A Designers Home: Designing for Our New Nest

My husband and I have been renting for the last few years and this year finally were ready to buy our first home. Hooray! Now this is a very exciting time in our lives, but home ownership comes with different priorities than a rental. Since I am an Interior Designer my focus for the house is, well, a showcase of my work. A place for me to experiment and do "crazy" things throughout the home and make it reflect us and our lifestyle. We are young, outgoing, social and are up for trying new things! So our house should and is going to reflect that. My husband, well he is an engineer, so you can see how we balance each others ideas when deciding what order to do things in the house are. We are both problem solvers and we love that. So solving our homes problems is what we are going to do.  

Now to give you a little background on the home, its a one-story brick, built in 1958, three bedroom, 1 &1/2 bath, two-car garage. Nice little yard for our dog and our future herb garden(already planted some spinach and kale). Now think of the 1950's, its one of my favorite as far as architecture, our house is still mostly traditional looking from the street, but we have lots of plans to make it more modern and well reflect is without changing the architecture too much. I want everything we do to be a surprise, so when we complete a project that is when I will show you before and afters, for now use your imagination! :) Starting from the curb, brick front is always a great place to start and ours is a mix of orange and light grey brick, almost like a white wash in some areas, currently the garage doors, shutters and siding are a light blue, typical of the 50's for sure. That will be change when we get new garage doors, we are looking at doing a fresh light/medium grey (Sherwin Williams - 7044 Amazing Gray) and doing the door and window trim a fresh white (Sherwin Williams - 7004 Snowbound). These color changes will make a huge difference in the homes curb appeal. To finish off the front we will do our new 50's inspired front door in bold turquoise (Sherwin Williams - 6951 Cote D' Azur), large stainless steel house numbers, a new vintage modern entry light and we currently have round columns, we will convert these to square ones finished in white. 

 Something kind of like this!

Now that you are excited to come inside, let's talk about our plans for the first room you see, the living room. The first we are going to do its paint the walls (Sherwin Williams - 6471 Hazel) This color is in our drapes we selected from IKEA(yes we have to keep costs low in some areas in order to be able to splurge in others) I loved the pattern so that's why we went with them. Now another surface that has to be addressed in the flooring, we are going to do solid tiger striped bamboo throughout the entire home minus the bathrooms. Now the floors and walls have been addressed in the living room, the layout is ideal for tv watching and leaves a good flow path to the dining and kitchen areas, as well as the hall to the bedrooms. There is a small coat closet that is preventing a more open floor plan and we plan to take that out so we have a 8' opening between the dining and living areas, this will make it ideal for entertaining and overall open feeling throughout the house. After that, furniture and accessories will come in, our style is what i would call, vintage modern rustic industrial. A mouthful I know, but we love natural woods, industrial pipe, clean lines, with a touch of history(vintage). Moving on to the dining area, oh the 50's full of colors we may not select today, but currently the floor is a medallion, gold colored vinyl tile, not our favorite but that will be replaced with the bamboo flooring. Now sometime between the 50's and now the dining area got some wood paneling installed(which is currently painted yellow). Sorry for those of you who love it but it has got to go! It will be replaced by new drywall and fresh paint (most likely Sherwin Williams - 7065 Argos), we have turquoise chevron drapery panels that will go on the sliding doors out to the patio. And a bold gray and turquoise area rug will sit under our new dining table, which we are going to make out of reclaimed wood with a metal and wood double pedestal base. As far chairs, we will be using clear acrylic chairs so the beauty of the table is seen and not blocked by chairs. We have a 50's walnut sideboard that will act as our bar area for entertaining and wall shelves above for bottles and glasses. A new chandelier will go above the table, we love urban chandy and previously had a chandelier made by them, but we moved and are in need of a different size.  Moving into the kitchen, for those of you who know me, I take pride in making a kitchen as efficient as possible, no need for a giant kitchen, you just need the right layout and fittings for your cabinets. A black wood grain cabinet finish will be used and fitted with modern chrome handles, the counter will be a light gray Cesar stone(similar to silestone but more monochromatic colors.  As for a sink, we cook A LOT, so the kitchen is very important, but back the sink, now most people would go with a stainless steel sink but we wanted to do a black granite composite single basin sink. This allows us to clean big pots and we have had double basin sinks and they don't seem to work for us. For the faucet, we are going to use a professional kitchen faucet, this will make it easy to clean, wash, and look great while doing it. 

Like this!

