Archive for January, 2012
Don’t Forget the Foot
One thing that we are lucky to have in our current bedroom, that we didn’t have in our last, is space for a bench at the foot of a bed. Putting a bench, stools or a settee at the end of a bed is not a groundbreaking design tip; rather it is a tried and true one that works every time. I’m hoping to use a bench that used to be in my bedroom growing up and is an antique that my grandparent’s bought. Once I pick it up, I’ll show you a picture of it. Until then, let’s look at how great benches are at providing seating and adding visual interest…
ETSY is a great place to shop for some interesting, usually affordable gems for the foot of the bed.
If you have an upholstered headboard and lots of layers of bedding, I like to juxtapose all that upholstery with a rustic wooden bench – this one would do the trick.
If you’re feeling groovy, some Paul Frank fabric and faux bamboo would work for you.
I also love the look of two stools at the end of a full sized bed or at the foot of two matching twin beds. This little pop of color would be fabulous in a kid’s room.
If you have enough room for a settee at the foot of a bed, first of all, count yourself lucky and second of all, snatch up this settee.
Inspiration for Bedroom
Clever title, no? My creative juices are running low this morning. Perhaps, because we were up late last night rearranging our bedroom. All the sweat and tears was really worth it because we absolutely love the new lay out. Now, I’m finally ready to start working on our bedroom, which has been the most ignored room in our apartment. I thought I’d share a range of images that peaked my interest and will hopefully help me to get this room looking good…
We shall see what actually happens with our bedroom but thought a variety of pretty images would perk up all of our Monday mornings.
Fashion Friday
Happy Friday! I’ve found a new clothing shop obsession…Ella Lai. It is on ETSY – of course and everything is beautiful. Are you ready for this gem? Here we go…
Black Coat Dress with Polka Dots
What do you think of the shop? We are off to a birthday party tonight and I wish I had that orange dress to wear to it. Have a fabulous weekend everyone!!
Scouting Tidbits
Sorry about the lack of post lately. I have been busy with client meetings. Yesterday, I squeezed in a bit of scouting time (one of the perks of my job) and I thought I’d share some of the tidbits that I have passed onto various clients…
The only drawback of scouting is that I would gladly take everything home with me. So hard to not become a hoarder. Also, so not okay to say to a client, “I found the perfect piece for your home but I decided to keep it for myself.”
Oh Tommy Boy
Oh Tommy Smythe, how I do love you! Your style is timeless yet edgy. Did you catch his Victorian Makeover over at House and Home?
Stunning. To check out more go to House and Home. I finally started DVRing Sarah’s House – could possibly be one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.
Black and White Bathrooms
A new project that I’m working on includes two bathroom remodels in a beautiful 1941 colonial style home. I can’t wait to begin, especially since my clients requested a black and white bathroom and that has to be one of my favorite combos. I’ve rounded up some inspiration shots for them and for you…
I love the classic and sophisticated look these two colors bring to a bathroom.
Looking Back at 2011
Before leaving for Mexico for the holidays, I put together a post looking back at last year. But, I never set up a time to post it and now it’s been sitting in my drafts. I figure since I took the time to look back, I might as well share this post. So here we go – mid January – a look back at 2011.
January:
Inspired by the colorful photos of my clients trips to Africa and Mexico, I designed a colorful, playful guest room that also doubles as a kid’s playroom.
February:
Inspired by the birthday gift of a surfboard for my husband, I decorated a tablescape for his party that had us all dreaming for warm California days.
March:
Feeling the need to rearrange, I showed you all the different seating options I had for our dining room table.
April:
The April showers brought on the need for change and I went for a drastic haircut, complete with new bangs.
May:
Inspired by the dreamy east coast Atlantic homes, I created a little oasis for my clients to hang in their light filled family room.
June:
Graham and I headed out for the adventure of a lifetime, fishing in Alaska.
July:
In July, picture popped up in my inbox from an e-design I worked on. I’ve got to make it out to Nashville to see the room in person!
