Transitional Navy and White Kitchen Remodel

Kitchen remodels are always the hardest on my clients.  It totally disrupts every day life.  However, these clients were READY TO GO!

BEFORE

As you can see, the homeowner  started the demo in the above picture but that is about as far as they got with this remodel.  The fun thing about this client is that I have decorated other rooms in their home so I am very familiar with their style already.  They wanted a dramatic kitchen and truly trusted me to make that happen (so honored that they trust me) I recommended that we paint the cabinets a dark navy and they were SO EXCITED and  asked me to take it from there!

AFTER

As you can see, even though we painted the cabinets a dark color, it didn't make the kitchen feel dark at all.  With the bar all one level now and the light granite and stacked stone, it feels very open and light.  The adjacent eat in dining area has lots of light pouring in too so that helps.  As a decorator, I choose colors based on the space and what is going on in the room and surrounding rooms.  Color is tricky and it is very important you hire a professional to help you choose just the right color for your space.  The color that is right for this kitchen may be totally wrong for your kitchen.

BEFORE

We added glass front cabinets to the top of her existing cabinets and refaced the doors to give them a more modern style.  No need for brand new cabinets if the bones are good already.  All the cabinets got pull out drawers put inside them which makes the kitchen much more functional.  We kept the existing oven, stove and the client had the vent-a-hood already that she wanted us to work around.

The wood floors were replaced during our PHASE I last year.  The granite was leathered to take away the shine.  It really is amazing in person.

They had some cabinets that were not being used so we made them a wine cabinet to store their wine.

New backsplash and hardware and it turned out gorgeous!  Hardware is the jewelry in the kitchen.  Don't skimp on your selections, they can make your kitchen have so much style.  They are not cheap but if you are wanting your kitchen to look classy, do it right!

New accessories for the counter and it was a wrap.

We then tackled the kitchen eating area.  Added new drapes, new table, chairs, lighting and accessories.

I found these fabulous blue and white drapes and got so excited.  I adored the henna like design.  However, they were too short for the space.  I purchased them, found some fabric we could add to the bottom of them to make them the right length and added some trim and lining.  They are now perfect in this room.  Added light and not too much pattern. The rustic table is imported from India and can't be damaged by the kiddos in this house!  Actually, the more you use it, the better it looks.  Family friendly = fab

Isn't the chandelier spectacular with the pendant lighting?  The chairs with the oval hole in the back makes this room feel more open and less crowded.

Thanks to my wonderful installer Reuben who spent lots of labor on this rod that continues all the way around the window. You can see how fab the pendants are below!

Thanks for joining me on this tour.  As I was writing this post I received a text from my client saying this "OK Ruthie, you need to leave me a bunch more of your business cards!!!! I'm having a birthday party for my son and his baseball team and parents.  The mom's want your contact info.  I'm getting hand cramp from writing your number down." I always feel so blessed when I get feedback like that from my clients.

 I'm off to finish off a bathroom remodel and another kitchen.  Will post pictures soon. Hope it is a great LABOR DAY with friends and family!

Fresh and classy family room

A few weeks ago we finished a family room for a new client.  The room was pretty empty when we started.  The client wanted to clear the room and start fresh with everything new.  They requested a space that felt fresh and classic with a bit of a modern twist.

As most of you know, I LOVE to repurpose furniture.  I have always done that for my own home as well as for clients. This passion started from the day I first started this business.

I found this couch at a local  resale store.  It had great lines and was very comfortable.  I knew I could transform it into something fantastic. I didn't like the rolled arms (too traditional for this client) so I had my amazing upholsterer redo them for me in a more modern style.  We also took the skirt off and added nice tapered walnut legs.

Looks fab now!

Re-upholstery may not necessarily be cheaper than purchasing a new couch.  However, you can definitely custom design it to your liking. I prefer to do this because I can use my creativity to make it into something more personal for my client.  It definitely gives it a higher end look and makes the entire room feel more pulled together and detailed.

