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!"