Moving on to the private spaces, the hall bath is pretty in pink tiles right now but we will soon change that to some grey, more modern tiles with stark white and black accents. A 5' vanity will be great with a large mirrored medicine cabinet over the sink with plenty of storage. new lighting and a new tile tub surround all the way to the ceiling. The other bathroom needs a little more attention, currently it is a half bath attached to the master bedroom. Back in the 50's this was common for some reason, but lucky for us we have space in the closet to make another full bathroom. Yay! We will have a frame-less shower with the flooring the same throughout, a trough sink so two people can get ready at the same time. We are going to do hex floor tiles(a little vintage for the new bath) and simple subway tiles. A few shower cubbies done in an accent tile and a rain shower-head. Going to be a great open bathroom perfect for two people to use. Since the master bathroom is taking the closet, we will be adding a wall-to-wall floor to ceiling built-in wardrobe on one wall of the room, with all the interior fittings we need to make it as efficient as possible. The guest bedroom will be crisp, clean and inviting for our guests, that will be a big surprise for everyone! Now I have to have a home office, this is my creative space. A place were I ponder ideas for my upcoming projects and dream of new innovative ways to design. So this too will be a creative, unique surprise, and it will definitely be awesome!

So those are the plans! There will be more to come as we complete these projects! Stay tuned and I hope you are inspired to work on finishing your home! 

If you have a project in mind but just don't know where to start, we can help! Contact us! 

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Project: A Place Fit for a Queen

I recently finished a project where my client wanted to use her favorite color, purple. Being a designer can have it's challenges, such as designing with a new color or creating an overall look or style that you have yet to do before. Designing high rise lofts has become a favorite for me and every time I get the chance to design them I have a blast! With my most recent project that was the case and we were going to design with a color that we don't use very often. For this project, my client a cheerful, easy-going lady who wanted her home to be show stopping. Incorporating her love for purple, making each space have a wow factor was important. She wanted something unique, functional and stunning. Here are some photos of the finished spaces and I want to share them with you! Enjoy!

 We wanted the bedroom to have a little femininity to it but nothing over the top. A soft ivory linen, tufted headboard was a great place to start and to make the bed more of a focal point we used a warm grey paint as the accent wall. This made for a nice backdrop for the white and purple painting. 

 A chandelier is always a must for a queen's bedroom, with the 10' ceilings this allowed us to use a decent size chandelier without being too large for the space.

 When the sun goes down there is light to be need at night. We used small mercury glass lamps on the bedside chests for soft lighting in the bedroom. The chests were a must for this smaller room to give our client enough storage and to keep her organized.

 While we kept  most of the room neutral, we wanted to bedding to be the pop of color we need. Solid in color but heavy in texture gives the bed that inviting feel while also mimicking the tufted headboard.

 Crisp and clean lines make this room feel relaxing even with the bold purple bedding.

 Client requested a good amount of pillows and so that is what we gave her, a hotel looking bed with plenty of pillows.

 The views in this place are amazing so we opted for no window treatments to allow the views to be a focus. Minimal furniture in this space to allow traffic to flow from room to room. We used the same grey paint from the bedroom in the living room and it works perfectly with the charcoal sofa.

We did a personal photo wall in the entry. I love giving clients something that makes there place reflect them even more. We mounted large black and white photos on gold paper and framed in a simple, clean black frames. Gold was an accent we use a little in each space but since the hallway need a little more interest, we decided to use in as the backdrop for the photos.

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Meaning Behind the Color: Turquoise

When selecting colors in design for a particular space we need to think in ways that reflect us as individuals as well as what the space is being used for. A quick example, red is used in dining rooms for a sense of appetite as well as in a bedroom for romance. This brings us to one of my favorite colors, turquoise! I did a little research to find out why I love this color so much and came up with some interesting information that I would like to share with you!  Turquoise represents open communication from and between the heart and the spoken word. It relates to the electronic age and the world of computers, and communication on a large scale. Also, it is the mid color between the extremes of red and violet, turquoise is the color of balance, for the emotions, thoughts and speech. Turquoise is also representing self-sufficiency and has the ability to tune into its own needs and find the way to success.  Turquoise also enhances the ability to focus and concentrate, assisting with clear thinking and decision-making, and the development of good organizational skills. Lastly one of my favorites,  it is calming yet invigorating, restoring depleted energies. Now the amount used in key, too much and it can create an emotional imbalance, too little and it can lead to secrecy, lack of direction in one's life.  Now that you know a little more about this great color, here are some spaces I think represent a healthy amount of turquoise! Enjoy!

