A finely finished project

So after a lot of interest in the bathroom renovation, readers asked to see more projects. 

 Here is a recently completed job that reflects both of our work. The home is wide open and has tons of natural light. We played off of that and added pops of color. 

With 3 boys and one of the way, the client wanted casual spaces that could hold up to... well, 4 boys.  Fabrics are either treated or furniture is slip covered. To add more interest, Ann worked her magic on the walls. You may have seen the powder room before in other posts, but we thought you might enjoy the rest of the house. Check it out and let us know what you think!

The pair of cabinets flanking the entrance were bought for next to nothing at auction and repainted in a French gray with a glaze.

Giant (and very heavy) Ballard mirrors add almost a third window... you should have seen us trying to lift them onto the 8' tall mantle. Not pretty.

Ann painted a mural of cherry blossoms and yes, one little bird. I was going for Hermes' orange on the walls and a smoky blue on the ceiling.

This all came about because the client was afraid to let us "go crazy" in the entry. We compromised on the powder room.  The ceiling is chocolate lacquer.


The story of the mirror is quite funny. The previous home owner doesn't want to sell it to my client or leave it with the house when she moves and my client moves in. Previous homeowner later changes mind and puts it in a local yard sale. A friend of my client buys it for her house and decides it isn't the look she wants, so she calls my client who was in need of a powder room mirror. It coincidentally makes it all the way back home. We added a bright yellow lacquer for a fun face lift. Any mirror that has been through all of that deserves one!

 The "kid's den" has tons of built-ins for stashed toys and bright fabrics for a punch.

Ann added Rugby stripes that will grow with the boys...

The escape for a mother of (soon to be) 4... Hope you like it!


Bye bye birdie,
~A&H

British Invasion!

Top 10 reasons it would be cool to be British:

10) Tea every afternoon... with tea comes tea sandwiches, scones, tiny cakes. You can justify it, because it is tea time.

9) You can say things like: We had a "chat" or a "giggle" and get away with it.

8) Shag means something entirely different than it does here in the South.

7) Pounds are NOT something you want to get rid of

6) You can never have enough plaid, in fact, you might have your own family plaid

5) If you have ever been called "homely", it means "pleasant" in the U.K.

4) Hats, hats and more hats

3) "Loo" sounds so much better than "bathroom"

2)  The accent

1) One day, your king would be the oh so handsome William

So... in a congratulatory blog post to Kate (now to be called "Katherine" as requested by Royals) and William, we are posting some of our favorite inspirations from across the pond. 

Dearest Wills and Kate,
We are just delighted that you are going to give it a go. It appears that the entire world fancies Kate. William, you are one lucky bloke. We hope that you will consider us when decorating your flat. We could paint the Union Jack flag on the parlor wall. Obviously, from said blog post, our perception of all things British is spot on! Perhaps we could come over for holiday and help out with the festivities. Ring us up or feel free to send the wedding invitation by post. 


Cheers!
~A&H


Credit to: Halo Styles, AP Files, Casa Sugar, Amazon.com

Sick and tired, but inspired

I'm home sick. Really. I'm talking cancelled meetings, slept in, made husband pack lunches sick. Husband even drove carpool. Oh yeah, I am getting treated like a real princess. 

Since Ann posted such a cute picture of Addie when she was sick,  I thought I would do the same. This would be fabulous if I didn't feel and look like you know what.


After catching up on Grey's Anatomy, I already feel better from watching sicker, crazier people. I am hunkered down on the sofa with my oh so favorite pastime. Nothing puts a smile on my face like visits to my favorite blogs. These should be everyone's daily dose of inspiration.


Erin at houseofturquoise gives a shot of turquoise (or some hue of it) in every post. It is quickly becoming my favorite color too. I have come to depend on her daily posts. All most passed out this morning when my bathroom showed up on her blog because I am a huge fan. Thanks for the shout out Erin, You rock! This blog is totally me...

With a little Ann thrown in.

Ann turned me onto this one...newdressaday and to have this kind of talent... I wish, I wish, I wish I could sew.
Marisa Lynch writes: 


So long to mall trips and hello to sifting through piles of vintage pieces at flea markets and at neighborhood garage sales. Each day for the entire year, I’m going to introduce a new piece into my existing wardrobe that I’ve found from these places.  On top of this, I’m giving myself a budget of $1 a day.

One person’s trash is becoming my treasure this year.

365 days. 365 items of clothing. 365 dollars. And the blogging begins…

Local Blogger, Sissy from bluehydrangea is a friend and the one who inspired us to start blogging. She is laugh-out-loud funny and has fantastic style. Ann is helping her figure out how to do this design on her laundry room floor.  We both frequent her site and it never disappoints!

Ann is often found on her photographer friend, Jen's site fotojenik, checking out her cool takes on, well... everything. Jen has a knack for turning everyday things  into masterpieces. Love the two "birds of a feather" Jen! Only Jen, with her lens could make two birds on a trash can look beautiful.

 Another favorite, milkandhoneyhome mixes our styles and we love it! Chandelier... me. Metal chairs...Ann.

Julie Holloway and Anisa Darnell have great style and blend ours seamlessly. I could use some Milk and Honey today... Thanks girls!

