11/28/12

Transformation

 Transformation 

A chance to share a project -   One of my favorites -- architectual renovations like these are the best.  Good to Great .  In this project my clients loves homes -- their stories- their character - their function.  A place for everything and everything in its place where smaller partitioned rooms for every family purpose was the motto. 

 However after living in her new home space for a few years........................

The challenge -- 
The need to integrate gathering spaces around the kitchen which would allow for better flow and natural light.   

We had to achieve this goal by integrating old and new spaces seamlessly.  Our goal , no one could tell we were there.  So unlike a traditional reno, where you tear out and start from scratch, we had to engineer new structural and mechanical solutions that tied in.  The finishes had to have a reclaimed and re-purposed approach -- as all the existing finishes were fantastic, style appropriate and virtually new.  Matching and tying all together was the biggest design challenge.     

Our new spaces were recently photoged by Brian McGuckin - of Brian McGuckin photography -- he's fab to work with !

Spaces Before 




Spaces Now 







      


  






New Project

Kitchen Reno 

New project underway -- its going to be amazing.  My clients are soon to be a family of 7 !! Yes, baby #5 arrives in mid December.  So we'll be working fast and furious to get done in the next few weeks.   We are delighted to be working with this family again - we finished the basement a few years ago and are back to tackle the main floor living -- centering around the kitchen .  I 'll be working to re- engineered the spaces to maximize function and trade out the the current builder grade finishes for beautiful classic showcase amentities.  

The challenge -- to work withing the envelope--with a wish list to create a open floor plan- including a chefs kitchen, storage galore, casual family dining, and family room.  We'll be addressing the current kitchens limitations.   The obvious........14 sq ft of counter top- less than my Swiss Studio apartment , an awkward 13" deep pantry closet in the middle of the room -- a raised bar at the sink- blocks flow to the family room and is too shallow for bar stools- all must GO!  

As an exciting  focus-- we'll be incorporating green building practices -- as my client is passionate about using sustainable environmentally sound American made products.  I'll share more of her research for formaldehyde free cabinets , low VOC paint , sustainable hardwood flooring as we progress.  We'll be designing to her taste for the classic cottage - shabby chic vibe -- summoning New England  - with beautiful mill work, painted cabinetry, and wide planked natural maple Carlisle flooring.   

Check back soon 

10/18/12

Holiday Homes Dress Up



Holiday Dress Up 
Removable Wall Paper 

Holidays are here --stores are teaming with all sorts of offerings.  In the next 8 weeks , we'll be celebrating 3 major holidays - opening our doors to friends and family and hoping to add a little sparkle to our  homes.  Somehow, this year - re staging and adding a few new things -- isn't going to cut it.  

I'm totally inspired by this image - and am seriously considering this kind of wall paper therapy.  Labeled removable wallpaper -- its perfect for design fools like me that need change and flexibility to live.    I have a perfect accent wall in my family entryway - 7' x 10 ' - It can totally handle a bold graphic like this - and I think the effect will be transformative!   I'll keep you posted.   Let me know if you all venture in too.    


Featured -

 SW 8EG5135 - 
see  Easy Change    






1/23/12

Dining room makeover


Okay so where does time go? Finally time to post .....

For this project my client wanted a more elegant grown- up space, seating for 8 with lots of twinkle. She was ready for a change from standard chair rail - split faux finish and a textured ceiling.

Before

2 Toned Faux finished walls with a white chair rail break up the room



Simple cased openings ( 3) and a wide window further fracture -
Ceiling texture unfortunate


Process
The design dilemna to overcome - to create height and balance in a room of 3 cased door openings and a large wall of windows. To solve, I designed wall paneling to wrap the room floor to ceiling and built up the cased openings into large columns with pediment headers. Painted out white to match rest of homes trim --the effect created loft , elegance and definition. To anchor the room, I skim coated the ceiling and painted it in a bone white --a soft defining contrast to the white walls. I then brought in a distressed wide planked walnut stained hardwood to replace the mid toned strip original flooring.

The softening - I layered a soft Oshauk rug in slate blues, ivory and aged brass. The dining room table got a face lift-- it was the client's original Duncan and Fife that had seen better days. My magician craftsman Mike Ball - built a new walnut veneer top in a high gloss and built a new leaf to support dining for 8. I dressed the windows with panels in an aged brass embroidered sheer overlaid on a silky linen colored slip. The effect allowed you to see the graphic design of the sheer for texture and interest. The center piece -- Currey and Cos amazing chandelier and companion sconces - add just the right amount of twinkle. Dining chairs from Noir La , included a pair of white linen Host chairs and distressed nail headed side chairs upholstered in a soft cotton velvet. The client's original pencil drawings from her last trip to Greece -- all matted and framed in warm gray and gold provide a personal touch and the were the springboard for the room's color palette.


After