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DIY Decor Ideas: Easier Than You Think

If you are the creative type, like me, you sometimes want to create your own piece of furniture instead of buying one. Nice quality furniture can get pricy and usually you feel obligated to keep it for a long time because you invested so much into it. Well not every piece has to be like that, you can mix old and new, inexpensive and expensive and even store bought and DIY furniture. I have built a few piece over the years for my own home and have started to incorporate piece I make into a few on my client's homes. Some are simple, just a little sanding and some paint, others take a little more planning. If you have never challenged yourself to make a piece of furniture you should try, you will be surprised at what you can do. Take a look at some of these examples and enjoy!

Is your bed all lonely with no headboard? Well for about $100 you can make a custom one! Easy to do any doesn't take up too much time!

 One of my favorites, the penny floor. Now this is time consuming but it is a less expensive option t a traditional tile floor. I am still collecting pennies for our bathroom!

 

Palettes have become a popular item for many home decor ideas. some make headboards, a wood wall, table or how about a shelf!

I recently stumbled on these planters made form concrete pavers....OMG it is going on the list of projects for the house. Don't worry, as each of our rooms are completed I will share them with you! :)

Last but not least, these are the tables we made over the weekend for a project. Made fromindustrial pipe from Home Depot and some wood we stained in a walnut finish. We are pretty pleased with the way these turned out! Maybe we will have to make more!

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All-American Hotdog: Happy 4th of July!!

Yes, it is national hotdog month, but lets remember what this day is about. Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Thanks Wiki! But in all seriousness it is about remember how we as a nation got to where we are today. But with that being said, enjoy the time with family and friends, BBQ-ing, hanging by the pool or eating some hotdogs and here are so ideas for making your celebration that much better! Happy Independence Day! Enjoy!

 Change up that dusty mantle with some festive decorations.

 Make you front porch standout and stand up for America!

 

 

 

 Having a party, and happen to have a gazebo? Dress it up a little to make it feel special and part of the festivities.

 Can't stand the heat outside? (Here in Houston it is supposed to be pretty hot this 4th)Take the party inside and class up those glass jars you may use for other holidays. Sure Independence Day is usually a casual time but who says it can't have shiny things!

 

 

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The Hidden Gems: Mid-Century Modern Bathrooms

I have always had a love for mid-century homes. I think they go back to a simpler time where not everyone have a 3000+sq ft home, where small and efficient were normal. Now for some of the older generation they may not prefer this type of home because that is what they grew up in as a child but for us in our 20s and 30s we tend to gravitate towards smaller more functional homes. In the 50's most home had one bathroom, maybe two, but they weren't large how we see newer homes master bathrooms. This was purely a functional space that lacked extra room. There is not anything wrong with small, but when it comes to renovations its about effective storage, function and flow in a bathroom. That small only bath in your mid-century home can work for you better than you may think. With help from a designer and a list of what you need in that space can make all the difference in modernizing a 50+ year old bathroom. These are some good ideas for the spatially challenged bathrooms in older homes. Enjoy!

 This bathroom has kept the same look of a mid-century bathroom but with a few modern touches like new faucets, toilet and a simple blue vanity with crystal pulls.  Clean lines and simple materials can be beautiful.

 This bathroom features wood floor, which isn't typical for a bathroom but they have done a great job with the rest of the selections. A wall-mounted trough sink and simple 4x4 inch tiles set in a brick pattern add to the vintage style of the bathroom. A little color never hurt anything.

 Black, white with a little red chair!  Classic floor tiles and a claw-foot tub with a little facelift and a few new pieces make this bathroom feel like new.  Wallpaper seems to be making a comeback.

 Oversized hex floor tiles give a classic tile a more modern feel. The streamline sink with attached towel rack take up little room in this small bathroom to allow the feeling of space to be present.

 Storage can be hard to find in a small older bathroom. When renovating your bathroom thin vertically. There most likely is free wall space that can be utilized for shelving or cabinets.

Yellow might not be for everyone but it can be the center of attention if you want it to be. How do you make such a bright selection go with other choices? Well keep it simple. white subway tiles, neutral color vanity and one metal choice, like in the bathroom they went with a polished chrome.

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Mirror, Mirror on the...

Ah the mirror, so many uses, yet you don't want to cover every surface with it right? In today's design world mirror furniture, accessories and tile are bring made of, you guessed it, mirror!  You love the way it makes a small space feel larger, a dark room feel brighter, and is great for getting ready in the bathroom. Although, it seems like an easy to use material, it can be tricky to know just where and how much to use in a room. Don't worry, I am here to help! Here are a few examples of how to tastefully use mirror and integrate it into an existing design or if you are doing a remodel how to use just the right amount. Enjoy!

