tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54596024731625159582024-03-13T14:35:39.953-07:00The Welcoming DoorSheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-36378475419465089552018-09-02T23:05:00.000-07:002018-09-02T23:05:49.845-07:00Simple Tips on How to Style Your Coffee TableWhen it comes to a pretty, pulled-together living room, you'll get the most bang for your buck if you first pay attention to the piece that sits in the middle of the room: <b>the coffee table</b>. Even if the rest of your space doesn't feel up to par, just a few simple edits/additions to your coffee table can help you feel more confident about how your space looks. An attractive coffee table might even bring a smile to your face each time you walk in the room, and who doesn't want that?<br />
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Here's an example of a <b>well-styled coffee table by the talented McGee and Co.</b> that I find exceptional. I've looked at this image countless time for inspiration, and hopefully after reading through all five steps outlined below, you'll be able to spot the things that make this arrangement of objects so visually pleasing.<br />
<img alt="Neutral textures in our Mountainside Remodel. Full tour with before/afters on the blog! || Studio McGee" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/53744d2fe4b0a52017d9e3d4/t/57acbf7ef5e2311eeac60304/1470939052401/Neutral+textures+in+our+Mountainside+Remodel.+Full+tour+with+before%2Fafters+on+the+blog%21+%7C%7C+Studio+McGee?format=750w" /><br />
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Before I launch into my tips, I'd like to offer up a serious disclaimer: While I AM a professionally trained interior designer, everything that I know about <i>home decorating</i> I've learned by osmosis, via hours spent leafing through magazines and pinning inspirational pics on Pinterest. There is a difference between those two professions, and believe it or not, someone can be a great designer, but only So-So in the realm of decorating, and visa versa. I feel that my personal strengths lie in the realm of home design rather than in decorating, but little by little I have gained enough confidence to feel I like I have some decent decorating chops to offer up. So here we go!<br />
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<b>STEP ONE: Starting Fresh</b><br />
The first thing to do is to clear everything off of your table and start fresh. Trying to work with what's already there can sometimes freeze your brain and make it hard to imagine anything new. So clear the table and get ready to play a little!<br />
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<b>STEP TWO: Assessing the Shape</b><br />
Next look at the shape of your coffee table. Is it round, square, rectangular or oval? Is the design simple or dramatic? The shape of your table is going to influence the shape of what you place on it. For example, if you have a round coffee table, then round objects in the middle will nicely echo the outer edges of the table. Thinking about complimentary shapes or the repetition of shapes will help you to achieve a more successful finished project. (Side note: You may also find that with a round table, things generally look better when clustered a little more tightly in the center.) In this example below from one of my own projects, you can see a relatively small round coffee table, where I've kept items neatly gathered in the center by the use of a decorative tray. I like that you can still see a lot of the pretty glass and that the overall feeling is clean and uncluttered. Usually, "less is more" is a good mantra to follow. Also note that the cylindrical vase and candle, and the round bowl, help to echo the shape of the table. Even the little, curved-corner detail on the tray is a nod to the circular theme. Little details DO matter!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZg1aT28m2OGyPkFqQOdKJlcMCc_UsP_3b5Lv4EK8LRWR2t5FoPujxC2sOerbRl0jDJ_osg5kdvB-CqkNY-6jW-WfCz2bzyBxdxTA6o4d9n5iWzb0K_m-esB8UDnb6LA26s-UgjAJpQkb/s1600/Image+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1600" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZg1aT28m2OGyPkFqQOdKJlcMCc_UsP_3b5Lv4EK8LRWR2t5FoPujxC2sOerbRl0jDJ_osg5kdvB-CqkNY-6jW-WfCz2bzyBxdxTA6o4d9n5iWzb0K_m-esB8UDnb6LA26s-UgjAJpQkb/s640/Image+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(image by WE Studio Photography)<br /></td></tr>
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Conversely, if you have a square or rectangular table, you will find that square or rectangular shapes are your friend. Think in terms of trays with straight lines and neatly stacked books--you can't ever go can't ever go wrong there.<br />
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<b>STEP THREE: Form and Function</b><br />
As you are assembling items to display on the coffee table, assess each one by asking the question, "Is this beautiful or is it functional?" Hopefully sometimes the answer is both! You'll want to keep things on hand that you reach for regularly when relaxing in your living room--books, magazines, a deck of cards, or a scented candle and something to light it with. It's also perfectly fine to mix in a few indulgent items. Things that make you smile just because they're pretty, or have happy memories attached--fresh flowers, little art objects, trinkets, or things your kids have proudly brought you with a grin and exclaimed "This is for you Mommy!" (Side note: if keeping fresh flowers on the table seems a little too high-maintenance, consider a potted plant. It's much easier to maintain but can look just as good!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifa-Cbg94VDHb_mbw6ksHcLTWm5uduRaVw6R0Xp6_BbWH8volB3EafxbiJB6e0SsmObaWixUS5lwNjrOqcF29_G0tciSHDaANWcIcoaKHk3zrm0rQP-iAcwFB17sC8Solh1kkUC-oqaF9g/s1600/Stanzel+21+Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifa-Cbg94VDHb_mbw6ksHcLTWm5uduRaVw6R0Xp6_BbWH8volB3EafxbiJB6e0SsmObaWixUS5lwNjrOqcF29_G0tciSHDaANWcIcoaKHk3zrm0rQP-iAcwFB17sC8Solh1kkUC-oqaF9g/s640/Stanzel+21+Family.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a casual coffee table I styled for a client's family room. A simple bouquet for a pop of color, a few novels and a candle corralled in a rattan tray, and a stack of coffee table books for visiting guests. Nothing too fancy...nothing the kids can hurt! (image by WE Studio Photography)</td></tr>
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<b>STEP FOUR: Groups of Three</b><br />
As any designer decorator will tell you, things always look better in groups of three. If ever in doubt about <b>how much</b> to incorporate, follow this golden rule and you'll be, well, <i>golden</i>! Go for three groupings on a table, or as shown in the first "round table" example, cluster three things within one decorative tray. It will always look like just enough and feel more balanced that way. Also aim to collect three piles or things that are different in shape and scale. Here's another example from one of my projects:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZWyZ1nUVfryh4wCplxmM8qrduVjHKfH4mMH4Mr4l0EcdfIDIWjVm9tz42pyHwvClALiIU7e7mnK7fmOowpNS_XRnt2YHNn61lr-Hb3rlhqv9KeNrtlhMiK6pbfvN_CCagxOmcgVbWWN2/s1600/Turner+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZWyZ1nUVfryh4wCplxmM8qrduVjHKfH4mMH4Mr4l0EcdfIDIWjVm9tz42pyHwvClALiIU7e7mnK7fmOowpNS_XRnt2YHNn61lr-Hb3rlhqv9KeNrtlhMiK6pbfvN_CCagxOmcgVbWWN2/s640/Turner+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Image by Christian J Anderson Photography)</td></tr>
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<b>Thing 1:</b> Flower or Plant--green and alive is the best way to bring<i> life</i> to a room! <b>Thing 2 </b>(I'm feeling like a Doctor Seuss book!): a small round decorative bowl, which echos the shape of the bigger green bowl, playing with varied scale and color. <b>Thing 3:</b> A pile of books within a tray, introduces a new shape to the arrangement and also fills up a slightly larger footprint on the table. See how simple this is?<br />
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<b>STEP FIVE: Height matters</b><br />
After the rule of 3's, the second most helpful tip (in my opinion), is to pay attention to heights. Aim to have one tall thing on the table, to really stand out and catch the eye. Usually this piece will be your greenery or floral arrangement. When choosing just HOW tall to make this item, think about whether you need guests to be able to see other's faces across the room so that they can properly converse, or if the room calls for something really bold and big, to fill up some volume and add pure drama. See example below: This is about as high as I have gone in my projects. Here I thought I could get away with it because the space had a soaring ceiling and the wispy branches didn't really block your view of the other seating pieces, or the view of the linear fireplace. It's big, but I think it works. Something small and diminutive would feel lost in this space. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALrBOERtcRdBUlOfH65PMOTSRD6axjZzlA_XQ-9mg3effswmKTWvX1ozvVwmY9GPyRcJUobv7A1Up5qQYKXumUoMrW2dDhz0VcQKQONGDcOazlMo4AeXQqkqapDN7tMq7NtiWdpax5kI6/s1600/Image+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALrBOERtcRdBUlOfH65PMOTSRD6axjZzlA_XQ-9mg3effswmKTWvX1ozvVwmY9GPyRcJUobv7A1Up5qQYKXumUoMrW2dDhz0VcQKQONGDcOazlMo4AeXQqkqapDN7tMq7NtiWdpax5kI6/s640/Image+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funny Note: Although you can't really see it from this angle, there <b>IS</b> a group of three going on here. Hidden behind the clear vase is the third thing--a little, white wooden vase. (Image by Kristen Buchmann Photography)<br /><br /></td></tr>
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The second tallest "grouping" my table-scapes usually involves a stack of books. Stacked books are beautiful and they provide a nice, level surface on which to display a sculptural, decorative piece, as with the gold intertwined orbs in the image above. Think of your books not only as purposeful pieces which encourage reading, but as pedestals for art! This next image isn't one of mine, but look how sweetly this bowl of cherries is presented, sitting on top of a stack of books! It draws the bowl up closer to the viewer's eye and says, "look at me." <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Try taking a few beautiful art books down off the shelf and using them to break up a coffee table's surface." height="640" src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/e1/3c/08/e13c080bd8c5c56999a1f9785a895a0b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Image taken from Pinterest. Designer not known.)<br /></td></tr>
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The shortest piece on the table can be something very simple and small, such as a decorative bowl, a candle, or a plate with tiny collected items, playing cards, or coasters. Don't be afraid to play around to see what works.<br />
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When you figure out an arrangement that "works," enjoy it and show it off, but don't be afraid to change it up once in a while. Tables should evolve with the season, your whims, and your lifestyle needs. Also, I don't think the table needs to always look like "something in a magazine" to be attractive. Sometimes life's little messes can be what bring visual comfort and a sense of livability. To prove the point, I'm attaching a photo of what my coffee table looks like <b>today</b>, completely unedited.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAUjixS1ypyYlch5PZbmqe_50EQHN_W8c7bFoWFEOGghBweoA3Na0YktLpof5CHNzqc_LvoK0s4gWGgsMt6IjtT5Agmig4a4IbbfZoDuzVAN9JIQVpgHcL_LhnKXqVQt8t8s14BC9JNhl/s1600/20180902_190929%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAUjixS1ypyYlch5PZbmqe_50EQHN_W8c7bFoWFEOGghBweoA3Na0YktLpof5CHNzqc_LvoK0s4gWGgsMt6IjtT5Agmig4a4IbbfZoDuzVAN9JIQVpgHcL_LhnKXqVQt8t8s14BC9JNhl/s640/20180902_190929%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is exactly how I found it when I walked in the room, and fairly representative of what it looks like <i>most</i> of the time. Notice the live plant (something green and something tall), a group of three, varied heights, stacked books and mix of functional and frivolous. The kids added the two boxed games, the decor magazines and books are mine for late-night reading, and the oval tray (variety of shape) holds everything from coasters, a game of UNO, math flashcards, and some quirky things the kids brought me. It's not perfect and it's definitely not on par with the McGee-styled table in image one, but to me, it says "Home" and it looks somewhat tidy and organized, should a friend or a neighbor pop in unannounced. And for those of you that are curious, the tiny footstools underneath DO come in handy. We use them for impromptu board game or puzzle sessions with the kids. I love that nothing here is too precious that it can't be moved aside, to make way for some good, family time. <i>This</i> is real life, with a few design tricks thrown in for good measure.SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-752253338485439072016-09-06T20:04:00.000-07:002016-09-06T20:04:07.009-07:00The Must-Have Breakfast Nook<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think every designer has a few signature pieces or ideas, that he or she likes to incorporate into every project. One of mine has to be built-in banquettes and casual, comfortable breakfast nooks. When I begin the planning phase of a new kitchen remodel, I am always looking for ways to incorporate a built-in window seat to anchor the back side of a breakfast table. The custom built-ins provide character and charm, while the bench seat allows drop-in guests to squeeze in--family-style! For extra seating, I add comfy chairs that invite one to stay and relax, rather hard wood that ones that scream dine and dash. Aesthetically, I seek out warmth, texture and beautiful finishes, yet my practical side demands forgiving fabrics, so that meals with kids can be relaxing and worry-free. The challenge is to incorporate all of these ideas into one cohesive space, that eventually becomes one of the most-loved and most-used areas of the home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is one little dining nook, that I designed quite a while ago, but still love for all the reasons listed above.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was a kitchen reno project that included the addition of a new bay window at one end of the room. As is the case with many Tudor-style homes, this kitchen was tiny and narrow, so there wasn't the space for a free-standing island with bar seating. The little window bump out gave us the room for a sweet little seating nook instead. It's the first thing you see when you enter the kitchen (just off the foyer, so very visible!) and it gave us a pretty focal point. The bench seats have hinged tops and storage inside, to make up for lack of space elsewhere. Another favorite bit for me was the wrap-around stone countertop, that flowed from the breakfront cabinets on either side of the nook, around and into the window ledge, nicely capping off our custom upholstery. Everything has a nice, clean, fitted feel--important when space is at a premium!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is another, more recent project. This nook is very different in feeling (more airy and open), yet still very compact. I love all the soft, soothing fabrics, the simple drum-shade pendant, and custom valance that coordinates with the pillow fabrics. Perhaps the best feature though is the corner window, which offers views of the garden while one is sipping coffee or enjoying a sandwich. Who wouldn't want to linger here?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This last example from my portfolio archives is a simple, under-the window bench, with built-in china cabinets on either side.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This window was existing when we started the kitchen remodel, and we decided to just work with the size rather than change it. There wasn't enough room for a proper backrest, so we made-do with an abundance of comfy pillows. One neat feature is the proximity of the coffee/tea counter, which is just off to the right and visible in the second photo. Though simple in design, I think it all came together nicely. In fact, this image is my most-pinned on Houzz.com! As of today, it's up over 7,000 pins, so something about this little spot must resonate with homeowners. So much so, that one of the Houzz.com contributing editors wrote about it in an article. Too bad it was in Italian! </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/60063317/list/16-angoli-colazione-che-vi-faranno-diventare-mattinieri"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/60063317/list/16-angoli-colazione-che-vi-faranno-diventare-mattinieri</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Actually, I shouldn't say that...the ironic thing was that the homeowner IS Italian and she was able to get someone to translate it for me. My image is the last one in the article, and it closes by saying "For the most lazy...Like a family room: a warm and inviting breakfast nook is the place to grant oneself a last moment of relaxation before going out. The key ingredients: Wood, warm color, and indirect light." I couldn't have said it better myself!</span></div>
SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-87435726513704957142016-05-22T19:19:00.000-07:002016-05-22T19:19:12.019-07:00The Make-Me-Beautiful Kitchen Project<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These days I am working on <em><strong>yet another</strong></em> white kitchen project. What can I say? I love a classic, all-white kitchen! This one is particularly fun because the room is bright and airy, with huge windows and water views, and high ceilings that make you feel like you are floating. Not only is this project great in terms of the design possibilities, but the client is an absolute sweetheart, making the whole process a real treat--from developing the new space plan, to selecting the custom cabinetry, and shopping for finishes and fixtures. Designing a custom kitchen can be challenging, but sometimes the work feels more like play when you are inspired by the details and you enjoy the company of the people around you. Such is the case on this one!<br />
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For this post, I thought it would be fun to share a sneak peak into our progress, so that you can see where we started and where we hope to land when the project is done. To begin, my client came across an image of a kitchen that she absolutely loved on HomeBunch.com. This kitchen has served as inspiration for a lot of our design decisions. Here is that kitchen:<br />
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We both like the white, raised-panel cabinetry, the dark hardwood floors, the farmhouse style sink, and the elegant niche created around the range, with above-counter spice storage pull-outs and the full panel wrap on the upper hood. <br />
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And here is what my client's kitchen looked like, pre-construction:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrMVevgteACfqu-2kbx_xS8Z6TcPjnZ1R20G23mp2R_MDzVS016xPC6zuWGLFdOs3Uv6qVij1T_XWCSymfeg0hJIozKQgCcTFEjbltwqP5yOne2fHS_JwCa1jYIxZjxofiS0eG9K0xL_Y/s1600/IMG_20160422_141600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrMVevgteACfqu-2kbx_xS8Z6TcPjnZ1R20G23mp2R_MDzVS016xPC6zuWGLFdOs3Uv6qVij1T_XWCSymfeg0hJIozKQgCcTFEjbltwqP5yOne2fHS_JwCa1jYIxZjxofiS0eG9K0xL_Y/s640/IMG_20160422_141600.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our "Before" shot, looking through the kitchen to the family room beyond.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNSA_Q3mZQ5Mpabxo2euMWKmd1YgM84tnbPUcWbasuOOsRjZRpJe428v-Y7IrGSMIJYSKyO30Q9WJ_jy8UybhU5l4OeYPDO0XRdL61AIbZRhBmOETNiXT1pXwHyA5YhuDqMH73xYvhzxL/s1600/IMG_20160422_141549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNSA_Q3mZQ5Mpabxo2euMWKmd1YgM84tnbPUcWbasuOOsRjZRpJe428v-Y7IrGSMIJYSKyO30Q9WJ_jy8UybhU5l4OeYPDO0XRdL61AIbZRhBmOETNiXT1pXwHyA5YhuDqMH73xYvhzxL/s640/IMG_20160422_141549.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking the other way, towards the water and the formal dining room. You can't see the breakfast nook here, but it is off to the right. The breakfast nook has wrap-around and (nearly) floor-to-ceiling windows so that you can enjoy the views. Stunning!<br />
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As you can see the house has an early 90's feel to it and the kitchen is practically begging, "Make me beautiful!" With it's Maple, slab-front cabinetry, this room is trying to be contemporary, but at this point just feels dated and uninspiring. The room has two open pass-through windows which I'm not crazy about design-wise. While they do contribute to increased "openness", they feel rather cheap and stripped down. And there is so much empty wall space between the tops of the cabinets and the ceilings. What a waste! We intend to fill this space will full-height uppers and a rich, built-up crown molding. The pass-through window opening that you see in the second photo will disappear, as the doorway into the dining room is being significantly widened and properly trimmed out with a wide, handsome casement. If there is one thing this house lacks, it's properly-scaled molding. Lucky for us, it's going to be added back into the equation!<br />
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Once I had developed a proper kitchen layout--one where our new sink and range are deliberately situated to take advantage of the gorgeous water views, as well as provide visual contact with the adjoining family room and formal dining room--the next step was to select cabinetry and finishes. We went with a raised-panel door style, similar to the initial concept photo, with glass-door uppers on two walls. The range, which will sit where the old refrigerator was in the "Before" shot, will have a paneled surround, much like the one in our concept photo. Here is an early sketch I did of our own design:<br />
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I am hoping it will look and feel similar to this when we are done, but with the addition of a little more built-in storage:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Cabinetry, range nook, marble: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/38/29/93/3829932c4503bae68418e9c45d029444.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another great kitchen found on Pinterest<br />
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To pair with the white kitchen cabinets, the client has been going back and forth between Calacatta and Carrara marble countertops. After much debate, I think she's finally landed on this one:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcb_7RBtiaxtylCuqnFgP8v2IZTn2PMcAtfoBVKrXmHLfk1dWEB_JKMSok17HOT28mMG4KxqhGUDIT_en5i19mr11XUeevdWdjM3GjdJyOiNgepzZQqolHaGRXsT5lIDgnhq4LukQZXtbW/s1600/IMG_20160212_130440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcb_7RBtiaxtylCuqnFgP8v2IZTn2PMcAtfoBVKrXmHLfk1dWEB_JKMSok17HOT28mMG4KxqhGUDIT_en5i19mr11XUeevdWdjM3GjdJyOiNgepzZQqolHaGRXsT5lIDgnhq4LukQZXtbW/s640/IMG_20160212_130440.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The counter top slab we are in love with: Calacatta Statuario Polished.</td></tr>
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She and I both love the highly polished finish and the beautiful, milky-white background. I think it will look amazing! Then for the backsplash, we want to keep it pretty simple, matching the tile to the countertop. I like a Calacatta beveled-edge subway tile, as the beveled edge will add a little texture to the walls, making the whole composition a bit more interesting. This one looks just about perfect to me, being slightly more matte than the countertop. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Calacatta Gold Marble Beveled 3x6. This beveled marble also has chair rails to match. Please inquire.: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/26/e8/36/26e8361a0dc5f91d6f924f0081626262.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calacatta Beveled 3x6 Subway tile, sold by Beltile.com<br />
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Then for the wall space just above the range, we want to do something a little more bold. With all that white, it would be nice to establish an focal point by applying some pattern and contrast. The cooktop area is a logical place, so I thought we could do an inset tile detail inside our range "niche". This is a water-jet cut marble mosaic that we are considering for that purpose:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLghqjK_A1OfDFpLXw9nrTR98m_j1ek9d05XJWBpoPlhHwq3BdlyD7gwwAcCoYAK4Oyb4kdd976vrRKsS_VivjZiEM549-v0Axvj-tGCXbEN2WW85UAJVobQOO_odLa0FY4cq7sja2euD/s1600/IMG_20160516_123418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLghqjK_A1OfDFpLXw9nrTR98m_j1ek9d05XJWBpoPlhHwq3BdlyD7gwwAcCoYAK4Oyb4kdd976vrRKsS_VivjZiEM549-v0Axvj-tGCXbEN2WW85UAJVobQOO_odLa0FY4cq7sja2euD/s640/IMG_20160516_123418.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tile through Oregon Tile and Marble</td></tr>