I did the same with these two recliners.  I wanted recliners because this room is primarily the room that this family watches TV in.  They requested chairs where they could relax and put their feet up to watch their favorite shows.  We were really limited for space so recliners were my best option, eliminating the need for ottomans.  Reupholstered in a fabulous gray velvet with cream piping to match the couch and new legs ended up being a successful redo.  The chevron metallic pillows really added a pop of something fun.  These chairs were hot pink when we started LOL

I also found these fabulous antique rattan barrel chairs.  Loved their lines and needed two accent chairs to add to the room that weren't too big.

Painted black with new seat fabric and nail heads makes them feel handsome and sharp.  Gives it a "collected" look. Love old and new!

The rug was purchased first and was my inspiration in the room. The soft vintage color palette is so pleasing to your eye when you first set eyes on it.

The large stone coffee table and the petrified wood side table pull everything together beautifully.

Accessorizing with old, new and natural elements add a sophisticated, collected feel to the room.  I filled a small wood slice to a glass terrarium and added green moss to an antique silver urn.

The silver hashtag adds a touch of whimsy to this eclectic mix. My favorite was the lucite tray that I grouped with the glass balls and a family photo.   The metallic chevron pillows on the wingback chairs coordinate beautifully with the mirrored glass box on the coffee table.

New hardware was added to the cabinets too.  I did mix them up a bit. The large cabinet doors got the fun arrow hardware (painted to my liking of course)the small cabinets got the square pearl hardware.

Added some old books with bright colors and some shelf adjustments with artwork, pottery and assorted accessories. A few family photos are also a must on bookshelves.

BEFORE

AFTER

The two floor lamps were gorgeous when I purchased them but I didn't like the shiny gold finish they had.  We toned them down to our liking and added new shades.  The new drum shade chandelier with crystals sparkles.

I also decided to do two sided pillows on the couch.

I'm a woman that likes change so my client can now change the room up a bit when they want to.

BEFORE

AFTER

The drapes soften the space without taking away from the beautiful backyard. I'm not a fan of draperies that cover up the light and view in a room.

We also took the fan out (the client never used it) and we hung a gorgeous drum shade chandelier with crystals.

I believe rooms should have a touch of feminine and a touch of masculine to them.

I always try to keep it simple --nothing too froufrou or trendy. When you mix it up, it's more interesting and fun.

The room feels tailored but all the textures give it a cozy warmth.

When you hire a decorator, we think about ALL the details. Some people furnish their entire home and then never finish it out with the detail.  As you can see from the AFTER photo's above, the details MATTER!

This home was a super exciting reveal, that's for sure!!!

You can watch our video of the before and after below or by clicking here.

Modern Blue and White Family Room

A couple weeks ago we finished up a wonderful family room for a couple that are now empty nesters!

They wanted a bright, cheery space with a modern twist.

The rug was my inspiration and we went from there!  One of the chairs was a chair that the client had and the other was one I purchased that we redesigned and reupholstered.  I love to repurpose furniture and this one has a swivel for easy TV watching!  My husband tells me that I have a love affair with old chairs.  I admitted that he was right!  I LOVE chairs!

Can you believe that this was the chair BEFORE?

AFTER

Crazy transformation, right?

 Guess who got the other chair?

ME!!!!!

BEFORE                                                                                       AFTER

The client purchased the new leather couch and we added everything else in the room.  I love the glass top coffee table and the open geometric design.  With a rug this beautiful, it is crazy to cover it up with a heavy coffee table.

Velvet pillow that I found while in Atlanta about 5 months ago, just for this project!

Before this chair was slipcovered it had huge rounded arms.  It was dated but still good quality .  The client loved how comfortable it was so we  totally transformed it into a modern, comfory chair.  It is so fab!   Not dated anymore!

The client had the artwork and mantel accessories, we just moved them in from another room.  Added lamps and side tables to finish it off!

The newly stained hardwoods look amazing too!

Details, details!

