishings including a neutral sectional and ad dark brown leather chair. They recently had the walls painted Jamestown Blue by Ben Moore, a beautiful, fresh, aqua color.

The greatest feature of this space is a toss up between the wall of 10ft tall arched windows and the media unit built-ins surrounding the fireplace.

Here's a peek at a photo they sent to me:

Using their current furnishings and wall color as my lead, here is what I came up with:

The plan includes a fantastic brown and cream hounds tooth area rug, semi-custom lamps, lots of dark brown natural textures, a brown and cream toned photo gallery, new bookcase accessories, simple off the shelf drapes and a display of vintage lacrosse sticks for character {and also to showcase Hubbies love of lacrosse}.

At least I'm not stuck on the bad interior design of the 80's, mullets, or shoulder pads.
Just the music, please tell me I'm not alone.

If you would like to reserve your online design plan rock video, please click here.

Navy Blue Comeback~Design Plan Video

2012-02-03T05:47:00.000-08:00

I have noticed a trend that I am very excited about. Recently, I've had a lot of request for Navy Blue design plans. It seems that navy is making a comeback. Nothing says traditional style or classic design like a navy blue color scheme, right?

In this custom design plan, navy, pops of lime green and fun geometric patterns kept an overall traditional design young and fresh.

Here is the Design Plan Video:

{click on the bottom right corner of the frame to view it larger}

The room belongs to a young family that just moved into a new home.

They called upon me to design their living room online.

The client mentioned that she was drawn to a navy and green color scheme, enough said. I was off and running. Especially after finding these fabulous navy and white cheveron drapes on Etsy.

Thank you, Elizabeth, for inviting me into your home.

Your new place is beautiful and I really enjoyed working with you.

If you would like information on how to get your affordable online design plan, please click here.

I am now taking reservations for March 2012 {February is booked}.

My Daughters Birthday Party~Designed Online

2012-01-31T04:16:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, my little girl turned 12. This was a monumental birthday for me her...the last number before they end in 'teen. I wanted her 8~girl slumber party to be extra special. I was having a busy week with no time for running around to gather supplies.

Luckily, I was able to put together a great party on my laptop in between appointments.

Using the internet, I enlisted the help of Martha Stewart, The TomKat Studio and Stearley Cakes to create a great party design that was budget friendly and easy to put together.

I started by ordering the cake through an email to a local cake designer.

Kim Stearley of Stearley Cakes created this masterpiece...

It was a custom design, just for Hannah.

Hannah's dream is to grow up to be the next Cake Boss. She is fascinated with Kim's cakes.

{Check them out, here, and you'll see why}

All she wanted for her Birthday this year was a cake by Kim.

Needless to say, she wasn't disappointed.

The next friend I called upon was The TomKat Studio. I've recently seen their adorable party printables featured in Potterybarn Kids.

I popped over to her Etsy shop and purchased the Happy Birthday banner and pink labels from her Spa Party Collection.

The labels were a perfect addition to the table top and the chocolate fountain we were planning on top of the buffet (an unfortunate power outage but the kibosh on the chocolate fountain).

The TomKat Studio printables were so easy. After using my paypal account to check out the files were sent to my email address ready to print. It is seriously, the easiest way to plan and decorate for a party.

The last friend I hit up for some advice was Martha. After reading her easy tutorial for these beautiful tissue pom-poms, my party design was good to go.

I used a mix of gray, aqua, black and white tissue to create tissue flowers in various sizes.

Very simple to make and cheaper than balloons.

I was feeling sappy about Hannah's last year as a "little girl" so I created a shrine on my plate ledges. I printed out a few of my favorite pics of her throughout the years and taped them to my ironstone plate collection along with a label from The Tom Kat Studio and a black bow.

I think I may keep it up for a while.

She's not too happy about it but I love seeing that little baby face.

At the last minute, I threw together some party favor bags.

My inspiration for the loot bags was the Spa Collection printables.

I really enjoyed putting this party together.

I think the reason it was so much fun is because it was so easy.

Happy Birthday Hannah, Dad and I love you so much and we are so proud of you.
I hope your Birthday was special, just like you.

