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 

Suzanne Kasler

Ballard Design Concept Home

Easy Breezy Beautiful!

Ballard Design is one of my go to sources for inspiration and products. Hats off to them as they stay current and bring the design world to our front door. The latest flash - a Ballard Design Concept Home - head to toe Ballard- compliments of Suzanne Kasler, voted one of the top 100 designers by House Beautiful.

Many of us have chatted about the trend to create rooms with neutral backgrounds infused with splashes of color and texture. Creating a soothing effect: beachy, vintage or modern- in stark contrast to our someimes boldy painted walls. Thoughts?

Enjoy

Finito

One of the best parts of my job - working with fabulous families to bring a home dream from drafting board to beautiful living space. What a joy - here's a peek below!


My husband and I work together on this project - he the builder -drafting architect and me the designer. I jump in to advise on room flow, space planning and the finishes. Once moved in, the fun really begins, as I work to complete the spaces with all the furnishings.

This family wanted to infuse urban elegance from their pre-kids days living in downtown Chicago, yet honor today with plenty of function for kids, friends and family. We agreed on a soft contemporary concept using fabulous finds from local retail haunts, blended with custom bench made pieces and family antiques. For more - check out http://www.heartwoodhomes.com/

Open Concept

Family Room

Custom Furinshings

Slate Fireplace Wall


Casual Dining




Kitchen With Bold Curved Hood

Heartwood Design

Then and Now Kitchen and Master Bath

Then.......

Now



Then .....

Now

Chairs Chairs Chairs

Okay - chairs are my new passion. Love the revival of the Wing- the Bergere, the Chippendale , the Parson, the Queen Anne, the Pouf.......You get the idea.

One my favorite lines to offer is Aidan Gray - they do a fantastic job blending classic frames and construction quality with modern flair. Hats off !! My clients can't get enough.

Two examples are here - The Annabelle Bergere ( Upper Right ) in a past issue of Domino and the Grange Library chair. I love to use these in pairs nested with ottomans to create a cozy conversation nook. Perfect scale and quality with the limed finished oak, goose down seats and a choice of natural linen upholstery.

Enjoy

The Wait Is Over

http://www.lonnymag.com/

If you still mourn the loss of Domino in the mailbox- help has arrived with the launch on Lonny. This online design magazine if a home run. It is a page turner full of tips and inspiration from today's most talented! Love the online format making everything handy - archived - not to mention the green effect and the promise to uncluter my bookshelves.

Enjoy !

Eccletic Dining Room

Dining Eclectic at Heartwood Custom Homes

While more and more of my clients ask for floor plans with less formal dining room space - many of us , like me , live in a home with formal dining space- so don't be afraid to mix it up. Blend your garage sale finds with family treasures or wedding china with a new lacquered table.

In this design , I started with soft color walls - and a solid dark floor - you'll see the designed paneled mill work all painted out white, a circular tray ceiling treatment and wide planked diagonally installed hardwood. I dropped in a contrasting wood floor border to frame the directional change - something you'll find in traditional older homes.

Layering in pieces I began with a fabulous 70" round high gloss lacquered table found as a warehouse bargain- mid century. Paired this with antique Chippendale chairs I rescued and refinished from a yard sale and more sturdy bench made parsons from TLS by Designs. One of my favorite furniture manufacturers with great attention to detail http://www.tlsbydesign.com/ . Add cool lighting - these particular pieces are from Corbett - brought in to work as sparkling gold jewelery. Don't forget to add an unexpected item - a la the funky lacquer mirror which ties back to the heavy carved Chippendale chairs and the black lacquered modern table.

Have Fun and Rules Be Gone !!!

Everything Home Loves Bella Chic Interiors

Bella Chic Interiors

Just had to give a shout out for one of my favorite haunts in Carmel - Bella Chic Interiors - locating in the Carmel Arts and Design district-http://www.bellachicinteriors.com/. Owner Julie, has a great concept- Extreme Makeover for furniture- refurbishing old furniture into today's one of a kind statement pieces. Not to mention her terrific prices - helping us all to add some spice to our space without blowing the budget.

The shot above it typical- the before reno furniture unloaded off the truck and ready for the face lift. You buy the pieces early - as they don't last long - often there are more sold tags then available.

I bought the dining table in the fore ground with the companion benches. The table is perfect dimension to be used as a sofa table- under a plasma TV or as a long console- the it transforms with a butterfly leaf to a standard dining table- I figure the benches work with the table or alone at the foot of a bed .... - All for $499!!! Dreaming of the paint finish to use - something fun - Can't wait to share the makeover pictures!!!

Parade of Homes Final Weekend Home Tour

Join Us This Sat and Sunday

June 13 and 14-

12-5

Indy's Parade of Homes

Heartwood Custom Homes

Builder of the Year

Presents

13369 Winter King Court- Carmel , In

Home #10 on the tour

For more info http://www.heartwoodhomes.com/ . Tell a friend - get inspired - get the economy moving - be a recession buster as we move Indy out of the recession and you secure the best interest rates in history.