A small half bath gets a perky makeover!

This client was having an open house to celebrate her sons graduation, last June. She asked if I could work some magic on the tiny half bathroom that most of the guests would be using. I was honored to help!

Before:

After:

She already had an inspiration piece, this adorable sunflower painting she had done, herself! Choosing a paint color, I advised her to go two colors lighter than what looked like the perfect yellow. Yellow is a difficult color to choose, probably the MOST difficult. The best thing to keep in mind is that yellow is a powerful color...we notice it! That's why they use it on a highway signs and school buses. If you don't want to wear sunglasses upon entering the room? Go lighter than you think you should. It will still be plenty bright!

And a bathroom you don't spend a lot of time in is the perfect space to go bold!

To update the older light fixture without replacing it, I primered the brass, then painted it flat black,not glossy. I used oil based paint because i think it holds up better on metal in humid bathrooms, and I did not want to risk any rust issues in the future! I turned the bulbs up instead of down, so that the light was less harsh and glaring. I also replaced the frosted pink tulip shaped shades with simple clear glass, in a more modern shape. A simple update, for under $10!

Before:

After:

 

Another way to "quiet" yellow (or any bright color) is to use both black and white liberally in the room to offset the strong hue. Painting all of the doors and trim in high gloss white really made the yellow pop, and using black metal as an accent helped to set off the warm walls. The client had this black iron scroll mirror already, and I picked up the matching candleholder at the Goodwill for just a few dollars.

It is hard to photograph a room you can barely turn around in, but I think you can see the difference, the bathroom is now cheerful and bright!

After:

Some of the clients scrapbook art, opposite the commode:

This client had great intentions but her life is just super busy and so her guest bath had been neglected longer than she wanted it to be. Sometimes a family milestone, such as a wedding or graduation, is just the push we need to cross something off our home to-do list! I'm so glad she called, and I can help YOU get your neglected space lovely and welcoming, too!

 

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Brightening a dark living room on a budget!

The materials cost for my clients living room, kitchen, dining room and entryway came in at right around $300. With hard work, paint and careful shopping, I can change your homes look and feel, even on a tight budget!

Painting the walls Benjamin Moore Barely Beige 1066 really lightened the room. This color is a true beige neutral, but carefully chosen for its gold undertone. You can never just grab a white or beige off the paint shelf! They ALWAYS have an impact, because a gray or cool neutral will make the walls feel dirty and the room, cold.

Other changes: Spray painting the family frames white and arranging them in a grid. Swapping the white kitchen armoire for the heavy cherry one. Painting a long low dresser white (another clever Craigslist find!) and using it as the new TV credenza.

BEFORE:

 

 Notice how much better the deep red sofa looks with this wall color? It's because they share the same undertone! The beige wall is warm and so is the red couch, where the previous green is on the colder, blue side and was clashing. Usually, if a room feels "off" and you can't tell why? Look at the undertones and you will see the colors are quietly fighting each other.

 

AFTER:

Living rooms that have a main walkway right through the middle of them are very difficult to arrange furniture in. This is a common problem, and I am left to wonder just how architects think through their layouts?! Design rules such as "Never line your furniture up along the walls" must be thrown out, and practicality made the newer, more useful, rule.

 

There weren't many options, so I merely switched the sofa to the longer wall, and put the love seat up against the window, making a bit more room for the side chair. The most critical design decision: all of the men in the family are "gamers" and having the same issue at my house I knew this--TV placement was critically important!

 

God blessed immensely (I truly believe this client is one of His favorite kids!) and I found heavy velvet drapes, in a perfect golden wheat color, to hang on the large picture window. From Restoration Hardware, these retail for $269 each, but at the thrift store in perfect condition they were just $19.99 each.

 

She loves them because they add a touch of luxury and could easily be hanging in an English library. He loves them because they block sunlight, making movies and Xbox easy to see, any time of day.

Another amazing find was this area rug:

 

Even though the plans are to eventually replace the upholstered furniture, it was bothering me as we were finishing the project, that the deep red couches didn't "quite" blend with the beige and white tones of the room. Then I found this large rug with a pattern which couldn't be any better: the same bark red of the couches, with the brown of the new chair and the gold of the curtains, with just a touch of ocean blue!? It was EXACTLY what was needed to tie the entire design together!