For information on my Affordable On-Line Design Services, please click here.

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Dramatic Kitchen Makeover~Before and After

2012-01-29T05:40:00.000-08:00

Nothing excites me more than "after" pictures in my email inbox. Yesterday, I got some.

I had the privilege of providing a multi-room online design consultation for a wonderful family that recently moved into a new home. While the house was beautiful as it was, it was a little dark and not a reflection of the fun, energetic, young family that lived there.

Kim, the homeowner, contacted me to create an online design plan to brighten up the space. I started their re-design in the kitchen and they wasted no time implementing the plan.

Here is the transformation...

(Before)

(After)

(Before)

(After)

(Before)

(After)

(Before)

(After)

(Before)

(After)

(Before)

(After)

Kim, you did an amazing job implementing the design plan. I'm so happy that you are happy. Your new home is lovely and it was so nice working with you.

I am now accepting new online design projects.

Please click here for information on how to reserve your consultation.

**Out of courtesy to my clients, I am unable to share product sources. Thank you, for understanding.

Job Loss During Renovations

2012-01-27T05:13:00.000-08:00

Last summer, I met the sweetest girl, Nicole, through my blog. She contacted me for an Online Design Consultation for their first home. This consultation was unique, they were still in the home search. Her and her husband, Justin, asked me to put together a plan for a home they were on the fence about. They were unsure of the possibilities and wanted to a visual to help them make their decision.

Here is part of the design plan I put together for them:

{Preppy Ralph Lauren Inspired Great Room}

They ended up buying the house. Shortly after they moved in and right in the beginning of the extreme home makeover, Nicole lost her job.

Needless to say, it put a screeching halt to the re-design.

Nicole called it the "American Nightmare".

(Source)

A few months went by with no word from them. Last week, I got an email from her with an exciting update. She is back to work and the extreme home makeover is back on track.

Nicole's American nightmare is over!

(Nicole and Justin)

She sent me these pics to get my opinion on new cabinet hardware. I couldn't believe the progress they had made in such a short time. Here is how it's going so far...

(Master Bath Before)

(Master Bath Now)

(Kitchen Before)

(Kitchen Now)

(Living Room Before)

(Living Room Now)

The "forbidden fruit" wallpaper (as Nicole and Justin referred to it) is gone. The next items on the list in this transformation are new cabinet hardware, counter tops, lighting and stainless steel appliances.

I'll be sure to post more pics as they continue to make progress.

Nicole and Justin, you have done an amazing job so far.

Congratulations on your first place and your new job.

I am now accepting new online design projects.

Please click here for information on how to reserve your design consultation.

Table Makeover

2012-01-25T05:17:00.000-08:00

This little table makeover was a project I recently completed for a client's family room re-design.

I began the re-design by shopping the clients house. In her kitchen she had this little console table. It had great lines, cute little drawers and pretty glass doors. It was the perfect size and shape for the empty space we were looking to fill in the new family room.

The only problem with it was the finish.

I brought it home to the furniture studio for a little makeover.

Here is what it looked like when I began...

(Before)

First step, sanding. The wood on this piece was pretty soft so I opted not to use my power sander. I took a more gentle approach and used a sponge sanding block to sand the piece by hand (in the same direction as the grain). I didn't take it all the way down to bare wood, I just roughed it up enough to give the new paint something to grab on to.

Next step, primer, followed by three coats of dark brown semi-gloss paint.

I used "Black Bean" by Sherwin Williams.

Through many trials and errors I've learned the trick to a beautiful finish is three fold...premium paint, premium brush and sanding in between each coat. Another tip, if the piece that has a lot of imperfections, a satin finish is more forgiving than semi-gloss.

The family room this piece is going in to is totally amazing so it needed to be special enough to live up to it's new surroundings. I decided that nail head trim would dress it up.

The trim was a little bit of an investment and required some patience but, in the end it was just what it needed. A little paint and a little bling completely changed it's personality from Country to Chic.

The best part about this project was using what the client already had. For me, it's so much more rewarding then shopping for something new.

