family friendly makeover

When a hip mom of three boys contacted me to makeover the main level of her home, I was hooked. For almost 8 years, she’d lived with many family hand me downs that were beautiful, but just not her style. Her living room was so formal, no one ever went in there. She felt like she still lived in her parents' house. Our goal was to revitalize the rooms to reflect our clients' modern taste and lifestyle, so that they could entertain family and friends and really use all of their space. Here’s the living room before…

And here is the new loungey living room…

The chairs swivel so they’re perfect for watching TV and socializing, and they’re covered in the most supple leather…mmmm!

We carved out a nook by the front door for a desk for our client. It does double duty as a console when the drawers are folded inward.

In the dining room, we talked about repainting her Queen Anne style chairs to mix with a new table, but since all of the rooms open to each other, we decided to switch out her traditional table and chairs and the ho hum chandelier…

for a swanky new light fixture, sleek glass topped table and creamy white leather host and hostess chairs with nailhead trim.

There are so many things I love about how these rooms now speak to each other. The silk curtain fabric moves our palette from room to room. The newly painted black mod metal iron fixture picks up the glossy black of the piano. The glass table top visually connects with the cool blue on the sofa. This kind of stuff makes me so happy.

In the kitchen and eating area, we updated the blush toned maple cabinetry and French Country table and chairs with bright white paint on the upper cabinets and an earthy tan on the base cabinetry. We also refinished the chest (next to me in pic above) which was a family heirloom, and made my client's mom very happy.

To offset all of the angles in the room, we switched out the rectangular table for a round one that has a removable leaf, and paired it with sleek curvy chairs that pick up on the white cabinets and are a snap to wipe down. A triple locker replaces the former desk area and gives the boys room to store their jackets and backpacks when they walk in the back door.

The family room’s carpet and furnishings had seen better days…

so we added new hardwood floors, a sectional that accommodates the whole family, and relocated the desk area to the nook by the fireplace.

We ripped out built in bookshelves that our client hated because they were too shallow to hold anything and made room for a game table.

Now the family room looks pulled together and connects to the kitchen beautifully.

When I asked our client if she loves her new family room, she said, “I’m never in it! But I love MY new grown up family room. I’m in that room all the time now.”

If you want to truly love where you live, please contact me about design services.

pull up a chair

Are you finding yourself extending invitations for dinner over the next few weeks, only to find that the guest list exceeds your seating scenario? Never fear, we’ve compiled a list of inexpensive folding chairs so there’s room for everyone to pull up a chair.

For your Bali inspired holiday dining experience, this bamboo duo fits the bill affordably and might just have an extended life as a romantic table for two on your deck, patio, balcony, come warmer days.

Image courtesy of Target.com

For a more traditional vibe, this reasonably priced pair gives you 15 different fabric seat options so your can blend these babies right into your existing set. I’m digging the lattice patterned back.

Image courtesy of HomeDecorators.com

If you’re feeling more contemporary, these blow molded white chairs are priced to perfection (although you need to buy a set of four). Hey, anyone know what blow molded means?

Image courtesy of cymax.com

This set of four folding chairs in mocha is affordable, sleek, and stores easily. Isn’t that exactly what folding chairs are supposed to be?

Image courtesy of walmart.com

If you’re fortunate enough to live nearby an Ikea, these “Jeff” folding chairs are a steal. (Sadly, they’re not available online.) At these prices, you’ll be able to afford so much stylish seating that some complimentary guest is sure to ask you to host again next year.

Image courtesy of Ikea.com

This lovely option is pricier, sure, but it’s solid wood structure and lacy back make a simple and elegant statement.

Image courtesy of ballarddesigns.com

With all of these options, you can afford to be that gracious host or hostess who says, “The more the merrier!” at your holiday gathering this year. Cheers!

If you want to truly love where you live, please contact me about design services.