I’ve had these photos for a couple of months now and am excited to finally be able to share them with you all. This project will always be near and dear to me because it happened at exactly the same time that I was renovating my own house.  In fact my sweet clients and I often joked that I was carrying twins for the 9 months we were both under construction.  They moved in only a few weeks after us.  There were many times throughout the course of both our projects that I felt so thankful to the universe for sending me the most ideal clients I could have ever asked for.  They were so trusting and so low key throughout the entire thing which is 100% the only reason I was able to accomplish 2 major renovations simultaneously as a one woman show. Frankly the most challenging thing about their project was continually coming up with ideas that, though I would have wanted them in my own house, really made more sense in theirs!  The navy island, the amazing family room rug, those spectacular kitchen window treatments….with each one I was like”WAAAAAH!  I WANT THAT!  But it’s better for Lisa” I hope you enjoy this little tour.  Unlike my other posts, I’m not sharing any before pictures because this is pretty much all new space that was reconfigured or added on.

Though I touched nearly every room in their house, the focus of this post is the family room, kitchen and breakfast nook downstairs with a peek into their powder room and mudroom/pantry.  Upstairs their master bath truly steals the show. I’m going to take you on this tour a little bit backwards and start in the kitchen because in our very first meeting together, my client Lisa told me she had recently visited another project of mine in town (see it here) and didn’t really know anything other than she knew she wanted a big navy blue kitchen island.  And with that we were off!  Over the course of the next few months, I was able to pull together a whole home design with this navy island at the heart of their home as the jumping off point.  The family room and breakfast nook that adjoin the kitchen coordinate without any of it being overly matchy.  The vibe is casual and laid back with particular attention paid to comfort and durability for this young family of 4.  That balance between soothing white and energetic color is a delicate one but when you get it right, the result is a really fun, bright and airy space with color used sparingly but with a lot of impact.

You can get back into this main area of the first floor either via the mudroom entry from the garage (which will take you past the pantry behind this fun barn door)…

…Or by coming in via the front door.  If you didn’t already know this about me, I feel very strongly that the first thing you see when you walk into a house should set the tone for everything else going on inside.  It goes so far to making the entire home feel pulled together and considered as a whole.  I love the way this entry turned out.  If that coral front door doesn’t give away the fun colors that lie inside, I think the runner just might.

Right around the corner from the front door is their powder room.  I am so in love with how this room came out.  It’s not large but the wallpaper is just perfect at continuing the play on blues we have in the rest of the house.

Upstairs in their master bathroom, they really gave me total freedom to do whatever I thought would be most beautiful.  What a dream!  I presented this idea of a full giant hex wall over the vanity with smaller hex in the shower and they loved it. Coupled with the Cararra herringbone floor, gray vanity and those killer mirrors, this bathroom is so gorgeous!!

The last spot I have to show you is tiny small but of so pretty.  We called this little nook off the master her mom cave…just the perfect little spot to relax at the end of the day.

I am truly blessed to have such wonderful clients who not only trust my vision but give me the opportunity to create something really unique just for them and their family.  I’m so proud of the result in this house and couldn’t be more thrilled for them.  They are so deserving!  The best part is that I am now lucky enough to call them friends.  Hope you enjoyed this little walk around project Washington Ave.  If you care to see a few more non-professional (ie. iphone) images of the project in progress, check out #DHIProjectWashingtonAve on Instagram.  All these pretty pictures above are by the talented Jessica Delaney Photography.

out of respect for my clients, I will not be sharing sources on this project.  Thank you for understanding!

Sometimes the list of people to buy gifts for at this time of year can seem never ending!  I really wanted to do this gift guide full of options under $50 because, let’s be real…between co-workers and sisters-in-law and cousins, etc etc sometimes you just need a thoughtful gift that isn’t going to break the bank.