 

$20 at the Goodwill, solid wool and with the price ticket still on the back, we saved around $200! Her youngest son didn't care about the colors or the perfect pattern, he just immediately threw himself upon it and yelled happily "Yay! A soft rug! Now the room is perfect!" I quite agree, though when I bought it I admit, I wasn't thinking of how 13 year old boys watch TV, but he IS right. For both his reasons and mine, this rug is perfect!

 

An example of how I coordinated the room colors, this is the wall entering the kitchen:

And looking into the living room, from the kitchen:

This is the hallway, just off the main entrance, before:

AFTER:

 

The fireplace wall has a birdcage on one side, a piano on the other and neither could be moved, but I still managed to change things up! I replaced the purple chair (covered in the striped blanket) with a soft brown chair and ottoman, found at a yard sale for only $50. Rearranging items, adding in old books, soft lighting and lots of texture via baskets, plus a few throw pillows in light colors was all this side needed!

 

The oil painting on the mantel in the "after" was the rooms inspiration piece. Taking cues from its setting, I added just enough accessories to add that beachy coastal feel, careful not to overdose on lighthouses and shells. You have to be careful with a themed room! A theme can bring direction and cohesiveness to the party, but then quickly turn overdone and kitschy on you. As with all creative endeavors...editing is the hardest part.

Before:

 

After:

When decorating, remember:

Make sure adjoining rooms flow, especially if you can see them, but even if you cannot.

Use the same undertones for walls and main furniture (choosing either cool or warm...but warm is better!)

Add small lamps to brighten dark corners (2-3 minimum per room, more if it has low ceilings, or is large)

Use themes carefully, editing as needed.

Plan for how the room is actually used, not just for how it looks--checking that everyone can see the TV, the main walkways are clear, there is a lamp for the bookworm, a rug for kids to sprawl on, a throw blanket nearby, etc!

And most of all-add more of what makes YOU feel at "home" For this client it was books, and the beach, and pictures of her children. And life doesn't get much better than those three blessings, does it?

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A Dining Room and Kitchen Redesign

This job was a large one, but one of the most pleasurable jobs I've had! The client was so trusting of my vision for her space, and so agreeable to the changes I suggested, that working with her was a delight. She, and her teenage children, jumped in and worked hard right alongside me.
With good music and diet Pepsi, we spent a few days together, pushing furniture around, wallpapering, and painting everything that would hold still. We had so much fun in the kitchen/dining room that we tackled the adjoining living room too, and you'll see photos of that lovely area, very soon!
When you hire me for a redesign, the most important aspect of the job is what comes first, way before we buy paint or rearrange furniture. We talk! And it is always my intent to make this part as relaxing and fun for you, as possible. I will ask questions, and look around a little, and "interview" you a bit, simply trying to learn what makes you feel at home, and what your family's needs are, so that I know how best I can serve you.
When this client and I talked about her home and her needs, I learned some very important things:
She adored cobalt blue and collected Platzgraff china. That always worked with the mauve colors in her kitchen, but she was tired of the 90's look, ready to update, yet wondering how?
BEFORE:

She loves the ocean, and the beach has special meaning to her family. (This was key for the living room)
When I asked what her most favorite pieces were, I learned that she had two heirloom paintings that she loved, but were not displayed, because they didn't currently match anything else in her home. I'm a big believer in "if you love it, it can work" and immediately starting thinking about how to incorporate her favorite art into our re-design.
BEFORE:

Most of all? She longed for a fresh start, and to feel refreshed instead of depressed, about her surroundings. They are a busy family with full schedules and so she craved clean, clear spaces without decor overload...just enough to feel pretty, but not so many tchotchkes that the small rooms felt crowded! My take-away? She needed something WARM, but SOOTHING.

My plan:
To keep the blues as accents, but update the space with a somewhat french country, cottage feel. Since her countertops were blue, and we wanted to warm up the space, I did not want to use more blue on the walls, but the white walls were too stark. In order to offset the blues, and keep them as an accent-only color, I suggested we paint the walls a warm apple green. Green is what I call "Gods neutral" because if it weren't so easy on the eyes? Then He wouldn't have put it all over His creation! Taking cues from the original Designer is always a good idea! This color instantly made the room bright and cheerful while still feeling peaceful and calm.