Linked up to:
Miss Mustard Seed

HGTV Feature~Classic Black and White Rooms

2012-01-23T04:00:00.000-08:00

Last night, the hubby and kids were watching football and I was curled up in my zebra chair drooling over the new dream home on HGTV.com. An article under the decorating section caught my eye, "Classic Black and White Rooms". I clicked and...

Hey, that's my Family Room. How fun.

{Click here to see the full article}

Here is what HGTV's Charity Curley Mathews had to say about my Family Room,

"The classic combination of black and white can range from country to crisp and modern, but it's always effortlessly elegant. Here are our favorite black-and-white looks from talented homeowners of Rate My Space...Animal Magnetism, It's a classic decorators trick, add just a little animal print to spice up an otherwise ultra-sleek room. Designed by RMS user, S.Macklem".

Thanks, HGTV.

How To Get The PB Distressed White Finish

2012-01-21T06:18:00.000-08:00

Potterybarn always gets it just right with their aged finishes. A little bit old and crusty yet still refined. Today, I'd like to share how I used these PB finials as inspiration for a client mirror makeover.

{Potterybarn}

Last week, I shared a before/after of a Foyer I decorated for a client. We started the transformation by shopping her house and we found a gorgeous mirror stashed away. It was beautiful as it was however, the color was almost identical to the wall color.

So, I brought it home with me to my furniture studio and gave it a little makeover. Here is how it went down...

It already had a great antique faux finish. I wanted to keep the same look, just a lighter shade, more of a creamy white and less yellow.

Less like this...

{Before}

Furniture Makeover~I Need Your Help...

2012-01-20T05:19:00.000-08:00

I have been crazy busy this week with client projects, domestic/motherly duties and three boys with the stomach flu. I'm struggling to keep up. You know the feeling.

I was wondering if you guys could help me out by giving my friend, Madelyn, some advice on a project?

(Source)

Here is the email she sent to me...

"I have two older pieces of furniture and would appreciate your opinion on how I should refinish them".

Could you guys could give Madelyn some suggestions for me?
Here is the information on the pieces...

Cabinet:

"This is one of the first piece of furniture I purchased after college. Initially I used it as a cabinet for my stereo system and drill holes for ventilation and wiring. Then it was used as a small liquor cabinet. Now it is used to hold a small flat screen TV. I like using it for that purpose, but that could change. Previously the original wood finish was okay, but I would like to take it in a different direction — something that would more suited for our décor.

Small Table/Cabinet:

This is a piece that belonged to my mother-in-law and has a lot of sentimental value. I feel like this piece has a lot of potential, but not really sure what direction to go.

Our home décor consists of faux finished and textured walls. Arched doorways, stone fireplace, wood built-in bookcases and entertainment center, leather furniture, etc. I really like the distressed finish on furniture and think that would fit very will with our current décor, but I’m open for any suggestions.
{Here is a small collage of her home decor}

Thank you in advance for your help". ~Madelyn

We can't wait to hear your suggestions. Thank you so much for helping me out!
~Sarah

Design Plan~Target Style~Living Room.

2012-01-19T04:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I shared a design plan that was created for a client with off-the-shelf products, mostly from Target. Then, last night I remembered, I had done this once before. Silly me.

This living room design plan was put together a few months back for a young family looking to update their family room. They had great furniture and a beautiful rug. They asked me to help them choose a direction for color, drapes and accessories. Since the client is a busy mom of two little ones, I wanted to make life easy on her by choosing products that were readily available and convenient. I also wanted the room to be gorgeous so, Target, here I come, again.

The artwork was from World Market, the tables from Ikea, and the rosette pillows were from Walmart (yes, Walmart!) everything else is from Target.

If you were ever wondering what an online design plan is all about, here is an example:

This is a great example of high style, not only on a budget, but with ease and accessibility. By choosing a brown and red color palette, the space will still have a unique style despite the mass production of the products.

For information on my affordable design services, please click here.

Design Plan~Target Style.

2012-01-18T04:05:00.000-08:00

I'm starting to make my way through my online design waiting list. Thank you, everyone, for being so patient. I hope to be open for new reservations in February.

