It's My Turn!!!!!!!!!

Designers are definitely the cobbler’s kids.  We beautify the world but when it comes to our own spaces there is not much left in the creative savings account.  This year I hired myself to makeover a few rooms.

I started with the dining room. I have to come clean, we NEVER use this space.  I designed a curvy custom booth in metallic blue green leather and nail head detailing to give it a trendy restaurant appeal.  The walls were painted aqua and then given a bronze metallic glaze for depth.  I stamped the walls and added some bling for effect. I love how it turned out and we have actually starting using it more.

Our formal living room has become a library/music room.  At any given time there is someone reading on the couch while another is trying to form the new Jonas Brothers.  Amps and guitars usually fill the space.  I wanted this room to have a whimsical feel while also giving a nod to the library aspect.  I went with a tree and poem wall that I think rocks the space.  This Robert Frost poem has always been a favorite and it now serves as a reminder to take the road less traveled (I have definitely always taken the scenic route). 

Master Bedrooms are always last on most of my client’s design to do lists. I definitely advise against this.  But, I’m a “do as I say and not as I do” kind of gal.  The master suite was not really on my radar for this project go-round.  But, it somehow made the cut.  We painted the walls a pewter metallic with a swirl design.  We added pops of orange with the vintage sofa, bedding and art. 



Creative people need creative spaces.  For my office, we went with a large stripe on the walls with a dark aqua and candle light metallic paint combination.  The desk was made from my dads old workshop table (I love this touch).  I finally got a chandelier in my office along with all of my favorite books and pictures surrounding me.  No excuses now…I better get the design whip crackin!





I finally got my turn!!!!!  And, I would definitely recommend my designer…she was great!

Fabulous, Fancy and Four!!

I LOVE the books about Fancy Nancy and all of her fabulous fancy exploits.  She is always looking for a way to bling out her room, dog or sister and I have to say I think she's just cool.  My favorite part of this mini stylista is her fancy lingo...like "ooo la la". So, when our smallest new client said she wanted a room fit for Fancy Nancy, I was soooo ecstatic (that's a fancy word for happy).  

We painted her walls a fancy green with extra large flowers.  Made a custom bed with gorgeous curvy lines and added the uber fancy details, ala Cheap Thrills Decor.

Her bath suite also got the royal treatment with painted tiaras and French vocabulary painted right on the walls.  We added a little bedazzling for added poshness. "ooo la la" painted right above the potty is well  ooo la la!

Her play room is absolutely sublime with lilac walls, embellished window 

treatments (painted) and wall decor fit for only the fanciest girl in the land!  Nancy has nothing on this girl!!

Wild With Style

Sometimes you just have to hear the call of the wild...especially if you are a tween looking for a wild new room. We had a grrrreat time helping Jadyn go from a little girl space to a room fit for the queen of the jungle.

Metallic blue walls and a custom zebra wall

We started with Metallic blue walls and a custom painted zebra wall.  The zebra is black gloss and candlelight white metallic. We added a custom high gloss tufted black leather headboard for heightened drama.  The look was finished with custom bedding.

Clean Up Your Act

Who says that laundry rooms has to be boring??  The land of the lost socks and stinky football gear (at least in my house!) needs love too.  If you dread this room like the Swine Flu then your clothes aren't the only thing that needs s fresh start.  Wash that blah right out of your room!!

Start with the walls.   Unless you plan to entertain in your laundry room then casual, whimsical and fun is the direction.  Pick a color that makes your smile for the walls.  Neutrals are not allowed.  You can also go with a pattern, wallpaper or chalk paint.  The key is to make this a room that you love to be in.

Hang things on the walls that make you happy.  Ornate frames with children's art tacked inside are great for laundry rooms.  I love the picture my daughter drew of us riding giraffes.  It's hard not to smile while riding a giraffe.  I also like the idea of vacation pictures, childhood black and white pictures or even framed book pages from your favorite novel.

Make sure there is a place for everything.  I am definitely not the most organized person, but I love baskets and bins -- they make me FEEL like I am sorting my life out.

Clean up your act - and while you’re at it give your self some scenery while airing your dirty laundry.

Here Come the Storm Troopers.....

Waz Up?


So when I meet with a new client, we usually go over their favorite colors, style, interests, etc.  I like to interview my clients (sometimes I hold them down and shine a flashlight in their eyes if I really like them).


The first time I met Caleb he said, “I Like Xbox, Legos, Star Wars, Indiana Jones and I just learned to ride a bike.”  I said, “Ok give me something hard…”  Seriously, trying to combine all of the varied interests of an active 10-year-old can be complicated to put it mildly.  Caleb, his mom, Denise, and I devised a plan to make it all work together. Ready, Break!
 

We started with metallic silver walls and added custom grafitti.  It incorporates all of his interests now while giving him room to grow.  My favorite part is the Storm Trooper riding the bike.  I seriously think it's genius!


 

We built a platform bed with drawers underneath for storage and added an upholstered headboard.  I combined several metallic and patterned fabrics  so that it has plenty of modern attitude. The bed also has a custom fitted coverlet and metallic black pleather euro shams.