ONE: Heart Mittens     TWO: Fleece lined Ugg Socks     THREE: Wave ring (own it, love it)   FOUR:  Sherpa lined glitter slipper (need these in my life)  FIVE: Fringed Passport Holder    SIX: Holiday PJs    SEVEN:  Popcorn on the Cob (love this idea because I’m pretty sure my kids haven’t connected that popcorn comes from actual corn)   EIGHT:  My Audio Pet (adorable bluetooth speaker)   NINE: Delicate Flower Socks (so many great options, especially cheeky ones for co-workers)   TEN:  Personalized Keychain   ELEVEN: Hearing Things Game (like last year’s favorite Speak Out without the awkward mouth piece)

*affiliate links contained throughout this post*

This is my first time doing a girls gift guide!  As a boy mom, I had to call in some reinforcements for this one but I’ve been assured by all my friends who have girls that their little ones from toddler to tween would appreciate all of these.

ONE:  Rose Pink Letter Board   She’ll love the endless personalized messages she can create with the 260 included characters on this letter board.

TWO:  Pastel Rainbow Stacker   My boys had the primary color version of this stacker and my little one (almost 5) still plays with it.  It’s absolutely adorable on a dresser or bookshelf which cannot be said for all kids toys!

THREE:  Cutie Stix Cut and Create Set    If she likes to craft or make jewelry, this is the gift for her!  This little gadget let’s her cut and core out the center of whole series of “stix”, turning them into unique beads. She’ll be stringing bracelets and necklaces for everyone in no time.

FOUR:  Story Cubes   The story telling fun is endless with Story Cubes.  It’s kind of like the dice version of mad libs – roll the dice and let the imagination flow.  This is a great gift for boys and girls alike and perfect for a travel activity because it packs down so small.

FIVE:  Ada Twist, Scientist   An adorable story about an inquisitive little girl full of hypotheses and science experiments.  The rhyming text keeps kids’ attention and the storyline is anything but princess-like which is refreshing.  We have this book as well as the 2 that preceded it (Rosie Revere, Engineer and Iggy Peck, Architect) and my boys absolutely love them all.

SIX:  Unicorn Pompom Bag    Apparently girls age 5-8 are WAY into unicorns.  This seemed to be a consistent theme among the moms of girls I spoke with so you can’t miss with this cute little bag.  Incidentally I am not between the ages of 5-8 and I am also very into this bag.

SEVEN:  Le Creueset Dutch Oven Toy    An exact replica of the iconic dutch oven, these mini version are basically the cutest things I’ve ever seen.  If she’s got a play kitchen, she needs this.

EIGHT:  3D Butterfly Stickers   I LOVE these stickers!  I’ve used them in lots of little girls’ rooms around a mirror or even en masse fluttering over a headboard.  They’re inexpensive and look best when there’s a whole ton of them.  Let her have at it. The more random the pattern the better the result.

NINE: Beyonce Pencils   Ok so maybe I already ordered a set of these pencils for myself.  But I think every girl big or small needs a pencil that says “Who run the world? GIRLS!” on it.

TEN:  Ice Cream Beanie, Unicorn Beanie, Jeweled Cat Ear Beanie   Really my only question is can I get away with that ice cream beanie as a grown woman?  Because I really want it.

*affiliate links included throughout this post*

Wild and wonderful indeed!  I love buying gifts for my boys but the older they get the harder it is to find things that they’ll like but that also will keep their little brains and bodies stimulated.  I think these finds are good for ages 4-10 (maybe you’ll get a few more years out of items 3 and 9).  Enjoy!

ONE:  Tree House Play Set    My almost 5 year old is still very into imaginative play.  This summer, we rented a beach house and, much to our surprise, this tree house set was in one of the bedrooms.  He spent hours playing with this thing!  It’s heavy and beautifully constructed and he moved his LEGO mini-figs right in. It’s also not a total eye sore which, shocker, is important to me!

TWO:  Pass back football   Designed as a football “training aid”, this little flat bottomed football is the perfect partner for your budding football player.  Throw the flat side against a wall and it perfectly propels the ball back to you.  The better the spiral he puts on it, the more accurate the “pass back” to him is…which of course means he has to practice his throwing AND catching abilities.  It’s a great indoor activity though I will apologize in advance to your poor walls and doors!