Bye bye birdie,

~H

Credit to: House of Turquoise, Marisa Lynch: New Dress a Day, LA Magazine, Blue Hydrangea, FotoJenik - Jen Griffin, Milk and Honey

Going to the Chapel...

and they're gonna get maaaaarried!

Yeah, my cute bro Lindley is engaged to his cute girlfriend Liz!

 I went to the chapel 12 years ago. My chapel was actually a warehouse and my reception was in a barn. A way cool barn. Word on the street is my bro and Liz are going to keep things simple. Ahhh...simple...If I did it all over again I'd keep it simple too....

If it was good enough for JFK Jr. & Carolyn it's good enough for me...

 I love these favors... If only I knew a beekeeper... I raised chickens, how hard could bee's be?

sap buckets with trailing flowers, old linen and pewter on a farm table... You had me at Hello...

This is my body double showing you what I would look like in this amazing J. Crew  dress...

Can't you just see me walking through a field (refer to J.crew model for image), my long hair pulled back effortlessly with this handmade flower

 This bouquet brings me great joy...

But not as much joy as having my reception here would bring! This is where John and Carolyn danced the night away... (and it's on the water...bonus!) This is the something Hooper and I would have in common. We would both go bridezilla over this place. Could you just see it at night.. lanterns hanging from the century old oaks, live music drifting across the water... I do, I do, I do...

 I love the simplicity of this cake... though I have to admit I would probably nix the starfish (or if they were white chocolate, eat them before the guest arrived)  I just really like the shape and the sweet base the cake is on...

 Could you imagine this buffet at an outdoor reception...

 I am loving this Lily centerpiece for a pop of color...

But this natural, organic look is definitely my favorite. What a stunning centerpiece...

I am so happy for my sweet bro and excited to see their version of "keeping it simple"...

Congrats again Lindley & Liz...

Have a great weekend

Bye, bye birdie,

~A & H

credit to: Martha Stewart, Country living, Greyfield Inn, Etsy, J.Crew. 

smart?

We are smart. I am a self- proclaimed genius and Hooper's husband calls her his little idiot- savant. (awww) Why am I telling you this?...Because after we lacquered the furniture from Craig's List (Hoop's new vanity, dresser and headboard), I decided to research what we had, only to find that in original condition our furniture was listed on Ebay from $1500 to $1800. a piece. Brief Panic....I called Hooper, bigger panic... Have we altered history?... have we made a mockery of mid century modern furniture? ...Have we used our powers for evil?

 Turns out we bought a brutalist stlye piece that Lane furniture had commisioned an artist to design in the early 1970's.

 Want a cool history lesson? Here is a pic. like one of the pieces we bought...

Brutalist was a style that became popular in architecture after WWII. It started in England and quickly spread our way... comes from 'beton brut' which means 'raw concrete'.  The style began to take over commercial architecture and as all things do filtered into furnishings...

Kind of looks like our dresser...

 

Totally dig this home for sale in Wilmington... See the mid. century brutalist influence even today?...

So.... What have we done? We knew it was great when we bought it, we just didn't know HOW great.

We took some pretty cool furniture with a dated finish and made it current. Was this a bad thing? For the people that collect Lane mid. century modern furniture in original condition...yes. For the people that appreciate the georgeous lines but yet want a piece that will feel current in thier home today with a beautiful finish?...no.  Something that is considered an antique or retro is always at its hightest value in its original condition. But for us the piece in the best condition was the one we turned into the vanity. And it would not of worked in Hoop's bathroom in that finish. The other finishes had 'muddied' a bit and were not pretty anymore -- discolored in all the wrong places.

Lucky for you it's pretty now and still for sale!

 Want to own a piece of history? Call us, we'll hook you up...

 Bye,bye birdie,

~A & H

credit to: Lane, Orange Co. Government Center, Acumen Real Estate

Up for Grabs!

We got a lot of great feedback on the vanity that Hooper put in her bathroom. Yes, it was a great Craig's List find. Remember, that it in it's previous life (with nice couple and cat), it also co-habitated with a tall dresser and queen headboard...

Well, we got those too. They are solid wood, made by Lane and redone, revamped and repurposed by your's truly (and Soundside Carpentry). OK, so mainly them. 

At any rate, we are about to put them on Craig's List, but wanted to offer them to our loyal bloggers first. Check them out and let us know if you are interested or would like more pics, see them in person, whatever... We would be glad to help you find the perfect home for these mid-century beauties. They are very solid, in excellent condition and have lacquered in a glossy white.

Oh yeah, did I mention they are in excellent condition?

Queen Headboard: 60" L, 24" high (from supports)

5 Drawer Chest: 38" W, 19" D, 54.5" H

Just in case you need help visualizing them in a space. The headboard and the dresser would look great in any of these rooms... or yours...


This room could use the headboard

David Bromstad, had he seen our fab piece, could have replaced the yellow dresser with our white one.

The dresser would look amazing in this room

 Or this one...

It would also look perfect in a child's room or nursery

Let us know if you have the perfect spot for these fabulous pieces. We would love to find them a home!
Bye bye birdie,
~A&H


Credit to: Decor pad, David Bromstad