Tiny Kitchen Remodel
I started pecking away at Alec’s bachelor pad about 10 months after we started dating (I had a hunch I’d eventually be living there ), and now two and a half years later every room has received an update…
I started pecking away at Alec’s bachelor pad about 10 months after we started dating (I had a hunch I’d eventually be living there ), and now two and a half years later every room has received an update. One of the more recent projects was a complete kitchen renovation with a goal of creating more storage and efficient use of space without changing the main footprint. It took about a year to complete (we JUST got the dishwasher about a month ago) and we both couldn’t be happier! A little mid century vibe that complements our American of Martinsville dining set in the adjoining dining room acquired from Mid Century Morris. A terrazzo tile floor by Riad Tile, mixed metals throughout (bronze hardware, brushed brass lighting and a chrome faucet by Moen all share this same little space), earthy gray quartz countertops and backsplash, a matching tone Blanco Silgranit sink and warm cherry slab style cabinetry by Home Crest all came together just beautifully. It’s different from what you may typically see, but that was precisely the goal.
An Overnight Re-Design, Literally.
I recently flew down to Mobile, Alabama to visit one of my best friends, and, of course, do some design work! She had recently moved from Minneapolis to Alabama and wanted help designing achieving a “cowboy chic” look in her new bungalow. Her existing leather sofa and gray Aztec-style rug were our starting points. After I arrived, I walked around her house to get to know the space and flow, and scribbled down a furniture layout a couple of hours later. The next day, off we went! We hit some estate sales, antique shops and furniture stores and came home with a mixture of vintage and new finds to incorporate into her main living space. We found several key pieces at Antiques At The Loop (a MUST-visit!) including the teak credenza, brass and wood wall shelf, the distressed wood television console, mid-century campaign chest and the fabulous geometric pair of lamps. The pair of greyhound prints came from an estate sale and the rest came from various furniture shops in the area.
My friend originally had the sofa and television in the room right as you walk in the front door of this L-shape living room, where the fireplace is located. Since the fireplace did not work and there was not an ideal space for the television, I moved the sofa and television to the other end of the room, which, though smaller, provided a cozier space to cuddle up for a movie and a perfect wall to mount a TV. The fireplace corner now houses that teak credenza for storage and eye-catching art work and the opposite end of this space (which has great light!) will be the dining area.
This space totally reflects the personality of its owner and came to life in just 24 hours. What a fun little weekend and some GREAT before and afters!
A Man’s Transition from His 20’s to His 30’s
This paneled pine room originally had a custom-built bar as its central focal point. By central, I mean it took up the whole room! A fine idea, it seemed, to the 25 year old man who dreamed of hosting social gatherings huddled around this manly masterpiece. By the time his early 30’s came around, this room had not been used in a handful of years. Gone were the days of endless Bud Light cases and rowdy late-night gatherings.
It seemed time, then, to update the space and make it usable again. Dubbed “the bar room”, we removed the over-scaled bar, and turned a small, 3’ deep corner nook into the landing spot for cocktail-making and copious pours of vino. With the goal of being able to comfortably seat between 4 - 5 guests, we added a leather sofa that retained a structured shape and two upholstered arm chairs for softness. We anchored the room with a vibrant, vintage Persian rug and accented with various shades of blue decorative pillows pulled from the color scheme of the rug. A live-edge coffee table contributes to the rustic, natural tone of the room and is balanced by two upscale glass-top, gold base spot tables beside each arm chair. Chosen by the client himself, one of the best pieces in the room is a stretched canvas print of Emanuel Leutze’s “Washington Crossing the Delaware” (1851). A modern twist to a classic scene.
A New Paint Color Inspires A Whole New Room
I’ve lived in my house for seven years and never was satisfied with my bedroom layout and decor. I tried SO many different bedding scenarios to no avail.
When I moved into my house, I painted every room Harwood Putty from Benjamin Moore’s Historical Collection and I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s a crisp white that makes all of my collections burst into the foreground.
It wasn’t until a few months ago during a weekend getaway, enjoying a beautiful guest bedroom that it clicked: YOU NEED TO REPAINT OUR BEDROOM! The guest room I was staying in was painted in Sherwin Williams’ Nearly Peach, diluted by 50% with white. It was SO soft, so warm and so fresh. I followed suit and had my ceiling, walls and trim painted in that color, with different finishes.
My bedroom literally came together overnight. I had recently purchased the chartreuse velvet chaise on Facebook Marketplace for resale, but it looks so good in this space that I’ve decided to keep it. I moved my bed against the only wall I hadn’t ever tried it on, hung an over-sized Lee Reynolds orchid painting that I had laying around over my Jonathan Charles dresser, and moved the round gold mirror over to the wall with the chaise. The mirror reflects light from the window and my bed so beautifully.
I’ve always been a white linen curtain girl, but I went for the botanical print this time. I finished the space off with a large area rug which totally pulled the room together.
I am IN LOVE with my bedroom now. Each piece is cohesive with the other and this room feels like a hug and has that “complete” look that I’ve always sought after. All inspired by brand new paint.
Imagine that!
