American Kitchen

Remember this coastal gem? I've been saving this red/white/blue color scheme for a special occasion and Memorial Day is perfect.  You recall this new house with an old vibe, well, I wanted the kitchen and dining to carry on the look and feel of the rest of home.
 This family of two busy doctors, three kids (and one dog) wanted relaxed easy living. They spend a lot of time entertaining -- not fine dining, but the good ol' entertaining. When we started planning, she painted pictures  of them having crab boils and shucking oysters and wanted a place there they could just hang out with family and friends. She has a great eye for collecting and wanted her home to have some history.

 Of course her reclaimed heart pine floors make this dog trot style home shine. We opted out of a rug because she claims they are too messy. This kitchen/dining area work for easy living and clean up! 

The client and I scored these metal chairs at a warehouse sale in the country. I love the juxtaposition with her existing farm table. 

 Everything is so open and feels like it has been here for years. I love that about the vibe of this space. 

 This reclaimed store counter was transformed into a huge island to bring on the old. She found it in Eastern North Carolina and we had it retrofitted for stools and a big slab of marble. 

We wrapped the edges for the "slab"effect. 

 The marble isn't the only cool top in the kitchen. This concrete will hold up to lots of cooking and prep. 

 We wanted to warm up the kitchen so it wouldn't feel too sterile with all of the white tile and cabinetry. This wood hood was crafted by craftsman Brandon Parrow. The piece of Hemlock was found at a friend's workshop. He traded the piece of wood for a case of Budweiser and Brandon turned it into a focal point.  

 The lighting is a Home Depot find and adds a little industrial look to the space. It just feels good in this good ol' American Kitchen. I can't wait until they invite me over for a crab boil. How about Memorial Day? - Hooper




Have a wonderful holiday weekend! Thank you to our servicemen and women for serving and protecting our country, we are humbled.

                                                          
   

Re-Entry - who needs it?

Read and I have returned from celebrating our 12th wedding anniversary in Parrot Cay. When I tell you I have the best husband clients in the world, I mean it. One client (who shall remain nameless) traded us a dream vacation at Parrot Cay for some design time on her latest project. Thank you husband dream client for the best vacation a couple could ask for!

Many of you have asked for photos from our get away. It was just too good not to share -- especially since I was blown away by the decor.  Welcome to Parrot Cay.

 Here is a shot of Read and I enjoying some time on the beach. Just kidding. Do you REALLY think I had on a bikini? Much less, posted it on my blog? 

The airy Indonesian vibe accented every single space. Everything was natural wood, white and Turquoise (only from the sea). 
Aside from a couple of minor mishaps like watching Read realizing his passport expired 4 days before the trip... watching Read struggle to lift heavy weights in yoga inspired "zen" gym next to Bruce Willis while blaring some type of very loud music on speakers in zen gym... way under-budgeting for alcohol and crying upon departure, it was a perfect vacation. Now I am rocking a savage tan and am so relaxed that I almost forgot to take kids to school this morning. Re-entry. Who needs it? bye bye birdie, -h

(Not) My Farmhouse....

 Jeff was out of town this weekend so I kept it low key... My sister was here from Chicago, we had 3 all star soccer games Saturday morning and I hosted a beach party Saturday night. Did I say low key? What I meant to say was Jeff was out of town and I needed lots of crack coffee to keep up.

 

But we made it and he got back just in time for us to hit a Sunday afternoon party at a friend's farmhouse 30 minutes outside of Wilmington. I had never been there before and when we pulled up my heart began racing.

 

 

 

 

 

I was so confused... why was my friend living in a house that was clearly supposed to be mine? Do you see the double house window panes in that middle window upstairs? Swoon...

 

The blue chairs on her porch did used to mine. My sister in law picked them up on the side of the road one day. That was the day she officially became one of us. My brother was beaming when he found out she had brought home someone else's trash... Anyhoo, they didn't work on her porch or mine so Amy ended up with them. She loved on them and painted them and they truly belong!

An easel sits by the front door with a stitched picture about guest. The original picture hung in her parents house and one of her sisters got it and is now making one for all the siblings to have. (Did I mention there are 13 of them?)