A mirror backsplash is a great way to introduce a nice reflective surface in a kitchen. This particular one is a irregular mosaic tile, that allows light to bounce around under the cabinets instead of a place you would look at yourself.

Parsons tables are always a popular table style, but what happens when you cover it in mirror? It looks that much better! This is a less "permanent" way to bring mirror into a space.

 

 The closet, a place were most people need a mirror. Instead of buying one of the slim cheap ones from your local hardware store, think about integration. If it is something that will make you everyday life a little easier, why wouldn't you do it! Closed storage with mirror doors, functional and looks great too!

 Do you just want to try in out for a little? To see if you like it? Small accessories, such as a tray, is a great way to introduce this wonderful material. After some time, if you decide it's not for you, at least you didn't invest a lot into it! :)

 The wall mirror is what started this whole movement! How about a really interesting wall mirror? One that says "hey I'm not just a mirror, I'm a piece of art too". Try to get creative with it, think outside the square, rectangle or circle, irregular shapes can add interest and still give you the functionality that you need.

The bathroom mirror, pretty much every bathroom has one, and if it doesn't something is wrong! Think about not only the mirror above the sink, but introducing a full length mirror as well. This is another place in the home that it will come in handy while getting ready.

 And for all of you who had homes built in the 70's probably had a mirror somewhere in there, it's ok, you can leave it now that mirror is back in style. Can you imagine this dining room without the mirror? Would probably look much smaller.

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Design Tip: Adding Accent Colors to a Neutral Palette

Color is a difficult thing for many people when designing a space. They know what they like just maybe not the right shade or don't know how much to use.  It is your home, so do what makes you happy but for those of you who don't know exactly how to pull together a space with what makes you happy, here are some pointers! Enjoy!

 Let there be one dominate accent color. Lots of blue on the wall and a single object in red.

 Don't want too much color? Try a neutral palette with a few pieces in a bright colors. Also this makes it easy to change your color scheme when you feel the need.

Bright white is always a great choice when adding really bold colors in a room. It lets the accents speak up. 

 Want to use more than two colors? Of course you can!  Make sure they have enough contrast and are given a neutral background.

Bold wallpaper is always a great way to introduce a color. Make sure to leave the rest of the room neutral enough so the wallpaper is the focus and nothing will compete with it.

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Lake House Laundry Room Renovation -Before,During,After

One of our most recent projects was redesigning a functional laundry room for one of my favorite repeat clients. Their home is beautiful and has plenty of space but lacked the storage and functionality in a space they used frequently. After several years living with a laundry room that was missing usable storage they finally decided they had enough and it was time for an over-haul.  Now in a room, such as a laundry room,  function is everything. Thinking about how they move in the space and what order they do things; this made them really think about the layout and that is where I came in. 

Here is the project- Before, During and After:

For starters, there is only one little wall cabinet. That is it for storage! And the swing door limited what you could do with the wall on the right.

 For some reason the water supply and outlets were not in ideal locations. So they needed a little reworking for the new layout. Also with lack of storage, items that usually would be out of sight were just sitting on the floor.

 In reaction to not having enough storage, my clients used this make-shift storage shelf be their means to store household items. Brooms and mops just hung out next to it.

 The swing door prevented precious wall space from being utilized, so we had to change that!

Construction begins by moving the plumbing and electrical to the left wall and removing the wall cabinet.

 Then the old tube florescent light fixture is replaced with two recessed cans.

 Once all the behind the walls are done we framed out the new pocket door and relocated the light switches to the outside for easy access. This pocket door has allowed us the maximize the cabinetry in this 5'x8' room. Giving us 10' span of cabinets for plenty of storage.

Cabinet installation begins! These are 8' tall and they are full of storage space inside!

 Ta Da! Tall 24" deep cabinets on either side of the washer and dryer, one with pull out drawers and the other to hold a hamper and other laundry items. A cabinet above for less used items.

 On the other 5' wall we did 12" deep cabinets for smaller, frequently used items and left a space on the floor for the dog crate and have a hanging rod for drying clothes. This wall used to be where the swing door sat when door was open, now much more functional with lots of storage!

 

Finished the white cabinets off with hand finished brushed nickel hardware. 

 The pocket door made this room!

 As you can see, yes this room is only 5' wide and we utilized as much space as we could. With 10' ceilings this means think vertical storage, and that is just what we did!

If you have a project in mind but just don't know where to start, we can help! Contact us! 

 

 

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