Today, I'd like to share a design plan I just finished. The reason I would like to spotlight this one is because it was created using all off-the-shelf, ready made, available in-store products from Target, West Elm and Ikea. It's like a room-in-a-bag {or, room-in-a-weekend}.

Here is the design plan in video form.

{Please click on the screen twice to view the video larger}

I was asked by this client to create a plan to spruce up her top floor guest suite before putting her house on the market. We're staging the space to be an incredible on-suite guest space or an amazing master bedroom. They were using it for a live in nanny that no longer, lives in. This space has tall angled ceilings, a cozy built-in window seat reading nook with swing arm sconces, built-in bookcases, a gorgeous on-suite bathroom including a pedestal sink and claw foot tub. An absolute dream room.

Here are some of the products I chose for the space:

All of the selections were made with re-sale in mind.

Shopping at popular retail stores, like Target, is a great way to buy products for staging. Their smart corporate people have done the research for us. They know what people are "into" right now and their current inventory will appeal to the mass population. Not to mention, Target has it going on. Have you been there lately?

For information on my affordable design services, please click here.

Client Project~Kitchen~Before And After

2012-01-17T03:43:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited to share this before and after with you today. Not only was the client a ton of fun to work with but, my jaw hit the floor when I saw the finished space.

You may remember the "Gray and Yellow Modern Cottage Kitchen" design plan video that I created last summer. It was designed for a young family in the process of updating their traditional style kitchen. The homeowners put the plan into action, doing all of the work in this space themselves.

This a great example of a design plan coming to life.

Here was the plan...

{Click Here to see the details of the plan in video format}

Here is the kitchen before the makeover began:

{Before}

Here it is now...

The changes they made include: new gray tile floor with black grout, granite countertops, painted cabinetry and walls, new sink, appliances and fixtures, white subway tile backsplash with dark gray grout, new lighting and accessories.

I get so excited when a kitchen has enough open wall space for art like this print from Etsy.

{Art Source~Etsy}

I have to give props to the homeowner for choosing white subway tile with dark gray grout.

Great call, Stephanie.

The white pitchers and cake plates are the beginning of an amazing colletion.

I think Martha Stewart would be so proud of her Bedford Gray color on these cabinets.

The yellow wall color is hers too. Why did she have to leave Home Depot? She's left us completely heartbroken. Look at this amazing color combination...

{source}

*composing myself*

...back to the makeover.

Great job, guys! It looks fabulous. I loved working with you in your beautiful home. Thank you for letting me share this project with my readers. I hope you are enjoying your new space.

For information on my affordable design services, please click here.

Linked up to:
Miss Mustard Seed

Changes On The Blog

2012-01-16T03:15:00.000-08:00

In an effort to make my website easier to navigate, I've been busy implementing some changes. You may notice throughout the next week, my blog will change a little each day. One of the improvements is the creation of new page categories in the main menu. I hope these changes will make it easier for new visitors to navigate the site as well as make it easier for old friends to find old posts.

Today, I'd like to share the new and improved home tour category. You can click on each photo to see more information about the spaces in my home {including room~by~room paint colors}.

It's pretty much my home in a nutshell...

Welcome

Please click on each photo to view the details of the room.

My Home~Paint Colors

Christmas Home Tour 2011

Christmas Home Tour 2010

Modern Cottage Family Room

I love your feedback. If you have any suggestions on ways I could make my site more user friendly, I would love to hear them.

Thanks for visiting.

Please click Here for information on my Affordable On-Line Design Consultation Service.

Thanks for visiting!

Client Project~Hutch Styling

2012-01-13T05:04:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things to do is style bookcases and hutches. Whether it involves shopping for new items or using what the client has, I live to style shelves. Does anyone else have a fascination with this?

I recently had the privilege of styling this beautiful Drexel Heritage hutch. This piece resides in a jaw-dropping dining room that belongs to a busy, young, professional couple that likes to entertain.

In keeping with my "function first" philosophy, I took the client shopping for pieces that look beautiful and also function for entertaining.

My goal was to make the shelves look nice for everyday visual purposes but more importantly, function. As a butlers pantry, of sorts, for parties.