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It's a pricey little number, at over $100/sq ft, but we don't have much backsplash in the kitchen, so I am hoping we can justify the extra cost. One of the things I like most about it, is the little blue-gray outline. The client already has a beautiful, high-quality rug in her living room, which has blues and grays in it. I always like to find a common color to tie all the rooms together, even if it is a small, subtle detail. Here is a close-up detail of that rug:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDV74RPLiM21Q9j2qTp3mZ64PCPripfEJPFzQyc0xj9CwaGlaXb6OM8MhCl5tcV5H3MzY7Wz1fG6avLBti8vx-7uWbSWUlBfPngnWjgEdFIJyyfieOvsq5aa6F-w3r1yZE-It_r11Hi4du/s1600/2015-09-09+12.06.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDV74RPLiM21Q9j2qTp3mZ64PCPripfEJPFzQyc0xj9CwaGlaXb6OM8MhCl5tcV5H3MzY7Wz1fG6avLBti8vx-7uWbSWUlBfPngnWjgEdFIJyyfieOvsq5aa6F-w3r1yZE-It_r11Hi4du/s640/2015-09-09+12.06.56.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Tile is probably my favorite design element to play with in a kitchen, but lighting has to be a close second. There are so many great fixtures to choose from--the problem is always narrowing down the choices! We've gone back and forth between a more rustic look (iron lantern pendants over the island) and something bright and shiny, but finally settled on the later, in the form a bell jar pendant with polished nickel accents. There will be three of these over the island and I think they will go beautifully with the home's light and airy vibe.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hudson Valley Hampton 4-light Pendant, Polished Nickel: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/9c/b1/4f/9cb14f99ed02f1b543e07c538d4f265c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hamptons pendant by Hudson Valley Lighting<br />
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Another room that needs help in the lighting department is the formal dining room. The current chandelier is too contemporary (and a dated version at that!) to suit the tastes of my client and will feel very out of place once we add all the traditional design features to the kitchen and adjoining rooms. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Formal dining room, which opens up to the deck (facing water) and the living room.</td></tr>
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My client wants the space to be elegant, but also warm and inviting...not overly fussy or formal. At the moment, the dining space, while nicely scaled and beautifully situated, fees rather ho-hum. We need a healthy dose of style and personality and I intend to add that with a lovely chandelier, a new table to go with the client's existing Chippendale-style chairs, darker (re-stained) hardwood floors, and some proper window treatments. This should be fun! To get us started down that path, here is a dining fixture that I think gives us the feel we are after:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karolina chandelier by Aidan Gray Lighting. Found at LaylaGrace.com</td></tr>
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I also see great potential in those chairs of hers. While the Navy upholstery works well-enough with the overall color scheme, the pattern could use a little boost. I saw this image on Pinterest and it got my wheels turning:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Decorating for spring can be.as simple as putting a few bouquets of spring blooms throughout your home.: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/53/ac/0e/53ac0e8403a02678148ce643bf8b1e76.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seen on Pinterest, originally from NellsHills.com</td></tr>
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I don't know yet if I am going to be able to talk her into a pleated skirt, but something along these lines sure would breathe new life into those chairs! The Chippendale style, while classic, can sometimes feel a tad stogy or stuffy, unless you find a way to put a fresh spin on them. Even if we just did the pleats on the two end chairs that have arms, I would be thrilled. That little detail nicely compliments the slightly frilly chandelier and the whole slip-covered approach lends a relaxed air.<br />
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There's lots more to talk about, but maybe I should save that for another post. For now, it's back to work. There's still a lot to be done and not a lot of time to get it all accomplished. Did I mention that my client has a baby on the way??? Nothing like a baby's due date to kick a home remodel project into high gear!<br />
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SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-36300780552788831882016-04-05T15:57:00.000-07:002016-04-05T15:57:06.597-07:00The Real Truth: Photo ShootsThis last weekend I had a photo shoot at a client's house and I am <u>exhausted</u>! I bet many of you see gorgeous photos in magazines and think those homes look that way all the time. Don't be fooled. Even the loveliest homes are staged a bit for photographs. There are actually design trade professionals known as "photo stylists" who specialize in prepping homes for their close ups. Some are even employed by magazines. What a fun job that would be!<br />
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Most of my projects are architectural in nature (designing custom homes, kitchens, baths, etc.) and often the client doesn't request help with furniture or décor, until the very end, almost as an afterthought. I gladly assist with these requests, but even then, they frequently fall short of what I would consider 100% complete. Because of that, when it's time to photograph a project for my portfolio, there are often gaps to be filled. Sometimes these gaps are large (missing furniture) and sometimes they are small (needing accessories). Either way, if I'm going to invest the time and money in photographs, I have to address these missing pieces. <br />
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Such was the case this last weekend. First, let me just say, this was an amazing project. I asolutely LOVED working on the interior of this custom home with the help of Krannitz Gehl Architects. <a href="http://krannitzgehl.com/">http://krannitzgehl.com/</a> (Construction by Anderson Construction Group) It was a dream project to be sure: waterfront location, classic Nantucket Shingle-Style architecture, and a young, female client with strong sense of personal style and a fearless approach to color. Imagine bright, pure, saturated colors, like yellow, green, blue and coral, all mixed with loads of white--perfect for a house on the water! When she hired me, I was asked to help with selecting interior finishes and draw up tile details, but the job quickly grew into so much more. I was in designer heaven! <br />
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Most of my work looks like this: construction site visits and working out the architectural features and finishes. Here is the KITCHEN, under construction.</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJAPalycjRWe_8ID7euJwBAV__zIN1CaQeisllFLzhqteX544dVAKVMbUyj11sXm7zNDbiRrm0vgh8G5I8GDZ_atX8zdvH4Dwy_fOQ2RmZNBCIq4f4d5JYnrFldjuuHSlxCfoM5LGWZrF/s1600/IMG_20150415_105857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJAPalycjRWe_8ID7euJwBAV__zIN1CaQeisllFLzhqteX544dVAKVMbUyj11sXm7zNDbiRrm0vgh8G5I8GDZ_atX8zdvH4Dwy_fOQ2RmZNBCIq4f4d5JYnrFldjuuHSlxCfoM5LGWZrF/s640/IMG_20150415_105857.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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And this...lots of tile work. (MASTER SHOWER) I love selecting the pieces and designing the layout.</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEErBEdwpN3r99Q7wtFHYjEPY7Tp4sN86VM6QgOqtIHy374oVthWgJJd_OQmjXbqQySg4QQul6R4xhyphenhyphenkzD08c6u-diI5t2iYqzjXwDHKAtd14bgpgStR_JMjGJUB8y_KidZQ9ET_iMlSD/s1600/fabric+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEErBEdwpN3r99Q7wtFHYjEPY7Tp4sN86VM6QgOqtIHy374oVthWgJJd_OQmjXbqQySg4QQul6R4xhyphenhyphenkzD08c6u-diI5t2iYqzjXwDHKAtd14bgpgStR_JMjGJUB8y_KidZQ9ET_iMlSD/s640/fabric+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Then, if I am lucky, the client asks me to help with furniture and upholstery. On this project, the client wanted lots of color and playful prints. The challenge was making the house flow and not feel like a circus. I think we accomplished that. My photographer commented that this was one of the happiest-feeling homes she had ever been in!</h3>
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So here we are two years later...and two babies later for my client! (How she had the energy to do all this I will never know.) The house is nearly perfect, and we certainly accomplished a lot in those two years. The rooms are stunning, with gorgeous finishes and LOADS of classic, architectural features. We also had the time to do a few custom upholstery projects, add beautiful custom window treatments, select fun light fixtures, and sprinkle the house with bright and colorful textiles. Now though, the client has a toddler AND a newborn at home and understandably wants a break from designing and decorating! So I figured no time like the present to get this project wrapped up an photographed Here's an inside peek at what this process looks like for me:<br />
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First, I start by going through a series of "progress shots" that I keep on file, making notes of what major pieces are missing, what might look awkward in a professional photograph, or what could possibly be the perfect finishing touch. I like to print out photos on my office printer and scribble notes and ideas right on the printed photo. For some reason, I am better able to analyze a space and "fix" the problem this way. Sometime I even use this approach when designing for a client.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-hVfUzw89FYQbp46sshlnkU9OwyuSnp4tpKi0zbiCnK1FHxSKSmB0nsqrAtXYYlAn6qAV8d_VbDr3lDggk06MxIGp7GgzGgIrh8_rNdj1L78A3vxnTvKCx08pDnwtg1vZZCDGAPWGl5V/s1600/IMG_20150930_154852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-hVfUzw89FYQbp46sshlnkU9OwyuSnp4tpKi0zbiCnK1FHxSKSmB0nsqrAtXYYlAn6qAV8d_VbDr3lDggk06MxIGp7GgzGgIrh8_rNdj1L78A3vxnTvKCx08pDnwtg1vZZCDGAPWGl5V/s640/IMG_20150930_154852.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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This was the house towards the end of our work. The chair was left over from a previous home and didn't seem to fit, so we swapped it with a chair from another room, and had that chair and the sofa reupholstered. </h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEino37T_0ZZdT0V6azLL3wVLRI38pzu9Yrr1G6TREmeWNtZIHyrlGgLr7XnfinOd0HMvBW7el6kl2osRkKPeoldVLH08hujxG5WbRi8RK-bNNmnu4z8J9y2uXLyyPySBGeRek2GGdNfpOSY/s1600/2015-09-02+11.41.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEino37T_0ZZdT0V6azLL3wVLRI38pzu9Yrr1G6TREmeWNtZIHyrlGgLr7XnfinOd0HMvBW7el6kl2osRkKPeoldVLH08hujxG5WbRi8RK-bNNmnu4z8J9y2uXLyyPySBGeRek2GGdNfpOSY/s640/2015-09-02+11.41.17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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And another progress shot. This was taken after the window treatments were up, with matching custom pillows. The client had added a very nice jute area rug--perfect for a casual beach house. However, the sofa still needed some work. The striped throw was covering some less-than-pretty wear and tear on the seat.</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35RisTDzVZ2OvLY6v1gZgJtx3CTTnLIWF8Y_-5kbPOkoS8QRvY844RYOij5_Z4ATX_X1VJTkTbPvnlY3UbCKa1DDfwlUW_5gHenoMEsTN-8e8Bs6y_vFWNT9dskUQJ08FC_UxgJcsfDKY/s1600/rotated+progress+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35RisTDzVZ2OvLY6v1gZgJtx3CTTnLIWF8Y_-5kbPOkoS8QRvY844RYOij5_Z4ATX_X1VJTkTbPvnlY3UbCKa1DDfwlUW_5gHenoMEsTN-8e8Bs6y_vFWNT9dskUQJ08FC_UxgJcsfDKY/s640/rotated+progress+shot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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A peek at how I work--a photo of the room, with loosely sketched furniture and décor ideas, as well as notes so that I can remember what I am thinking. The fun part is in seeing the finished room next to these quick little sketches!</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzSR1fu51vr8k7o6xbTopSrJ9pa-2eKPDgyxIftiQlG36x2kpsoGzMdGHwa-P2i9esRms7ZtstkC-XGi3LthStDzs0bQLk31guxi560M1al7Y49TSEZNUrbzEBtfG6ZNu2gk6gWORdnss/s1600/rotated+concept+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzSR1fu51vr8k7o6xbTopSrJ9pa-2eKPDgyxIftiQlG36x2kpsoGzMdGHwa-P2i9esRms7ZtstkC-XGi3LthStDzs0bQLk31guxi560M1al7Y49TSEZNUrbzEBtfG6ZNu2gk6gWORdnss/s640/rotated+concept+photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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More ideas: The kitchen shot from Pinterest (on the left) actually had the very same fabric on the window treatment that we used, and our cabinetry and sink looked very similar too. How handy to be able to see how someone else finished off their room with some simple greenery by the sink and a pretty, blue hand towel, casually tossed over the rim. (I actually "borrowed" this towel idea for my photo shoot.) The image on the right caught my eye because we had an almost identical design for our breakfast nook--a bench seat in the background and some lacquered, faux-bamboo chairs in the foreground. I liked the table décor and the height/angle from which this photo was taken. </h3>
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Truth be told, I spend hours on Pinterest, looking at images, trying to get ideas on how to best feature a room, or how to expertly arrange the perfect vignette of accessories. I have loads of these images pinned! Check out a few of my idea files here: <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/sheilamayden/accessories/">https://www.pinterest.com/sheilamayden/accessories/</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Living room: Blue curtains, white couch and walls, multitude of blue and white patterned vases, wooden table and blue cushions: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/e1/67/ee/e167eef916f6697700fb824839c59510.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
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Here is one such Pinterest photo: I knew I wanted to add some blue and white pottery to at least one or two of the rooms, so this image caught my eye. The blue and white pottery has such a beautiful, classic look for a beach house. I also liked the coffee table décor.</h3>
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More blue and white pottery found on Pinterest. I didn't add the pottery to the kitchen like they did here, but I liked looking at the assortment of sizes and shapes and how the pieces were arranged.</h3>
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Full disclosure here: Decorating was not something they taught me in my Interior Design program at Bellevue College, so it is something I have had to study and learn on my own. I love it, but it feels a little less natural to me than designing the architectural features of a home and it is an art form I am always trying to hone and perfect. <br />
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Next, I spend hours shopping, both online and in stores, looking for the perfect pieces to use for my staging. Of course budget is critical here. I want it to <u>look</u> like a millions bucks, but I don't want to <u>spend</u> a million bucks! And because I've done so many of these now, I have countless Rubbermaid tubs, filled with home products just for this purpose. It's kind of fun to dig these out of storage and go through them, "shopping" for things that I already own! Sometimes, I might even borrow items from my own home, such as house plants, lamps, an accent pillow or two. Whatever works I say! <br />
I start this whole "prep" process weeks in advance--planning, shopping, taking notes, and thinking about how I want the entire house to feel and look. Soon shopping bags and delivery boxes start to pile up and eventually, it feels like they are completely swallowing my office. (This part drives me more than a little nuts. I could definitely use more space during this phase.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-WyTlbCsMWKty1qeRMC_4DBLsP4SKFC6Os21oXiZaLNUtTVrxgB6bXWHH2c4Fo09HMuptI3mDiSxmXWy0pDqqyfHvGKzZynPM-bTfKVLCnZUaJVGDLWGjLQQJS9zJ9MN4nkyQ0dDnIyO/s1600/IMG_20160401_074225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-WyTlbCsMWKty1qeRMC_4DBLsP4SKFC6Os21oXiZaLNUtTVrxgB6bXWHH2c4Fo09HMuptI3mDiSxmXWy0pDqqyfHvGKzZynPM-bTfKVLCnZUaJVGDLWGjLQQJS9zJ9MN4nkyQ0dDnIyO/s640/IMG_20160401_074225.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Here is a shot I took while playing around with décor in my then cluttered office, trying to decide what I wanted to use for the coffee table centerpiece.</h3>
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And the finished product. (LIVING ROOM) I love how it all turned out. The blue white and green looked so fresh and pretty!</h3>
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Then just when I think I can't take it any more, the photo shoot day finally arrives. I buy loads of fresh flowers, some tasty-looking produce or food items for the kitchen, then all those blue bins and pieces of furniture get loaded into my not-so-glamorous (but highly-functional!) mini-van. I head on out to the client's home, feeling a bit sheepish as it clearly looks as if I am moving in. Some clients are a bit shocked, but I think most are fascinated by the process, and besides, who doesn't want to see their home magically transformed into something magazine-worthy, all in the course of a few hours? <br />
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If I am lucky, I have an assistant or two to help me with the pre-photo session cleaning, de-cluttering, and final staging. It is serious work and you have to have stamina for this, not to mention muscles! Those big blue tubs weigh a ton! Lucky for me, I have had a great assistant on my last few photo shoots--someone who intuitively knows what to do, with little instruction. (Thank you Brandi Cook!) It is so exciting to see the spaces come together and look like you always pictured them. The process is so rewarding and you always hope the homeowner will be just as thrilled and inspired. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLuugqkABJK-qj_Th0A8zmNbXSiJXMuNDkOLVfZSbq85z5OuNojGB7t29EVitWIeDOlvk1qPpJCNixThZYMKr1qGDCbvjSmQSLY-f03u8CDQAAFLFJIYDUkvz00Wxd7rIGKoulRuZQixF/s1600/2015-03-11+11.00.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLuugqkABJK-qj_Th0A8zmNbXSiJXMuNDkOLVfZSbq85z5OuNojGB7t29EVitWIeDOlvk1qPpJCNixThZYMKr1qGDCbvjSmQSLY-f03u8CDQAAFLFJIYDUkvz00Wxd7rIGKoulRuZQixF/s640/2015-03-11+11.00.09.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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BREAKFAST NOOK during the construction phase.</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WNNKh5CgZTh01CbOZyAGgQqTJNFUgcsrmHrurxuvumSVOqugMUs1i5RmNkQaqU022QaZhTPQl1Hf5A6n2aU-8bICOx8DmJUd7GEugTfvASSvL3pIAFXhLJg0Eaxd5vUHRa81U6JvHKm1/s1600/2015-07-31+13.05.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WNNKh5CgZTh01CbOZyAGgQqTJNFUgcsrmHrurxuvumSVOqugMUs1i5RmNkQaqU022QaZhTPQl1Hf5A6n2aU-8bICOx8DmJUd7GEugTfvASSvL3pIAFXhLJg0Eaxd5vUHRa81U6JvHKm1/s640/2015-07-31+13.05.37.jpg" width="640" /></a></h3>
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Selecting fabrics for the BREAKFAST NOOK bench and cushions.</h3>
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And finally, a peek of the BREAKFAST NOOK on the day of the shoot, taken with my cell phone.</h3>
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Then the photographer shows up and works his/her magic, finding those special details or angles that show your work in the best possible light. A good photographer is worth his/her weight in gold-- Someone who takes the time to listen to what you hope to accomplish, which features in the home should be highlighted, and most importantly, someone who "gets" your personal style and the vision for your business. There is a lot at stake here! Without a great portfolio, it can be very hard to land new, amazing projects. I have been using Kristen Buchmann Photography most recently and love the way she finds all the little details in the room. Those small, artistic "moments" that make you go "oohhhh...so pretty!" That is so ME--someone who loves all the little details and how they contribute to the bigger picture. When all the little pieces fit together and a room just feels "right", I get goose bumps and a wide smile on my face. THAT, is why I do this!<br />
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The FOYER during construction</h3>
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Finished FOYER on the day of the Photo Shoot.</h3>
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A progress shot of the LIVING ROOM...</h3>
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...and the finished space!</h3>
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The DINING ROOM during construction</h3>
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Selecting chairs and fabrics for the DINING ROOM</h3>
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The final space, ready for entertaining!</h3>
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In the end, I decided to use the blue and white pottery collection on the counter of a built-in room divider, as a backdrop to the Living Room sofa, as well as the dining room. It turned out to be a nice way to keep the blue-and-white theme flowing from room to room.</h3>
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I hope you have enjoyed this sneak peak into one of my now-completed projects, and can appreciate the creative design process a bit more. As I am hitting "publish", my fabulous photographer, Kristen Buchmann, is prepping my proofs for my viewing. I am on pins and needles! Later, after I place my order and she does the final digital editing, I will be sure to share the finished product--those oh-so-important photos that comprise one's professional design portfolio. I can hardly wait!!!<br />
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SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-15054806004593708602016-03-06T16:15:00.003-08:002016-03-06T16:15:46.461-08:00Rustic Kitchen Design<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
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I design a lot of white kitchens these days. And I mean a lot! Now don't get me wrong, I love white cabinetry (my own kitchen is white), but sometimes it can get a little repetitive. So I am very excited to announce that I have a new client who specifically requested a non-white kitchen! She wants warm, rustic with lots of texture....picture knotty alder cabinets, hand-scraped wood floors, a hammered copper farmhouse sink, wood beams on the ceiling, and a heavily textured stone like slate for the backsplash. Just that little mental picture makes me happy! I've been scouring Pinterest and Houzz lately for inspiration photos and have come up with some really fun ones. Want to look with me? Here are some faves:<br />
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This first one is the image I keep coming back to. I love the two-toned cabinetry and the way the sink base feels like a repurposed piece of furniture. I also think the blue-gray painted cabinet pairs fabulously with the warm wood tones. I hope we get to do a similar paint color in this new kitchen project!<br />
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<img alt="Rustic Cottage Kitchen: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" height="640" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/14/86/88/148688b5fc36c306a50e102325498711.jpg" width="426" /><br />
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This next one...Oh My! Is there anything NOT to love here? The ceiling, that big, built-in china hutch with the arched top, the antique rug on the floor, the iron chandeliers over the island. I want to be here!<br />
<img alt="http://canadianloghomes.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/elegant-rustic-kitchen.jpg: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/f7/68/86/f7688691dd0745874ac30537e2566ca2.jpg" /><br />
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I also love the look of this open, farmhouse-style island. The chunky wood legs with exposed joinery are beautiful, and Wow!--that slab of wood on the top is so nice and thick! I want to hang our here and visit with the cook. <br />
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<img alt="30 Rustic DIY Kitchen Island Ideas. Love the island, flooring, beams, lamps.: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/c3/58/0b/c3580bae6e2828a1f03d45418f15621e.jpg" /><br />
