Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Project Reveal

Some projects have one element of design that takes charge and is the boss of the project.  In other words, where every decision you make about the design is based on featuring and applying one chosen element to that decision.  That element with this project was texture.

It was really the driving force behind all the material selections, the way the materials were combined, and something we indeed wanted to feature.  It was something we revisited with the design of every room....how does texture play a part in this space?  

After - Kitchen

Some of my photos are complete on this remodel project.  I still have another photo day to schedule in, but I thought I'd share a few of the areas today.  I've got before and afters of the kitchen and family room. 

Before - Kitchen

I shared a bit about this project HERE in a previous post.  The homeowner had all of the furnishings, art, rugs, etc. and I was challenged to remodel the home to feature all of her wonderful things and show them off in their best light.  She wanted the same warm, comfortable feel that many of her antiques and collected pieces possessed.  As an artist, working in textile and jewelry design, she has quite an eye for detail and most of her things had been acquired while living overseas in Pakistan and Kazakstan.  She has collected the things she loves..... antique textiles, beadwork, woven tapestries, and rugs.  The items this homeowner had were all about texture.

The house was built in the early 90's and the whole thing was mauve, paint, tile, counters, exterior, everything, except for the cabinets which had turned orange over the years.  She definitely wanted a warmer, more rustic feel.  New wood floors throughout warmed up the space as did the warm white paint color that was used on everything, walls, ceiling, mouldings, and cabinetry.  I wanted a gallery-like backdrop for her colorful, textural pieces and the wood floor grounded everything.

After - Kitchen

The kitchen was very dated, with an oddly shaped island. I wanted to get rid of the raised bar counter. It served to divide the kitchen and felt like one side was a corridor and the other the kitchen. With the island at one level, it encourages everyone to come to the center "table". We kept the perimeter cabinets and painted them the color of the envelope to minimize them and draw attention to the new, beautiful wood island.  The antiqued limestone counter on the island has an interesting texture with fossils and shells embedded and just feels wonderful to the touch.  Those slabs came from MCA in Houston and they are called coral reef. The bone limestone backsplash, material also from MCA, blends with the envelope and repeats the material.  I love the way the Visual Comfort Goodman hanging lamps punctuate the light colored space with their simple shape.  We purchased those through Circa in Houston. The Rohl faucets add so much to the kitchen too.  They're in the Tuscan brass finish, a living finish, that will age over time.  Again, some visual texture.  


After - Kitchen


Before - Kitchen island


Before - Island

It was definitely time to remodel.  Could the finishes be any more dated??


After - Family Room

This is the family room, beyond the kitchen.  You can really see her collections here. That suzani tapestry is an antique and she's had it for years.  She didn't do this because it was trendy!

We continued all the finishes in to this space and ripped out the old entertainment center built-in.  I felt it needed the richness and texture of the wood here, so the floor material came up on the wall and provided a stopping place for your eye.  The wood grille panels in the cabinet doors were custom made to repeat some of the texture in the room.


Family Room Entertainment Center


Before - Family Room

Check out the grillework on the cabinet doors below.  Great for airflow to the equipment inside and adds so much interest to the large built-in cabinet.


 cabinetry under construction

The counterstools were custom made, really the only new furniture item.  See the worn, textural, comfortable feel they have?  



I'll save the living room and master bath for another post.  The homeowner has a couple of cats that we did not ignore. You should see the special place we made for them! 

One of the most important ways to get continuity in a project is to have that single purpose, style, goal, element always at the crux of your decision making.  When you wander off, distracted by something new and pretty.....revisit that purpose.  It will steer you in the right direction every time. 

All after photos by Miro Dvorscak

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

what a gorgeous transformation...really brought the home into this century...classic yet stylish...love the two different color kitchen cabinets, the painted and stained...adds more interest and depth...and the family room is amazing with it's ethnic accents and relaxed vibe..
fabulous Carla,
best,
maureen

Splendid Sass said...

Carla-
You did a fabulous job! I love how you are able to use her beautiful things.
Can't wait to see the rest.
Teresa
xoxo

annie@mostlovelythings said...

Always love to see before and after...these are both great! love the counter stools.

Deb's mind said...

Absolutely stunning are the words that I kept saying to myself as I looked at all the images. Congratulations on a FABULOUS design. I love of the finishes and that counter in the kitchen is simply sublime!!! I love the wall hangings in the kitchen and family room. All I can say is WOWZERS!!!! xoxooxox :)

Jessie said...

What a gorgeous transformation! Love the kitchen and living room makeover.

You did a beautiful job, Carla!

Jessie
www.mixandchic.com

Taylor Greenwalt said...

Carla, you did a fantastic job. The transformation looks amazing. Your clients must be so happy. I am loving the red rug with the white furniture. Have you been noticing that more? Maybe it is me, but I am loving a little color with white furniture.

Kitchen Design said...

I really like your kitchen.......

Mary Ann Pickett said...

Your vision was/is fabulous. Love what you did with the island...and the lighting fixtures. Amazing how much the floors improve the space,

WAY TO GO, CARLA!

Ann said...

Oh what beautiful transformations...

I love the many storage in the

kitchen. Actually I love everything

about the kitchen.

Kellie Collis said...

What a gorgeous kitchen it has turned into! I love that view from the kitchen sink. Enjoy the beautiful day, Kellie xx

Sherful said...

Lovely work! I love the use of wood in the space. What a wonderful project, so rich with texture and color.

Kifus said...

Wow, well done Carla, you turned it into a fabulous kitchen! Love the huge island, and the wood floor makes it so warm. Thanks for sharing and hope to see the rest soon!

Dumbwit Tellher said...

Carla you transformed that kitchen is a magnificent way. I am a huge fan of setting the island apart from the rest of the cabinetry. Now a warm, casual, absolutely gorgeous place to spend time in. Bravo!!

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm excited to be spending it with my family in Seattle!! Send some Texan sunshine north pretty please.

All my best to you,

Deb

quintessence said...

What a fabulous job you did, especially with such awkward spaces!! Love the pendants and the stools!!

SHERRY HART said...

It was definitely time for an update and that kitchen is fantastic. Love the elements that you used to make it more functional and beautiful at the same time. I am sure she is thrilled with the results.

Princess Kate said...

Love everything about it. Thanks for sharing.

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