At a Glance- New Model Home

Well we are back in action and looking to drive interest by building our new model home by Old Town Design Group located in Cobblestone on the Monon.  We are very excited for we want to continue our perusal in creating unique designs and spaces custom to our business.  Our vision is to tie in some new design features with some old and genuinely grab peoples attention.  The model is being built in a prime location, right along the Monon Trail.  With out a doubt the home will be pleasing and also its surrounding setting.  It is located just minutes from downtown Carmel, Arts and Design District.  Please take a moment to view our progress thus far---

Family Room

 

 

 

Here we are viewing the future family room.  Through the number of windows integrated into the space we want to draw in as much natural light as possible.  There will be a prime focal point on the fireplace and flanking on either side incorporation of built in seating, making the space that much more functional for entertaining.

Future Kitchen

 

This space is a preview of the kitchen to come.  This space will reflect that of the rest of the home that being more relaxed and refreshed.

Butlers Pantry/ Bar

 

 

These images reflect that of the butlers pantry/bar.  We wish to set the tone by making a less formal butlers pantry.  A bit more original to the home and very playful.

 

Office/Study 

 

This space is going to be the future office/study.  We want to utilize the space by developing a unique desk design functional for at least two.  The accent of natural light will be lovely and the window most definitely helps draw people in.

Lounge

 

This space is located on the second level to the right of the stairs.  The lounge---serves as a very unique space to the home.  We hope to create a space that is inviting and maybe a bit more relaxed and intimate for the ceiling slopes drawing your eye in and down.  Can't wait to see it once complete!---So cozy!

Window Seat

 

This is another special feature to the home.  It is a window seat located on the stairs and in the air.  I could see this being a great place to hop up into and cozying up with a good book and some tea.  Even if your aren't the type it serves as a great focal point on the stairs.  Adds some softness and again more natural light.

All in all--- looking forward to seeing the finished product.  And as mentioned this will be a new model so when the time arises details will be released when open to public.  Happy Home. Happy Life.











Dream Taking Shape

After making the decision to build, our clients are so pleased to see their new home taking shape.  As their home has started from the ground up --she cant wait to get moved in for her good friend lives right next store.---How cool to be neighbors!  Sharing the white picket fence---so classic.  Additionally their home is in a great location.  Easily accessible to the developing Carmel, IN, Arts and Design District.  And to top it off a great view of the ever popular Monon Trail.  Here are some of the latest pics of their vision becoming a reality.

Dining Room

 

This view here is of the dining room.  It's a very luxurious space with lots of great natural light.  They will be so pleased once they move in at how much impact those windows give to the space.  Additionally, they have a very unique window seat being built-in on the back wall giving the space that much more interest.

Great Room

 

This space here is the great room.  It is connected to the dining space allowing there to be a very open vibe.  The fireplace will be quite a focal point for our clients helped decide on the very design of it and by the sounds of the final product it is going to look ---stunning!

Master Suite

 

Here you are viewing the Master Suite.  The master bedroom is located towards the front of the home with the master bathroom located off giving our homeowners a great space.  Its like a private getaway!  Additionally these spaces offer so much natural light our clients won't want to leave their home.

Lastly---

Millwork

 

As mentioned before this here is the unique built in window seat in the dining room.  Included will be storage.---Who doesn't like storage?  Its amazing how small millworking details can give a home such charm and character.

Can't wait to recap once project is complete! 

Happy Home.  Happy Life.









Entry Before & After

       The Importance of Arrival Space

 

 

The arrival space often sets the stage to charm us and leave a lasting impression.  The linking of spaces upon arrival allows us to move with ease and fluidity while feelings of comfort and safety overcome one as they connect to the space.   Many times we find our hectic selves entering, setting our things down and walking away.  Should this be the case we are left with nothing but clutter. ---And who are we kidding that is no way to make a first impression.  

 

 The entry serves purpose---a grounded location where eyes begin to wonder as far as justifying what was just endured to what one may soon encounter. 

 

Often times entry spaces just simply need a splash of color, texture, and a soothing light---and organization of course.  In the project we just completed we took a very drab looking entry and gave it character.  We simply added a mirror--allowing filtration of light, area rug---adding texture as well as subtle color, and lastly some simple accessories.  We gave the entry new life which  allows the arrival space to relate to the rest of the home.  And by all means now makes a great first impression.  We are so pleased with how the space turned out.

 

 Before

 

After

  



 



 You see its simple---the feelings of you as well as your guests begin at the door of the home so be sure to set a mood worthy of the character of the rest of your home, leaving impact instilled in all who enter.  Happy Home. Happy Life.

 

 

 



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 

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 -

Sherwin Williams -

 SW 8EG5135 - 

see  Easy Change    

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