Client Project: Farmhouse Before and Afters

We last showed this client farmhouse project here, but now we're back with a few before and afters!  

Special thanks to our awesome client for sending us these updated photos!  

One of the sad (for us) things about doing E-design is that often our projects are too far away for us to "check-in" on or photograph after.  So when clients send us some after shots, it is a real treat, and we thought you guys might want to see too. 

Here's a before/after comparison of the corner of the living room and front entry.  We suggested new paint colors for the walls and cabinets and outfitted the space with a new layout and pieces for the entry. 

This before/after is of the previously "yet to be determined" corner of the great room when we first saw it, our suggested plans and the final result.  Pretty amazing, right?

And here's one more comparison (because we can't get enough) showing the elevation concept we sent to the clients and the finished result.  

Our clients did an amazing job implementing everything, and we loved seeing our designs come to life!

If we can help you transform your space, contact us here or check out our E-Design page for more information. 

the Tale of Two Kitchens

Can you believe September is almost over? It has been a busy month for us. Thought I would share today a project we are currently working on.

Our client is an investor who purchased a modest builder's home in a somewhat conservative neighborhood. With the exception of the master shower, the house has been gutted, so we pretty much have a clean slate to work from.

With an open floor plan, the kitchen will set the tone for the rest of the house. To appeal to a wide group of people, we decided to go with a white kitchen with shaker style cabinets. Here are few images that depict what we had in mind.

In our market granite is still king, so we put together two budget conscious designs, one utilizing granite and another with quartz countertops.

In the first kitchen design, we chose to use a white subway tile for the backsplash. It is both classic and very affordable. To alter the look of the subway tile a bit, we recommended installing it in a herringbone pattern or brick pattern with a contrasting grout. Above the bar we chose a beautiful globe pendant for some eye candy.

*A tip when working with an open floor plan, continue to run the flooring from the great room into the kitchen to make the space appear larger. 

For the second kitchen design, we went with darker flooring and fixtures that were more polished. Again, we used a subway tile but in a dark gray glass. The over all look is a little more elegant than the first.

We may replace the wall color with a tinted white.

Our client liked both kitchens, so he was going to share them with some friends to get a consensus of which one people liked most.

Which kitchen would you go with?

Whether you need full service design or just help selecting a few pieces, we can help. Drop us a line to get started.

Pregnancy Wrap-Up

My weekly bump pic at 37 weeks.

The end of my pregnancy has arrived, and it seems like it both took forever to get here (4 months of sickness will do it to you), yet snuck up so quickly.  It's hard to fathom that any day now we will have not one but TWO daughters.  It's so overwhelming and extremely exciting to think about.

The last couple of weeks I've been scrambling to get things in order, well as much order as can be achieved with a new baby on the way and a toddler at home.  My doctor told me at my 35-week appointment (2 weeks ago) that he expected her arrival between 37-38 weeks.  As you can imagine that sparked a lot of excitement, nerves and anticipation.  I've felt like a kid on Christmas Eve every day...not knowing if the next day will be when our long-awaited "gift" arrives.

The nursery is basically complete (aside from patching and painting a few holes), and I love how it turned out.  It is a far cry from what it was when we first bought the house (faux finish metallic walls and bamboo sticks chair rail). I'll be sure to share more pictures once my fabulous photographer and her wide-angle lens can get in there and truly capture the space.

Photo by Jordan Burch Photography

One of the ways this pregnancy has been different than Auden's is that I've felt better toward the end.  I attribute a lot to that to less weight gain (maybe from chasing a toddler around?) and acid reflux medication (miracle drug!), but I think it also is because I partially know what comes at the end.  The overwhelming swell of your heart when you hear that first cry and get to finally lay your eyes on the little being you've been carrying around for nine months.  The tears of joy that stream down your face when you get to hold them in your arms for the first time.  The knowing that your life will never ever be the same in the best possible way.  It is such a magical experience and makes every back ache, sleepless night and 348, 232nd trip to the bathroom worth it.  

I haven't forgotten that a newborn also brings worry, sleep deprivation or breastfeeding trials, but I know that those things will pale in comparison to the new love we'll feel as our family grows by one.  We can't wait to meet you, baby girl. 

Hello Fashion World

Home retailer Serena and Lily expanded in to the fashion world this year. Fashion has always been a source of inspiration for many designers, so it doesn't come as a big surprise, especially since they started out as a textile company. Just recently they released their fall collection, which did not disappoint.

Comprised of timeless and elegant silhouettes, the collection reads as simple sophistication. Much like a great sofa, their staple pieces appear comfortable and are neutral enough to be layered with accessories to create a statement. 

Many of the design principals found in fashion can be applied to interior design and decorating.

sofa //  throw blanket  // pillows

Martine Cape ($595)

Love all of the capes this season! Doesn't it make you excited for fall?

What are your favorites form the collection?

Client Project- Soothing Master Retreat

One of our recent clients made a move from Charleston, SC back to their home state of Alabama.  Their new home is absolutely stunning, but they felt that their old furnishings weren’t doing the new space justice.  They enlisted our help in their master bedroom where they wanted to create a comfortable retreat but were overwhelmed with never-ending choices.  We were so excited to help them make this space their own!  

Before: The door pictured leads out onto a covered second-story porch.  Dreamy right?

The double doors lead to their gorgeous master bath (with a cooper tub!) and the door to the right of that is the one entering the bedroom. 

Keeping the space neutral with some coastal colors (the clients' favorite) worked in, we added some layers with textures and patterns and chose new furniture to better accommodate the space, adding a seating area in front of the big window wall. 

Here's a before shot of the focal wall in the room:

And here's the "After" elevation of the same wall.  We added long, patterned curtains to accentuate the clients' new woven shades (not pictured above) and tall ceilings and used new layers of bedding, an upholstered bench and neutral rug to soften up all of the wood tones in the room.

Here is the final room plan.  We kept an overall muted palette for a soothing backdrop and added in some blues with artwork, fabrics and accessories.  

Also included were a few styling options for the corner console and dresser.

We were thrilled with the final product and were so excited to receive this response from the client:  

I LOVE it!  Beautiful, beautiful work.  And so professionally presented.  Best of all, I feel like I can take this plan and run with it - I can do it now that I know what I'm looking for!  Thank you both so much for an outstanding job.  I'm thrilled.

That's another one in the books!  If we can help you achieve the room you've always wanted, drop us a line here. 

A nursery's transition to a big girl's room

Hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend.  I thought I would share with you today an e-design we recently completed. 

More times than not, we have clients who want to update the look of a room by purchasing a few new pieces rather than starting from scratch. Our client from South Carolina had a beautiful nursery but her daughter was outgrowing her toddler bed. She asked for our help to transition the nursery into a big girl’s room.   

Our objective was to create a youthful design that her daughter would not out-grow for many years to come. We selected a beautiful canopy bed with contemporary lines and a few supporting pieces to tie-in the look with the existing elements in the room. The nursery’s rocking chair was replaced with a fun hanging chair, in a similar tone to the woven shades that are in the room. At bedtime, the bench at the foot of the bed can be used to place stuffed animals and extra pillows.

Here is a better image of the duvet cover.

As the years go by and the toys get replaced with clothes and accessories, the room's foundation pieces will remain relevant. We hope it becomes a room her daughter will look back on with many fond memories.

If you are interested in refreshing one of your room's, drop us a line. We would love to help.