Benjamin Moore 478 Sweet Caroline green

BEFORE:

AFTER:

This part was tedious, and not every homeowner is willing to paint wood, so I was grateful she trusted me when I said we needed to paint ALL of the orange toned wood--the doors, trim and baseboards--with a crisp, bright and glossy white. We did the same in the adjoining rooms. Not only is it an instant update to the space, but it also was key in making her beautiful table and chairs shine. Now they are truly the centerpiece of the dining room!
AFTER (but before her china hutch was added)

The perfect size corner china hutch, found on Craigslist and painted white to tie in with the cabinets and trim:

Next, remove the old brass rod above the sliding glass door and hang a soft fabric valance in shades of green, yellow and blue (tying everything together) to the very top of the ceiling. Whenever possible, hang your window treatments high, as it helps any ceiling seem higher!

Valances aren't nearly as popular as they used to be, and they were overused for so long, it's no wonder we all grew tired of them! Normally I would suggest long curtains on either side of a slider, but as you can see in the photo it's a very small room, with little to no space on either side of the door...especially once we added the hutch. In this instance, a valance was the right design element for the space, drawing the eye up and adding needed pattern to a mostly-solid space, and softness to a room with sleek surfaces.

The biggest change (and the most backbreaking part, for the homeowner!) was removing the pink laminate wainscoting. It had done its job well, protecting the wall and proving easy to clean while her four children grew. But the kids have grown, and we couldn't move on, with that color! So bless her for agreeing with me and tackling the horrid job of prying it all off, then scraping old yellow adhesive off the wall for hours! It was a difficult process but so worth it, in the end.
BEFORE:

Since we were working on a tight budget, I chose to use paintable wallpaper in a bead board pattern, instead of wood, for the new wainscoting. At only $20 a roll (at Lowe's Home Improvement) we could do the whole wall, plus the back of the upper cabinets, for $40! Once capped with trim molding and covered with several coats of primer and high gloss white paint? You have to look very closely to know its not real wood!
This photo also shows how, in order to make more room for the cook in the kitchen, I moved the armoire out to the living room. Instead of that, I hung a large wall cabinet, going all the way to the ceiling. Though it gives her plenty of extra storage, being vertical means that by taking up zero floor space, the room automatically feels more spacious! Painted white and covered with extra bead board wallpaper, it looks right at home in her cottage fresh kitchen. With its makeover, it shows no traces of its former life in a dusty old garage!
BEFORE:

AFTER:

 Finally, adding accents means we do a little math--the only kind of math I enjoy! Subtracting all the country and mauve decor and adding instead, these assorted lovely plates in our blue accent color. Using various patterns and sizes of plates adds interest but still keeps the overall look quiet. Found at thrift stores for less than $2 each, plates are the perfect, inexpensive art for dining areas!

 Well aware that teenage boys are going in and out of this door frequently, we used both decorative hangers AND mounting tape, to firmly secure the delicate pretties!

The sweet little bird plaque I stole out of her bathroom because it was the perfect size to hang up here and cover an unsightly phone jack. The painting of a girl in a field (above, in dining room photo) was one of the two original oil paintings, our inspiration pieces! Now given a place of honor above the dining room table, and the larger one above the fireplace mantel, where they are daily appreciated.

One element that really adds to the redesign is the new faux "tin" backsplash. You can purchase it at Home Depot in various patterns and finishes, and even a novice like me can install it! In an evening, with caulk as the adhesive, and using paper bags to make a template, the sturdy plastic material is easily cut to fit with heavy duty scissors...and the material is very sturdy and washable, to boot! The homeowners were thrilled with how the kitchen was so dramatically changed, for less than $100 in materials.

Painting the soffit in the same green helps to tie the kitchen in with the adjoining dining room:

 Because the living area is separate but adjoining, I was careful to make sure the colors flowed nicely and the rooms were compatible. Here is a view into the kitchen area from the new living room. You get to have a little sneak peek into that which I will post about, tomorrow!