The inside is as lovely as the outside and they have spent countless hours bringing this beautiful old home back to life. The details are gorgeous. I loved this built in bookcase stuffed to the gills off of the foyer.

The house has 5 bedrooms (see?... would be perfect for our family!) each with beautiful light and layered details. Wonder if the dog sleeps on the dog bed or chaise?

Painted floors, bead board on the walls and ceilings, and sweet details made this my room of choice.

The surrounding yard is full of mature plants and little treasures everywhere. All the trees are have hanging lanterns and at night when lit, I have heard it is breathtaking. Unfortunately, we had to get the kids in bed and left before dark. (Also after a coke, cream soda and an orange crush, Addie was buzzin' and no longer making eye contact so we thought we better leave before asked to!)

A little table set up with a "green fairy drink" certainly got a lot of attention though I was not brave enough to try it. 110 proof? Yeah, no thanks... I'm not much of a drinker and I feared one of those and I'd either be telling everyone my life story or think I was really funny.

I loved the details around every corner and especially loved the legend of the Spanish moss. I had never heard that before but you better believe that is going somewhere in my house!

 

Obviously my weekend wasn't low key after all but we did have so much fun spending it with family and then friends. I am not rested  as a busy week awaits me but I am truly inspired and thrilled I got to spend time with A&G and all their friends at my their beautiful farmhouse...-A

 

(don't worry... I'll show you more later!)

   Happy Monday! Bye, bye Birdie,

Wash and Wear Condo ready to rent...

Seems to be condo season around here... Hooper did an amazing condo reno here. And I just finished giving this oceanfront beauty an overhaul. The catch... I  had 3 weeks to do it. So if you have seen me in the last 3 weeks, I apologize for the crazed look and dreads. Hair brushing seemed to have taken a back seat to this project. Anyhow, now it's done and I am very pleased. Take a look...

 

Before:

While this was a gem in it's day, the furniture and french country vibe had become outdated.

After:

Considering budget, I kept the art, coffee table (LOVED!) and furniture. Beach friendly slipcovers did wonders. I kept the colors surf and sand on the sophisticated side.  I painted the entire condo the same color so it wouldnt feel choppy or broken up by color.

 Because this is a rental, the rug stayed small.  I wanted a pop of pattern and texture without maintenance. the hardwood floors are perfect for sweeping up sand at the end of a beach day.

A smaller console replaced the big TV armoire. But seriously... who's watching T.V. with this view?

Stay tuned Friday to learn more about the coral art on the wall...

 

Check out the dining room before:

 

Heavy ornate furniture no longer fit the bill for a rental. So... I took it down a notch with a comfortable casual feel.

After:

A simple drum shade is high enough to not block the view from the kitchen. Do you know how many kids you can pile on a bench? The bench will offer more seating then 2 more chairs.

 

The kitchen got a fresh coat of paint on the cabinets and wall  as well as an updated light... that did wonders. Subway tile is next on the list. We stayed minimal in here since the homeowner is considering a major reno in 5 years.

 

The bedrooms got attention as well as all new um..er..everything!...

 Master Before:

 After:

 

Blackout drapes are a nice alternative to heavy blinds. Both bedrooms got new carpet. I choose a taupe color in hopes to hide stains should they occur. (remember... it's a rental)

 

 Guest Room Before:

After:

Since this was a 2 bedroom condo, the 2nd bedroom needed a queen and twin bed. New matching headboards and simple bedding keep the room light and open.

The bathrooms needed serious attention...

Before & After:                                                                                         

 

The master bath has a new double vanity, new floor tile in the tub area, & new recessed lighting. (Apparently when the condo was built overhead florescent take me to your leader lights were all the rage). The saloon style  medicine cabinet had to go as well.

 

But... my favorite detail was turning an unused nook near the front door into a functioning space...

Before this was just a nook with a small table and lamp. Now you have a basket for flip flops, a seat and hooks for beach bags. Another Soundside Carpentry job well done.

 

The goal was beachy without being too beachy... hmmm... Color & details did the trick:

Now it is rental ready! Too bad we're not moving in!...-Ann

 

Happy Wednesday!

Bye, bye Birdie,

Thank you JJJ &  AJ for the opportunity and all the help!