THREE:  Flashing Light hover board with bluetooth speaker   We got our 7 year old this hover board for his birthday and it’s quickly become everyone’s favorite.  Both he and my younger son zip around on this thing in our basement for hours and we recently discovered that it has an integrated bluetooth speaker for even more added fun.  Helmets required, especially during those early “learning” rides….though I will admit my boys learned in less than a day so really the helmet is just for me because I look downright ridiculous trying to get this thing to move.

FOUR:  Pirates Magnified    Your little pirate lover will love the adventure of searching through the detailed illustrations in this book with the included magnifying glass and learning about 10 real life pirates along the way.

FIVE:  The Rules to Always Being a Gentleman    I have this print in my boys’ bathroom and I love the classic, nostalgic vibe plus they can ALWAYS use a reminder about manners, right?  Beautiful typography paired with a great message.  You can’t go wrong.

SIX:  Kids High Top LED Light up Shoes   Come on…woud he not DIE for light up shoes?  I know my boys would.  A hidden switch on the tongue of the shoe controls the lights and hides the charging socket.  Yes…now we are charging sneakers.  But for $20-30 (prices vary by color) I say what the heck, why not.  Worth it to see them light up when their shoes do.

SEVEN:  LL Bean Sonic Snow Tube   Skip this item if he doesn’t live somewhere where it snows.  But if he does, this is a fantastic gift he’ll get plenty of use out of.  It also ships flat which makes it perfect for sending as a long distance gift.

EIGHT:  Monster Slippers   Monster feet!!  There’s nothing else to say.  I don’t know a single boy that wouldn’t love these.

NINE:  Virtual Reality Goggles with remote controller   VR goggles are the IT gift for boys big and small this year.  This pair comes complete with a remote controller, making it perfect for a bit of gaming without actually being tied to a gaming console.  It’s compatible with smart phones for games and movie watching and at under $30, doesn’t break the bank.  105 4.5 star reviews can’t be wrong!

TEN:  Shark tail sleep sack   It’s the boy equivalent of the mermaid tail blankets!  Warm and cozy fleece make it perfect to grab on a chilly night and best of all, his feet fit in the fins.  I think that’s hysterical.

ELEVEN:  Dog balloon night light   My 7 year old would LOVE this nightlight because it doesn’t look like a nightlight.  As he likes to remind me, he IS a big boy after all…buuut, he still wants a nightlight.  When it’s off it just looks like a cool sculpture but at night it gives just enough of a glow to keep the creepies away.

*affiliate links included throughout this post*

When it comes to hostess gifts for the holiday season, I like to keep it small, easy and unique.  Everyone is going to show up with a bottle of wine or a holiday candle (which are both fine but we can zhush those up a little!) but with just a little advanced planning you can have an arsenal of great hostess gifts ready.  Here’s my go-to gifts.

ONE: Navy and pink windowpane linen napkins   I’m crazy about these pretty napkins and I love that they aren’t SO holiday specific that she can use them throughout the year.  And bonus, they’re made locally here in Boston.

TWO: Merry Wreath Holder   Wreaths are everywhere this time of year but nothing says “I just came up with your hostess gift while driving by the grocery store on my way to your party” quite like showing up with just a wreath.  Pair it with this cute wreath holder and a gorgeous bow, though and now you’ve got a thoughtful gift!

THREE: Marble Creamer and Sugar Pot   I love this more modern take on the traditional sugar and creamer set.  They’re actually stoneware with some very convincing faux marble painting.

FOUR: Marble tree cutting board   Marble all the things!  How darling is this mango wood and marble cutting board in an iconic shape of the season.  So simple and festive!

FIVE: Jingle Bell Bottle Opener   Tie this festive bottle opener around the neck of your favorite craft beer and you’ve got the perfect host & hostess gift.

