Pink and Green Delicious Master Bedroom

Happy Wednesday! Just completed a very feminine and chic master bedroom in Shillington Pennsylvania.  Please check out the photos HERE!

Updates On Projects & A Cozy Passover Setting

Hello again decorating lovers!

It has been a while since I wrote on my blog.  I took this week off from work to spend time with my daughter who is off from school.  But I have missed blogging;  Missed staying up late with a glass of wine to throw out ideas, bs, and share quirky tid bits about my design projects.  How is your SDI (spring decorating itch)?  Mine is out of control.  With the very warm weather, I have shed my winter woes and ready to rock it for my clients.  I am going to tease you with a quick shot of the bath reno I have been blogging about (click here to see last update).  Johnathan finally stopped 'thinking about tiling' and began tiling!  I am not complaining at all. See there is so much prep involved in a bath reno that must be done right before the fun part.  My client is happy so far (I hope he likes the rest of the plans I have up my sleeve). 

The tiles were SO shimmery, I had to put my shades on.

A Cozy Passover Setting

Next up, I want to officially thank my #1 sis who hosted Passover for 18 people and did it in her signature 'delicously fabulous' way.  I love gatherings at her place.  You feel like you are at an intimate dinner no matter how big the crowd- its warm, simple and full of laughter.  Her secret is to surround her dining table with color and furnishings that sets a comfy cozy mood-she extends her table (made up of a few tables and mdf boards) into her living room that is full of french country charm in warm golds, deep greens and rich reds.  Then she turns on lights in different parts of the space which make the whole area glow-perfect for evening sit down dinners.  Good lighting (I encourage dimmers) is key to increasing or decreasing drama in any room.   

My sister shares a great tip for inexpensive table settings- buy a neutral table cloth that you can wash (hers is a burlap brown) that can be used for all occasions.  On her table she added small bud vases down the center filled with white hydrangeas that have been hanging around her home all week (not pictured because I was busy assisting in the kitchen).  She also added some beautifully colored and shaped platters of matzahs.  You can add your own drama and colors, using accessories from around your home, like bowls and vases, and fill them with fresh fruit, candles, or fresh flowers.  You can break up a long set table, using table runners set vertically or horizontally down the table, and if you find a good sale on gold or silver chargers, pick up a few sets.  They look great under plain plates and can be used over and over. 

For Passover my sister uses gold and clear plastic plates for easy clean up (and because you need quite a few plates throughout the Sedar).  The entire table was filled with delicous food, and after, an array of chocolate goodies that included double dipped chocolate covered matzah (even if you aren't a fan of matzah you will gobble up this stuff!).  I am still stuffed!

Adding Art To A Botanical Library Is All In The Family
I have been working on a living room-turned library-that is almost complete (click here for the last update of the space).  The floors are in, the fireplace and designer alcove have been installed, the paint is up, and most of the furniture has arrived, including two funky floral printed wing back chairs.  We still needed art work though, and it had to fit the look of the space.  That's when Linda, the homeowner, showed me some photos her daughter snapped of flowers.  They were so vibrant and juicy that we thought they would look super great on the wall as a gallery.  So Linda commissioned her daughter for eight botanical photos.  We just hung them and I am so very proud of this mother-daughter team (see pic of them below).  They are just breathetaking!  Can't wait to snap my own pics of this Botanical Library when done and share with you. 

Update Your Candle Wall Sconce

The candle wall sconce.  Everyone has at least one.  The quickest accent you can nail into your wall, light up, and get instant romantic ambiance.  Raise your hand if you have one of these.  Now raise your hand if your candles are dustier than the tops of your kitchen cabinets.  Although your sconce is a nice accent, it is time to update it.  Try spraying it a bold color, try replacing the candle with something else.  Here are some simple ideas:

-In a kids space, prop up a small stuffed animal;

-In a kitchen, use fake or real fruit;

-In bathroom, use decorative sea grass ball;

-For holiday sparkle, use an ornament, and hang more from it;

-Flowers work well also!

For this family, I used a plump artificial succulent.

My Split Personality - A Tropical Eclectic Living Room & Modern Glam Bath

I have a split personality lately and loving it! I began work on two totally different spaces, two totally different clients, who want two totally different looks.  One is a living room in Bethlehem and one is a bathroom in Allentown.  I thought I would share the progress so far.

A TROPICAL LIVING ROOM WITH A TWIST OF ECLECTIC WORLDLY PERSONALITY

Aren't these fabrics fun-so full of texture and curves! This couple's design style is truly a reflection of their passion for life and bright personalities.  Their living room, which opens into their dining room, will get a creamy coat of Convivial Yellow (SW6393) on the walls.  A nice warm backdrop glow for introducing the tropical flavored fabrics above on the windows and furniture.  We bring on deep finished woods and furniture pieces, which are, to say the least,  one-of-a-kind and shapely!!  And the lighting will make you 'EEEP'.  We've just begun and I can't wait to see the vision in my head-in person!

 

MODERN GLAM BATH

This full bathroom is the size of a six foot person in length and five foot person in width.  It is tiny, to say the least.  BUT the new reno will make it feel big and G-E-O-R-G-O-U-S!  This space does not represent my contemporary client at all.  The bathroom has a stand up shower that takes up way too much space, little room for anything else, dark wood paneling everywhere, and a vanity, that has me shutting one eye in distress.  We will be replacing it all!

  

We will install a smaller shower that is all glass and add built-in shelves on one side to hold towels and essentials. We will wrap pure white subway tiles around the space, halfway up the walls and completly around the shower. It will be very minimal- then comes the bling! Adding sleek and sexy tile down the center of the floor and all the way up the shower wall. Yes, like a runway. And also around the walls as a border above the subway tiles. With the Hep Green (SW6704) paint, new lighting, new vanity, niche, and accents I have planned-it will be a show stopper!

I will show the before and after pics when I have finished the projects so stay tuned! I am also working on a very cool master bedroom with a rustic lodge theme, a fun library, and contemporary asian style family room.

Part II - A Living Room Is Used For What??

In November I wrote a blog article called A Living Room Is Used For What?? and showed you the beginnings of a Living Room turned Library/Game room for a family of four in Breinigsville, PA. I promised you a peek at the end result.  I just love happy endings:

BEFORE

The Living Room used to be unused space with three bookcases on their last legs.

AFTER

The re-designed space is now full of wall to wall built-ins on both sides of the room, perfect for this book collecting family.

A bench with storage that hides board games and is long enough for friends to read together. 

 

BEFORE

A traditional Dining Room didn't work for this busy family whose large kitchen did the job of hosting family and friends. 

AFTER

The new space is less formal and more toasty chic.  It multi functions as a place for family game night/homework station and. ...

.....a quiet sanctuary to snuggle up with a good book.                  

Decadently Yours,
Shosh