Part II - A Living Room Is Used For What??

In November I wrote a blog article called A Living Room Is Used For What?? and showed you the beginnings of a Living Room turned Library/Game room for a family of four in Breinigsville, PA. I promised you a peek at the end result.  I just love happy endings:

BEFORE

The Living Room used to be unused space with three bookcases on their last legs.

AFTER

The re-designed space is now full of wall to wall built-ins on both sides of the room, perfect for this book collecting family.

A bench with storage that hides board games and is long enough for friends to read together. 

 

BEFORE

A traditional Dining Room didn't work for this busy family whose large kitchen did the job of hosting family and friends. 

AFTER

The new space is less formal and more toasty chic.  It multi functions as a place for family game night/homework station and. ...

.....a quiet sanctuary to snuggle up with a good book.                  

Decadently Yours,
Shosh

Good Bye 2009

I sat outside my house in the blistfully cold air today and watched the sun set behind the mountains. With all of the changes we take in (like it or not) throughout life, the glow of that yellow orange fireball descending behind the horizon is a constant-and that is why I treasure it; finding joy and inspiration from it.  As an Interior Decorator I get to design spaces that, no matter what the day brings, one can find joy and inspiration in their home. 

Feels like a lifetime ago when I worked behind a desk in my past career.  This was my office on the 25 floor of the MetLife Bldg in Grand Central Station, NYC. 

This was my view.

Now my office is anywhere I can get wi-fi on the road and my hours depend on how little sleep I can get away with.  I mean, when you can create something like this:

Out of this:

And make someone so happy because you could turn a pair of treasured settees into funky chic pieces of art that befits them, I can't think of a better thank you.  Stay tuned for the rest of the redesigned space in 2010 (the hot pink pillow is a hint)!

Thank you 2009!

Looking forward to 2010!

My Bedroom Retreat

I just re-decorated my own bedroom, creating a little cozy cove out of the16'x16' box shape room in my home which can get chaotic. So this is my version of an elegant and serene retreat.  It starts with the walls and the ceiling painted a watery blue green color called Quietude (SW6212 by Sherwin Williams) and adding chunky bright white ceiling moulding.

Instead of just adding wall art above my bed, I turned the wall into art by building rectangular wall boxes out of panel moulding and inserting grass weave wallpaper in the center.  I love this wallpaper for two reasons. #1. great texture; the look and feel is so interesting to look at and touch.  #2.  nail hole forgiveness.  You can hammer in a hundred holes and the grass hides it.

It became a great natural setting for my shell and strange sea crustacean collection that includes a large odd shaped piece of coquina from Flaggler Beach, Florida, a cone shell from Queensland, Australia, and a very cracked purple snail shell from Aruba.  I hung some wall boxes up and literally wrapped a few of my shells with string I bought from my local craft store.  I suspended them from nails i placed in the center of each box.

The bedroom furniture has that Dutch West Indies style with a deep rich brown finish and rattan textured inserts on the bed and the long classic legs on the end tables.  The king sized bed is key!

I added lots of green, blue and creamy white pillows in silky fabrics that shine like a reflection off the sea. My comforter is a soft and casual cotton that is easy to wash.  It has the same relaxing colors I used in the room.

This very cool faux Fokati fur rug adds coziness to the cool colors on the bed.  I bought it from Kohls for 1/2 price.  I now have a laid back sophisticated getaway....where's the Mai Tai?

Decorate Your Mantel For the Holidays With $6

I was at my local Dollar Store the other day and was happily amazed at the selection of holiday decorations they had.  I picked up a few cool colored sparkly snowflake ornaments, these shiny rainbow cones, and a silver rope, to dress up my mantel.  Total cost was $6.

Here is another decorative inexpensive mantel idea:

Try purchasing $1 boxes and fill them with faux greenery.  Then add candles and a ton of ornaments in different shapes and finishes.

Happy holidays friends!!

Office Makeover in 2 Days

I received a call on Friday from a local business that was in need of a quick makeover by Monday morning, just in time for them to be interviewed by the media about a new unique product.  Ok, time to start humming the entire Rocky Balboa anthem. 

Step 1: take on the 2 spaces that will be seen on Monday:  Reception Rm and Conference Rm

Step 2: Decide what changes to make & measure measure measure

Step 3: Run around like mad to local stores because no time for custom anything

Step 4: stop for deoderant and new hammer

The RESULTS:

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Sorry about the poor photo quality.  I used my i-phone (pretty good for phone quality I say).

Thinking Between Appointments

I am sipping my coffee at a Panera chain, between my last client's home and my next appointment.  It has been a day of traveling for me.  Maybe its all the Regina Spektor I have been listening to, or the season, but I am thinking about time and how fast it is pushing me into tomorrow.  Maybe it's the thirties; Ever since entering this new set of numbers I don't sit around looking forward to something that is over six months away, because so much can happen between now and then.  Earmarks of time are no longer signified by birthdays, but by events that have changed me.  And what I want, who I am, is evolving every day.  My empathy has grown, my self-consciousness has shrunk, and I want to put myself out there, and I want to be surrounded by people that put their feelings, passions, opinions, out there.  Time is but a word, because as soon as you say it, you lost one second; I have to run to my next appointment, as a chill runs down my spine, and a lump mounts in my throat, and yeah, I have listening to Regina Spektor too much.  Go out there and jump into whatever you have been putting off!

A Living Room Is Used For What??