August:
The end of August brought about moving time. Graham and I moved into our new digs which we are thankful for every day.
September:
One of my largest projects of 2011, Bumble Play Cafe, opened to the public. It is now a bustling happy place that you must visit!
October:
I shared with you some peaks into my world of staging as I worked for a design idol of my: Ken Fulk.
November:
November brought along a treasure hunt which resulted in these two creepy yet cherished “Victorian Visitors” residing in our home.
December:
This month I gave a little tiny sneak peak into one of the many projects I’m working on with some made over Craigslist chairs.
January has been full steam ahead for me. I had the orthodontist office installation and I’ve brought on three more clients. I have been amazed by the generosity and support from all of my clients and I absolutely love working for each one of them. I’m very interested to see what the “Looking Back at 2012” post will look like. Until then, on with the work.
Latest Obsession…
Thanks to Rue Magazine’s latest issue, I have a new light obsession on the brain. I think it’s fabu for a kid’s room or a breakfast nook – these are two places that, in my mind, really call out for color. And check out these colors…
Pink – also available in sphere shape
I would absolutely love this in our own kitchen nook. But I don’t think the Mr. will really agree that it’s worth all $790 for a nook. Which is a fair point. He’ll also reference how I haven’t hung up any of the lighting we have from the last apartment so “why would we buy more lighting? We should wait until we own a home, then we can really change out the lights any way we would like.” That’s a really good point. You see that husband of mine is so smart.
Isn’t this easy? I get to have the husband “talk” here on the blog; now, we don’t even have to have the conversation. 🙂 I’ll tuck it away for our future home and hope to find a client that is as in love with it as I am.
Patent Moments
Thank you so much for your sweet comments on the ortho office before and after! I can’t wait to show you more. Speaking of before and afters – I’ve got this chiavari chair that has been stuck in “before” mode for about a year now.
I’m thinking of covering its fine bones in patent. I really love the look of pairing patent leather with a more traditional style chair. I think too much patent can go to a bad, tacky place fast, so I like it in very small doses.
Palmer Weiss
Country Living
Palmer Weiss
Angie Hranowsky
What do you think of the look? If I do tire of it, it won’t be hard to change. This chair is more of an extra chair that floats around from room to room when we have guests therefore the black kind of goes with everything. I think this gold lady wants to be dressed up – do you agree or disagree?
Oh and I’m pretty sure I’ll need these patent loafers to go with my new chair. Just imagine the horror and embarrassment if I didn’t have the correct pair of shoes to go with the new chair.
Project Reveal
The orthodontist office installation was a big success. I had a great time and I owe a humongous thank you to my worker bee helpers – Graham and my mom. Without them, I’m pretty sure I would still be there measuring and hanging the gallery wall and trying to lug in the chairs all by my weakling self. Everyone loved the results and I can’t wait to share all of the before/after pictures with you! We have a few more details that we are finishing up this week.
But there is one area that I’m excited to share with you today. The back waiting nook underwent a fun transformation. Here is the before…
And the after…
We had custom made a bench to fit exactly into the space to keep the same amount of room for patients to sit but added in a huge amount of style. I wanted to bring some drama to the little space by having an oversized headboard-back for the bench and one of my favorite details is the large brass nailheads.
The only sort of dental framed poster that was requested to stay up was this invisalign poster that resides by the bench because the kids really love it. I wanted to incorporate in some of the feel of the poster with a bit of animal touches – the seat is faux ostrich (which can also be wiped down with a sponge) and the custom accent pillows have a fun giraffe print to them.
I absolutely love this bench and I’d really would like to use it in a home one day – either in a mudroom, where it would be flanked by built in storage for the family to hang their coats or in a breakfast nook. So you may be seeing this again one day…
The orthodontist office is called Los Altos Orthodontics and the orthodontist is David Boschken. David, his family, and his staff are some of the nicest people ever. If I ever need braces again (knock on wood that stage is over), I would go there in a heart beat.
Kate Collins Interiors 