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And of course, what farmhouse kitchen would be complete without a pair of sliding barn doors? I love that these are a bit different with the seedy, Baroque glass panels. What a great way to let light in, while obscuring a view that might sometimes be a bit messy. I know my kitchen isn't always company or camera-ready!<br />
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<img alt="Glass barn doors...Gives charm and a rustic feel to any home, love being able to separate rooms, but open them completely as if doors didn't exist whenever you want!: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/22/78/12/227812bee3f8f3f17d4a9c53909dbc9f.jpg" /><br />
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One particularly fun feature that my client has requested in an old-fashioned larder. (Think English farmhouse kitchen, like on Downton Abbey.) She wants a place to leave her coffee pot plugged in, all her mugs, her teas, her daily essentials...sort of like a mini-pantry right at your fingertips. I think it's brilliant and see this as being the most used part of the kitchen.<br />
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<img alt="I would love to have this in my house. What a great idea to hide all those small appliances. Favorite Things @Hawthorne and Main: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" height="299" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/78/eb/dc/78ebdc8c1a74f7006536f5821e284309.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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Also a bit old fashioned, but fun if you eat a lot of vegetables, are some properly vented produce bins. This storage method seems so much more appealing than the mass of random produce that I currently have in my fridge. It can be so hard to know what you have going on in there when you have so many items, wrapped in plastic bags, then jam-packed into those tiny bins. Here you can quickly assess what you have and what needs to be eaten. Granted, not everything can be stored without refrigeration, but if you had this, would you be more inclined to eat your veggies more regularly?<br />
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<img alt="Bespoke Oak Kitchens - sohofactory Hop Kiln 5 More from "Plain English Design Ltd" Love the simple, light colored dovetailed drawers. Very nice old fashioned detail.: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" height="640" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/91/13/d9/9113d9ab966f7fdf65f8a38235805e50.jpg" width="459" /><br />
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I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did and stay tuned for pictures as the project progresses!<br />
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SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-43830789512433578992016-02-11T15:36:00.002-08:002016-02-11T15:36:44.280-08:00Reclaimed Wood BeamsFor the past year or so I have been obsessing over interior spaces that have high or vaulted ceilings and reclaimed wood beams. I love it when my clients share my passion for that type of character and request that we incorporate it into the new design. Reclaimed wood is everywhere these days, so apparently I am not the only one who can't get enough of it! Sometimes I wish my present, oh-so-crazy life, could somehow be transported to an old farmhouse in the South of France, where every day I could gaze at thick, plaster walls and lovely, rustic beams. Alas, I live in the Pacific NW, in a rather plain 70's house with low ceilings and no Old World character to speak of. Room by room, we're doing our best to add some character and charm back in, but it's a slow process. We just finished adding some fun, handmade, barn-style doors to our coat closet and game closet and I am thrilled with how they turned out. Now I am on a mission to find more ways to add more! Here is a sneak peak:<br />
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GAME CLOSET DOOR<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little door to the left of the fireplace is what started it all. During one home improvement session, we ripped some plywood paneling off of these walls, only to discover that there was a really neat, little closet on the left, which the previous owner had boarded over. We always need more storage, so we turned it into a game closet. It just needed shelves and a door. I liked it so much, that I decided to add a second door to the right, just around the corner, where we have our main coat closet.<br />
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COAT CLOSET DOOR<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the new coat closet door which you can see when you come in our front entry. There was originally a very boring, 6-panel, hollow-core door here. It definitely wasn't any thing that caught your attention. Now when people come in, they notice the barn door right away and ask about it. Character added--mission accomplished!</td></tr>
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My little DIY weekend projects pale by comparison to some of the lovely images you can find on the internet. These interior spaces all incorporate reclaimed wood and in some instances it is hard to tell if you are looking at a new-build or something truly rustic. Let's see if we can guess which ones are the real-deal and which ones are fabulous fakes, made to look like they are centuries old!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Mediterranean Spaces Reclaimed Wood Farm Table Design, Pictures, Remodel, Decor and Ideas - page 2: " src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/45/18/0d/45180d5fdd7a2f8a0d2a7e65ab36c889.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one almost had me! At first glance, I thought the furniture indicated a beautifully-aged Mediterranean home, complete with low, humble seating and crumbling, brick hearth. Then I took a second look and noticed the very precise, symmetrical layout of the room and the clean lines of the plaster walls. Everything looks just a bit too perfect! Definitely new build. Great imitation though! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Amazing corner. love how beam over window and drapery combo is done. club room: " src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/11/c0/31/11c03195eb44b5759a7bf96c5d20532c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This next project is by Oz Architects and is definitely new-build, but I love the wood headers along the over-sized windows. That is a detail I haven't seen before. I like that they have a cozy little reading/visiting nook adjacent to the kitchen island and the big wall of windows. I would love to spend some time in that room!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="greige: interior design ideas and inspiration for the transitional home : Vineyard Farmhouse in Napa: " height="640" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/09/d2/e2/09d2e2afe7867e51e232e5ce9934f7a7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="492" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one looks pretty convincing, but I had a hunch it was new because of the height of the ceiling and the large, roomy scale of the space. Old houses almost always have odd quirks, angles and ceiling heights. Wouldn't you know it--this lovely home is in Napa!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Floors with reclaimed beams: " src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/32/e1/dc/32e1dc28df19479320a41f2788657477.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is tough! The fireplace looks positively ancient. So simple, homey and pretty! Even the floorboards look old and worn. So I checked the link, only to find that the article was written in a language I don't speak. I am pretty confident though that this is the real deal, because at the beginning of the article was an image of the exterior, which fairly screamed crumbling French Farmhouse. So happy to find a nice example of everything I love. The only thing I don't really dig is the crystal chandelier. I'm all for eclectic, but this one I just don't "get".</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Blue decor is the hottest design trend in 2015, learn from Creative Director Jeff Lewis how to use it in your home. See more inspiration rooms. #LivingSpaces: " height="640" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/48/68/dd/4868dd3022ee38cff2b54bfd2b9d7b42.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="425" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this one I KNOW is a "newer" home where they have added reclaimed beams, but I love how livable this feels. It's fun, eclectic, and arty, with just the right mix of sophisticated and laid back. If only I could have those nice, vaulted ceilings in my 70's house. Ha!</td></tr>
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Since we are in the Pacific NW, and there are no crumbling French farmhouses to be found, sometimes one just has to add the character back in. Here's what that can look like. First I study the ceiling plan to see where it would make the most sense to add some faux beams. Then I check the plans and elevations to determine what the height, width and length of the beams should be. Finally, it is off to the lumber yard to do some shopping! The one I've been using lately is a good hour from where I live, but going there feels like an extra-special field trip so I don't mind the drive. It is so fun poking around, looking at all the cool pieces, and imagining where they might have come from or how they could best be incorporated into a new design. Here is a shot from one of those days:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the lumber yard, checking out sizes, level of distressing and degree of "checking" or splitting in the ends of the beams. <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">After I've made my selections, I arrange for the contractor to pick them and haul them back to the construction site. Then someone gets to work on sprucing them up. Usually we don't put them up as-is. That might look great if you were going for the dilapidated barn or warehouse look, but usually the clients want something a bit more refined. So we lightly sand them and/or add additional distressing (nail holes, burn marks, wire wheeling) until we have just the right look. Here is what that might look like. These happen to be remnant ends, cut off the beams and then set aside for finish experimentation.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are the beams, back at the house, after the builder had done some sanding to them to achieve a slightly smoother finish and more uniform color. As you can see, the beam in the middle has some paint on it, which we wanted to remove so as not to detract from the finished look. Character is good, but distracting color is not.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">And finally, here are the beams installed in the space. The room was still in-progress when this shot was taken, but you can see how much character and warmth they add. Beautiful! Stay tuned for final-final shots of this particular project. My photographer is currently wrapping up the photo edits and I am super excited to add them to my portfolio in the near future.</span></div>
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<br />SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-22107751517738690472015-02-08T20:58:00.001-08:002015-02-08T21:13:09.548-08:00New-Found Love for Navy<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
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It's been ages since I posted on my blog and I'm feeling rather embarrassed about it. The truth is, I've been in what feels like "survival mode" since the birth of our third son last May. He's an easy baby to be sure, but when you add new baby to a full client load, two older siblings, a house that needs constant cleaning, massive amounts of laundry, teaching an evening class once a week, what <u>feels</u> like a full social calendar, and a husband who understandably wants some time with his wife....well, something has to give. For me it's been the blog. Now, eight months in, I'm trying desperately to sweep out the cobwebs, whip my life back into shape, and get back to the old me. That's hard to do with a baby who up 'til now hasn't been a very good sleeper at night, but we're working on that too! I am determined to get back to a healthy balance of kids, family, clients and the things that I love.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHS-f0h0RL4i2lGZTcobm19i26tdBKEiuvdUFp1qBn4UldXsiFxe8lM5bfoZair6GdGE_w9eDQVIy1pkdCj6-lQ0ow0JAPEuDYwSgydt-Hch7riH42m4saOb5eXDn82RF7oZKhrDizdrkn/s1600/2015-01-24+17.37.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHS-f0h0RL4i2lGZTcobm19i26tdBKEiuvdUFp1qBn4UldXsiFxe8lM5bfoZair6GdGE_w9eDQVIy1pkdCj6-lQ0ow0JAPEuDYwSgydt-Hch7riH42m4saOb5eXDn82RF7oZKhrDizdrkn/s1600/2015-01-24+17.37.45.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Anders, my little kitchen helper. At 8+ months he is crawling and into everything!</td></tr>
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One of the things I love about my my job (among many!) is the interesting people that I get to work with. Every project brings new personalities, new tastes, new lifestyles and new challenges--it's never dull! With every client, I get to explore and enjoy some new idea or aspect of design, all the while living a bit vicariously through their home renovations or new-builds. Often times, those same clients influence what I am most obsessed with at that point in time, be it a style of furniture, a color palette, a type of light fixture, or a particular material. I love to dive in and sort of become "my clients" for the duration of the project, immersing myself in their world.<br />
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I have a current client who recently told me, when I showed her a wallcovering sample, "Oh good, I LOVE anything Navy!" I got to thinking about it later...I've had lots of clients that request the color blue, but I don't think I've ever had someone come to me and say, I love Navy Blue and I want to use it in my home. And come to think of it, Navy isn't a go-to choice for me when I'm pulling together color schemes for my clients. Maybe I've always shied away because I've been afraid of the overly predictable Blue and White "Nautical Look." It's classic to be sure, but it's been done so many times; I get nervous about anything that can start to feel cliché. The funnier thing to me is that one of my favorite decorative elements in my own home happens to be predominatly Navy: a pair of off-the-shelf drapery panels from Crate in Barrel that I bought several years ago when we moved into our house. They have a deep Navy background color, layered over with huge, green, yellow and white tropical-looking flowers. They hang in my kitchen in our breakfast nook area and when I look at them I always feel happy. So why am I not using more of this color?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKQPwUgW8gj_yIaerRA9bKzVaEY958kuZuOzUKn2Fr42UYcRYW7tAXUyp2ycjprr9IO_FZj1TBqd5kzJYz-F3B3YgJpL02QnwermwXy_Hmx9KuIyQzl6Wc1N1rovpi15lyXy14iuT6AQb/s1600/drapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKQPwUgW8gj_yIaerRA9bKzVaEY958kuZuOzUKn2Fr42UYcRYW7tAXUyp2ycjprr9IO_FZj1TBqd5kzJYz-F3B3YgJpL02QnwermwXy_Hmx9KuIyQzl6Wc1N1rovpi15lyXy14iuT6AQb/s1600/drapes.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My kitchen drapery panels that I love so much. </td></tr>
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It's certainly not that I don't like the color Navy. A quick perusal of my Pinterest and Houzz folders quickly showed me that I've been attracted to it all along. It's there, but I've never paid attention to how often it appears in the inspiration photos that I collect. And looking at these images for the second and third time has confirmed that I've been seriously overlooking the great potential that Navy offers! So here we go--thanks to the help of my fun and amazing client Amanda, a new-found love for Navy and a handful of inspiring photos that have me determined to use it more often.<br />
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One of the first emerging patterns that I noted in my photo collections was built-in cabinetry painted in the color. Navy makes ordinary cabinets look A-mazing! Here are some of my favorites:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Navy Mahogany Built-In Bar With Coral Decor" src="http://www.domainehome.com/img/uploads/current/images/0/168/117/main.original.585x0.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High-gloss Navy cabinets in Sue De Chiara's Connecticut home, designed in collaboration with Lauren Muse <br />
of Muse Interiors.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="navy cabinets, pearlescent tile, wire screens on upper cabinets" class="pinImage" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e8/a6/3c/e8a63cda0326212a27dacfd8ea12560e.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Décor Pad. "Small, chic butler's pantry features navy upper cabinets accented with chicken wire doors over navy lower cabinets paired with white marble counter and white iridescent grid tiled backsplash."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="The space appeals to the wine enthusiast, featuring two Thermador wine columns and custom cabinetry designed for ample storage of stemware." class="pinImage" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/8c/03/85/8c038523905b2ef3ff52fc1b24494044.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gorgeous party-prep kitchen in the DC Design House, by Aiden Design.</td></tr>
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Notice how they've paired the Navy cabinets with white in each of the rooms, whether it be the tile backsplash, a tile floor, or simply white accessories. There's just no getting around it--white makes Navy pop! Does that automatically make these rooms feel nautical? I don't think so. However, it does give them a classic, rooted-in-history feel, while at the same time being modern and fresh. What I love about the first example is the high-gloss finish on the cabinets. Now that is gutsy! And the way the deep, shiny finish makes those handsome, nickel bin pulls just jump off the page. By comparison, the second example seems a bit more subdued, with what appears to be a Satin finish on the cabinets. It's equally handsome though, with the rich, dark wood flooring, the classic white wall paneling, and the iridescent mosaic grid backsplash. And the third example...oh my, I think I am drooling! That Calcutta Marble herringbone floor, the rustic wood prep-table, the sleek, brushed brass hardware, the way the cabinetry panels extend to the ceiling and frame out the pass-through into the adjoining room. Everything here is perfection.<br />
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For similar reasons, I love the use of Navy on wainscoting or wall paneling. It feels rich, luxurious, and oh-so handsome. I notice that even Pottery Barn has shot of lot of their most recent catalog images against just such a backdrop. Maybe Navy is the "It" color of the moment!<img alt="Sherwin Williams Articles" src="http://ab.pbimgs.com/pbimgs/ab/images/i/201452/0015/images/design-studio/sherwin-williams/landing/articles.jpg" height="324" usemap="#sw-articles" width="640" /> I am convinced that Navy paneled walls add instant masculine appeal and grab you in a way that traditional white paneling just can't. When I see paneling done like this--and I love just about any kind of paneling--my heart skips a beat and I can't help but stop and stare! Something about it mesmerizes me and I can't take my eyes off of it. It makes the other elements in the room look even better, provided there are enough white or light tones in the room to balance the depth and darkness of the blue.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="obsessed w. this paint color - farrow & ball hague blue." class="pinImage" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/28/73/2f/28732f82b93d3ae688a85240cfafab76.jpg" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="426" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image found on sarahbarksdale.com. Paint color is Farrow and Ball Hague Blue.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="This bathroom takes my breath away. Stunning and elegant. The rich, dark color on the wall is regal in every way." class="pinImage" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ec/13/b3/ec13b3bf7639dfcf65bc4b3aeda99822.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here bathroom designer Robert Moore has painted the walls in a deep blue, 'Basalt' by <a href="http://www.littlegreene.com/" target="_blank">Little Greene</a></td></tr>
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And in my book, a close runner-up to Navy-hued wall paneling, is Navy grasscloth wallpaper, <u>especially</u> when paired with a crisp, white wainscoting. It's unexpected, bold, and feels very "current" yet refreshingly non-trendy. I would do this in a heartbeat in an old, traditional-style home. Or, a new home that you want to give instant, historic-feel. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="again, dark wood against the dark blue, but balanced by white... that's why it doesn't seem overwhelmed by the dark... note the lighter mirror over the dark dresser" height="640" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/35/35/e6/3535e6b17678ef989a758644128b0eb7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="576" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found on BHG blog.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Peacock blue grasscloth & lacquer cabinet" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/21/f8/62/21f8621c8ecce1ae2c79f39867f7805d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely little bath, found on Pinterest. Notice how amazing Navy grasscloth looks against gold fixtures.</td></tr>
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But if all this wall paneling, fancy cabinetry and grasscloth wallcoverings just aren't in the budget, and they aren't for a lot of us, a Navy coat of paint on a wall or two can go a long way. These rooms have serious design-cred, even with a simpler, less costly application of the color.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Modern living room, Medici Sectional Sofa with Track Arm | Hudson's Bay" class="pinImage" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/d7/fe/eb/d7feeb08d6b01dbe030f996751b7ded2.jpg" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="498" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from Cote Maison, via Pinterest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="nursery idea. Make it a room you can hang out in as well. Decorate it for the baby later when he/she is older" class="pinImage" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/7e/32/77/7e3277841a57ab27b11bf695edd6e114.jpg" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="426" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nursery by LeSueur Interiors. (I am a big fan of Meg Lonergan's work!)</td></tr>
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Do Navy walls still seem like too big of a commitment? Okay, then working our way down the list... How about a piece of Navy furniture? I love older pieces, re-painted and repurposed. After seeing these images, I think Navy is going to be my go-to color for painted furnishings. I am going to be scouring Craigslist for some tasty furniture finds then making my way to my local paint store! Okay, maybe not today, but in a few months when the baby is sleeping through the night and I feel ready to tackle a project in my "spare time."</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="ENTRY navy dresser- antique store (paint is polo blue Benjamin Moore, pulls from House of Antique Hardware) gold mirror- craigslist W mirror- Pottery Barn Kids black lamps- Target white shades- Target greek key trim- Walmart gold Asian bust- antique store zebra wood frame- Pottery Barn blue bowl- World Market silver plated bowl- One Kings Lane navy rug- One Kings Lane (Thom Filicia) drum shade- Andrews Lighting in OKC bird box- Anthropologie Callies home tour on LGN" class="pinImage" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b6/55/70/b6557040db2003930e356e49234e095e.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple, Navy chest of Drawers. Image from LittleGreenNotebook.BlogSpot.com. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="I love the salmon-ey pink inside...thinking I should paint the inside of my built in hutch this color." class="pinImage" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/13/0e/03/130e03671d151ac0b84f1f7b844bb5ff.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello Gorgeous! Love the Coral interior! Found on rrantiques.tumblr.com.<br />