SIX: Fancy Matches   The trick to a good hostess gift is to keep it easy and something the host/hostess wouldn’t necessarily buy themselves right?  Fancy matches definitely fit that description.  Pair them with gift #8 on this list and you’ve got the perfect pair.

SEVEN: Santa Mugs   I have these mugs and they have become THE hot cocoa mugs.  My kids absolutely love them and they come in a cute box.  Pair with a bag of these adorable mini snowflake marshmallows and viola!

EIGHT:  Nest Holiday Candle   This is my absolute favorite holiday candle and has been my go-to for the last 5 years at least.  I always have a few around at the holidays for quick neighbor gifts or that “whoops I didn’t get you a gift but you just gave me one so…” Keep some tucked in a closet and you’ll never be caught unprepared!  Pair them with #6 on the list.

NINE: Drinking Buddies Glass Markers   Silly and a total conversation starter, these drink markers perch on the edge of a wine glass. It’s hard not to giggle with a speedo clad little rubber man hanging from your glass but it’s fun at a party.  Pair them with your favorite bottle of wine and you’ve got a great hostess gift that stands out a little from the crowd of wine bottles.

TEN:  Gourmet S’mores Kit   Homemade marshmallows and graham cracker shortbread cookies with squares of Valhrona chocolate make this s’mores gift extra special and perfect for gifting.  Do you guys make s’mores over your gas stove?  My kids love a good s’more and we’ve started doing that so now s’mores all year!  This gift pairs perfectly with gift #11 on this list!

ELEVEN: Telescoping marshmallow roasting forks   These handy forks collapse down for easy storage and cleaning and the color coded handles help you know who’s fork is who’s which is always handy when you’re gathered around the fire.  Pair them with gift #10.

TWELVE:  Funny gold foil wine tags   I already ordered these tags to keep on hand whenever a bottle of wine really is all you need.  The sayings are hilarious!

*affiliate links included throughout this post*

From your sister to your office mate and all the ladies in between, I’ve got you covered with this gift guide. The problem with creating gift guides for her is that I end up wanting everything on them for myself!

ONE: Monogram Pendant Necklace   I love the oversized letter on these and they way they hang just slightly askew for a more modern twist on your standard monogram pendant.

TWO: Kate Spade Winking Beanie   A sassy and sweet new beanie in the perfect shade of winter white.

THREE:  A little bit Yankee. A little bit y’all canvas tote   I’m a fan of this whole line actually but particularly partial to this sweet sentiment.  I know there’s a lot of displaced Yankees and Southerners alike out there that would love to have one of these.  If you’re feeling a little cheekier, get this one.

FOUR:  Vans Glitter Hi Tops   Glitter is appropriate all the time if you ask me but especially when it’s on some comfy, cute shoes.  These will quickly become her go-to “around town errands” shoes.  I’m putting a pair on my list!

FIVE:  Just my size wine glass   Listen, I’m not condoning anyone drink an entire bottle of wine by themselves.  I’m just saying that somedays, it *feels like* this is the exact serving size you need and we all know that’s the truth!  This is also a great white elephant/secret Santa/yankee swap gift.

SIX: Cocoa Ball Drop Earrings   Who doesn’t love new statement jewelry?  These are fun and can turn even the most basic dress in her closet into a holiday party ready outfit.

SEVEN:  Truffle Clarity TSA Approved Toiletry Pouch   It’s about time we all graduate beyond those ratty, old zip loc bags to carry our toiletries through airport security, don’t you think?  The expandable bottom on this gusseted pouch lets keep it roomy AND conveniently allows it to stand upright on her vanity.  Again, love the entire line but this pouch really seems like a no brainer.

EIGHT: Ride or Die (til 9 or so) Tee   So funny and oh so true.  You know your bestie needs this.

NINE: Butter London Nail polish collection  Thirty petite size bottles of the best colors make up this pretty collection from Butter, all packaged in a festive holiday tin.  

