AMAZING kitchen remodel

You may remember this room.

I worked on this living room last year and ever since that room was finished, the client has been cooking up her new kitchen. I WISH I could say I had something to do with this, but my client has fabulous taste and has had this plan in her mind for quite some time. Her BEFORE kitchen had linoleum floors, and dated cabinetry and she wanted something that would be in keeping with her home.

BEFORE:

 She had a very large space to work with and wanted to maximize space.                        BEFORE:

I invited myself went over for coffee on Friday and was blown away by the AFTER. So much so, it was difficult to leave and I have to admit I was tempted to sneak over Saturday morning for coffee too.
                               AFTER: 

 Isn't it breathtaking?

It's cream and gold. It's divine!

 She added a banquette and built-ins.

 Her amazing accessories have a perfect spot.

 A breakfront filled with light...

filled with exquisite things.

 Lighting that compliments the kitchen and every room in her house...

 The cabinetry on the island is a dark walnut stain with brass accents and Carrara marble tops. 

While the rest of the cabinetry is a yummy cream with a chocolate glaze. 

 And my absolute favorite part.... a brick floor laid in a herringbone pattern. It is soft to the foot (I know because I took my shoes off) and it is warm and inviting. Pretty great huh?
Happy Monday,
Bye bye birdie,
~H

Remember this room?

You may remember this room -- sweet client had a party and asked me to come "fluff" her house to get ready for the party.  See here. We rearranged, pulled accessories out of every cabinet and made her living room feel more lived in. On Friday, we added a rug... 

This rug was always in the plan, it just took awhile to get here. It makes the room, don't ya think? Happy Monday! 
Bye bye birdie,
~H

2 Ann Schutte's and a Before and After.....

So, here's a fun fact... Jeff and his brother both married Ann's. Yes, that means 2 Ann Schutte's (and you thought one was enough)

We have kids all around the same age so getting together is a blast! Friday we loaded up and headed their way for the weekend.  The other Ann and I had big plans... We were on a mission to lighten up her living and dining room. (The hubby's had big plans to watch football the kids.)

The other Ann started by sending me her inspiration for the rooms...

(another fact: the other Ann is what we call each other!)

I spy with my little eye.... Tango Tangerine! Yes! We get to update with the color of the year! When I got there we started with the living room...

BEFORE:

The room was pretty, just a little heavy. It didn't feel as young and fun as my sis in law & brother in law are. So by making a few changes, we got to this....

AFTER:

Removing the valances allowed light to pour in. Eventually, linen panels will go up. A new rug (Home Goods!) , new pillows, chair and accessories made a big change. We painted (Yes, we, the 2 Ann's) the walls a lighter gray/blue and changed out all the art. By shopping in Ann's house first we only ended up buying one thing for the walls.

The other Ann found this great mirror and because my niece and nephew's are so cute, it was easy to accessorize the mantle with their pics!

On our shopping excursion we randomly went to a consignment shop near her house. We bought this chair for... are you ready...$20. What?!? It took everything in me not to knock the other Ann down, grab the chair and run for it. But that would have made future holidays a little awkward....

The butterfly pillow was an extra from another project. I love it on the black sofa! A lacquered tray brightens up the ottoman and gives them another spot to set drinks. Though only sippy cups are allowed in here now! 

But, you can take drinks into the dining room...

This is where we began in there:

BEFORE: 

Again, this is a pretty room. It just isn't reading young, fun family.

So, we took it to here...

AFTER:

The room was originally going to be painted the same grey/blue in the living room. But at the last minute I decided to throw that color on the ceiling and try peach on the walls. Not 80's peach but instead a really, really light orange. That sounds better...right? I think it turned out beautifully and the other Ann loves it!

Lighting is a great place to add a little funk. I found this drum shade at Maran Anderson (a fave spot of mine in Wilmington). It is 30" tall and narrow. We bought a light kit from Lowe's and the hubby's turned it into a pendant. The 6x9 rug rode with us from Wilmignton. (it shared the back of the car with 4 kids).  

Clipping and swagging the new linen drapes kept the windows traditional and casual all at the same time! ...And works because the windows are very narrow and symmetrical in the room. The other Ann had some pretty bird plates that we added to the wall. Do you see the inspiration vase? Looks great next to the new lamp!

The dining room still needs layers that will come over time but for now, The other Schutte's have an updated space that is more reflective of the hip family they are!

Thanks to my sister in law (the other Ann) and brother in law for letting me help you with your home!

Bye, bye Birdie,

~A

When I win

Park City Utah is one of my ALL time favorite places, which makes it totally convenient that HGTV is giving away the 2012 dream home in Park City...to MOI. It is the perfect size for my family and since I'm already familiar with the area, it is the perfect fit.  

 I have registered every single day and just know I am the winner. Plus, I can cry on cue, so when they show up to surprise me, it will make for the perfect giveaway show.

 I can sit in the family room and watch HGTV 24-7 while my family hits the slopes and I got some of these for Christmas, so I'm dressed and ready to go!

I don't ski and almost die each time I attempt it, so I will have plenty of time to...

prepare a lovely dinner for my friends that I meet here. 

Perhaps I will make Italian? That way, when George Clooney stops by, it will remind him of dining on Lake Como. 

 This room is perfect for Graham AND its her favorite color. It's a shoe-in.

 The guest room is very Ralph Lauren and I would love it if you would come and stay with me! The more the merrier. 

Robert Redford and I can sit back, relax and have a glass of vino on my back porch. 

Apre' ski (ummm spa), I can relax in my hot tub and look at design mags on my chaise. Please do come out and see us at our new dream home. We would love to show you around the coolest western locale.
Bye bye birdie,
~H


credit to: HGTV

A grown up room

I recently had the privilege of working on a college bound girl's room. She wanted to ditch her "tween" room and add some sophistication.  Before, it was lots of pink and green and too youthful for her liking. BEFORE: 

She gave her sweet mom a little direction by stating she wanted aqua and orange and that's about all we got. Her mom wanted her approval on the plan, but wanted to surprise her with the finished product, so we started with ditching the green and pink, polka dots and stripes

and wanted to transform her room into a retreat for when she visits from college. 

She had some great pieces -- like this simple chair and an antique walnut chest. The rest, got a new look. Check it out her reaction when she came home from school one afternoon to find her brand new room!

This is why I LOVE my job. And now for the AFTER:

Let me point out some of my favorite touches. The Missoni "pouf" at the foot of the bed is from Target is a must get. It was under $70 and is top quality... beautiful in person. The quilt is Serena and Lilly and the headboard and valances were made by my wonderful seamstress. I wanted their shapes to mimic each other.

 The chair got recovered and we gave panels from her old bulletin board a facelift with some fabric and hot glue gun. 

 I love the inviting new window seat...

 Notice the nail head detailing on the custom headboard.

Another fun makeover... What do you think? 
Bye bye birdie,
~H