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This last point brings me to another great question: "What colors are best paired with Navy?" Ha ha, that's actually a trick question. I think you can put just about anything with Navy, similar to the way denim blue jeans seem to look good with everything in your closet. Pondering this brings to mind the sage advice of style maven, Stacy London, on the show "What Not to Wear" (yes, I was addicted to that show ages ago, before the kids arrived), who said something to the effect that Navy is one of your neutrals, just like gray or black, and you can wear it with anything. The same goes with interiors. A bit of Navy works just about anywhere you want to put it. However, here are some of my favorite pairings:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="London home of interior designer Bunny Turner of Turner Pocock. The walls are painted in 'Squid Ink' from Paint & Paper Library." class="pinImage" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/25/fe/47/25fe47636622e366bea851b2838b003d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely and serene, a Green, White and Navy spare bedroom, belonging to Bunny Turner.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Caitlin Wilson | Navy Fleur Chinoise, Pink City Maze, and Gold Dot styled by Jana Bek Design" class="pinImage" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/47/b3/98/47b3985f0a88a4c87bab007996da656b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navy, White and Bubble-gum Pink! How pretty and fun! (Pillow textiles by another favorite blogger, Caitlin Wilson.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="HGTV Dream Home 2015 on Martha's Vineyard - Cuckoo4Design" class="pinImage" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/cf/88/88/cf8888ede4f5b3ebca2d169f0920d1c9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navy, Pale Blue, White, and Orange. Notice how there is color hierarchy? The strong orange accent only appears in small doses and is surrounded by a calming sea of White. Love it! (From the HGTV Martha's Vineyard Dreamhome)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Orange and navy decor in a living space... the complimentary colors work well in this room without bogging it down from too much color or the brightness. Good ideas! /ES" class="pinImage" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e2/c0/01/e2c0018e394ef593f64bd7c3757c8c9f.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is anyone else out there scared to try Red, White and Blue...afraid of being cheesy? Here one can see that it is all about choosing the <u>right</u> shade of those colors. This orange-ish hue of red, one that I would call "Tomato-Soup Red," looks very sophisticated here, when paired with White and Navy Accents. I also love the fun blend of textiles and patterns--all by Thibaut, but of course!</td></tr>
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I could go on an on, but by now most of my readers are probably snoring, so I'll just wrap things up by saying that besides favorite color pairings, I've also decided that I have a favorite material/texture pairing when it comes to using Navy. Can you guess what it is? Here are some visual hints:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from Williams Sonoma.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Wooden window frames and furniture add a rustic touch to this room." class="pinImage" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/68/87/d3/6887d380a4fee5d652e7bad44bf65e25.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't quite tell if this wall color is a deep Navy or Black, but regardless, I love how it makes the soft, honey tone of the wood window casing and chest pop! So much character! Found on Pinterest and Brit.co. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="I dig everything about this and still roll my eyes that my bedroom was this color for years and folks went "AGH" and now its all *that*, gheesh...but its a rockin moody color!" class="pinImage" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/28/21/7b/28217b03f38f2e7e5f940388ca0a51c9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe more of an Indigo, but still lovely! Found on Pinterest and DesignSponge.</td></tr>
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<img alt="Navy distressed but on nightstand!" class="pinImage" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a1/de/f4/a1def41a6706dc8244ff06b27afabaf9.jpg" /><br />
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The answer is natural or distressed/reclaimed wood. I love distressed wood in general, but somehow I think it looks even more incredible against a rich, dark Navy. The two seem made for each other. Come to think of it, they would be wonderful in a little boy's room! Which gets me back to my first point. I have a few boys to chase around the house tonight, so signing off, and hopefully not for 6 months like last time.<br />
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Yours truly, <br />
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Sheila boy-am-I-tired Mayden. <br />
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PS In an effort to be honest and transparent, let me just say that it only took me about 3 weeks and 10-12 logins to actually get this post up and running! Clearly, I am a long way from being back to the "old me."<br />
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SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-67862788649118878522014-07-06T20:10:00.000-07:002014-07-06T20:10:05.005-07:00New Baby, No Time to SpareIt's amazing how much a new baby changes your life! Sweet baby Anders made his debut a little over seven weeks ago, and since then my life has felt like a blur. I've barely had a change to log onto Facebook, much less add posts to my design blog. Even with a ton of help from both sets of grandparents, we are struggling to keep things running in the Mayden house. What little energy I have to spare is going into work-related projects and running the business. (Construction doesn't stop when you have a baby!) So, sadly, the blogging has had to get put aside for a while, at least until we find our rhythm again. For now, I'm posting some favorite family photos, showing what my life has been like these last couple months. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAJ5aYaqKDEu9E6ZMPBhBRAYVgvHj0y_-U0kuSGgR_ehemL5trPu1nAg_WLfshSDO_H1mdXPqMQquTfxOfXfOMo0QRhV_s4vMGeK7qEuBTkf7HtaAmft_xGHmrP0n7I-npFMGD-CyfnqZ/s1600/2014-05-11+09.47.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAJ5aYaqKDEu9E6ZMPBhBRAYVgvHj0y_-U0kuSGgR_ehemL5trPu1nAg_WLfshSDO_H1mdXPqMQquTfxOfXfOMo0QRhV_s4vMGeK7qEuBTkf7HtaAmft_xGHmrP0n7I-npFMGD-CyfnqZ/s1600/2014-05-11+09.47.03.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother's Day, pre-baby. Jasper and Karsten were so excited to give me their cards that they didn't even take the time to get dressed first.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqxA0dZ0qy2SpMeHBGzWLN7n0YqjmYNNc2OO9zfTkM6eYFXx_Bs1s5oeQUJ4V4jDQvtc9dhwLGlD4Z_T95vwPtolKUrcefaNCBCsQG4zzh1Qh-OOI0BYIqQJCsg0BW60Uw5Pqcje0RoSH/s1600/2014-05-17+11.53.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqxA0dZ0qy2SpMeHBGzWLN7n0YqjmYNNc2OO9zfTkM6eYFXx_Bs1s5oeQUJ4V4jDQvtc9dhwLGlD4Z_T95vwPtolKUrcefaNCBCsQG4zzh1Qh-OOI0BYIqQJCsg0BW60Uw5Pqcje0RoSH/s1600/2014-05-17+11.53.15.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anders Johann Mayden. Born May 15th, 2014, weighing 8lbs 2oz and sporting a lovely head of dark hair.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0W_1EQvXoR7olK1nhIt-bBBRkmgng_3Uka082L3SeAKtgXpfXhtLnuh5Fg1aPz_pywkQLUNAP6-ThRulJd5NCOLfwUvstCL-0N7_GrGDbwTNiHf6TtLejna5yHAAo6SPNk053lyVjRLRm/s1600/2014-05-22+19.08.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0W_1EQvXoR7olK1nhIt-bBBRkmgng_3Uka082L3SeAKtgXpfXhtLnuh5Fg1aPz_pywkQLUNAP6-ThRulJd5NCOLfwUvstCL-0N7_GrGDbwTNiHf6TtLejna5yHAAo6SPNk053lyVjRLRm/s1600/2014-05-22+19.08.41.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anders first bath at home.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbbSqZmlvBbe68E-AQ6YFRlQE43tgmfLYPthEgnHAAIMc01UNhhHPADhZletwdC-847yloxuPKASEX7znBY-nKU8d2t48kuklTigzC1IV0GpzZzeITS8gqMAGrlrbzU_tPxq49NE2c76m/s1600/DSC_1448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbbSqZmlvBbe68E-AQ6YFRlQE43tgmfLYPthEgnHAAIMc01UNhhHPADhZletwdC-847yloxuPKASEX7znBY-nKU8d2t48kuklTigzC1IV0GpzZzeITS8gqMAGrlrbzU_tPxq49NE2c76m/s1600/DSC_1448.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One thing's for sure: this baby gets lots of attention from his brothers! Here Karsten checks in at feeding time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RLzxYUpIupNfoEQZw1DlwFNRqDBTMWt_WQvJxaCZ6JOY3_JY6XszLSYYQLpIwwaFEjs-lCFDKwnkc75SDqa2L327NJJ3GL5AkoqAvH1cN7wcjTYHNSozkR64rD9HRrmNlLrTwwLgX9D_/s1600/2014-07-04+07.51.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RLzxYUpIupNfoEQZw1DlwFNRqDBTMWt_WQvJxaCZ6JOY3_JY6XszLSYYQLpIwwaFEjs-lCFDKwnkc75SDqa2L327NJJ3GL5AkoqAvH1cN7wcjTYHNSozkR64rD9HRrmNlLrTwwLgX9D_/s1600/2014-07-04+07.51.05.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet little baby feet! I take a picture like this with each of my boys, so I can remember their adorable their little toes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39EvPKB1-fDBZbygeLC2m85LnBREBJCvahiZvEzOcArDT2Xm_orhr2ogVTxCxsjWzZMGTFcQaa66TBK4Wm1aIvTphIaH3MqeXfL_R380-JJOWFdcvc9bLdQlpnJRh5-p_6f5J6RqsaksT/s1600/2014-07-06+13.10.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39EvPKB1-fDBZbygeLC2m85LnBREBJCvahiZvEzOcArDT2Xm_orhr2ogVTxCxsjWzZMGTFcQaa66TBK4Wm1aIvTphIaH3MqeXfL_R380-JJOWFdcvc9bLdQlpnJRh5-p_6f5J6RqsaksT/s1600/2014-07-06+13.10.05.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Anders today, hanging out with Daddy and Jasper. What sweet boys I have! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK989KDTqXGbzjc2zNBuzSu87aL-LhQ5fy6SckjXAIaMMPup9yXtKtL_vUEN0FFLPoieBSL4jsg4uX9uYaEmnu2XJXyIPJ9ox4pqe8-7UyyE3-w51rysID1SXPYOyGBDKpMzVYlaAlFDnB/s1600/2014-07-06+13.11.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK989KDTqXGbzjc2zNBuzSu87aL-LhQ5fy6SckjXAIaMMPup9yXtKtL_vUEN0FFLPoieBSL4jsg4uX9uYaEmnu2XJXyIPJ9ox4pqe8-7UyyE3-w51rysID1SXPYOyGBDKpMzVYlaAlFDnB/s1600/2014-07-06+13.11.29.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anders is starting to smile now. This is the part I love! Here Daddy makes him grin.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">So there you have it--the last two months for me. These happy moments seen here, plus more than a few sleepless nights, tons of kid-generated chaos, and all the stress of work. Ahh, it's a wonderful life and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I feel so blessed right now.</span></div>
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SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-87094117502114139892014-05-09T21:24:00.000-07:002014-05-09T21:47:13.160-07:00The Evolution of a Dining RoomMy last blog post featured an updated fireplace in a client's home and gave a sneak peak at some of the work we've been doing in her living room. In addition to the fireplace, there are several other things we've been working on, including custom living room furnishings and a handful of adjustments to the existing dining room layout and decor. While I want to save the full reveal for a time when we've been able to get in there and properly photograph the entire space, I thought it would be fun to share how we've transformed her dining area from somewhat plain and lacking in focus, to a room that is stylish and cohesive, all with just a few adjustments that can be easily replicated. (To be fair, while I make this sound simple, the transformation took place in stages over the course of several months.) Here's how we did it.<br />
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When we started, the client had a fairly new dining set in perfect condition. The set wasn't necessarily in keeping with the new style direction she wanted to go in, (Translation: more contemporary, with a touch of mid-century and "glam" mixed in) but she very matter-of-factly stated that she didn't want to replace it. While I don't consider myself a wasteful person, this type of situation is always a big challenge for designers--how to work in preexisting pieces without compromising the integrity of the new design. We smile at the client and say "no problem," but inwardly we're groaning! Several things bugged me about this particular set. For starters, the chair seats were covered in black leather. Practical to be sure, but also aesthetically boring. Secondly, the scale didn't seem right for the space. It looked too small and all those identical chairs created visual clutter instead of supporting the room's most obvious focal point: the formal dining table. Beyond the dining table were two additional major pieces that, while beautiful, weren't living up to their full potential. One was a gleaming baby grand piano, tucked in a corner so far away from the viewer that it was hard to appreciate its gorgeous lines and stately elegance. The other was a beautiful yet misplaced antique chaise lounge, which seemed to reside in an awkward location. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Before" shot of the Dining Room<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Clearly, the first order of business was a new furniture layout for the room. We decided to anchor the space with a very large, custom area rug in a single, rich shade of teal. We choose that color because it complimented the tones in the hardwood floors and because teal was also the primary accent color in the adjacent living room. Repeating the same accent color helped us to unify these two areas. Then we turned the existing table at an angle, which is always more visually dynamic, and allowed for better flow between the indoor dining space to the adjoining outdoor patio. The chaise went away (sadly, it just wasn't right for this project) and instead we brought in a new console cabinet, which is intended to function as a bar area. The new console has the mid-century feel that the client wanted, and is distinctively different in style and finish from the dining room table, to keep things from feeling too "matchy-matchy"--one of my biggest pet peeves. We relocated the console to the corner previously occupied by the piano and moved the piano to a more prominent position, just off the foyer and next to a beautiful, art-glass wall that had been added during an earlier remodel. In this new arrangement, the piano and the glass wall are like a dynamic duo, each calling attention to one another without competing or clashing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">To freshen the dining set, we had the chair seats reupholstered in a fun fabric that features a popular mid-century Sputnik motif. The fabric pattern is small in scale, so it's subtle. But it helps the chairs to relate to the character of the buffet, as well as the new pieces that were purchased for the Living Room. (Design Tip: changing the fabric on dining chairs is always a good way to update the look of a room when operating on a limited budget. Minimal yardage is needed and while we had ours professionally done, swapping out the fabric is an easy DIY project that can be done in a couple hours with the aid of a staple gun. I can't tell you how many times I changed out the fabric on the thrift-store dining chairs I owned during my college and pre-married days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">At this point, things were starting to look better, but we still needed a few major tweaks to whip this room into shape. Here's how it looked mid-project: improved, but not yet great.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A quick photo analysis told me that a handful of things still needed attention: 1) The new rug, while beautiful, needed to be balanced with the addition of some equally bold pieces. (When I look at this photo, all I see are bold rug and black piano. Everything else just seems to be a jumble.) 2) Then there was the new console cabinet. Charming to be sure, but lost and lonely looking in the corner. What we needed was some height behind it, to balance the room and draw the eye from foreground to background. 3) Lastly, the dining set still needed some major "ooomph." Even with the new upholstery, it continued to look like a collection of uninteresting chairs. So I did what I always like to do when I'm feeling a little puzzled, mid-project. I took this photo, laid some tracing paper of the top, and began to sketch ways to "fix" the room. (I should interject here that in my line work, some rooms come together seamlessly from initial concept to completion, with no adjustments needed along the way. Others, like this one, are a series of alternating additions and re-evaluations until the project is finally complete.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> I then sourced the items shown in the sketch and presented everything to the client. Thankfully, she was on board and got right to work ordering the pieces I suggested: two captain's chairs in ivory leather to anchor the ends of the dining table, a pair of over-sized mirrors to go behind the bar console, and a chic lamp to top it off. Also at my recommendation, she replaced the large single painting behind the piano with a trio of three smaller pieces and and viola, the room looks SO much better! </span></div>
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The dining set, with the new leather end-chairs, now fits the scale of the space much more appropriately. The ivory leather looks fresh and pretty against the teal rug and adds major pop against the backdrop of the glossy black piano. The large mirrors behind the bar console add height and drama, while intentionally repeating the black finish of the piano. The new art trio is more visually stimulating that a single painting and keeps the back wall from looking too heavy. In my mind, this portion of the project was a success and I'm glad the homeowner trusted me through the various stages of the design process. She now she has a very interesting and dynamic dining space that I hope she'll feel proud to entertain in. She got to keep her dining set, and I'm no longer groaning on the inside. "No problem" really was "no problem." The client is pleased and therefore so am I.SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-34138251582030935962014-03-29T19:41:00.002-07:002014-03-29T19:59:01.035-07:00Fireplace FaceliftI've been working with a client for several months now to furnish adjoining living and dining areas. Before I arrived on the scene, the 1950's rambler had been recently gutted and overhauled, giving it a fresh, contemporary vibe. The homeowners and project architect (Dave Heinen of Barking Dog Design) did a wonderful job re-imagining the space. They took down walls to connect the living, dining and kitchen areas, into one, big, free-flowing space. The new layout feels open, spacious, and contemporary yet warm, with a beautiful interplay between the indoors and outdoors. Large windows line the front and the back of the home, while a vaulted ceiling in the middle of the adjoining rooms allows for clerestory lights. At the back of the house, just off the kitchen, one wall of windows folds up to allow complete, unencumbered access between the indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces. <a href="http://www.lacantinadoors.com/">La Cantina Doors</a><br />
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When I started the project, back in August 2013, the bones of the space were already in great shape--all the space lacked was paint and cohesive furniture selections/placement. Well, almost. One other glaring weak point was the pre-existing brick fireplace surround, dating back to the original construction of the home. The tired-looking brick facade just didn't seem to work with the new, clean aesthetic, even with the handsome, live-edge wood mantel that the homeowners had added.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Before" Image of Existing Brick Fireplace Surround</td></tr>
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We jumped right in and started working on floor plans, paint colors, and furniture/fabric selections for the two spaces (more on that in a future post), vowing to address the fireplace at some point down the road. About half-way into the project, I stumbled upon the inspiration I needed, in the form of a wedge-shaped, natural stone tile, called V-tile by "Island Stone." <a href="http://www.islandstone.com/product-detail.php?id=9&keywords=Large_Vtile%E2%84%A2">Vtile by Island Stone</a> It came in several colors and we eventually settled on a medium gray Quartzite, which had a nice neutral tone but was far from boring, with naturally occurring sparkles and flecks. After watching a very informative video on the manufacturer's website about suggested patterns for the product, we decided to do a dry-stack (no grout) application, with alternating rows or courses of (1) large V-tile, then (2) narrow. The tiles were placed thick-end to thick-end, then thin-end to thin-end, producing a lovely undulating effect. The finished fireplace is perfect for the space. It's tall, stately, and deceptively simplistic looking. The colors of the Quartzite blend nicely with the pre-existing black slate hearth and the undulating tiles give the room richness and depth. So much so that the client and I both felt the fireplace no longer needed a mantel or embellishment in the form of hung art. The fireplace surround IS the work of art.<br />
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We're still fine tuning the newly acquired furnishings and adding finishing touches to the room, so I don't want to reveal the whole thing just yet, but I am happy to say that we've found a clever reuse for the beautiful live-edge mantel that came off the old fireplace. We've decided to use it as a floating wall shelf, just to the left of the fireplace, creating a little spot to set a drink, place a candle or two, and nestle a floating ottoman beneath. I've very excited that we get to reuse this piece and can't wait to see it once it's hung. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Discussing Placement of the Floating Shelf</td></tr>
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There are so many more neat features to this project, and hopefully things will wrap up in the next couple of months and I will be able to reveal more of the space. For now, consider this a little teaser. </div>
<br />SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-35367795405249523222014-03-04T19:57:00.002-08:002014-03-04T19:57:23.212-08:00A Few Favorite ThingsWith ten weeks and counting until the arrival of boy number three, life has transitioned from fast-paced to warp-speed. Our home is a veritable whirlwind of activity, from home improvement projects, to kid play dates, work obligations and school volunteer commitments. Somehow it's going to all get done in time for the little man to make his grand entrance into this crazy family. And I hope to enjoy every moment of it and HIM!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(View from Breakfast Area into Formal Dining Room)</td></tr>
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The house has been a little torn up lately, as we're tackling some much-needed improvements in our kitchen. (Probably not the best timing--I know!) We started small, but then got caught up in the excitement of renovation and fell into the trap of "scope creep." At first it was just going to be fresh coat of paint and new counter tops, but then we decided to knock down a wall here, add some new cabinets there, redo a chunk of electrical, etc, etc. Now our little kitchen project is feeling like a big project and while I'm happy with the changes thus far, I can't help but feel a little anxious about the mess and getting it all done.<br />
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When the house is torn up like it is now, it's easy for me to start fussing over all the things I don't like about this place, instead of focusing on the all the things I DO enjoy. So, to help bring back those warm, fuzzy thoughts of gratitude, I thought it would be fun to do a quick little blog post on some of my favorite things in my home. I'm one of those weird people that gets excited about small details, and when things "click" for me visually, I can't help but smile. So here goes...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Living Room)</td></tr>
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The Living Room is one of my favorite parts of the house, and not necessarily for the decor, but because one whole wall is windows, looking out onto our back yard and the golf course beyond. I love the light these windows bring in, as well as the views of the tall evergreen trees and the well-manicured lawn of the golf course. Inside, I love my quirky, mismatched furniture, as seen in the photo above. The painted chair was purchased at a thrift store several years back and in it's original state was a dark brown wood. I painted it Antique White and had new seat and back cushions made for it. I also get a kick out of my tall, cone-shaped lamp which has a distinct 70's flair. It's a 70's house after all, so why not?? Additionally, I'm very attached to my art. I've hung two very large, yet different pieces side by side, behind the sofa, to break up the expanse of off-white sofa against off-white wall. I love the texture and pattern they bring to the room, along with a shot of color.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrG52rFD8n4iO2IhILwSiUZh6nm1vSx_Q3hTLDuWarzg2SWvC1LAYJ_yVQm8hjKMEC76RcfqcHa3_yPVGWU72QXJk3xizB8wndpsKWMipyjqTVKJpCOjYiKeWp5rh-px2C5pqTcZ4sde6o/s1600/plant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrG52rFD8n4iO2IhILwSiUZh6nm1vSx_Q3hTLDuWarzg2SWvC1LAYJ_yVQm8hjKMEC76RcfqcHa3_yPVGWU72QXJk3xizB8wndpsKWMipyjqTVKJpCOjYiKeWp5rh-px2C5pqTcZ4sde6o/s1600/plant.JPG" height="420" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Living Room)</td></tr>