*affiliate links included throughout this post*

HOW are we already here?  Just like that it’s gift giving season!  This year I am determined to have my act together, to get my decorating done early so I can actually enjoy it (full disclosure: my tree and wreaths have been up for 2 days) and to at least know what I’m getting people.  To that end, the research that goes into putting these gift guides together has been so helpful!  I love discovering great gift ideas and of course, sharing some of my own favorite purchases with all of you.  Here’s hoping you can cross some people off your list and be sitting pretty with a glass of sparkling something well before the holidays.  I’m kicking it off with the gifts for guys, because we all know they’re the hardest ones to shop for right?  Stay tuned because I have a boys, girls, your bestie, the hostess and under $50 all coming up!

ONE:  Away Travel Suitcase If you’ve got a big traveler in your life, he’ll appreciate an Away Travel Suitcase. Not only can its hard outer shell take a baggage claim beating, its got super smooth 360 degree wheels for easy maneuverability and, best of all, a built-in battery to charge any of his USB enabled device.  No more clamoring for real estate beside that one measly outlet at his gate!

TWO:  Solo Stove Fire Pit A fire pit wherever you want one!  The Solo Stove Fire Pit is sleek, light and best of all NO SMOKE.  Nothing kills your s’mores vibe faster than sitting down wind from a smoky fire pit and the high walls on this little stove eliminates that annoyance altogether.  It is perfect for small spaces and unlike most fire pits, it’s easy to move from the patio to the camp ground, etc with ease. We have one and it’s so great to be able to move it into the garage when we’re not using it.

THREE: Hey Handsome dopp kit The canvas and leather accents on this Hey Handsome dopp kit bag keep is masculine and the surprise message at the bottom make it totally giftable.

FOUR: Railroad spike bottle opener  A cool, conversation starting bottle opener, the Railroad spike bottle opener is made from an actual railroad spike (yes, the same ones they use to hold actual railroads), just converted into a handy craft beer bottle opening device.  Brilliant!

FIVE: Monoprice Amp & Speakers If you’ve got a music buff on your list, the Monoprice Amp & Speakers are the perfect gift.  This tube amp system delivers the warm sound of old school vinyl with the convenience of Bluetooth. Your audiophile will love that he can stream his favorites wirelessly while still enjoying that retro sound.  And its cool design with lighted meters and the warm glow of the exposed amp tubes keep it from being a total eye sore sitting on your bookshelf.

SIX: Beats Wireless Headphones If he’s got a new iPhone, chances are pretty good he needs new wireless headphones (since the new phone has no headphone jack…thanks Apple!)  The Beats Wireless Headphones have the same super clear sound as its bulkier counterpart but with an integrated mic to let him take calls.  8 hours of battery life and, maybe best of all, magnetic ear buds that keep the pair connected when not in use to cut down on annoying tangles!

SEVEN: Ember Temperature Control Mug If George Jetson had a travel mug, this would be it! This sleek mug holds his coffee, tea (or spiked cider…no judgement) at just the perfect temperature.  But this is not your standard battery powered warming mug.  Yes, it keeps his drink warm but it can also cool it down to just the right drinking temperature.   No more burning all taste buds as he (impatiently) waits for his latte to cool down. Just pour it in the Ember, rotate the base to set the temp and it comes down to the perfect drinking temperature.  

EIGHT: BakerStone Pizza Oven Box Kit For the pizza lovers and grilling enthusiasts (doesn’t that cover like 90% of men?), the BakerStone Pizza Oven Box is THE gift.  This little contraption will turn his outdoor grill into his own little pizzeria, converting the temperature of the grill into a that of a real wood burning pizza oven.  I love this thing and I know exactly who on my list is getting one!

NINE: Tenergy bluetooth beanie  Exactly what it sounds like – a fleece lined beanie equipped with bluetooth compatible speakers to give him 6 hours of wireless music time.  It’s perfect for all those winter sports….or for all those teens who insist on wearing beanies whether it’s 20 degrees or 70 degrees.  Three touch buttons by the ear let you control volume and skip to the next track.  And yes, the speaker is removable so you can toss this beanie right in the wash when it needs it.  File this one under “why didn’t I think of that” ideas, right?!  Also, in case any of you ladies out there are interested, they also have this cute pom pom topped style (not that we ever shop for ourselves when we’re shopping these lists, right?)