The baskets are not only gorgeous, but super convenient for entertaining. You can see one of them is filled with party beverages, the other is for special linens. When they are removed for use, the empty buffet surface is a perfect spot for food.

The baskets also took the formality of the space down a notch.

This family is Italian. We chose large pieces to accommodate large amounts of pasta.

The all white theme was based off of pieces that they client already had. She has a beautiful collection of patterned pasta serving bowls. The new solid white pieces compliment the patterned pieces and blends with them seamlessly. The little pop of white brightened up the entire room..

The Drexel Heritage piece in itself is stunning. By keeping the display simple, we complimented the ornate design of the top of the hutch as opposed to hiding it.

I wish, I wish, (one fish, two fish) I could share the sources of the products shown here but out of courtesy to my clients, I am unable to spill. One thing I can say, we found our inspiration for each piece at Potterybarn then hit discount home stores for similar products :)

Thanks for understanding.

For information on my affordable design services, please click here.

Linked up to:
Miss Mustard Seed

Client Project~Den Before and After

2012-01-12T05:34:00.000-08:00

This project is a great example of the impact that accessories have on a space. This was a Home Styling job I had recently. The clients had already chosen wonderful furnishings. They called on me to help style the space. Working closely with the homeowners, we selected accessories that tied the furnishings together and created a warm, inviting TV Den.

(After)

They selected a super cool, super unique media console, a beautiful gray tweed sofa and a small black desk (with a folding chair stand-in). The only thing the room needed was the icing on the cake, accessories.

Here's a look at the room when we began...

(Before)

And here it is now...

(After)

We used large scale, graphic pieces with big impact. By doing this, we were able to create drama with just a few things.

By using accessories around the TV we turned the flatscreen and fabulous console into a great feature.

To the desk area, we added a cute little black chair, organizational buckets and a distressed chippy white cubby shelf.

Inside the cubbies, the homeowner has created a fabulous display of family heirlooms.

She has a great eye for unique pieces, she found the wire blooms at an on-line boutique. I hung them on the wall above the TV. This not only filled up empty wall space but added whimsy and personality.

Here's a close up...

The pillows, throw, ottoman and lamp added softness to the sofa.

I think I want to take a nap in this room. That throw is looking pretty cozy.

Thanks Ryan and Allison for allowing me to share this project with my readers.

I had a blast working with you in your beautiful home.

Thanks for visiting.

For information on my affordable design services, please click here.
*Out of professional courtesy to my clients, I am unable to share product sources. Thank you for understanding.

Client Project~Foyer~Before and After

2012-01-11T03:31:00.000-08:00

Recently, I was asked by a young couple to decorate a grand two story foyer in their brand new executive style home. A few days ago, I shared their trick for extending the height of their doors in this very same space, click here if you missed it.

(After)

They've done an amazing job decorating and furnishing other rooms in their home. They asked me to help them create a warm, welcoming entrance that "rises up" (as Nate would say) to greet them and their guests.

Before we look at the finished space, here is what it looked like when we began...

(Before)

And here it is now...

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, we started the project by shopping the house. Allison, the homeowner, had this great mirror stashed away. Both the shape and the size were perfect but the finish was too close to the wall color. I took it to my design studio and gave it a new look with an aged creamy white distressed finish.

Their current console table was also the perfect size and shape for the space. We decided instead of replacing it, I'd give it a brand new life with my Potterybarn Black Finish Technique. You may recognize this piece from my You Tube Video tutorial.

Allison also had this huge wire urn packed away in storage. We brought it out and filled it with some of my DIY Moss Balls.

The lamp came from her favorite local boutique. Since we were able to use a lot of items she already had, we justified the splurge. It was totally worth it. It's not only functional but it also serves as a sculptural piece of art.

The monochromatic round rug was a must in this space, it creates an exclamation point upon entering the home.

The armchair and baskets give it a cozy, welcoming feel as well as serve a purpose.

Thank you Ryan, Allison, Kendall and Colin, for inviting me into your beautiful home.

For information on my affordable design services, please click here.

*Out of professional courtesy to my clients, I'm unable to share product sources. Thank you for understanding.