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On the other side of the Living Room sits another favorite vignette. An Indigo-colored armless chair (cozy crash spot next to the wood burning fireplace), perched next to an imported drum table (more texture and pattern!), on top of which sits my beloved Air Fern. In general, think that house plants do wonders for the life of a room, but this one in particular is a favorite. I baby it as much as I can, in hopes that it will last a long, long time. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Living Room Window Treatments)</td></tr>
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I'm a big fan of custom window treatments, when budget allows. I splurged a bit in my Living and Dining Rooms and had roman shades custom tailored. I like the clean, simple look of a roman shade, but for this room I added just a bit of fun with a contrasting border in a little block-print fabric. Pattern is one of my favorite elements to play with, but the key to doing pattern well is knowing how much and where to use it for the most dramatic effect. I like how these turned out--a bit of interest yet still understated. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Dining Room)</td></tr>
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You know the old saying, "the best things in life are free", well my antique buffet might just be proof of that. I scored this vintage piece while traipsing through a house for sale in my old neighborhood. The seller was giving away a few pieces of unwanted furniture and this was one of them. I was more than happy to take it off his hands. So much so that my husband and I promptly carried it out the door, down the steps and a block up the street to where I lived. One man's junk is another man's (or woman's!) treasure. Granted, the finish is not so hot, but I love the whimsy of the piece, the nod to the past in an otherwise more contemporary room, as well as the very practical storage it provides. Also note the fun buffet lamps--the silver bases have a great shell pattern stamped into them. I love nautical motifs, as long as they are subtle like this and don't appear in excess all over the house.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Dining Room Art)</td></tr>
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Also in my Dining Room is a favorite piece of wall art. While I paid next to nothing for it, it has great sentimental value. It is a collection of four, hand-watercolored bookmarks, depicting famous scenes from the city of Florence--the Fountain of Neptune, Il Duomo, and the Ponte Vecchio. I purchased them in a little book shop in Florence while on my honeymoon I had little money to spare, but I wanted to bring back an interesting memento from our travels. I was delighted to find these bookmarks for just a few dollars each and knew immediately that they would look fantastic if grouped together in an elegant frame. Good art doesn't have to cost a lot; it just has to have personal meaning and convey something of beauty. Also noteworthy here is the little ceramic plaque, depicting a traditional German marriage scene and bearing the names of my husband and me, as well as the date of our wedding. This piece was handmade in Germany (another location on our honeymoon) and sent to us by some German friends as a wedding gift. It's one of my little "treasures."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-1CCMEQHZpD2XagiDsAJkTDq1VXRG4rpNEfxvVcJA3hFfWZYFhd4vADlS1rOjaXMVcUQOwhY_kdUeT76glL9Ql6tFrVc7TNvvFoSepiN15rQ0QFwQ6PAPjF_zSh3KU8JctEIoqaamqe_/s1600/photos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-1CCMEQHZpD2XagiDsAJkTDq1VXRG4rpNEfxvVcJA3hFfWZYFhd4vADlS1rOjaXMVcUQOwhY_kdUeT76glL9Ql6tFrVc7TNvvFoSepiN15rQ0QFwQ6PAPjF_zSh3KU8JctEIoqaamqe_/s1600/photos.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Master Bedroom)</td></tr>
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There are several things that I love in my bedroom, the first of which is my wall of family photos. I sifted through piles of family snapshots to find my favorite photos, then had them enlarged and mounted in simple white frames that I purchased from Target. I love that the last thing that I see at night (besides my sweet husband) and the first thing that I see each morning, are the smiling faces of my kids. They are a great reminder of just how blessed I am. If I had to name a second favorite thing here, I'd have to say my funky, white, bedside lamps. I purchased these several years ago from West Elm and had to order four of them before I finally had a matching set of two that had safely withstood shipping. The ceramic bases kept breaking off at the narrow part of the urn and I had to keep calling the retailer to request new ones. Luckily, my perseverance paid off and I finally have a matching set. I sure hope they never break as West Elm no longer sells them and I absolutely adore them for their quirkiness.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Bedroom Dresser)</td></tr>
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Also from West Elm (love that store!) is this little, white lacquered tray. I use trays all over the house to control clutter and and liked this one as a little gathering spot for cologne and body spray. And yes, that's another funky lamp to the left of the tray! I guess we're establishing a pattern here.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Master Bath)</td></tr>
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Lastly, here is my Master Bath, which my husband and I fully renovated last year. (See earlier blog post.) I like just about everything in it, but a particular favorite is the tiny, crystal, ceiling-mount light fixture. I generally like my spaces simple and a tad on the rustic side, but in this instance, I felt the bath begged for a bit of luxury. I added the crystal fixture for a touch of feminine flair and because my bathroom is the one place in my house that needn't withstand the wear and tear of (soon to be) three rough and tumble boys. It's the place I go to have a good soak, recharge, and enjoy some peace and quiet. Thankfully, my husband indulged me here. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Master Bath)</td></tr>
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This next photo is another view of my Master Bath and hopefully gives a little glimpse of how I like to contrast elegant fixtures with rustic finishes. I clad the walls with knotty-pine tongue and groove bead board (very cottage-like), painted it white, then added matching His and Hers porcelain sinks on gleaming chrome consoles. The faucets are higher-end and also polished chrome, but then I added more rustic flavor with a highly-distressed, wood mirror than spans both vanities. The pairing is probably unusual, but that's why I like it. Why be predictable? <br />
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Lastly, I included this photo to show what the top of the mirror looks like. If has a fun, clipped corner detail that fits nicely around the pair of wall sconces that sit to the outside edges of the pedestal sinks. I like how the shape of the mirror tied the whole ensemble together and kept the room from feeling too glam--which wouldn't really be me. </div>
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So there you have it, a sneak peak into my life and some of my favorite things. I always joke that my house doesn't look like a designer lives in it (I didn't show you the bad parts!), but then again, that's not really the point. Interior design is not about perfection, status, or how much you spend, but rather what your environment does to nourish and enrich your life. Good residential design should create functionality for day-to day living, grant warmth and comfort, and tell the story of the people who live there. It's a story that is ever evolving, just as a home is always changing. It's a "given" that in two months time, my home will look completely different--over run with with diapers, burp rags, swaddle blankets and binkies. Not picture perfect, but enjoyed nonetheless by all who live here. I can't wait!</div>
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SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-87502255995619476292014-01-30T20:24:00.001-08:002014-01-30T20:24:44.759-08:00Getting Ready for Baby (and the Superbowl)With baby number three on the way, I've been doing my fair share of organizing and cleaning. It all started last Christmas, when I decided there was no better time than the present to start making things baby-ready. At that time, the nursery was being used as a playroom for the boys, so with a little creativity, a lot of shuffling, and a ton of help from my husband, we moved the "big boy" toys to the basement and turned the playroom back into a proper nursery. And so the room sits, waiting for sweet baby number three, not due until the beginning of May. <br />
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The room actually came together pretty easily this time, primarily because we're having our third boy and we don't really need anything new. We still had the old crib (a lovely custom-made piece from a past client), a classic white Pottery Barn changing table, super-functional Ikea bookcase, and a neutral sofa left over from a home staging project. The sofa had been hanging out in the room when it was a playroom, and since I had no other place to put it, it stayed. Hopefully it will feel useful for middle-of-the-night feedings, snuggling with baby, and hanging out during play time. <br />
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This might surprise some of you, but I didn't even repaint the walls. The room already had blue and green stripes from the time it served as my second son's nursery. I sort of figured it was good enough and left the walls as-is. The only thing that is really new in there is the graphic patterned rug. I purchased it for another room, then decided I liked it better in the nursery. I can already see how this works--when you're the third born, you get all the left-overs and hand-me-downs. I'm going to have to make a conscious effort to make sure there are moments when the third child gets things that are new and fresh, "just because."<br />
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So anyway, I'm feeling good about having the baby's room ready three months before the due date, and now I have time on my hands, or at least nesting instincts in need of an outlet. Consequently, I've moved on to other areas....the kitchen, my office and the family room, to name a few. In the coming weeks, I will try to share some sneak peeks into the progress being made in those areas. Hopefully we'll have things ship shape by the time the little man makes his big debut. <br />
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As a side note, I think my boys are more excited about the fact that the Seahawks are playing in the Superbowl this Sunday than they are about the impending arrival of a little one. I'm sure they will turn the new guy (our little rookie), into a proper fan in no time. They're even suggesting baby names that have a familiar ring to them: Marshawn, Tarvaris, Golden, Russell, etc. Hmmm...not quite what I had in mind. They also have the baby's jersey picked out--a Christmas gift that now seems even more appropriate. <br />
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SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-66730811120522711822014-01-18T18:44:00.000-08:002014-01-25T19:09:44.271-08:00Swedish Dreams<br />
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<img alt="Annika Bengtzon: Crime Reporter (2012) Poster" src="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMjIzMDgzMjcxMF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMDE0MzUwOA@@._V1_SY317_CR0,0,214,317_.jpg" height="320" title="Annika Bengtzon: Crime Reporter" width="216" /></div>
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In my third trimester of pregnancy, I have my share of sleepless nights. When I can't sleep, I often resort to watching instant downloads on Netflix. I enjoy watching crime thrillers, provided they aren't too scary or graphic, and recently I stumbled on a Swedish series that I really like, called "Annika Bengzton: Crime Reporter." It's a little like watching CSI, but in Swedish. The Swedish language is beautiful to listen to and I find the background settings and architecture fascinating, almost as much as the story lines themselves. This has got me thinking about Swedish interiors.<br />
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What I find most interesting about Swedish homes, is the use the use of white throughout. Whether the home be traditional or contemporary, you can pretty much bet that the walls and woodwork will be white. I wonder if the Swedes prefer to use so much white because they need it to counteract the abundance of dark, gray days during the winter? (You see much of this in the show.) In any case, the effect is very airy and ethereal, giving the impression of space, light, and cleanliness. I'm drawn to this because so often I feel weighted down by the visual clutter that goes hand in hand with a house full of kids. <br />
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The homes also have a refreshing simplicity to them. Furnishings appear to be selected for practical reasons and not merely for aesthetics or image, as is often the case in American homes. Even when individual pieces are a bit more decorative or ornate, they sit very simply in the room, like a pearl necklace pared with a white and denim jeans. This allows you to enjoy the beauty of each piece on it's own, rather than seeing the whole room as a complicated arrangement or composition. Fancy pieces sit comfortably alongside the old and well-worn, without any pretense or apology. The effect is an irresistible homeyness that says "welcome--come and sit a while."<br />
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<img alt="Mix and Chic: Charming and chic Swedish interiors! (Part 1)" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/64/7f/13/647f139acbb3b08a4db0c7b36e5a3995.jpg" /><br />
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<img alt="Swedish Interior" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/0a/46/0b/0a460b5427bea6093b704fcc909973a5.jpg" height="640" width="424" /><br />
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<img alt="Swedish grandfather clock - one day in my stately home I'll have one, for sure!" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/fe/e4/75/fee4756dddd3636196972a86595ae970.jpg" height="640" width="495" /><br />
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Also interesting to me is how warm these homes feel in spite of all the white. Usually when I think "warm" I image color. But these homes achieve warmth through the use of texture and aged materials. Look at enough Swedish interiors and you'll start to notice these commonalities: wide plank wood flooring, whitewashed tongue and groove wall paneling, sisal rugs, woven baskets, cracking plaster walls, and painted furniture, often worn, chipped and rustic looking. All this texture balances out the white, giving a sense of coziness and warmth. I like that imperfections like nicks and dings only add to the elegance. As of mom of two (soon to be three) wild boys, I embrace this! Perfection has no place in my home's vocabulary.<br />
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<img alt="Swedish Interior" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b7/89/36/b789369e96698342e240da976b7577ac.jpg" /><br />
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<img alt="Soft white space with vintage accents. amazing rug against vertical boards." src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/31/f3/df/31f3df0a3017451fd1123b5ee82bd2ce.jpg" height="640" width="428" /><br />
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<img alt="warm woods and whites" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/82/43/1c/82431c41986aaddf389f2ac097f2bacd.jpg" /><br />
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<img alt="my scandinavian home: White with a little unique touch" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/40/6e/88/406e8822904c3504726bb51e31c3eecf.jpg" /><br />
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<img alt="Swedish interior design magazine - Skona Hem" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b4/be/3a/b4be3a5864a44efad2146abae2bf1de4.jpg" height="640" width="488" /><br />
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Another thing I love about Swedish interiors is the carefree way old and new, high-end and low-end are intermingled. You'll see a midcentery modern chair, paired alongside a Gustavian antique. Or an Ikea light-fixture in an elegant, old-world apartment. There is an underlying confidence in all this mixing and somehow the end result comes off as very chic. While I think I'm pretty eclectic in my design tastes, these rooms bring that idea to a whole new level. <br />
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<img alt="photo 66_zps2933576d.jpg" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/c3/63/53/c36353fac9576cbf8e49c20226954dca.jpg" /><br />
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<img alt="Interior design book | Reflections on Swedish Interiors @Stefania@coolchicstyle" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/88/81/81/888181b2f8d7d86576ba100b519e4cf0.jpg" /><br />
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<img alt="Swedish Interior30" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/41/2a/23/412a23c9d473a36488ebe4bc36287337.jpg" /><br />
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<img alt="Swedish Interior - lookslikewhite Blog - lookslikewhite" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/26/83/2e/26832e3f8c1c8be7779a17db9fd2dd53.jpg" /><br />
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So my final take-aways are these: embrace imperfections, consider white the perfect backdrop, and always remember texture-texture-texture. We could all learn a thing or two from the Swedes, especially with all the gray days we have here in Seattle. <br />
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<br />SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-43288941663575663242013-12-31T13:18:00.001-08:002013-12-31T13:18:34.899-08:002013 Design TrendsDecember has positively flown by and it's hard to believe that we'll be ringing in the New Year in a matter of hours. For my last post of 2013, I thought I'd do a quick review of some of my favorite design trends of the year. This list is by no means exhaustive, (there are too many to note) but I I tried to pick a handful that interest me and I think we will see carrying through into 2014.<br />
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1) <b>Oversize Cone Pendants</b><br />
I see these used in pairs over islands in kitchens, or singly over tables in dining areas. I love the simple yet bold shape, the large scale, and the reflective paper on the inside. <br />
<img alt="love the brass interior of the Pendant lights and the trim on the hood. Look at that wall siding" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/77/27/50/772750317a838f9c3b6a50ae69f07d47.jpg" /><br />
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2) <b>The 70's Make a Comeback</b><br />
We thought we'd never see it, but here it is, a glamorous take on the 70's: shag carpeting, low-slung seating, wall paneling, bohemian floor pillows and poufs, and funky, ethnic-inspired side tables and accent pieces. Who knew the 70's could be so chic?<br />
<img alt="brass-interior" src="http://media-cache-cd0.pinimg.com/736x/64/6e/c7/646ec799730cc06c4891b7a511cc3346.jpg" /><br />
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3) <b>Brass Fixtures and Accents</b><br />
While we've all been busy replacing old, out-dated fixtures, brass has quietly been making a comeback. Used in small doses and in the form of high-quality pieces (no $25 ceiling fixtures please), brass can be very elegant in the home. <br />
<img alt="brass-interior-design" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/3f/a6/7f/3fa67f093476c284fa1620b8f7b5c7de.jpg" /><br />
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4) <b>Honeycomb Light Fixtures</b><br />
I love unique lighting, and this style in particular makes my heart skip a beat. The geometric shape and pattern excite my eye and make this fixture a standout in any room, be it classic or contemporary. <br />
<img alt="Cameo Homes: Blue gray walls paint color, Suzanne Kasler Large Morris Pendant in Clear Glass, creamy ..." src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e7/e5/d1/e7e5d1d28b0ff30aca2f315d579be3e6.jpg" /><br />
<img alt="Honeycomb Glass Pendant Shade" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/55/c2/42/55c242f2fcc40669454694215404654f.jpg" /><br />
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5) <b>Jewel Tones </b><br />
Emerald Green has been officially declared the "It" color for 2013. I would go a bit farther to say that jewel tones in general are popping up everywhere. Whenever I go to the design center to browse for fabrics, the tones I see over and over are Emerald Green, Peacock (or Teal) Blue, Raspberry, and Deep Indigo. <br />
<img alt="emerald, emerald decor, emerald interior, emerald homewares" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c6/10/1b/c6101b39e163842fd8ad8ca1ac89d8b9.jpg" width="427" /><br />
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6) <b>Campaign Chests</b><br />
These versatile pieces are popping up everywhere and it's easy to see why! Designers and savvy homeowners are buying them in vintage form, painting or lacquering in bold colors, and using wherever storage is needed--a buffet in the dining room, nightstands in the bedroom, filing in the office, or a media console in the family room. They are particularly great when pushed together as a pair, as seen here.<br />
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<img alt="campaign chests (Lonny)" height="592" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/1e/39/9c/1e399c3a8bfd5cab54350f8bada1aa65.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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<img alt="Judith Balis Interiors: Gold and white, Petal Pusher wallpaper, Oh Joy Studio, purple, teenage girls room, glamorous, lucite lamp, fur, upholstered headboard, campaign chest" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/38/62/04/386204a632c2294055626ccb8ada46f3.jpg" width="352" /><br />
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<img alt="black and white #campaign chest #blackandwhite" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/01/c4/92/01c4927083b669a9a52165bb3c41a523.jpg" /><br />
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7) <b>Wallpaper</b><br />
Wallpaper has been so overused in the past, and in sickeningly-sweet floral patterns and colors, that clients often cringe at the mere mention of it. However, wallpaper is back and has been for some time. While grasscloth is always an understated designer favorite, I also like bold patterns in simple, neutral tones, as seen below. I recommend using it in small spaces where you can get big impact without having to over-commit. Maybe inside a pantry, a powder room, a master bedroom closet, or the back wall of a china hutch. I also think it looks best when there is a lot of white to break it up (cabinetry, wainscotting, etc) and keep it from overwhelming the room. <br />
<img alt="Feature walls are back in!" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/40/c8/15/40c815cce0b322e0f93ed9df20152d50.jpg" /><br />
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8) <b>Reclaimed Wood</b><br />
If you haven't noticed this trend, you might be living under a rock. Reclaimed wood is everywhere. Again, I like it in smaller doses and against lots of white, whether that be in the form of cabinetry, painted walls, or crisply tailored furnishings. <br />
<img alt="reclaimed wood wall | Reclaimed Wood Wall | Decor" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/fc/1f/18/fc1f18bfc24426da3cf3451ca0855e7a.jpg" /><br />
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9) <b>Live-Edge Wood Pieces</b><br />