TEN: Tower Garden Growing System  The cleanest, simplest and most efficient way to grow fresh fruits & vegetables right in your home ALL WINTER LONG.  Using aeroponics (like hydroponics but with less water) he can chose from 150 different plants to grow in as little as a 3′ x 3′ area.  I have seen this thing in action first hand and it’s unreal how fast the vegetables grow.  Some leafy greens are ready in as little as 4 weeks!

*affiliate links included throughout this post*

Whenever I am finishing up a home and in full on styling mode, there are a few key pieces I have to have. In my eyes, no home is complete without these essentials. So if you’re looking through your favorite shelter mag and are fiending for a “get the look” moment of your very own, I guarantee a combo of these accessories will do the trick.

TRAYS + PLATTERS

The bottom line is everything…EVERYTHING looks better when corralled on a tray.  8 remote controls?  Matchbox cars? A stack of soon-to-be-read magazines?  On their own any of those things are just a pile of mess.  But on a tray they look chic and intentional.

see more of this project here

Trays, clockwise from left: 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5.

BOWLS + VESSELS

They serve the same corralling purpose as a tray, but their sculptural nature makes them a little more like a piece of art.  Just as perfect on a counter holding apples as on a bookcase just looking pretty.

Bowls: 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5.

BASKETS

I am a self confessed basket addict.  Like trays, they go a long way toward making you look neat and organized.  Unexpected guests stopping by?  No problem, throw EVERYTHING in the baskets!!  Get back in that basket, Abby Cadabby!

see more of this project here

Baskets: 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. | 8.

COFFEE TABLE ACCESSORIES

I know, you’re like “how many things do I need on my coffee table Dina?” but trust me…the layers you create are what make it look interesting and finished.  A tray, with some books and one of the below on top and you’re good.

Coffee Table Accessories: 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6.

POTTERY

There’s a reason you often see sculptural pottery gracing the shelves of those Pinterest rooms you covet – their organic shapes are the perfect foil to all the other often hard, right angles you see (think books, frames and even the shelves themselves!).

see more of this project here

Pottery: 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5.

PICTURE FRAMES

In the never ending battle to get photos of our loved ones off our phones and actually into our homes, I always try to include at least 1 frame per room in my designs (more if there are built-ins!)  There are so many good, relatively inexpensive frames out there.  Here are some of my favorites.

see more of this project here

Frames: 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6.

LANTERNS + CANDLES

I love to use lanterns either on a fireplace mantel or a cluster of them just off to the side on the hearth.  Again, it adds a sculptural element to the room.  I believe this is now the 17th time I’ve said “sculptural” in this post but the reality is that most of our homes are very “flat”.  You need these things to add interest and give your eye something pretty to stop and look at.  Here’s a pair in a room in progress!

Lanterns: 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6.

THROW BLANKETS

Every room can use a throw. Period.  No more discussion needed.  It can serve as a nice block of color in an otherwise neutral room or it can be neutral and yummy and textural.  Drape them over the arm of a chair, over the end of a chaise or roll them up in your favorite basket from above.  Either way, you need them.  Bonus if you have room for one of these cute ladders to drape your throws on ever so effortlessly.

see more of this project here

Blankets: 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5.

From bone inlay boxes to all the baskets (seriously, give me all of them) and throw blankets galore, this collection of high-low pieces will give your finished space that polish and sparkle and add a heavy dose of personality.  Cozy and lived in is the look we’re all going for and this little list will have you well on your way to achieving that look.

