Friday, January 27, 2012

Kitchen Remodel - Before and After



A kitchen remodel project of mine, done about five years ago. 




Before - dated cabinetry, appliances, tile, counters, and a small island






We painted the cabinets, added new counters in contrasting stones, a new island, appliances, backsplash, and a little detail with the curvy lighting. The flooring remained for cost considerations.






I think my favorite thing we did was replace the standard issue upper cabinet by the sink to something custom built for that narrow space.




I also liked the curtains we did.  She wanted a French country look, so I went with a tone on tone pattern, not too busy, framing the view nicely and making for a cozy eating nook.  No drapes to the floor in the breakfast room here, they would just get in the way too much.

I'm working on some great new projects I can't wait to share soon.  Check out my conference table today.



Work in progress.  (Don't worry, it's not all going in the same room!)  A house with a neutral taupe environment using some strong contrast and bright spots of color. This one is really fun! 

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Dallas Market 2012

I've just been to Dallas to the Home and Gift Market and I was really attracted to the bright colors everywhere. After seeing the red carpet gowns from the Golden Globes, I think clear, bright color is the hot trend this year!

Colorful, one of a kind rugs at Feizy.


















Antique suzanis found at a stall in the Temps.





I wanted this one above so badly! 












Hot colors from Karma Living.





















There's always some great color in the Codarus showroom.

Pine Cone Hill



Vintage patchwork dyed rugs by Mat






 







Artwork from Soicher Marin at Taylor's on Ten.









I learned from a well known designer once that trends in interiors will come from the red carpet.  See what happened last year HERE.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Outlet Shopping and a College Apt.




I went outlet shopping this weekend, looking for some miscellaneous items for photo shoots and a new rug for my daughter's college apartment.  She goes to school in the hill country area of Texas and the San Marcos outlet mall is a rather famous destination.  Shoppers from all over head there for some real deals.  One of the best stores there is the Pottery Barn Outlet, full of furniture and home goods from their stores, PB,  PB Kids, William Sonoma, and West Elm.  You can't go there with anything too particular in mind because you never know what you will find.  Crate and Barrel and Restoration Hardware are there too, but RH's goods always seem to be heavily damaged.  It sort of turns you off from the products there.  Crate and Barrel is more dishes, storage, and misc., not much furniture. 

I scooped up these items for some upcoming photo shoots.




There's always lots of great baskets.



A couple of French chairs for $299 ea.



Zebra printed cowhide rug for $399.



Cashmere throw for $79.  Tangerine Tango???  I had to really resist this one!



Then after digging through the stacks of rugs rolled up in the back, I found this one.



Perfect color and size from West Elm....for $150! 


It looks great in my daughter's apartment, filled with the furnishings from my Showhouse I did last April.  It was a mix of high and low, old and new, in some bright fun colors with a white envelope.  Click HERE for more about some of the specific items. I knew it would transfer well to my daughter so I designed it with her in mind.




The Ikea sofa and vintage coffee table were purchased for the apartment, the rest came from the Showhouse.  Doesn't the rug look great?  We're looking for a deal on a parson's style coffee table.  She gives her furniture lots of abuse so I'm looking for something very durable.  I'm thinking of having it made in laminate!


Her apartment, like most, is completely devoid of color and personality.  The rug really gives it some life.



She has some shelving built-in, but no room for a tv.  We did an Ikea tv stand, kind of matches the built-ins.  She has some of her art projects displayed.  The wicker chair was used on the balcony in my showhouse room.  I bought it at market in Dallas last year.



The desk is actually an old Ikea pine table that my son used in his college apt.  I had it painted and had a glass top cut so she could use it for a desk or a table if she wanted.

(Another art project on the desk!)


The table before.  It actually cost me more to paint it than the table was itself, but then it wouldn't have had the perfect color, would it?




She used the art I had for the Showhouse room all over her apartment.  The three vintage fashion ads in their Target frames look great there on the wall to the bedroom.  We amped up some storage in her little kitchen with a Target storage cart.  Gee that was tedious to put together. She did it all herself.



She was able to use the dresser and tackboard in the bedroom.



The bed and leaning mirror all worked in the bedroom.  A turquoise paint color on two walls would be great in here.  If she stays in the apt. next year, she might do it.  She would have to paint it back when she left.



We changed from the white duvet cover to a subtle pattern for this apartment.  It is easier for her to keep it looking nice.  She loves the bed!



The bed, furniture painting (I took the wood pieces to a professional finisher), and custom pillows were the "high" part of the project. Everything else was from Ikea, Target, outlet stores, flea markets and antique shops. Now if I can just see the rug when I go back to visit, underneath the clothes and art projects!


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