Design trend number nine piggy-backs on trend number eight. Live-edge wood pieces are very popular right now in the form of tables, fireplace mantels, display ledges and benches. Use one as an accent piece, especially in contemporary settings, but don't overdo it. If you use it everywhere, your room starts to look like Uncle Wally's creepy cabin.<br />
<img alt="reclaimed wood table" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ea/7d/e2/ea7de2e2d0e4111b1224d05553409102.jpg" width="480" /><br />
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10) <b>Neutrals!</b><br />
White walls and soft neutrals are the new design standard. Gone are the days of dark interiors, accent walls galore, and heavy palettes. Today, everyone wants to freshen up and get a clean, carefree look. Neutrals can go a long way when paired with interesting shapes, textures and eclectic pieces from a variety of style periods. I'd love to dissect this room and point out all the interesting things going on here, but I think I'll save that for another blog post.<br />
<img alt="Whites, Neutrals, tape detail on ottoman" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/22/9e/44/229e442f058f0a90a8d2840437f77d30.jpg" /><br />
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What other trends have you noticed? Are they favorites or ones that you'd rather see disappear along with 2013? Let's keep the conversation going. It would be fun to discuss ideas and expound more on some of these (and other trends) in the coming months. <br />
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For now, Happy New Year! I hope you feel inspired, blessed, and ready to tackle another year.<br />
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--Sheila<br />
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SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-18471360700490233162013-11-23T21:05:00.001-08:002013-11-23T21:05:52.294-08:00Fit for a PrincessMy weeks have been busy lately, juggling kids, clients, meetings, art lessons at my son's school and the endless list of household chores. When things get too busy, it's easy to lose focus on what makes my career so fun--creating beautiful spaces and seeing my clients' happy smiles. I had one of those moments recently and it truly made it all the stress and busyness seem worthwhile.<br />
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This week I got to do an installation in a little girl's bedroom. Let me begin by saying that this little 10 year-old is an absolute doll. I have boys, but if I had girls, I'd want them to be just like her. She's sweet, smart, funny, polite and just generally great to be around. She likes decorating, art, and little crafty projects. She even hand-makes her own thank-you notes. How charming is that?! <br />
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Almost one year ago, this young lady lady moved with her family into a new house. (One of my many custom-home projects. Go to <a href="http://www.sheilamaydeninteriors.com/">www.sheilamaydeninteriors.com</a> , click on "Portfolio", then "Le Magnifique" to see the rest of the house.) When she moved in, she was promised a pretty bedroom with lots of nice, girly touches. She has been patiently waiting all this time for her mom and me to get things just right. Needless to say, after waiting almost a whole year, she was getting pretty anxious to see this all come together.<br />
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Wednesday was the big day, or "Canopy Day" as she was excitedly calling it. You see, she was getting her first bed canopy and she was ecstatic. I was excited too. I don't do a lot of children's rooms and a custom bed canopy was actually a first for me. I agonized over the details for a long time--trying to decide how big it was going to be, how it was going to hang (there was a heat vent in the ceiling directly over her bed that couldn't be blocked), what sort of fabric to use, should it have fringe or ruffles, etc, etc. The moment of truth was finally here. <br />
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The big install (not really that big) included the custom wall-mounted bed canopy, some new coordinating bedding with matching accent pillow, a new seat cushion and pillows for her window seat, and some pretty, ruffled, cafe curtains to hang in the window. This all came together while previously-mentioned young lady was away in school. Her mom and I were giddy with delight when we saw the finished product. It's hard to say who's going to like this room more--the mother or the little girl! <br />
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Here's a sneak peak of how it all came together. Please note that these photos were taken with my rather gimpy pocket camera (very old and with a broken flash) and I have yet to do the formal photos. These pictures don't do the room justice, but hopefully you get the sense of how fun this little project was. :-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubnPQ2yNVBJkaWC4LIAkhqLizsd3FCXTjiAhMPYqEBuGk9u8fXjCyasH-z1yQwEEkywvUn3m5hOZ8Lg94xujBc7XfBVZyqbQb-xvZWWIOArkVU3-2sVxpnbXwLr_9HYAcjiyfFLaE_iQL/s1600/10-31-12+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubnPQ2yNVBJkaWC4LIAkhqLizsd3FCXTjiAhMPYqEBuGk9u8fXjCyasH-z1yQwEEkywvUn3m5hOZ8Lg94xujBc7XfBVZyqbQb-xvZWWIOArkVU3-2sVxpnbXwLr_9HYAcjiyfFLaE_iQL/s640/10-31-12+044.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">(The room during construction.)<br /> The bench seat and flanking bookcases were my custom design.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Post move-in, as decorated by the young lady, pre-Sheila Mayden Interiors.) </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSyn93z0fDK2Z2H5e593m66dvtHJT8Pr2RCwxlwLxKypsx7H6IKTXRy1FzwQfSWhBiEp0dN_smo-UPmDrErNFrGlD9wbbWVvm1bzWaE66zBAMitH5tePouJd2s8Zy7Ie5UnMJ5dt0pLyB/s1600/DSC07670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSyn93z0fDK2Z2H5e593m66dvtHJT8Pr2RCwxlwLxKypsx7H6IKTXRy1FzwQfSWhBiEp0dN_smo-UPmDrErNFrGlD9wbbWVvm1bzWaE66zBAMitH5tePouJd2s8Zy7Ie5UnMJ5dt0pLyB/s640/DSC07670.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">(The bed canopy on the day of the install.)<br /> Many thanks to my great installer, Frank Larson! You are a miracle worker!<br />And another charming side note: the ceiling fixture was brought from her bedroom in her old house, for sentimental reasons. I love that!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVgm52RHXt5v0xJuQ1i_w9Dx9ED8uDcx9jHA4zPYJKyamEOpKeYJ0aGcVTpIyi8GkY2rdA7Di6pRdvFOR3-WUVTlYIPk2199heq6XkZWsMNuaSlXVX50dpoGOHQxqNecp3DQNj5xUt2Bc/s1600/DSC07671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVgm52RHXt5v0xJuQ1i_w9Dx9ED8uDcx9jHA4zPYJKyamEOpKeYJ0aGcVTpIyi8GkY2rdA7Di6pRdvFOR3-WUVTlYIPk2199heq6XkZWsMNuaSlXVX50dpoGOHQxqNecp3DQNj5xUt2Bc/s640/DSC07671.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">(View of the whole room.)<br /> My only disappointment here is that my camera didn't render the colors very accurately. The room looks warm and sunny in person.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGjgapqw1au4M9gaJ2jhfLYefCF41E4jhDDIJagqSEjirs3QwnfOaMBIt7CXAN-N3TGUVMDjznHNPeIyZzFFWryAnnU3xD_NHfdqKUxVxVbZmlZFW3oH8VuO6Tpyyahzt6ovjgKEo-f1p/s1600/DSC07673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGjgapqw1au4M9gaJ2jhfLYefCF41E4jhDDIJagqSEjirs3QwnfOaMBIt7CXAN-N3TGUVMDjznHNPeIyZzFFWryAnnU3xD_NHfdqKUxVxVbZmlZFW3oH8VuO6Tpyyahzt6ovjgKEo-f1p/s640/DSC07673.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Close up detail of the bed.)<br /> I found the mirror (over the bed) after we had selected our fabrics and was so excited because the color was a perfect match. That's serendipity at it's finest!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxemwJA2KMuTSyw65VniZDLcHEQsRZhwxvVZrbMUUkheo7WtWZx1h1w0QfjuZp_OzrtGDwfPuRIc5jzFsKZg_WhMECP-6EIGo6zFSidiECK8qYa2uf-Pw5D9Rt6PSV3ezXqYnuFFnqy-1/s1600/DSC07678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxemwJA2KMuTSyw65VniZDLcHEQsRZhwxvVZrbMUUkheo7WtWZx1h1w0QfjuZp_OzrtGDwfPuRIc5jzFsKZg_WhMECP-6EIGo6zFSidiECK8qYa2uf-Pw5D9Rt6PSV3ezXqYnuFFnqy-1/s640/DSC07678.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Close up detail of the window seat and cafe curtains.)<br />I love how this all came together, right down to the little crystal knobs on the bench. So pretty, feminine and fitting for a little lady.</span></td></tr>
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I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into one of the joys of my job. It was such a fun day and even my husband noted that I was still beaming at the dinner table that night. SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-17920506763713893272013-11-07T18:06:00.002-08:002013-11-07T18:06:28.670-08:00Painted Doors - Anything But WhiteWhen my husband and I went to Germany on our honeymoon nine years ago, we fell in love with the little medieval town of Rothenburg. Part of Rothenburg's charm was that all the homes had beautiful old doors, with exquisite carved details, and they were painted in a rainbow of colors. We spent the better part of the day wandering up and down cobbled streets taking photos of our favorite doors. At some point it became a contest to see who could find the coolest door and take the most artistic photo. It's one of my favorite memories from our honeymoon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A colorful exterior in Rothenburg, Germany<br /></td></tr>
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Here in the states, people have pretty much accepted the notion of a bold, painted front door, but that is where most of us stop. We think nothing of having a red front door, but when it comes to the doors on the interior of our home, we gravitate to our safety zone of white, off-white and cream. I wonder why that is? Even the American colonists painted the walls, trim, and doors inside their houses with bolder colors than we do. Most of us think that classic American architecture means white trim on white walls. The truly historic colors might blow your mind. Those colonists make us look like color wimps.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="historical paint colors" height="349" src="http://curatedbylyn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/historical-paint-colors-historical-homes1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Govenor's Palace, Colonial Williamsburg, VA</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lilac and Red in a Historic Home</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate<br />
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So maybe we're not going to rush out there and paint our walls a vibrant shade of lilac, or over-the-top emerald green, but maybe it's time to rethink the rules a bit. Who's to say we can't paint our doors and trim a color? Anything but white!</div>
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I snooped around on Pinterest today and found some fun examples. Let's start with something fairly basic: Black. We've long admired the stateliness of a black front door on the outside of a home, but what happens when you bring that same notion inside? For starters, you could paint BOTH the interior AND the exterior of your front door black. Bring some of that drama into the foyer. Even when the rest of the trim is left white in this historic home, the black door pops and makes me say, "Wow!" I love how they've then repeated smaller doses of the black on the stair newel and handrail and in the wall art. The bright gold-toned wallpaper and the crisp white trim keep this foyer from being anything but dark and grumpy. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="My mother always tells me I wear too much black. I'm thinking I need a glossy black door inside the house too... http://atlanta.styleblueprint.com/home-and-garden/inspiration-black-walls/" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/73/f1/c5/73f1c50b5cdae9bba99de2afc32dd44d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="512" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stately and Beautiful</td></tr>
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To take it one step further, you could paint a coat closet door black, as seen here. This home also has traditional bones and most of the trim has been left white. The black closet door adds graphic punch and elegantly repeats the inky hue on the dining room walls in the foreground. They've used black to make a traditional home look more trendy and graphic. I think it's a nice balance of old and new. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/35218da70d89725b_8-0531/-entry.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montreal Entry Design by Tamara Anka<br />
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Or if black seems too ominous or dramatic for you, how about an earthier neutral? Maybe a brown or a gray? Here the doors to this bathroom have been painted a deep chocolate brown, accentuating the richness of the door hardware and contrasting against the crisp white of the classic subway tile. Suddenly I'm intrigued by the room and want to take a second look.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Brown painted interior doors Benjamin Moore: Night Horizon Satin Finish enamel" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b1/0f/00/b10f0058c1cde929f1e0f44a1d6ad2bb.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="459" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rich Brown Adds Interest</td></tr>
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Then for the playful but color-phobic, there is the option of adding chalkboard paint to one of the recessed panels of your doors. The looks says, "we're not too serious around here," but at the same time there is a practical element to the idea and the color combination is classic. Seems perfect for a kitchen in a busy home, as seen here. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="The Lovely Cupboard: DIY: Chalk Paint Door" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/6b/81/65/6b816503ca56f26dfc970c5921faa355.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="419" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty and Practical</td></tr>
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Ahhh, gray. I love it. So restful and easy on the eyes. Here all the rest of the trim is white, but they've painted the living-room side of these barn doors in a soft gray to match the kitchen cabinets. I like how it ties the two spaces together without being overly dominant. I could be right at home in this space. There's not a lot of color, but there are interesting shapes, patterns and textures that keep your eye moving about the room.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="barn doors-love the color" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/bf/5d/16/bf5d16e05964fba3d0c7401401bb3054.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="476" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy Elegance</td></tr>
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So now for some bold color. As I mentioned earlier, the easiest way to try this out is to paint both sides of your front door the same accent color. Here they've brought a cheerful yellow into their all-white, cottagey foyer. I love this look. It seems very fitting with the decor: happy, homey, and with just the right balance of neutral and zip. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="nice entryway, yellow door" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/d6/91/03/d69103b3cbb8daedcf4e752938fcc2c8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pure Charm</td></tr>
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Taking it one step further is this BRIGHT yellow door inside an eclectic home. The bones of the space seem pretty traditional (notice the door casing, the extra high base molding and the four panel door) but the decor is witty, youthful and very mod. Something tells me this person likes to live in the moment and have fun. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="painting door edges. need to do this in den" src="http://media-cache-cd0.pinimg.com/736x/30/57/b3/3057b3093ccafd10b181c2d0909a8cfd.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bold and Playful</td></tr>
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And talk about color! This is the extreme. Shocking orange says, "wake up and pay attention!" Too bold for some, but I think it works here because everything else about this interior is crisp, clean, simple, and mostly white. It's also very contemporary, which lends itself well to a few bold pops of color.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="painted doors" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/be/16/4a/be164aed7ef4b6ce9b4aeca632d6013a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not for the Faint of Heart</td></tr>
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Still not convinced to paint out your white doors, but want to try something new? How about adding some pattern to your white doors? Let the doors be the canvas for your creative expression. I love how this person has used brass upholstery tacks to mimic the abstract geometric pattern found on the walls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="door treatment" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/82/fb/f5/82fbf53bd5b813eab173aec7cc8f6e77.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artistic Expression</td></tr>
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And lastly, painted doors can be a great alternative for kid's spaces. It's a kid's room for goodness sake, add some color! Here the walls are already painted a pretty shade of girly-pink, but the homeowner has toned down the sweetness and given it a bit of contemporary edge by painting a door the same shade of mossy green as found of the window shade piping. I think it's a great touch and very current.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="painted door" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/76/21/45/7621455468e86f68718b13bf53e95b4c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty Nursery</td></tr>
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So get out there, buy some paint and experiment. It's cheap, easy, and can be easily be fixed if you aren't happy with the results. Remember, there's no rule that says all doors have to be white. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Honey We're Home: Black/Gray Painted Interior Doors" src="http://media-cache-cd0.pinimg.com/736x/2b/63/4b/2b634b060aa6bc59a48b95d65ceb3dc7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE and AFTER, <br />
From the Honey We're Home blog<br />
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SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-4751027503470159062013-10-31T22:06:00.000-07:002013-11-01T07:36:55.671-07:00Lighting QuestI've been working with a client for a couple weeks now, trying to nail down all the lighting selections for a large home reno/addition project. We have the bulk of the fixtures picked out, but there are still a few gaps left to fill. As a result, I have lighting on the brain. I really enjoy selecting fixtures, but have to confess, on a whole-house project like this, it's ALWAYS a challenge. I'm not one to just pick a collection and stick to it (too easy!), but instead like to hunt and peck for hours on end until I find just the right ensemble of perfectly matched and mismatched pieces. There has to be a balance between variety and harmony in the whole lighting scheme. If you don't believe me, look at the lighting package the next time you see a really chic home in a magazine. The fixtures never match. Instead they are a very unique collection of pieces that seem to have been collected over time. Think of lighting like you would jewelry--you select different pieces for different outfits. They're all unique, but they all appeal to your personal sense of style. When I try to communicate this to clients at the start of a project, I think they freak out a little. At first the task seems daunting and they lack confidence to mix and match styles and finishes, but by the end of the project, they LOVE the lighting and feel proud of how it reflects their own personality and definition of home. <br />
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This week's task is to find pendant lights appropriate for bedrooms that will work with very high, vaulted ceilings. They have to be somewhat whimsical (funky is good) but also work with a 40's vintage house. So far, on the main floor, we have a great mix of industrial-meets-classic/vintage-meets-glam, that shows off the bones of the house while highlighting the fun and warm personalities of the folks who live there. Here's a peak at some of the main floor selections:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://rk.pbimgs.com/pbimgs/rk/images/dp/wcm/201344/0037/img30o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Capiz Flushmount" border="0" height="360" src="http://rk.pbimgs.com/pbimgs/rk/images/dp/wcm/201344/0037/img30o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foyer: Pottery Barn Capiz Shell Flushmount (Petite, pretty and welcoming)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt=" Sparkling Light Show Flush Mount Light" src="http://www.shadesoflight.com/images/W/FM13052BZ-01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living Room: Shades of Light Crystal Flushmount (Adult space can use a little bling, but here the oil rubbed bronze finish keeps it from looking too frilly or precious)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Paxton Glass 8-Light Pendant" height="576" src="http://ab.pbimgs.com/pbimgs/ab/images/dp/wcm/201328/0015/img59o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining Room: Pottery Barn Paxton 8-light Pendant (Looks great with the adjoining, farmhouse-like kitchen!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="World Imports 7821 Luray Wall Sconce " src="http://hi.atgimg.com/img/p400/231/7821-88.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining Room and Living Room Wall Sconces: World Imports Luray Wall Sconce (Simple and understated with a contemporary edge.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://hi.atgimg.com/img/p400/465/7-9345-1-323.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen Island Pendants: Savoy House Schoolhouse Design Mini Pendant (Classic--again, supports a beautiful, farmhouse-like kitchen.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="George Kovacs P5044 Tube LED Wall Sconce" src="http://hi.atgimg.com/img/p400/339/p5044-37b-l.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bath Vanity: George Kovacs Tube Bath Sconce (A little more contemporary, but suits our other bath fittings to a T.)<br />
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The main floor has standard 8'high ceilings, so our fixture selections for those areas have been fairly modest in size. However, the ceilings on the second floor are really high and allow us to play with scale and design a bit more. The client really loves Monrovian star pendant fixtures and I agree that we have to put one somewhere in the house. The question is where. I think we've finally settled on the Master Bedroom as the right place for this fixture. We'll put two of them up near the ridgeline, spaced in such a way that they divide the room into thirds. I'd love it if we could do something more to dress up the vaulted ceiling, like adding wide plank tongue and groove boards, painted white, to give it that classic, cottage-loft feel. Even if that doesn't happen, I think that two of these star pendants are going to add a really beautiful feel to the room--sort of ethereal and magical, like being in an outdoor gazebo on a summer's night. Just the right amount of playfulness and romance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Oversized Morovian Star Pendant" height="576" src="http://rk.pbimgs.com/pbimgs/rk/images/dp/wcm/201337/0002/img78o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Bedroom: Pottery Barn Oversized Monrovian Star Pendant</td></tr>
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Across the hall we also have a large, lofty Family Room/Kid's play area. We wanted something fun and playful there, yet mature enough to suit adults who might be lounging and watching a movie. These capiz pendants from West Elm seem to have just the right feel. We'll use the largest of the three and hang it in the center of the room. Besides just being a really cool fixture, it helps to tie in the foyer below, which also sports a capiz shade. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Capiz Orb Pendants" height="640" src="http://ab.weimgs.com/weimgs/ab/images/wcm/products/201336/0016/img13o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upstairs Family Room/Play Room: West Elm Capiz Orb in large size</td></tr>
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The are still a few more gaps to fill, so I'm hunting and pecking for those last few pieces. I can't wait to see how it all comes together. I love that these clients want a house that is fun, interesting and truly a reflection of their personalities, not just cookie-cutter and nice-but-safe. Should be great when it's all done!<br />