Hope you’re ready for some eye candy today!  I’m so excited to share a new project that I worked on for most of the spring and wrapped up in early summer.  This family of five has lived in the home for a few years but as is often the case with busy, young families, they hadn’t quite gotten around to making it their own.  They were living with lots of the former homeowner’s choices – overly decorative swagg-y window treatments, dark earth tone paint colors and rugs, etc.  Some spaces like the master bedroom and dining room we totally overhauled.  Others like the formal living room and office just got reinvigorated with paint, wallpaper and accessories.  All of them turned out so dramatically different from where we started you won’t believe some of the side by side comparisons. Let’s get into it!

*all before pics by me.  pretty after pics by Jessica Delaney Photography*

The master bedroom was formerly a really dark space.  It doesn’t get a lot of natural light to begin with but the dark wood furniture set, sage green walls, beige rug and cranberry accents were not helping matters at all.  And woah, hello Pottery Barn circa 2000 right?  We all LOVED this look 15 years ago but now it looks so heavy and tired.  Time for a refresh!  My first order of business was getting rid of that rug.  It had definitely seen better days and its size and solid all-over color made it read more like wall to wall carpet then an area rug.  They have beautiful hardwood floors throughout the house and you could barely even see them in this room.  From there I focused on giving them a much brighter overall look.  Lighter walls, lighter furniture and yes…I even added a light.  There was no ceiling light other than recessed cans prior to this project!  The other big change I made was with the seating.  They previously had 2 chairs on the wall where they now have a dresser.  The room is plenty big and moving the seating to the end of the bed (and directly across from the door to the room) made for a much nicer, more gracious entrance.  You see this view from down the hall and it’s like a great big exhale as you approach the room.

How is this the same room right?

Before we head downstairs, let’s look at this landing they have on the second floor.  Again, it was dark and there was this brown, swirly patterned runner that ran the entire length of the stairs and all over the upstairs hall.  The window treatment and bench seat were holdovers from the former owners who left it behind.  That was all an easy enough change but what really bugged me about this space was the lighting.  Even though the two story foyer is large, the light was not but the railing on the right made it so I couldn’t go huge on a light in this position.  Even though it WAS centered over the front door, when you were actually standing downstairs at the door, it didn’t feel centered because that whole space over the stairs was empty.  And when you were standing on the second floor looking toward the front of the house (as I am in the before photo below) it all felt “off”.  Having just one fixture was never going to fix my issue so instead I decided to hang a grouping of lights and varying heights to hold the whole space better.  I really give my clients a lot of credit…I proposed the idea and without so much as a sketch, they went for it.  It really took this whole space to another level.

I gasped out loud when I walked in there for the first time and saw them up!  The entire foyer got a fresh coat of paint, as did the built-ins.  New window treatment, bench seat and sconces and it looks just as good from the second floor as it does from the foyer.

Also, goodbye old runner!

Moving downstairs! Right off their kitchen they have this awesome home office.  It’s a nice, large room but its location right off the kitchen (with a door you can close!) had over time made this room just a dumping ground for things to be “dealt with later”.  They were ready to reclaim this room as more than just storage and were game for really taking some risks and making it different.  After a little digging, I discovered they didn’t even really use the room as an office and were happy to turn it into space both the husband and wife could enjoy.  I dubbed the room the “glam cave” because while it still has many of his favorite pieces of golf memorabilia, a comfy leather chair, humidors, etc it definitely got a WOW makeover.  He was very clear that he didn’t want your traditional plaids and tweeds and taxidermy, etc…all those stereotypical things you think of when you think of a masculine office I guess you could say.  He wanted something different and unexpected.  Say no more, sir!  We picked a high energy, anything but boring wallpaper and then painted all the built-ins (bye cherry!) a color to coordinate.  Ditching the big wood desk let me make the floor plan all about lounging.  Plus there’s already a small desk spot integrated into the built-ins so it can technically still function as a work space if they need it to but that’s not the focus. With the addition of some crown molding, a great statement ceiling light, a chair for her and a whole lot of accessories and this room is barely recognizable.  It’s so bold and unique, I LOVE IT.  And I surprised even myself by leaving the window bare.  Y’all know I love window treatments but the impact of the paper and the newly painted built-in was so strong, it really didn’t need anything more.

