How to Make a Striped Wall in Your Kitchen

When you think of your kitchen, does the word 'FUN' come to mind?  Probably not.  Well why not?  Try a wall treatment like this easy horizontal stripe and bring something special to the table!

This works especially well in small kitchens because it brings your eye in and people will notice the wall over the small size of the space.  This kitchen that I re-designed below was a tight space.

Kitchen looked like this:

Here is how we added the stripes----

ONE measure the wall length and height;

TWO choose paint colors.  For this wall I used Sherwin William "Analytical Gray", "Nebulous White", "Pool House" and "Cityscape";

THREE plan out on paper like this:

FOUR Paint the wall using the lightest color first, then using painter's masking tape, tape off the other stripes per your design (tip: on the painters tape, above each stripe, write the name of that stripe color to stay organized).

Now one side of this kitchen makes the meals and the other side enjoys them in style! says '----

                    left side                                                                      right side                                         

How to Make a Striped Wall in Your Kitchen

When you think of your kitchen, does the word 'FUN' come to mind?  Probably not.  Well why not?  Try a wall treatment like this easy horizontal stripe and bring something special to the table!

This works especially well in small kitchens because it brings your eye in and people will notice the wall over the small size of the space.  This kitchen that I re-designed below was a tight space.

Kitchen looked like this:

Here is how we added the stripes----

ONE measure the wall length and height;

TWO choose paint colors.  For this wall I used Sherwin William "Analytical Gray", "Nebulous White", "Pool House" and "Cityscape";

THREE plan out on paper like this:

FOUR Paint the wall using the lightest color first, then using painter's masking tape, tape off the other stripes per your design (tip: on the painters tape, above each stripe, write the name of that stripe color to stay organized).

Now one side of this kitchen makes the meals and the other side enjoys them in style!

                    left side                                                                      right side                                         

One Day Spa Bedroom Makeover

One year ago I drove out to Easton PA to meet with Sheryl who was very sad about the current state of her bedroom.  She had nothing but a wrought iron bed.  We sat on her bedroom floor and talked room color, bedding, window treatments, accessories, lighting and adding architectural interest to her walls.  She wanted a spa like space that was bright, calm, and airy.  After choosing the rooms color palette I figured out that Sheryl was a very visual person I looked at her and said “let’s just go out now to some local stores and I can show you exactly what products will completely change your space.”  We hit the road and had success.  She didn't buy anything but seemed inspired to start on her room.  So I waved good bye and drove away.

A year later Sheryl called upon me once again to help with a kitchen renovation.  When I arrived she took me by the hand, up the stairs and smiled from ear to ear as she opened her bedroom door.  It was EXACTLY the vision we wanted a year ago!  Using the products we had looked at a year ago she pulled it off beautifully! It is simple, classic and tranquil.  And best of all Shery is very happy with it.  It meant a lot for me to see it because I do a lot of consults, giving ideas for spaces, then I leave, and sometimes, I never know if my design came to fruition.  I don’t have the ‘BEFORES’ but here are the ‘AFTERS’:

The spa like feeling comes through by painting the walls AND ceiling a greeny blue like the color of the Mediterranean Sea.  It completely covers you and calms you. Everything else in the room is natural and airy, including the woven roman shades and sandy golden drapes.  And the simple creamy yellow bedding looks and feels soft, casual and cozy. The mix of lamps brings in more light and color.

I suggested wainscotting the wall behind the bed and paint it white so the black wrought iron bed would really show through beautifully.  We took it 3/4 way up for more visual effect.  Sheryl's husband did a great job!

The nightstands we chose are not traditional nightstands but work great for Sheryl because they are high for easy access and since she didn't need storage, add to the airy feel by not boxing the bed in.  A chair is always key and the contemporary high legs and simple lines and fabric on this one keep the space open.

The black furniture pieces coordinate with the finish on the bed and the cluster of framed art pair beautifully with it.  Size was very important to give this wall substance all the way to the ceiling, and balance the opposite wall with the bed.