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SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-89516683560278226182013-10-17T21:16:00.000-07:002013-10-18T15:23:32.430-07:00A Book-Lover's ParadiseThere's something about old houses....the lovely creak of hardwood floors, imperfect plaster walls, beautiful moldings, solid-wood doors, cast iron tubs, interesting little built-in features and charming antique fixtures. To me they all say "home" in a way that new houses can't. They have history, that have character, and above all, they have quirks. I adore quirky houses! <br />
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My house has none of that. Okay, so maybe it has quirks, but not the charming kind. I saw this photo on Pinterest tonight and instantly fell in love. This is definitely NOT a new house. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Reece Witherspoon’s Ojai, California home in Elle Décor" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e8/38/a6/e838a664094c50466d2a08d50d8e2085.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #171717; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;">(Reece Witherspoon’s Ojai, California home in Elle Décor)</span></td></tr>
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There are so many things to love here: the little arched closet doors, the mismatched but very interesting light fixtures, the casual mix of pattern and color, the soft plaster walls, the arched doorways, the ceiling detail and the wide-plank hardwood floors. What I love most though is the built-in reading nook. Oh heaven! I just want to dive in and curl up with a good book. It looks so peaceful and inviting, not to mention decidedly feminine. (My house is pretty much all "boy" at the moment.) I think I may need a little reading nook like this. And a little pink to top it off wouldn't hurt either. <br />
<br />SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-54152569568728828862013-10-10T15:04:00.000-07:002013-10-10T15:04:37.190-07:00Jazz Up That White KitchenIt's no big secret that I LOVE all-white kitchens. There's something very timeless about white Shaker cabinets, paired with white marble (or quartzstone) counter tops, and a white, subway tile backsplash. As much as I like to experiment with new colors, products and finishes, the white kitchen is a look that I always come back to. Depending on how you dress it, it can be very sleek and modern, or it can be folksy and quaint. Either way, the look is classic and never goes out of style. <br />
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The question is, how does one do an all-white kitchen and not look boring? How can you make sure your personality and unique sense of style show through, and how do you tie it in with the rest of your home? Consider this simple trick: The runner. A runner rug strategically placed in front of the sink or the cooktop will add instant pattern, color, and texture, while allowing you to make a personal style statement. An added bonus will be the comfort it provides underfoot. That little bit of extra cushion will help save your back when you labor over that next five-course meal. Ha! ;) And don't worry about those occasional spills. Just keep a little spot cleaner on hand (I like Spot Off by D. A. Burns) and you'll be good to go!<br />
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A quick look at some fun examples and you'll see just how versatile this little trick can be. (All images from Pinterest.) From very traditional (even antique!) to modern and edgy, the choices are endless. 1 rug = instant personality!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Cantley & Company - exterior wall vent for hood, would put pineapple on hood, subway tile up, white cabinets, nice runner" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/c5/db/7d/c5db7d2d4d3cecefc840d674aa7ea1c6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely old-world feel. The colors and pattern in the rug make the room cozy and inviting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="white, open shelving in the kitchen" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/30/d0/b0/30d0b028b5a4ad443529feb603d49e19.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh, modern, and youthful.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="makes me want to paint my kitchen cabinets white again and I super love the natural rug/runner." height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b5/ef/ad/b5efadd70cf788e5c936ae2e171f05be.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="425" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple, cottage-y and a bit rustic. The perfect beach house look.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Investigating refrigerator placement. Mainly just to piss Charles off." src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a8/63/57/a863576cd0a3dc3eae8a7cf9f6dc24de.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elegant without being stuffy. Why not bring that heirloom-quality rug into the kitchen?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Small Open Kitchen | House & Home.. maybe a runner or rug to break up all the wood tones" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/61/27/80/6127802664ad606a1508087a04d32b44.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Modern and chic-- Love how they mixed two different styles/patterns, one on either side of the island.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="white kitchen with tribal accents" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/ca/db/fc/cadbfc7102b12653ef35e5a6ece8c608.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="508" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't find one, long rug in the right size? Try two...one if front of sink and one in front of stove.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Cute cottage, like the ceiling" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/39/fc/44/39fc4412e061dde0310437f33cc54bad.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bright color and playful pattern make this room feel fun and friendly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Country Kitchen" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d8/1c/34/d81c34e3ada5231e6c51d64fede03019.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting mix of old and new. Stylish, effortless and very French.</td></tr>
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Feeling inspired? I hope so. Even if you don't have an all-white kitchen, try a new rug and see what it does for the room. It's an easy style trick and one that can easily be changed when you get tired of it. Above all, play and experiment. Bring a few home and see what looks the best. (And don't forget a non-slip rug pad.) You might be pleasantly surprised with the results.<br />
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<br />SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-47461619059847969112013-09-26T13:41:00.000-07:002013-09-26T13:41:40.670-07:00Satin Nickel is SO over-ratedThis might surprise some of you, but I have a secret love affair with antique brass and bronze hardware. My clients almost never request it, but I'm holding out, in hopes that one day, that magic client will come along who shares my passion for all things vintage, old, and off-the-beaten path. There are so many beautiful, classic kitchens that would benefit from a little bling, in the form of antique brass cabinet pulls, lighting, or faucet fixtures. Not convinced? Where's here's a little peak at some of the "pretties" that catch my eye....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Jeffrey Alexander MO6373 Belcastle Flat Bottom Pull " src="http://hi.atgimg.com/img/p400/5786/mo6373-128abm-d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabinet Pull by Jefferey Alexander. Finish: Antique Brass with Dull Lacquer<br /><br /></td></tr>
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And let's see, what should we pair with that? Imagine beautiful white cabinets, maybe with a farmhouse sink, classic Carrara marble countertops, subway tile backplash.....and how about a matching Brass, bridge-style faucet? The brass faucet would develop a wonderful patina over time and give a kitchen that cozy, lived-in feel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.rohlhome.com/Images/i6942.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rohl Bridge Faucet #U.4751L in Inca Brass (also available w/ side spray)<br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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Then for lighting, I'd throw in a group of mini pendants that had a touch of brass as well. I'm swooning over the industrial fixtures that so popular right now. It seems that everyone has their own version of them. This one is by Restoration Hardware and I adore the contrast of the crisp, white Milk glass shade against the aged steel. Then--there it is---the brass accent! It pops out like a little bit of sunshine, making the whole composition sing. Love, love, love. Can I have you? Pretty please.<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Milk Glass Filament 11" Pendant Aged Steel" src="http://media.restorationhardware.com/is/image/rhis/prod2111840?$l-pd1$&illum=0" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restoration Hardware Milk Glass Filament 11"Pendant<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<br />So what would this dream kitchen look like all pulled together? Well, I haven't created this one yet, but if I do, I will be sure to share some photos. For now, here are some other inspiration shots (taken from Pinterest), thanks to other lucky designers whose clients aren't afraid to ditch drab Satin Nickel for gorgeous Brass.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="the cover of the latest issue of Canadian House & Home outta my head! Then when I watched the video tour by Suzanne Dimma I fell pretty hard for those cabinets. The home was designed by stylist Sasha Seymour, and believe it or not that is an IKEA kitchen fitted with gorgeous brass campaign hardware." src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/45/28/a6/4528a6527192baa7273e8ff3a7d3a16f.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rustic, quirky and charming. There's so much to gush about in this kitchen. <br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="White Kitchen with brass hardware -looks classy now, fairly easy to update when brass falls out of style (as it inevitably will)" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/86/6f/76/866f76decaad479e396258eb4933b89b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely, classic kitchen, but the real show-stoppers are the island pendants.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Kitchen with Carrara Marble, Dark Wood and Brass Hardware" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/31/28/ac/3128ac3a882f531d0ca2028808ea3360.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The red lantern is a bit much for my taste, but the brass accents on the range hood are to-die-for.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="All white, subway tile, open shelving plus cupboards with brass hardware" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/d4/52/a4/d452a4f6c5ab9cf311bbf1228fce1222.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All white and delicious. Love the wicker chairs too. They lend a nice French flair.<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="the ladder!" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/a3/8a/61/a38a6111e8200f616227fa1e1de7f02e.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wow! Okay, so maybe having ladder in the kitchen is over the top, but this is stunning!<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Kitchen sink with brass faucet" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e1/5c/a6/e15ca6bdbef56985db8d2cf1df31c561.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple. Pretty. Perfect.<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="The original plan was to replace the oak cabinet doors with new shaker style mdf doors. I found some online for about $30 a door, unpainted. Not bad, but it was still going to be around $600, so now the plan is to just trim out and paint the old doors myself." src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/58/2f/1d/582f1d40b5ec32b4c853a9942ac25697.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And see, you don't have to match all your metals. Brass can "play nice" with other finishes.</td></tr>
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So go on, be brave. Don't stick to "safe" finishes like Brushed Chrome and Satin Nickel because you think you have to. Think of your hardware as the jewelry for the room. Add some bling and watch what happens. The results might surprise you.<br />
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SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-60649368168343959892013-09-19T20:19:00.000-07:002013-09-19T20:19:41.114-07:00Time to Recharge<br />
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<img alt="purple and white ornamental cabbage for fall gardens -" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/27/c1/ba/27c1ba2f1f7f0d4b175cdd4ac290ec1d.jpg" width="331" /></div>
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This week has kicked my butt. Work is booming--which is great, but my gas tank is on empty right now, especially when it comes to all the little "extras" that go along with my profession. All week long I have been spinning ideas for an interesting and inspiring post, but each time I start mulling over the details, I've realized that the topic was going to require more effort than I could muster at the moment.<br />
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I usually draft my posts on Thursday afternoons, when my son is in preschool for a couple hours. Today though, the sun was shining, the weather was unseasonably warm and I thought, "Forget the blog, I'm going for a walk!" Decision made. No regrets. The walk was glorious and just what I needed to clear my head. I felt inspired by the whispers of Fall, the seasonal color, and the new decorative pots neighbors are sporting by their front doors. I thought to myself, "That's what I'll do this afternoon. I'll buy new plants for my pots out front." I picked up my youngest son from preschool and we ran our errands. I even stopped by the hardware store and looked at plants. But that nagging little voice in my head said, "Don't bother buying them today. You don't have the time or energy." Usually I don't listen to that voice, but today I did. <br />
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Then tonight, I was supposed to go to a design-related event at a big appliance showroom. I have been pumped about this event for weeks and was really looking forward to attending. They were previewing all the latest home appliance models and the sneak peak could have made for an awesome design post. But when 4:00 pm rolled around (about the time I should have been getting ready to go), where was I? Crashed out on the couch. Like I said, this week has kicked my butt. <br />
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Now I'm feeling guilty. I got nothing. Even a super-mom/designer-extraordinaire like me has her limits. :-) Next week will be better, I promise. I'll buy my plants, do some potting, pump out more great design ideas for my clients, and share photo updates of some of the fun projects that are sapping my energy at the moment. There's good stuff just around the corner. With two homes under construction, a third about to break ground, and a handful of home decor projects underway, there's bound to be something exciting to share. For now, I'll hit the hay, get some much-needed rest, and dream of a pretty Fall garden.<br />
<img alt="container gardening & those lanterns" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/e4/5e/f0/e45ef0223b06dbd01807cd461b9c7427.jpg" />SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-29268784150538624002013-09-12T20:36:00.000-07:002013-09-12T20:36:12.104-07:00The One-Year BathToday is a BIG day for me. One year ago, I convinced my husband to tear apart our very ghetto, very 70's master bath, even though we didn't really have sufficient plans or funds to put it back together in an efficient manner. I jokingly said, "I don't care if it takes us six months to finish this bath! I just can't stand it one day longer, and at least if it's torn apart, we'll have to work on it bit by bit until it's done." (I'm all about forward progress.) Not fully convinced, my sweet husband agreed to start tearing up the bath, just to keep me happy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFa50c4lvqvZLLfHo7oHJuv18C5zg75OhQAi6ud4-WZS8xYacalvkQnX9IJELy-Wrkqx_RpmM5YDcxqChyCsnb8RoKylvdMc9Uuy7PxOdwldmn_S6qSOAQthD1IB-FqFUMnCiBZMjVcwHR/s1600/1+Before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFa50c4lvqvZLLfHo7oHJuv18C5zg75OhQAi6ud4-WZS8xYacalvkQnX9IJELy-Wrkqx_RpmM5YDcxqChyCsnb8RoKylvdMc9Uuy7PxOdwldmn_S6qSOAQthD1IB-FqFUMnCiBZMjVcwHR/s640/1+Before.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before Shot--tiny sink, carpet (yuck!), and a weird, little shower/toilet room that felt dark and claustrophobic.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2cOeki8pTRo8QwnE4Bl8yNpiP6sBjjxYKVhRf-fwAH2ohcZl8jugdkCEFdaXO_-FKnimoOS5JWg2-dVOPUeuwlJl37RQGrjhEWvK_PHQRfA3ICC9LotJt_n6rmtTzlIfMVhcJdeT0O0f/s1600/2+Before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2cOeki8pTRo8QwnE4Bl8yNpiP6sBjjxYKVhRf-fwAH2ohcZl8jugdkCEFdaXO_-FKnimoOS5JWg2-dVOPUeuwlJl37RQGrjhEWvK_PHQRfA3ICC9LotJt_n6rmtTzlIfMVhcJdeT0O0f/s640/2+Before.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the lack of a door to separate the vanity from the bedroom. This drove me crazy in the morning when I was trying to sleep and my husband was getting ready for work. And what's with all those mirrored doors???</td></tr>
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And so demo began. Boy, were we thrilled with the results! Tearing down the closet wall on the left and the toilet/shower wall on the right instantly made the space feel SO much bigger. I think at this point, even my husband caught the vision and was glad I had talked him into starting the project.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwn_wY73W2nlEAiEqa9X71Fo4Cmo8z5teOdrGVLoQdXUCdC8i_HIynnHLc7W_0UmYy6R3336OD-lMEWnou6AYKEdwAiXuWpcBk3E8L6mBBTctMY2RxqzK1qua41x-SqOYk4mn_g-2f8gv/s1600/4+Demo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwn_wY73W2nlEAiEqa9X71Fo4Cmo8z5teOdrGVLoQdXUCdC8i_HIynnHLc7W_0UmYy6R3336OD-lMEWnou6AYKEdwAiXuWpcBk3E8L6mBBTctMY2RxqzK1qua41x-SqOYk4mn_g-2f8gv/s640/4+Demo.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Demo Phase--closet wall gone.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAbr5UeDGuykQ1YghlWeugQBDwKm8xqvOoA9dUq8H5bkLmZwFOPiwmaDgYiKQe-LHj79bVb78xHRhcmalMJwOLYDzVtyISseOt0eYkUoV8k38vFRWa0QK33s8zQhoO3U8_j0kykb4bstZ/s1600/5+Demo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAbr5UeDGuykQ1YghlWeugQBDwKm8xqvOoA9dUq8H5bkLmZwFOPiwmaDgYiKQe-LHj79bVb78xHRhcmalMJwOLYDzVtyISseOt0eYkUoV8k38vFRWa0QK33s8zQhoO3U8_j0kykb4bstZ/s640/5+Demo.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Demo Phase--toilet/shower wall and pocket door removed.</td></tr>
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So little by little, we proceeded to work on the bath. My joke about the 6-month project quickly turned into a reality. The months crept by and progress was very slow.<br />
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In the early months, I worked on a floor plan; one which evolved to include both a tub and a walk-in shower, something we had previously not thought possible. With efficient planning, we decided we could fit in both. Next, I was on to shopping. I went to a local plumbing showroom to check out the goods. (This is always the fun part! You're still in the dreaming stage, where budget and reality haven't fully sunk in.) My first "find" was floor model tub, for sale at a deeply discounted price. It offered sufficient size for comfortable soaking, but was not so wide that it wouldn't fit in our still rather small footprint. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGgE8c7juzbRaMfCs1dUfxhphC_GiMcp8yCkr9Wa30aVhWIB7PiHuhqGcKX-z6BM6X64AuY1_ku0MdDjeW417DEQ42h6dlpTjNKSpbjreKRhuyPHEC-7VvFrklvHNxIVRI-aR0GOPJIF_/s1600/6+Shopping.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGgE8c7juzbRaMfCs1dUfxhphC_GiMcp8yCkr9Wa30aVhWIB7PiHuhqGcKX-z6BM6X64AuY1_ku0MdDjeW417DEQ42h6dlpTjNKSpbjreKRhuyPHEC-7VvFrklvHNxIVRI-aR0GOPJIF_/s640/6+Shopping.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tub: I didn't like the legs, so I decided we would use it as a drop-in model by building it a platform.</td></tr>
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The next find was a lovely pedestal sink with chrome polished console. By this point, I had decided that the look of our bath was going to be "rustic meets luxury", so a little sparkle was just enough to make my heart sing! The faucet, seen here, was chosen from a wall display and oh-so-conveniently placed on the floor model sink to confirm that the two were a match made in heaven. A little old-world for me, a little sleek and contemporary for my husband, and quality German engineering to-boot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaylF6fSd7eiEoQ9s152vHljg9IUW8i0xE2S7Y5jhDSXdvTrD2r_rGATHLrDjWWfM3k4r2MhJgxCWH8rgRNHWLJjUOQtCovOvQ8RcU992WOqxylqDEW543naMFXYLysBmY5iO_wGpS-ew3/s1600/7+Shopping.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaylF6fSd7eiEoQ9s152vHljg9IUW8i0xE2S7Y5jhDSXdvTrD2r_rGATHLrDjWWfM3k4r2MhJgxCWH8rgRNHWLJjUOQtCovOvQ8RcU992WOqxylqDEW543naMFXYLysBmY5iO_wGpS-ew3/s640/7+Shopping.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pedestal sink and chrome console I choose.</td></tr>
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Framing went up rather quickly, thanks to a good friend who doesn't mind doing little side jobs for us on the weekend. (Always good to know folks like that!) Once framing was complete, we had the plumbing rough- in done. That part was painful and very expensive. Needless to say, our lack of proper planning and budgeting really bit us here. Plumbing proved so expensive that we had to just put the project aside for a few months in order to let our wallets recover. Thankfully, the next phase--electrical rough-in--wasn't nearly so bad. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_P31ECusKpPeHW2iJf1rcssxXe44dsTPiFmdYKYeeT0ztwbnrDamex24nGtmNfwUO_r1iYNhxHUV88glD7SzCYNk_choxMj3g56PjpSP1wHVoDoOWlYuHGD7zB9z7NO10Gk8rHyiAzli/s1600/8+Framing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_P31ECusKpPeHW2iJf1rcssxXe44dsTPiFmdYKYeeT0ztwbnrDamex24nGtmNfwUO_r1iYNhxHUV88glD7SzCYNk_choxMj3g56PjpSP1wHVoDoOWlYuHGD7zB9z7NO10Gk8rHyiAzli/s640/8+Framing.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we sit, fixtures in hand, waiting for electrical help.</td></tr>
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Finally, electrical rough-in was completed and insulation and drywall went up--also relatively inexpensive. Then we sat around some more, gathering funds to put towards the next big ticket item--tile. Happily, I did score an awesome deal on marble tile at my local Home Depot. (Yes, even designers shop there.) I just happened upon it: 12x12 marble tiles for less than $2/sq ft! The only hitch was that the existing stock was terribly flawed and I had to stand in the store for hours, picking through boxes and boxes of the stuff in order to find enough good pieces to use. (Just FYI, the boxes were already opened, so apparently I wasn't the first to do this!) When we had enough money saved up, we called the tile installers and they did an amazing job making my bargain tile look beautiful and expensive. With the tile in, it was starting to look like a real bathroom. I was happy about that, but then again, checking the calendar, we were at month 8 and still no finished bath!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7crKF2Wx6QckpGRPzwdCaoW09yBLXiEBgEUsFoMj093TgO_MnwSmpz1OpjjIDs5QnZ1OxQp4esVy4W28m3URVjyREcmjX_CxQ-s14fJ8gk8iK6m1gkAy6Sq7yb5lz_F6dqCxnL50w-uBo/s1600/9+Painting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7crKF2Wx6QckpGRPzwdCaoW09yBLXiEBgEUsFoMj093TgO_MnwSmpz1OpjjIDs5QnZ1OxQp4esVy4W28m3URVjyREcmjX_CxQ-s14fJ8gk8iK6m1gkAy6Sq7yb5lz_F6dqCxnL50w-uBo/s640/9+Painting.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tile's in and trim work/bead board are done. Just working on paint.</td></tr>
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To give the room that rustic balance, I choose to clad most of the walls in full-height bead board. I painted it white to give it a little of that cottage charm that I love so much. The painting we did ourselves. We don't always have the time or skills to do these home improvement projects, but painting is one task we can always handle ourselves to save a little moolah.<br />