We added this custom artwork to the adjoining kitchen nook.  I took all the fabrics we were working with to an artist and we got creative with what I wanted this grouping to look like.  Mary Howe with Design Inspirations is so talented and these add so much color to the space and marry the two rooms.

I'm in love with their new chandelier aren't you?

Happy weekend!  I'm ready for some down time and plan to sit by the pool a bit with the family!

Turquoise and Gray Piano Room

We just finished up this wonderful piano room for a client.

 To start, we added wood floors and painted the entire space.  The fireplace got a makeover as well.  The client had the two club chairs but we totally transformed them into something more modern by squaring the arms and taking off the skirts.

 The fireplace tile turned out so beautifully!  The artwork was done by a local artist Mary Howe.  We had a consultation together with the fabrics and decided what we thought would look best in the room.  I really love what she created!

I got so excited about these cute glasses boxes that I found to place fun treasures in. The pillows also really made the room come together combined with the fabulous rug that goes so beautifully with the fireplace.

This lucite and silver table is AMAZING!  The velvet turquoise fabric is super soft and the pattern is so eye catching.

The chairs looks so sharp with their new animal print pillow and contrasting piping.

The client had the console table so we incorporated it into the design.  Because it has a black marble top, it can work for a more transitional style.  We just added accessories that made it look sharper, added an ottoman underneath it to complete the layered look.

I absolutely love the ottoman with the rug!

We completed her entry as well with this lovely grouping.

Didn't want it to be too cluttered so this is perfect!

Hope you enjoyed the tour!

I'll post pictures of the other living room we completed that same day next week!

Stay tuned!

Birthday Celebrations

 

This year my birthday fell on Easter Weekend!  It was incredibly awesome to share the weekend with all the celebrations of Easter.

 My husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday this year.  The one thing I really wanted was to be with my good friends around a table.  We thought about a restaurant but I don't like restaurants for parties, you can never really chat with everyone.

  Being that my hubby loves to cook, he recruited our daughters and 2 of their friends to cook for us in our own house.

The weather was perfect so we did it outside by the pool.  It was casual and FUN!  Great music and loads of laughter with 14 of my good friends that I do life with!

We had salad and appetizers and the girls served us all evening.  Even Ava, our doggie, enjoyed the party!

My wonderful, talented friend made these amazing tufted cupcakes.  Aren't they incredible?  They were super delicious too, all decorated in easter colors.

Kimmberly Ramos at http://www.Kimmscakes.com 

It was my husband's birthday about a week before mine.  He turned the BIG 50.  We have some amazing friends that took us out for dinner at a new restaurant in Dallas to celebrate.  If you haven't been there, it is an amazing steakhouse.

"The Knife".  http://www.knifedallas.com/

Bacon Tasting of 5 varieties for the appetizer, so good! Notice I am just sitting nicely while my husband just about stabs me LOL.

For my present, my wonderful handyman husband hung these vintage stained glass lanters for me in our cabana! I've had them in my storeroom for a while now and just didn't have time to do anything with them.  He agreed to hang them for my party!  Best gift ever is one done with LOVE!

Speaking of LOVE.....

17 years ago my husband Dan sold his TR6 because we had babies, I quit working and we needed the money. I remember standing upstairs looking out the window as his car drove away!  It was a sad day but he did it with no hesitation because it was the right thing to do.  He and my dad had totally rebuilt the car and had put loads of hours and lots of memories into it.  I remember thinking to myself as I watched it drive away, "one day, I'm going to buy him a car just like that." This month he turned 50 so I surprised him with a totally refurbished 1974 TR6, just like his old one. He has encouraged me, supported me, and worked hard along side me in my business.  Nothing I give him can ever thank him.  Most of all, he has loved our family so well!  It was a great suprise but I realized, it is not about the car.  It's about the meaning behind it and the memories we created with it.  

Every where we go in the car, we are stopped and someone tells us a story about how they use to have one just like it.

 So Fun!

My birthday was the same thing this year, filled with memories with good friends.  These kinds of memories are priceless!!