Shopping The House

2012-01-10T03:58:00.000-08:00

The other day while I was watching Nate, he was talking about "shopping your house" before buying new accessories and furnishings. I love that even ~~cute~~ celebrity designers with big budgets do this.

The first thing I do before making a shopping list for a project is snoop around the clients house.

There a few reasons why...

1. To save money

2. To find things that have personal meaning to the client

3. To keep the new space from looking unnatural, like it was professionally staged

Most of the time, the client is surprised that their stuff looks good in another room. It makes them happy to see it incorporated into their newly designed space.

Recently, while styling a new built-in bookcase for a client, she brought me this plaque from another room and asked if there was anyway to update it.

It has special meaning to her and her family. She didn't care for the way it looked aesthetically so, I brought it home to my studio for a little makeover.

The back of the plaque was felt so I taped it off with Scotch Blue Painters Tape.

I started with a coat of Krylon Classic Gray spray paint.

After it dried, I used a sponge roller to lightly graze the raised lettering.

I rubbed a little metallic craft glaze over the surface, concentrating on the edges. The glaze aged the new finish a tad and kept it from looking, well, spray painted.

Do you have any "shop the house" success stories? I'd would love to hear them. What have you moved around/re-purposed lately?

For information on my affordable online design services, please click here.

Client Family Room Makeover

2012-01-06T04:22:00.000-08:00

Recently, I was given the opportunity to work with a beautiful family in their gorgeous home on a complete re-design of their two story great room. The space was beautiful to start with. However, it wasn't conducive to the young family that lives there.

(Before)

(After)

They wanted a room that's warm, inviting and casual. A space that beckons friends, family and pets to cozy up on the couch for movies and intimate conversions.
A room that is both beautiful and livable.
My clients words were; "I want a room that my whole family wants to be in, together, at the same time".

To accomplish this, we started with comfortable new furnishings and a fresh wall color. The next items on the agenda were a custom built-in bookcase, new fireplace surround and ginormous (70 inch) flatscreen TV.

(Before)

We are about halfway finished, still waiting on furniture delivery.
Stay tuned to see more of this makeover as it's completed.
Thank you, Mark and Heidi, for ~~allowing me to invade~~ inviting me into your home.

For information on my affordable design services, please click here.

Carpentry by S.A.G Builders. Painting by Piero Ventimiglia.

Linked up to:
Tatertots and Jello

How To Make Doors Appear Taller

2012-01-05T04:57:00.000-08:00

I recently had the honor of working in this amazing home. It is truly stunning. I wanted to share with you, a genius trick the clients used in their foyer.

The home has a large foyer that provides a grand entrance.

Since it is such a large open space, there are a lot of doors in this area. French doors leading to the den, two closets, the front entrance door and an opening into the formal dining area. Each door was a different height. To create one eye-pleasing, level visual plane, they came up with this solution:

They hired a Detail Carpenter to install moldings above each door. Even though the moldings are varying sizes, it creates the illusion that the doors are all the same height. While they were at it, they also added a transom window above the french doors. Symmetry, character, architectural interest... ahhh.

Thanks for letting me share your beautiful home, Allison.

New Year, New Room...

2012-01-01T09:35:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Let's kick off the new year with a room makeover! I'm now taking online design appointments for February 2012...January is booked. If you reserve your consultation and start the process now, your plan will be ready at the beginning of February.

(Openings for on-site consultations are always available).

Below are a few examples of Online Design Plans created for non-local clients.

Please click on the design board to view the full design plan in rock video form.

Modern Classic Family Room

Contemporary Cottage Dining/Family Room

Nature Inspired Arts and Crafts Style Library

Updated Traditional Gray and Yellow Kitchen

Contemporary Traditional Style Family Entertainment Room

Preppy Ralph Lauren Inspired Dining/Family Room

Sarah Richardson Inspired Butlers Pantry/Cocktail Lounge

Contemporary Cottage Dining Room

Sophisticated Master Bedroom Retreat

Tranquil Zen Inspired Family Room

For more information on my affordable design services, please click here.

To read what my clients have said about my services, please click here.