A Living Room Is Used For What??

A kitchen is used for cooking, a bedroom is used for sleeping, a bathroom is used for...well you get the picture.  Every room in your home has a purpose except.....the living room.  I mean who actually lives in a 'living' room?   Most times it is used as a good spot for that sofa you have been holding onto, a dust collector for the knick knacks, and the perfect place for that once a year propped up christmas tree.  Other than that it is dead space.  So it's time to re-think it. 

If you could add another room to your home, what would it be used for?  An office space, a library, a game room, a wine room, a bar, or a gift wrapping, scrapbooking, label making, fix it, cut it, hot glue it, space (you know who you are!).  By adding closed doors, french doors, or long drapes, you can conceal a kids play space, or guest room, when it is a mess. 

 

I have turned a living room into a Library/Game room for a family of four in Breinigsville, adding wall to wall built ins and a bench to hold board games, a painted pedastool table and all the little things, not to forget re-thinking the lighting (see the progress above. I owe you the finished reveal). 

Right now I am working with an amazing couple in Allentown, turning their living room into a Library Lounge by installing a gas fireplace, two double bookcases, new flooring, and a large deep chocolate upholstered leather sofa.  When finished it will be a comfortable soft lit room perfect for a pre-dinner or late night drink.  See above for the colors and finishes in the works.  I will post the finished look, along with the library in Breinigsville (just as soon as I get a minute). :)

Designer Tips For Hanging Wall Art

The world is full of inspiration. As a decorator, I love to find out what inspires my clients and fill their space with it. Sometimes I nail inspiration to the wall.

If you like the way multiple framed art looks together on a wall but discouraged from doing it yourself, you are not alone! There are so many things to think about-what frame finish to use, how to arrange the frames, how far apart each frame should be from its neighbor? And, the ultimate question, how many nail holes will it take to get it the way I want? Below are steps to follow so that your wall doesn't end up looking like a drive-by of bullet holes. This is how I always hang frames:

You Will Need:

-painters tape

-paper (re-use paper you would otherwise throw away or newspaper, magazine pages, or gift wrap)

-scissors

-marker
-level & tape measure

-proper hanging material for your frames

-hammer

Step 1: Place a piece of painters tape on each frame and number them starting with 1. 

Step 2: Cut paper to the size of each frame and write the corresponding number on each one. Set aside.

Step 3: Arrange the frames in front of you on the floor.  When you have an arrangement you like, place the pattern on the wall using the numbered cut paper.

Step 4: When you like the look of your arrangement, use measuring tape and level to make sure everything is straight and equal.

Step 5: Finally, set your nail in the wall using the paper as your guide.

Step 6: Hang the frame to its coordinating numbered paper, take the painters tape and enjoy!

My Glamy Lounge Around Basement In Progress

I think my favorite show of the season is Million Dollar Listing.  I realize now after laughing through each episode, that I need to expand my own property so its value increases.  So I am full steam ahead on finishing my own basement.  After creating a design plan, and after my talented husband framed it out, added a  million lights in the ceiling, the walls and cabinetry (sorry Paul), sheet rock went up, it was primed and painted, and well, here we are now:

1. A large plasma will be tucked into the recessed wall, a custom media cabinet will be built below it.  A lot of trim and precise cuts will be involved in this project. 

And this area wouldn't be complete without a big comfy tightback sectional covered in, I think, this pear green upholstry and fun tree leaf shapes and houndstooth pillows.

2. Our bar is built in right under the stairs to save space.  The glass tiles will sparkle under the recessed spotlight above it.  The cabinets will be painted a shade of white and topped with a deep dark chocolate brown countertop.  Opposite the bar will be a 7 foot counter with a few chairs and pendant lighting above it. And a fun ping pong table will take center stage (do they make pink tables?). 

3. The built-ins to the left is a perfect catch all and, now finally, a place to hold all of our books and albums. 

4. We kept a small space available for a gym so we can pass by it every day and think 'Oh I should do a leg lift or push up right after I eat this bowl of popcorn'.

5. There is also a separate playroom for my little girl to go crazy in because every kid needs to let loose (I hope the magic eraser can get footprints off the ceiling). 

6. I am really excited to add the dark wood flooring, and of course the glitzy fun lighting.  Here are a few lights I am thinking of adding:

The lights are, from left, IKEA Lunta, Quoizel Downtown sconce, these cute IKEA Tallvik blingy colorful table lamps, and IKEA Fillsta round pendant, and That's it so far!

A Serene Space In Progress

Just spent three hours doing millwork homework for a project in Lehighton, PA and my head hurts; Can’t wait to get my ideas down on paper. Very excited! But right now I can use a caffeine break at Panera. And this gives me the opportunity to show you the fabrics I am using in another project, a living room & dining room in Center Valley, PA.

My sweet and easy going clients and I came up with a relaxing watery color scheme using soft blue on the walls all the way down to a crisp white chair rail. Beneath the rail, we are incorporating a two inch wide trim vertically every two feet around the room. The fabrics you see will be used on the window treatment and furniture upholstry. They bring in rich pattern and color, keeping the space cozy, serene and elegant. With the proper lighting this space will be perfect for them! I will keep you up to date on the finished room.

p.s. so handy to take pictures with my i-phone but the colors are slightly off.