A kitchen is used for cooking, a bedroom is used for sleeping, a bathroom is used for...well you get the picture.  Every room in your home has a purpose except.....the living room.  I mean who actually lives in a 'living' room?   Most times it is used as a good spot for that sofa you have been holding onto, a dust collector for the knick knacks, and the perfect place for that once a year propped up christmas tree.  Other than that it is dead space.  So it's time to re-think it. 

If you could add another room to your home, what would it be used for?  An office space, a library, a game room, a wine room, a bar, or a gift wrapping, scrapbooking, label making, fix it, cut it, hot glue it, space (you know who you are!).  By adding closed doors, french doors, or long drapes, you can conceal a kids play space, or guest room, when it is a mess. 

 

I have turned a living room into a Library/Game room for a family of four in Breinigsville, adding wall to wall built ins and a bench to hold board games, a painted pedastool table and all the little things, not to forget re-thinking the lighting (see the progress above. I owe you the finished reveal). 

Right now I am working with an amazing couple in Allentown, turning their living room into a Library Lounge by installing a gas fireplace, two double bookcases, new flooring, and a large deep chocolate upholstered leather sofa.  When finished it will be a comfortable soft lit room perfect for a pre-dinner or late night drink.  See above for the colors and finishes in the works.  I will post the finished look, along with the library in Breinigsville (just as soon as I get a minute). :)

Designer Tips For Hanging Wall Art

The world is full of inspiration. As a decorator, I love to find out what inspires my clients and fill their space with it. Sometimes I nail inspiration to the wall.

If you like the way multiple framed art looks together on a wall but discouraged from doing it yourself, you are not alone! There are so many things to think about-what frame finish to use, how to arrange the frames, how far apart each frame should be from its neighbor? And, the ultimate question, how many nail holes will it take to get it the way I want? Below are steps to follow so that your wall doesn't end up looking like a drive-by of bullet holes. This is how I always hang frames:

You Will Need:

-painters tape

-paper (re-use paper you would otherwise throw away or newspaper, magazine pages, or gift wrap)

-scissors

-marker
-level & tape measure

-proper hanging material for your frames

-hammer

Step 1: Place a piece of painters tape on each frame and number them starting with 1. 

Step 2: Cut paper to the size of each frame and write the corresponding number on each one. Set aside.

Step 3: Arrange the frames in front of you on the floor.  When you have an arrangement you like, place the pattern on the wall using the numbered cut paper.

Step 4: When you like the look of your arrangement, use measuring tape and level to make sure everything is straight and equal.

Step 5: Finally, set your nail in the wall using the paper as your guide.

Step 6: Hang the frame to its coordinating numbered paper, take the painters tape and enjoy!

My Glamy Lounge Around Basement In Progress

I think my favorite show of the season is Million Dollar Listing.  I realize now after laughing through each episode, that I need to expand my own property so its value increases.  So I am full steam ahead on finishing my own basement.  After creating a design plan, and after my talented husband framed it out, added a  million lights in the ceiling, the walls and cabinetry (sorry Paul), sheet rock went up, it was primed and painted, and well, here we are now:

1. A large plasma will be tucked into the recessed wall, a custom media cabinet will be built below it.  A lot of trim and precise cuts will be involved in this project. 

And this area wouldn't be complete without a big comfy tightback sectional covered in, I think, this pear green upholstry and fun tree leaf shapes and houndstooth pillows.

2. Our bar is built in right under the stairs to save space.  The glass tiles will sparkle under the recessed spotlight above it.  The cabinets will be painted a shade of white and topped with a deep dark chocolate brown countertop.  Opposite the bar will be a 7 foot counter with a few chairs and pendant lighting above it. And a fun ping pong table will take center stage (do they make pink tables?). 

3. The built-ins to the left is a perfect catch all and, now finally, a place to hold all of our books and albums. 

4. We kept a small space available for a gym so we can pass by it every day and think 'Oh I should do a leg lift or push up right after I eat this bowl of popcorn'.

5. There is also a separate playroom for my little girl to go crazy in because every kid needs to let loose (I hope the magic eraser can get footprints off the ceiling). 

6. I am really excited to add the dark wood flooring, and of course the glitzy fun lighting.  Here are a few lights I am thinking of adding:

The lights are, from left, IKEA Lunta, Quoizel Downtown sconce, these cute IKEA Tallvik blingy colorful table lamps, and IKEA Fillsta round pendant, and That's it so far!

A Serene Space In Progress

Just spent three hours doing millwork homework for a project in Lehighton, PA and my head hurts; Can’t wait to get my ideas down on paper. Very excited! But right now I can use a caffeine break at Panera. And this gives me the opportunity to show you the fabrics I am using in another project, a living room & dining room in Center Valley, PA.

My sweet and easy going clients and I came up with a relaxing watery color scheme using soft blue on the walls all the way down to a crisp white chair rail. Beneath the rail, we are incorporating a two inch wide trim vertically every two feet around the room. The fabrics you see will be used on the window treatment and furniture upholstry. They bring in rich pattern and color, keeping the space cozy, serene and elegant. With the proper lighting this space will be perfect for them! I will keep you up to date on the finished room.

p.s. so handy to take pictures with my i-phone but the colors are slightly off.

Retro Glamour Home...Hello Miami

A while back I wrote a blog article called Retro Glamour In Progress. I showed samples of the materials I was using and some lighting prospects for a residential project I was doing. Well fast forward to today......the window treatments, furniture and accents in place. It is really coming together nicely. There is a definite Miami vibe with lots of sparkle and shine. I took some photos of the progress. Enjoy!