Gah!!!  I love these side by side before & afters!

Off the foyer there are formal rooms to your left and right.  To the right is the dining room and completely inexplicably I don’t have any before shots of the whole room.  Ugh, I’m so mad when this happens.  I think originally were were just talking about replacing the sideboard but you know how that domino effect goes…you finish one room and then the one next to it just looks sad and forgotten.

They moved into this home with these furniture pieces and just recreated the paint scheme they had in the old dining room.  Raise your hand if you’re guilty of this?  The old “I just can’t deal right now and it worked before so let’s just do it again” method!  They have really beautiful millwork in this room but it wasn’t looking as special as I knew it could. The chandelier is vintage and they’ve had it for many years so it was a non-negotiable – it had to stay and I let it set the tone for a formal, traditional New England dining space BUT with a strong dose of color and fun.  This isn’t some stodgy dining room and I love that right at the front door you get a taste of this family’s personality.   After auditioning quite a few wallpaper contenders, we settled on this incredible floral.  It has so many colors to work with which was key because you can see the foyer and the living room across the hall from this room (more on that in a minute). I decided to pick up on the dusty, federal blue color in the paper for the millwork.  I love that it coordinates but tones down the playfulness of the paper.  We reused their existing host chairs and the chandelier (with different shades) but everything around them is new – the table, side chairs, sideboard, mirror and HELLO! look at those lamps.  They’re perfect and vintage and lucite and yes, those are their original magenta silk dupioni shades that, by the grace of the decorating gods, match perfectly with the deep pink in the wallpaper.  They seriously might be the best vintage find I’ve ever had.  They are competing hard for my favorite element in the room but the drapes with those multi-blue pompoms is giving them a run for their money.

On the other side of the foyer is the formal living room.  Once the dining room was done it became blatantly obvious that we HAD to address this room.  The green velvet couches were already there and I decided I could totally make them work (and relate them to the paper across the foyer in the dining room) by adding in a few other elements.  As you can see in the before photo below, it was formerly very earth toned in there.  I painted the mantle and all the trim and went really pale on the walls. The result was so striking – the trim stands out more and so do the couches!  I flanked the fireplace walls with 2 console pieces and added these dramatic Palladian mirrors to bring more height to the room.  They bounce so much light around, it was almost like we added windows in there.  Super dramatic.  A new rug and some accessories and this room (which honestly was a bit of an afterthought) has so much personality now and flows perfectly with the rest of the house.

Phew!  That was quite a post.  What do you think? Do you have a favorite?  I thought it was the master bedroom but the dining room is pretty special too…but then the landing with those stars…I don’t think I can pick just one!  This was a SUPER fun project for me to work on.  I got to stretch myself a bit thanks to clients who were not only trusting but willing to push the envelope (and me!) on what it means to really personalize your home.  It’s bold, it’s fresh, it’s fun and it’s uniquely them which I think is the best result you can ask for in a home.

*Out of respect for my client’s, I will not be sharing the sources used on this project.*

While touring the Coastal Living Idea House (more on that dream space here) I came across a kitchen detail I have been seeing more and more of. This trend is forgoing the typical recessed lighting for a more prominent, statement-making fixture. And I’m VERY into it… with a few rules of course.

It’s a small detail, but one that really makes a big impact. Switching out recessed lights for flush mount lights is a great solution if you have a smaller kitchen where pendants just aren’t an option or if you have a low ceiling.

But you know what? It also works for big kitchens with plenty of height too. The key is to go all in and stay away from too many competing profiles.

This trend will work with pendants as long as you are very careful about the fixtures you pick. A statement pendant + a very simple, small surface mount works like a charm. Proof is in the kitchens below.

I think the best execution though lies in those spaces that go all in. I’m talking 100% commitment to no pendants and instead going with a sea of flush mounts. What do you think of this new kitchen trend? I, for one, am dying to try this look on for size. Any takers?

Image Sources: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8