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Bathroom makeover

        When my sister-in-law was out of town this Summer, my brother called and asked if I'd be willing to help surprise her with a bathroom makeover. Honestly, I was nervous and told him so! Normally I work hard to help a client as they decide on every aspect of their re-design, and if I made all those decisions without her, and then she hated it...well, we are family, that could be awkward over holiday dinners, right?!

But my brother promised she would be thrilled with ANY changes made. Plus I love my sister-in-law, and the chance to bless her was too fun to pass up!
We started with a mess, frankly. (And I love that, as it makes for the best Before/After shots, right?!)

They had updated things quite a bit, with new flooring:

a new sink cabinet, and a better toilet. But the remnants of the old bathroom were still showing through, in mismatched paint colors and torn Sheetrock from the old vanity.
BEFORE:

AFTER:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

This is the only bathroom for a busy family of four, including two young children. Storage was sorely lacking and was my min concern. We needed to replace the practical-but-ugly plastic drawers with something easy to access, but more contemporary. I chose this open, cherrywood shelf from Lowes, and fit it with various baskets found around the house. The color of the wood ties in the existing cabinetry but adds a more modern feel.

The main problem with the sink cabinet is that it didn't "fit". And I don't mean size, I mean style. When you have an ornately carved, rich wood piece of furniture it gives a very classic, traditional "old world" vibe. But if your room or lifestyle is more urban casual, then the piece sticks out like a sore thumb...it just doesn't blend, no matter how beautiful it is. Your choice then, is to either "class up" the room around it, or "bring down" the furniture, by painting it.

For example, you inherited Grandmas French provincial, solid walnut buffet. It doesn't match your beach house, but its an heirloom you want to keep, so you paint it white (when your husband is away, because it causes men actual pain to see wood get painted) Instantly that stuffy old piece is shabby chic and right at home in your cottage!
This was the dilemma with their sink cabinet, and since they weren't keen on painting it, we went the other route. We elevated its surroundings, so it felt more at home!

One of the ways I classed up the bathroom, was by utilizing a deep, earthy and rich wall color. Benjamin Moore HC-79 Greenbrier Beige. Because of the green granite countertop, and the greenish gray of the floor, I chose a color in the green family but NOT green. That would be overload! This mossy gray-brown has enough green in it to marry the various colors, but still hold its own. I love "chameleon" neutrals like this, that change colors with the light, going from putty to brown to gray, depending on what the light source is. This is where it is extremely important to know what the undertones of your paint colors are! Notice in every photo, that it is a little different? Here is a picture of it, on the opposite wall, that shows very brown:

A key to adding more warmth to this room was the shower curtain...you don't get more traditional than paisley, but the colors in the pattern are very fresh and modern. (Found at Target) I also loved how the touches of brown pulled in the wood tones, helping blend the various elements.

To continue the upscale feel, I added "real" artwork (stolen from another room) with thick, traditional style frames that matched the heaviness of the sink cabinet. My luck, that the colors and styles matched so well!

And I think every bathroom can use a houseplant, for a touch of life in an otherwise sterile space! Another important component is how the wicker texture of baskets helps too break up all the slick surfaces that are inherent in a bathroom. Whenever you are decorating, even in a bathroom, remember that having various texture is key in making a room feel warm and welcoming!

Finally, a glass and tumbled stone mosaic backsplash to marry the mirror and vanity together. This was tile they had already chosen, and I installed it for them only because they are family! I am an amateur tile installer, at best, so don't expect to hire me to do yours (though I do have someone competent and professional I can recommend, if you need that in your redesign!)

They plan to move the light fixture over, and center it above the mirror. That was making me crazy, but my hair is curly enough as it is, I wasn't brave enough to attempt electrical work!

Considering that all of the shopping and the work was done in one day, that they live 2.5 hours away, and that we spent less than $150, this turned out amazingly well!

Of course the real test for me was Anne...I liked it, but would she feel like I'd overstepped? A few days later when her name popped up on my phone, I nervously answered. Sweet relief, that she was thrilled and appreciative! It made me so happy to hear her delight in their new bathroom...Another successful re-design! (And no awkward family get-togethers, either!)

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