I am so very proud of Sheryl for adding this piece!  She used her own jewelry as art on her wall.  I talk about doing this all the time!  Why hide such beautiful pieces.  

Thank you Sheryl for sharing your fabulous space with me!  I can't wait to come back and see your kitchen (this time I took BEFORE shots).

p.s. - I knew you would love that granite store!

Little Girls Yellow Flower Bedroom

Kids bedrooms are so much fun to design.  I get to think big, and let my imagination take over totally.  Kids spaces should be over the top and very personal.  This is where children create and make believe on their own.  I loved working on this particular kids bedroom re-design.  It was inspired by the striped comforter you see. The colors reminded me of a beautiful bright summer day.  The mother of this little cutie showed me paper flowers she had purchased a while back that she wanted to incorporate some how into the design.  And thus the room plan was established and within days, the room was complete.   

After the yellow paint went up (two tones of the buttery yellow) I began work on the wall treatment.  With a pencil, I drew flower stems at different heights.  I painted them a deep green, highlighting certain areas with a lighter green (to get that 3-d look) using a thin paintbrush.  I then added leaves.  Using small nails, I hammered the flowers on to the tips of the stems-such an easy project.  Took a few hours.

BEFORE

AFTER

A Library and a Foyer Get Transformed

I remember when this Library was a kids playroom.  When I first walked into this space the walls were bare and there were toys scattered about.  This home has a large finished basement so my clients gathered up all the toys and wanted a new use for the room.  We transformed it into a contemporary hollywood glam loungy library perfect for a glass of wine with friends or a good book.  Its warm rustic orange walls become the perfect backdrop for the deep rich woods in the large artwork, bookcases, and leather chairs.  Silvers, blues and green sparkle as tables, pillows, chandelier and accents.  To keep the room intimate and dramatic we added chocolate drapes.   

Next we turned our attention to the dining room.  I hope to have a photo for you soon.  

Lastly we worked on the foyer.  This was a simple one hour re-do.  We brought in a large mirror and re-used a bench.  The bench's cushion was a plain white fabric.  Instead of spending money to re-upholster it we wrapped a table runner with black circles around it.  It added a fun detail.  Pop some color using more throw pillows and  bold small accents and you create visual interest.  

 

Sexy Little Bench I Picked Up for a Steal

I had to share with you this chic little faux zebra upholstered bench I just bought yesterday for my ever evolving bedroom.  I found it at Big Lots for $169 and think it is a great buy for the size.  I am happy with the construction, it has so much character with its nail heads & curvy black legs on castors, and mostly because a little bit of animal goes with everything!

Inspiration From One Happy Island

I'm BACK!!!  I haven't blogged, tweeted, or answered the phone in a while.  It has been a great and busy year but by June my creativity tank was almost on empty so I went MIA for 10 days visiting a little popular island called Aruba with my family.  My Dad came along for the fun and I am newly refreshed (a bit heavier-bcse their food is smokin' good!)...and inspired. How could you not be inspired and refreshed after being on an island with vehicle license plates that read "One Happy Island".  

Here is my cute kid feeling happy!!

I brought back some of the island's coral, which I love because of the bleached white color and the many organic shapes and sizes.  I found some that looked like hearts, some that had holes through it which I will be making into necklaces for friends, and I love it because it can be found all over the island!!  I placed the little ones my daughter collected, in a bowl in her bathroom, and displayed the larger pieces on a bookcase at the end of my upstairs hallway (when you look at the photo of my bookcase below you should start singing ..."these are a few of my favorite things" from The Sound of Music).  

I also brought back a georgous necklace made of beautiful stones and shells in the shape of a flower.  I know I won't wear it that often but love looking at it so I added it to my bookcase also.  I hung it around an old bell I brought back from Aruba ten years ago, on my honeymoon.  Oh happy happy memories!! 

p.s. - if you find yourself needing a place to rev up your creativity engine I would prescribe Aruba as your remedy.  Here are my recommendations on the island:

1. Drink frozen mojitos in the pool; then drink frozen mojitos on the beach until its time to eat dinner.

2. Take a sunset cruise that has a rope to jump off the boat from (always the instigator, my husband was doing flips mid air).