We added touches of red and black with the trim and desk area (also his fav).  The lighting is a Euro shaded track light.  Think modern disco. His bathroom went red too with a special treatment above the potty area.   Does it get better than that??


 

I Love Camp!

Summer!!  Break out the slip and slide and the popsicles.

 

It’s also time for camp for many kids and you know what that means?  Surprise projects.  Every year we get a couple “Camp Makeovers”.  These amazing parents think, “while the kids are away, the parents will play…in their room!” 

This year, Harrison’s mom called to say he needed some updating.  This cool teen wanted a more rocking vibes for his space and mom wanted to deliver while he was at band camp. Where to start??  The ceiling!! We painted his ceiling a flashy silver metallic and then painted dueling electric guitars with flames (nothing says rock star like flames). 

 

 

We also painted his existing loft bed black (dad made it) and made a bench with cubby storage below. We will call this “Jam Central”.  We also added a custom corner desk. We had custom graphic bedding made.  I love it because it has flaming guitars and CDs.  We used his existing guitar collection as décor.  The coolest touch to this room is the canvas we made as a special tribute to his band.  His band is called “Emergency Release” and they got that name while riding the bus home from school (can’t you just picture them saying, “What should we call the band?” ….and then seeing the sign at the back of the bus and saying , “Emergency Release”

 

The room turned out totally rad and as a bonus we added some special touches to his sister’s room too!

 

Rip Van Winkle lives here!

Have you ever been in a home that feels sooo 10 years ago?  I see many homes that just need a nudge (or giant push) getting out of their time warp.  I feel like the Wonder Woman of design when I get a house like this. 

Staying current is especially important if you are thinking about selling your home.  Every home has wear and tear, but some are just not ready for “Prime Time”.  If you’re getting ready to sell your love shack, you should know the competition is stiff.  (I hear the Rocky theme running through my head)  

Buyers, especially these days, are looking for homes that have “move-in” ready appeal.  Most people don’t get excited about the prospect of moving to a new home and then undertaking the remodeling process. Who wants to move and then re-do?

For your home to pass muster you should plan on some updating to get it ready to beat the opposition.  "BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!", she screams.

We repainted all of the walls in the home to give it a fresh start.  The furniture was rearranged for a sense of openness and clutter packed away.  All hardware, door knobs and lighting were updated. This home is now ready to go toe to toe with new homes and WOW potential buyers.

I can take a huge sigh of relief that another home has been saved!

(.....as my cape billows in the wind)

Now you see it, Now you don't!

Have you ever had THAT room that is a part-time guest room but also part-time "just for me space?"  The bed always gets in the way of this love triangle.  How can you possibly spread out and follow your artistic dreams with the bed in the way??  But, where will Nana sleep when she visits? OyVey!

I've got you covered!  Murphy beds are a great space-saver.  They help rooms serve double duty.  They fold up so that you can enjoy that extra space in your home and fold down when company is coming.
Murphy beds are also super cool for kids' rooms. Check out the room below. By day it's a basketball court and by night a bedroom.  Think 007 but sporty!

























They can be twin, full or queen and the facade can resemble an armoire, lockers or wall art. Take your part-time rooms to full-time hip with a Murphy bed.

They say design is in the details and welll..."they" are right!  Great rooms are made with finishing touches.  One of the coolest new details involves pattern...stenciling. 

Stenciling is a great way to add drama to the backs of cabinets or walls.  Raised stencils up the ante even more.  Check out our pictures below for ideas on how to add shock and awe to your spaces through pattern.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Sporting a new design!

We hit a home run with this room with baseball twist.  We made a custom replica of a vintage Fenway Park sign and added the perfect touches of memorabilia to have any toddler singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame!"

Branching out....

I've got a fever for Trees...Spring fever. 

Trees can be a great design element.  They are a cool way to bring the outside indoors.  A tree can be used in adult spaces and kids spaces with multiple embellishment options (AKA bling).

Add pictures frames for a "family" tree or butterflies and fairies for a "princess tree".  The point is to branch out it a new design direction.

No Kidding....

This room needed a serious time out for transformation.  It went from cluttered playroom to a cool media room.  The custom arches and shutters allow completeprivacy from other rooms while also giving the space a hip factor.  We added a snack bar for even more functionality....Who wants popcorn?

"After"

Give Me Space!!!

When I was a little girl, my mom and I bonded by re-decorating my room. It was a blast because, with my mom, nothing was really off limits.  (she was a cool mom) 

Kids are fearless decorators who gravitate to bold color and wild accessories. They don’t know “the rules”, so there are no limits to their boundless imaginations.  They sometimes think so far out of the box that you may have to rein them in a bit. 

A savvy teen client adamantly wanted orange and green walls in his room.  His mom didn’t really think the scheme jived and asked him where he had seen those colors together. “Duh! A Gatorade bottle,” he said.  Inspiration is everywhere especially if you're open to it ! His room was awesome. Gatorade green walls with vibrant orange rectangles – very geometric and hip. Just goes to show maybe we just need to give kids their spaces. I'm throwing all my design mags out and looking for design inspirtation in the drink cooler at 7-11.