Small Kitchen BIG Transformation

A kitchen remodel needs to be functional first, but never forget to show off your personality in it!  I can't say that enough.  This is the place you eat, hang out with family and friends, try out recipes, and read the paper with a cup of joe. Its where you get inspired and feel comfort.  It is a very personal and important space of any home.  So when my clients, Diane and Dan, asked me to come back and help them with their kitchen after designing their living room, I was honored.   

BEFORE

AFTER

Every square inch in this kitchen counts due to the small size of the space.  To make it feel larger we added a fun stripe treatment on the far wall to bring your eye to the back of the room.  The big mirror then reflects the light back into the space creating an airy open feel.  The rich dark woods of the furniture grounds the space and looks luxe against the cool colors on the walls.  The most important and most worked on detail in the space was the table.  We had it custom made to fit in this nook perfectly, to allow as much seating as possible, while keeping as much usable surface space as possible.  And by using a bench instead of chairs allows Diane and Dan to keep the table against the wall when it is just the two of them dining and keeps the space open.

And when they have guests over, they can pull the table out and have 4 to 6 people around it.  They don't have a dining room so we made the kitchen feel like one by fitting in a rockin' buffet and contemporary table lamp to create a romantic glow at night.

Who says a kitchen has to be ordinary. Just because we used a bench doesn't mean it has to be for function alone.  Make a statement using bold graphics on the upholstery like we did.  And I love these chairs.  The shape with the smokin' hot white leather cut into the tobacco finish looks so contemporary.  

The other side of the kitchen received a little makeover ON A TEENY BUDGET!

BEFORE

AFTER

Changes to this side of the kitchen include a new granite counter top, nickel hardware, elegant faucet, and roman shade in a yummy dark chocolate.  And of course, a creamy gray paint color creates a calm feel in the work zone.  No need to change the cabinets or appliances.  Wow....what a difference!

I urge you to be bold and let go when remodeling your kitchen.  Have fun and be fabulous!!

Small Awkward Living Room Becomes Beautiful

I remember meeting Diane and Dan for the first time.  The moment I walked in their front door I could see the issues at hand.  I walked right into their living room, which was split into two awkward spaces.  One small area to the right of the door, and one small area to the left.  With a staircase directly in front of the door. Diane and Dan didn't know what to do with this layout.  After sitting with the couple and finding out their wish list of functions and style (they get away to top island resorts whenever they can), I set to work on a plan that would treat these spaces separately yet still be cohesive and feel larger then they are. 

BEFORE

AFTER

I let the furnishings do all the talking, using a creamy wall paint.  I didn't want to overcrowd the spaces, so I chose a few large pieces that grounded the areas (a cluttering of small pieces dwarf small spaces further).  I added pieces with glass, mirror, and silver finishes, to keep the area light and airy, yet high end.

I brought the eye up using very slight horizontal stripe wall treatment, which also helped make a distinction between this space and the one across from it.  I used floor to ceiling drapes, and hung them wider than the windows to make them feel larger.

Pops of color and lots of shine give life to small spaces.  These fun bright pillows call you into the room.

BEFORE

AFTER

I re-arranged the awkward seating layout to a more inviting and useful space.  The new leather sofa is very large and deep, yet fits right in.  The coffee and end table are quite large as well (they are beauties!-the reclaimed wood looks and feels like driftwood), but don't look like they are because of their airy thin metal bases.   Here is another good tip for making small spaces feel large-USE BIG ARTWORK.  My clients are well versed with my motto 'go big or go home'. Large pieces with a specific point of view makes an impact and read as a 'wow' factor.

BEFORE

AFTER

This new console houses all the clutter in this small space.  And the fun armless chair next to it stops your eye from drifting up those stairs.

We had so much fun working together that Diane and Dan (seated above) asked me to help them with their kitchen.  Wait until you see what we did with that small awkward space!!!

I Spent My Day In A Basement And Then Updated My Own

I spent today re-designing a basement for Lisa and Matt, two hard working parents of an adorable 2 year old in Freemansburg. They finished their lower level, bought a few things for it, but are stuck with how to use the space to its greatest benefits.  They gave me their wish list of functions for the space, which is a pretty tight area, so every square foot counts. I call that prime real estate. So in order to have the all important TV watching, adult socializing, game night with the guys, and of course, a spot for their little one to have fun, careful planning is vital.  We used our muscles pushing furniture pieces around, stretched our creative thinking for storage, and came up with a really great layout.  The color scheme is blue, red and chocolate, which are not only hot colors right now, but fun powerful shots of color for a basement-it's that fire and ice look I adore. 

We had a very successful day. Along our journey I found out Lisa has a little secret. She is a picture frame addict. As we walked around her home looking for pieces for the basement, I noticed frames in every single room; black, brown, white, small, large, and all……EMPTY. Lisa and I are going to work on filling each frame (and not with photographs because that is too predictable).  OK, when the basement's final touches are done I will post the before and after pics, with tips on how to make the most of your prime real estate....and show you what we do with the frames!  


p.s.-I just received an e-mail from Lisa.  Here is what she said "Hi!  I had a great time re-designing our basement.  I can't wait to get the furniture and finally have a family room that we'll enjoy!  Thanks so much for all of your help.  You are amazing!" - That made my day Lisa-aaawwww!

Meantime, here are photos of where my own basement remodel is at. The last time I shared pics, I had zoned out areas, sheetrocked, and painted (click here to see that blog entry). Now the laminate floors are in but the trim still needs another coat of paint and caulk everywhere, and the playroom is missing the custom blackboard and bench cushion. I am aiming for a contemporary beach glam feel.  Just a casual space to hang with enough bling to make me smile.  It is a slow process due to a busy schedule right now, but until the basement receives the attention it deserves I am filling it up with possibilities.

This built-in is my favorite addition to the basement.  It is large and in charge.  And very streamlined like the rest of the place.  I can't wait to add all our books and read stories to my daughter here.  I have had this Crate&Barrel table and chair set for ten years.  I am going to repaint it and add funky cushions.

I was very pleased with the paint colors because they really brightened my walls which don't get much natural light; And the large mirror creates openness (what a find!).  The sconces add the glam factor.  And I can't say enough about this sectional.  We have already fallen asleep on it - it barely fit down the stairs.  VERY IMPORTANT TO MEASURE YOUR ACCESS DOWN TO THE BASEMENT WHEN LOOKING INTO BUYING LARGE FURNITURE!

I am still waiting to come across the perfect chairs for my counter, but until then, I will simply stare at my custom drapes-'hey, I have one large window in the whole place, so it deserves to get all dressed up for the party'.

Directly across from the large window is my bar - my jewel, my bling.  The glass tiles are from Lowes, the counter is from IKEA, and the cabinets are from Home Depot- painting them and adding new hardware (IKEA) turned these stock pieces into one hot bar.  Lighting is essential in a bar area.  It really creates a mood.

The playroom is not complete yet but that isn't stopping my daughter from playing in it. 

Storage is key key key!  Create it where ever possible like in this alcove which nicely hides the toys from the eye.

My husband gets to pick the game table that will go here, but I get to choose the hanging light above it.  Yes, I am a lighting nut, but different lighting options create different moods.

What do you think of this beachy chic lamp?  I purchased them for a steal and I LOVE them but my husband is on the fence- Note that the plastic is still on the shades.

We even worked in a gym with a wall mounted TV.  I plan on cranking up 'It's Raining Men' and running my little heart out one day :)

Stay tuned for the finished photos :)

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.