3. Rent a car for 1 or 2 days and explore the island.  It is way cheaper than taxiing it everywhere.  Our little white mobile was so small that if you sneezed the entire car shook.  Although the island is only 11 miles long there is good stuff on the other end like Baby Beach and lots of old ruins to explore.

4. Stack rocks. You will find thousands of stacked rocks everywhere. Supposedly if you stack 3 rocks on top of one another (Each rock has its own name (love, wealth, and health)) you can make a wish and if the rocks are blown over by the waves, your wish will be granted.  

5. Eat at the Flying Fishbone! Get a table right in the water.  Let your feet dangle in the ocean as you eat the most delectable food and watch the sunset. It doesn't get better than that.

 

Bon Bini friends!!

A Contemporary Asian Inspired Family Room

I fell in love with interior design when I knocked down the interior walls of my own home in 2002.  I built them back up the way that worked for me.  From that point on I thought outside the box (literally).  When space is used wisely, function and design is achieved and life at home is harmonious regardless of our style and color palette. That is the next step. 

For my clients Paul and Haunani, a couple in Macungie PA, who love to relax with friends and family, poorly laid out space in their family room was a buzz kill. 

BEFORE

 No matter which way they turned their furniture, it didn't work well, which made the hub of their home, a very irritating space.  The problem stemmed from an angled fireplace that took up precious real estate.  

AFTER

We created a new floor plan that included demolition of the current fireplace.  A new electric fireplace surrounded by built-ins was re-configured along the back wall.  And to create ample seating for them to put their feet up and host dinner parties as well, a sectional and ottoman were brought in.  The ottoman opens up for storage.  We also used a sofa table that had two leather stools that could be moved any where.  

We had so much fun creating custom drapes in three different fabrics, and choosing the rich red color palette.   Haunani, an amazing artist, created the koi fish canvases on either side of the television. 

I love the authentic Asian touches that are very important to the home owners, including the black and white prints framed and hung over the sofa, which depict the correct way of Hawaiian dancing.  Sometimes you have to go backward (demo something that is there already) to move forward.  And you can then achieve harmony.

Make The Most Out Of A Small Bathroom

People first describe me as 'short', then after that is established, as a 'delightful quirky warrior'.  I am five feet to be exact-but so much more.  That is why the bathroom renovation I just completed in Allentown PA meant so much to me.  It is a packed bathroom in the size of a walk-in closet.  I looked at it and knew right away that I wanted everyone to walk in and forget about its size and just see the beauty inside.  

BEFORE

AFTER

There is no secret to making anything look bigger and taller.  For a five foot lady like myself that means wearing four inch heels.  For this little bathroom that means using materials that reflect and grab the eye all the way to the back of the space.  We used iridescent subway glass tile in the shower all the way up the wall, and so the space isn't interrupted, we inlcuded a frameless glass shower door.  Big tip about flooring in bathrooms-try long wide tiles  that require less grout lines, making the floor feel bigger.  And just because you use white wall tile does NOT mean you need to have white floors too!

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Space was so tight and measurements had to be precise to take full advantage of everything.  We switched out the round toilet for a narrower oval one, and the vanity was a great find online.  It uses its depth instead of its width as storage, yet the sink bowl is still large enough to be extremely functional.  

Instead of centering the bathroom mirror over the vanity, we used a large mirror that measured the size of the toilet and vanity to bring in more light and create an illusion of space.

BEFORE

AFTER

We took advantage of the empty wall opposite the vanity by adding a focal point that will come as a surprise for visitors.  The door opens into this wall so as soon as they step in to the space and close it behind them they will see a large niche covered in more of the iridescent glass subway tile, framed out in glass bars, with a wooden tree sculpture.  You know, every room should have interest, including the bathroom.

We used very contemporary pieces in a chrome finish.  I actually had fun picking out even the knob for the shower.  And the right accessories can set any space off.  Don't forget about the details!!

I know this bathroom thanks its owner for seeing its potential and taking pride in  it!  "Thanks Wayne!"