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Along the way, there were also other little DIY projects. Seen below is a wall shelf I picked up at a TJ Maxx store. I loved the rustic quality and the exaggerated shape of the support brackets, but dark green color just wasn't going to cut it. I painted it white to match the bead board and decided it would be just the thing over the toilet.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting Project--decorative shelf.</td></tr>
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By this time we were in the home stretch. Or so we thought. We nearly died when we got a quote for the final plumbing trim out. It was double what we expected to pay. We were told that our sink consoles were very tricky (okay, but I still loved them) and that my bargain tub wasn't such a bargain (lesson learned there). Setting the tub was going to be a big job. And so we sat. Month 10 and still no bath. Then finally, a breakthrough. Our fabulous tile installers referred a plumber to us whose rates were much more reasonable. Things were starting to look up. The plumbing was installed at month 11 and everything was in working order. Almost. We still didn't have a proper glass shower enclosure and that too would have to wait....again....very expensive. <br />
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And here we are today. Twelve months later. It's a special day! The shower glass was delivered and installed and I finally have a proper master bath. Boy, was it worth the wait! It's just the right mix of fancy and shabby, small but "lives large", both Sheila AND Dave. Gone is the ghetto bath, the shag carpeting, the popcorn ceiling, and the weird shower cave. Tomorrow morning when I shower in there, I'm going to feel like I have arrived. And just in time. Tomorrow is another big day. I'm turning 40. Maybe it won't be such a bad day after all. Forty feels pretty good if it means getting your own little slice of spa perfection in the morning.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahh--complete! (will share more "after" photos in a future post)</td></tr>
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<br />SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-70363697178841687342013-09-05T20:48:00.001-07:002013-09-05T20:48:34.479-07:00Garden Rock Stars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Fall is clearly just around the corner. While the daytime temperatures are still warm, the mornings have been cool and misty, with the yard showing signs of overnight rain. This time of year always makes me a little sad. Not only is the carefree playfulness of summer coming to an end, but the peak of the gardening season is over and the plants are starting to look a little tired. The colors start to fade and some of the plants begin to die back. Everything takes on a more subtle appearance as Fall creeps in.<br />
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Thanks goodness for a few late-season winners that keep things looking pretty for just a little while longer! These are my garden "rock stars." My personal favorite is Rudbeckia hurta, or Black Eyed Susans. (Even the name sounds like a rock band!) It kick-starts the garden again with a giant dollop of gold and black and makes gray-skied days a little less bleak. The other great thing about Black Eyed Susans is that they are prolific and easy to grow. If you add 4-5 starts in one small area, by the next season they will have quickly filled in, creating a giant mass of blooms and greens, in only one year's time. Who doesn't want their garden to go from baby-starts to full-blown gorgeous in as little time as possible!?!<br />
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Black Eyed Susans pair nicely with Sedum Autumn Joy, seen above in the center foreground. As the season progresses, the Sedum will change color, deepening from soft pink, to dark pink, to dusty red. The other flower I like to pair with my Black Eyed Susans are Penstemons, particularly the deeper shades shade varieties, as seen on the far left. This one is called "Firebird" Penstemon, and I love its deep pink hue--perfect for my (front yard) garden's color scheme of gold, yellow, hot pink, red, and deep burgundy. The other interesting note about this type of Penstemon, is that last year, when I clipped the seed heads off in late Fall, the stems and leaves stayed green and lush all through Winter and into early Spring, when I finally trimmed them back to encourage new growth. They never went through the usual dying-back process--unusual for a perennial. <br />
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Another great find (I have my husband to thank for this one) is this "Flame" Salvia greggii, seen below. I LOVE the unusual color combination--deep burgundy stems, contrasting with the vibrant red flower heads. Like most salvias, it likes full sun, but this one is unique in that it grows to 30-36"high. It's definitely an attention grabber! After we planted it last year, I was worried that it wouldn't be hardy or come back the next Spring, but lo and behold, it did! (I've had my fairs share of disappointments that way, so it's fun to find a plant that looks tropical and somewhat exotic, but can withstand NW winter temperatures.)<br />
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In general, deep burgundy foliage seems to be a favorite of mine and I have to be careful not to over do it! I love the way it contrasts with all the green of the garden and adds color even when something's not in bloom. One stroll through my garden and you'll quickly notice the repetition of this shade of red. I have a new plant I'm trying out, called "Mahogany Splendor" Hibiscus. (See image below) It doesn't really produce flowers of any significance, but the leaves themselves are decorative and attractive on their own, with their rich color and delicate ruffled edges. I'm excited to see the drama this plant will lend to the garden when it reaches it's full height: a whopping 5ft! Right now I have it paired with Japanese Anemones (pink version)--also long and leggy. They should be fun combination in a couple years as they both fill in. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Red-leafed Hibiscus plant w/ Japanese Anemone in the background)<br />
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And speaking of "filling in," we have some new areas of the garden (back yard) that are freshly planted and in need of some filling! This summer my husband and I decided to work on the bare patch of planting bed that separates our back lawn from the private golf course beyond. We added some salvaged stepping stones, laid in a meandering fashion, and then started filling in some of the blanks with ground covers, ferns, hostas, and hydrangeas. It doesn't look like much at the moment, but I am SO excited to see how this develops over the next couple years. It's a very shady area, but I think I'm really going to enjoy this part of the yard, especially when the hydrangeas are in bloom. Next year, I'm sure we'll add a few more plants, after we've had a chance to see how it looks in all four seasons. Here's what it looks like now:<br />
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Like most things in life, gardens are always a work in progress and never perfect. There's always something that needs pruning, relocating, or filling in, and there are endless possibilities when it comes to plant pairings and garden design. When I retire from interior design someday, (laughing) odds are pretty good that you'll find me in my garden, trying to perfect that other imperfect art form, garden composition. For now, I'm the happy weekend novice, getting my hands a little dirty and appreciating the beauty of God's creation. Here are a few more photos I took of views around the yard. A little past their Summer prime, but beautiful in their own way. Enjoy!</div>
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SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-55071499961383832712013-08-29T16:50:00.000-07:002013-08-29T16:50:54.258-07:00First-Day Jitters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week is a busy one for our family. School is starting back up and everyone is trying to adjust to the new schedule. In anticipation of a little craziness, I choose to "not work" on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I've been catching up on emails, giving the house a thorough clean, and trying to strategize my work load for the next few months. Last night, as I laid down in bed, my head was spinning and sleep was eluding me. In exasperation, I got up several times, trying work on things around the house while my husband and boys lay snug in their beds, contentedly sawing logs. How ironic I thought: "I'm not the one starting school tomorrow and here I am, showing signs of <i>first-day jitters</i>!" (Confession time: I'm the worrier in the family.)<br />
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This morning, my husband's alarm rang bright and early. He's a high-school English teacher and today was his first day back in the classroom with students. When the alarm went off, I must have finally been tired enough to sleep because I only vaguely remember feeling mild levels of irritation as he turned on lights, started the shower and rummaged around in the closet for clothes. I fell back asleep before I got a chance to say good-bye, so I hope he had a great first day and found his new students fun and interesting. I know he loves his job and will probably come home tonight with great stories to share.<br />
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My alarm went off an hour and a half later. Feeling horribly groggy, I stumbled my way to the kitchen and started to make a coffee. I had barely settled down in my comfy chair, when who should come strolling out of his room, but Jasper, my eldest. (Apparently kids at his age don't need alarm clocks. I swear mine have mommy-radar. As soon as I'm up and moving around, they wake up too.) Today was also Jasper's first day of school. He's starting 1st grade and excited to see his friends again. Excited--but not so brave that he didn't timidly ask if I could drive him to school and walk him to his classroom. Of course I obliged. Can you blame me? Look at this cute grin!<br />
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Karsten, my youngest, got to spend the day hanging out with me. It's been pretty chill around here and the house seems eerily quiet with half the family gone. So quiet that Karsten fell asleep next to me, despite the fact that he hasn't been a regular napper in over a year. His "first day" is coming next week, when he starts preschool for the first time. He's my introvert--quieter than his older brother and much more independent. This independence means he's not the clingy type, so (thankfully), I don't anticipate tears on his big day next week. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">What a cutie! I can't believe my baby is growing up.</span></td></tr>
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Then there's me. Today isn't my first day of school, but it is the start of a big "first." Today I said "yes" to a new gig--something I never in my life thought I'd be doing. I'm going to give teaching a try. Green River Community College contacted me to ask if I'd be willing to teach a one-night-a-week continuing ed class on the basics of interior design. It was out of the blue and completely caught me off guard. However, I always love a challenge and couldn't resist the opportunity to try something new. I've been working in my profession now for over 15 years, and running my own business for over 9, so sharing what I know shouldn't be too difficult. I do this with my clients on a daily basis and this type of "teaching" seems like second nature at this point. However, sitting down one-on-one with a client is a little different than standing in front of a classroom. I know for a fact I will be having MAJOR <i>first-day jitters</i> three months from now when the class starts, and probably feeling the effects of not much sleep the night before. But hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained! You only live once and I hope I never stop trying new things. I'm also extremely grateful for a family and husband who support me in my pursuit of new experiences and business ventures. I am blessed.SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5459602473162515958.post-12743858249948001732013-08-22T17:52:00.001-07:002013-08-22T17:52:59.153-07:00Insider Tips: Crown Molding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Architectural moldings are something a lot of us love, but know little about. Selecting the right style for your home can sometimes be an intimidating task. There are tons of profiles to choose from and looking through supply catalogs is like trying to understand a foreign language. There are lots of pieces that even I, as an experienced designer, can't quite figure out how to use. It takes years of practice to be well versed in the language of architectural moldings and oftentimes, being able to image how pieces will fit together is like trying to solve a puzzle. <br />
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I recently did a house with a 5-piece crown assembly. That was a first for me! Most homes don't call for that degree of complexity, but this particular design was for a formal, two-story foyer with 20 ft ceilings and full-height wainscoting. If I had used a single piece of crown to cap off the top of the wainscot, it would have been lost to the eye. Instead, I had to build up several pieces to get the proper visual weight.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millwork nearly complete...prepping for paint.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Most of us are not blessed with ceilings that high. Depending on the year your house was built, your ceiling is probably in the 8-10 ft range. In these cases, a single piece crown will usually do the trick. All you have to do is select the proper profile, size and wood type. Sounds easy enough, right? :-) Well, here are few criteria you might use in trying to make your selection: </span></div>
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1) How high are my ceilings?<br />
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2) What is the overall style of my home? (formal, casual, or of a particular style period?)</div>
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3) Do I intend to paint or stain the crown?</div>
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4) Is moisture sometimes present in the room, i.e. in a bathroom?</div>
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5) Are all the walls straight or will I need the crown molding to follow a curve?</div>
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6) Will the crown molding need to intersect with a different material and/or profile, say where a wall crown meets up with a cabinetry crown?</div>
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Breaking it down:</div>
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1) If your ceilings are 8 ft, I would usually recommend a crown that is in the 4-1/2" to 5-1/2" range. For each extra foot of ceiling height, add an additional 1"of crown height. (There are always exceptions, but this is a good rule of thumb.)</div>
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2A) If your style is contemporary, you usually don't require crown molding. See below--lovely and simple, right?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="desire to inspire" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ef/86/3b/ef863b3f27b7021077ab771820264bba.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">( www.desiretoinspire.net)</span><br />
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2B) There are a lot of variations on Craftsman style molding, but the example shown below illustrates some common trademarks:<br />
a) A two-part crown, separated by several inches of wall space--seen here painted in a uniform color to appear as a single unit.</div>
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b) A three-part door and window cap assembly made up of a parting bead, a horizontal piece of flatstock and small crown-cap.</div>
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c) A two or three-piece window sill/apron assembly.</div>
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d) Tall, flatstock base moldings (5-6"high), often with a small piece of shoe-mold added at the bottom. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="WindsorONE - Windsor Mill" src="http://www.windsorone.com/CAD_images/4-classical_crafts.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images found on www.WindsorONE.com. </td></tr>
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2C) A Shingle-style home or beach-style traditional will look lovely with simple cove molding. This is my personal favorite. I never get tired of it--it's elegant but doesn't feel overly fussy. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Smooth Cove 4.1-inch Crown Molding" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a2/76/45/a27645bb8aa9a605ba271897b38e0306.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sample Cove Profile</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Coved molding painted wall color" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/aa/92/a6/aa92a67efecee7fba6d418518bf92ab1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looks gorgeous in Transitional style rooms too!</span></td></tr>
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2D) If your home is Traditional or one of the many Revival styles, look online for selection tips. There are oodles to choose from. Here are just a few:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the most common profiles--works well with most traditional architectural styles.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://decoratorshub.com//public/upload/productimage/1302-2011-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Art Deco Style</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Egg and Dart--one of the Greek Revival Styles</span><br />
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<img src="https://decoratorshub.com//public/upload/productimage/1179-688-3.jpg" /><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I don't know what this style is called, but I can picture it in a Pre-War apartment in NYC or Paris.</span></td></tr>
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3) Crown moldings come in both paint and stain grades, depending on your desired finish. Paint grades are often made out of MDF (medium density fiberboard), which is cheap and easy to work with. Stain-grade moldings come in many different wood species and are primarily used when a natural or stained wood look is desired. (Solid wood molding can be painted too--it just costs more.) If you look back at the "pre-paint" photo of the foyer I did, you'll notice many different types of molding used in conjunction: solid wood, MDF and Flex Mold (see topic #5 below). We choose the molding that best fit the application/location and then painted it all for a uniform look.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's what it looked like after paint--quite a transformation. (sorry, crown not visible)</span></td></tr>
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4) If moisture is sometimes present in the room, as in a bathroom, it's usually preferable to go with a solid wood product vs MDF, which can swell and fall apart if it comes in contact with water. (MDF is basically made up of compressed sawdust and glue.)</div>
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5) If you have curved walls, there are also "Flex Moldings" available. These are molded, solid-filled polyester resins and are available in several different formulas for various needs and applications. These resin-based moldings always need to be painted. It is also possible to special order solid-wood crown moldings that have been carved to follow a radius, but be warned: these don't come cheap!</div>
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6) The tricky part comes when you have a beautiful painted crown molding on your walls, but need to figure out how it's going to intersect with a wood crown cap on a wall-hung cabinet, or vice versa. Sometimes, if the two crowns are of the same profile and the same size, you can neatly transition from painted to stained at an inside corner. If not (which is most of the time!), you may need to employ the use of a wood block in the corner which is larger than both of the intersecting crowns. Then decide if the wood block should be stained or painted. It's a judgement call.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="480" src="http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/$(KGrHqN,!p8E9lhNuZJqBPeL!Ng8GQ~~60_35.JPG?set_id=880000500F" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Example of a corner block. Here the 2 crowns match, but a block can help you transition between two style/finishes.</span></td></tr>
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So enough technical stuff, let's seem some pretty molding! These are a handful of unique images that inspire me. (all images taken from Pinterest)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Fabulous Foyers and Entrance Ways" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/f1/16/05/f1160546a5a4b336af67f3734772e826.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">While painted molding is dear to my heart, this limed wood finish makes me drool.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Love painted molding in a color!" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/3a/3d/36/3a3d369afa5f64451ff53ecfd249d7e0.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="426" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Light, airy and oh-so-pretty! This just goes to show that trim doesn't need to be white.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Not a white kitchen girl but I really like this one" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e8/ff/44/e8ff447b5d1fbd95c9d9e3080edfbf45.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Classic and beautiful. Why mess with perfection?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="http://www.beneathmyheart.net/2012/01/how-to-add-old-house-character-charm-to-your-newer-home-step-6/?utm_source=rss_medium=rss_campaign=how-to-add-old-house-character-charm-to-your-newer-home-step-6" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/a2/00/14/a200149de7baf10e4009101191b329d2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just because a space is rustic and simple, doesn't mean it won't benefit from a little crown molding. Here it nicely finishes off the shiplap wall paneling.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="painting molding and wood trim adds dimension to a room" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c2/0a/d9/c20ad9c7b1d8fc19df8d84ade09e2f02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">While this room isn't necessarily "my style", I appreciate that they used a bold color for the trim work, and I especially like how they carried that color through on the walls in the little window nook. Very clever.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="grey and brown kitchen" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d3/02/9c/d3029c531ee45c6af8647f19501f63cb.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="494" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dark and rich--this really makes a statement, in what appears to be a butler's pantry. I love how the cabinets, the walls and all the moldings are the same color. Way to commit! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Image from www.deringhall.com)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I will cut the post short here. There's SOOO much I left out, but that will have to wait for another day. I hope you enjoyed the overview and feel inspired!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">...and a </span><span style="font-size: small;">HUGE thanks to the talented folks that helped create that gorgeous foyer I shared: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Glenn Carter of Advanced Building Consultants, Inc., </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Paul and the talented crew at PVD Remodel and Construction (wall paneling and moldings),</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Medina Painting,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Loren Dugan of Beautiful Custom Stairs,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Walton Custom Tile,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">and last but not least, Roger McElroy w/ BMC--you patiently calculated all our millwork quantities and kept the orders straight!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It's such a privilege to work with these guys! You make perfection look easy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">-Sheila</span></div>
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SheilaMaydenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00335409673297842330noreply@blogger.com0