The Concept of Re-Design (and a quick update on the kitchen!)

Hola!

I rec'd an email from a friend who wanted "fresh eyes" on a few

of her spaces in their home of several years.

Before they moved in ... they completely re-did the kitchen, 

painted every square inch of trim (oy!) 

and painted every single room.

They've also a had the basement finished, resided the house,

replace windows with new and installed the most amazing

driveway/back-yard court-yard space.  wow!

Their house is beautiful -- but she was wanted a little refreshing.

I call that a need for "fresh eyes"

Sometimes that's all a space needs is a friend to come

and see things that the home-owner gets used to.

.

Fresh-Eyes

Let's take a look at what she wants to re-design ...

I just love their fireplace!  The space above the mantle

is sloped ... and don't you just love those built-ins ... yummy.

I suggested a  couple of things that would make the fireplace

SING 

in this space ...

1. paint the space above the mantle 

the same color as the mantle and brick

2. replace small candle holders with large

chunky ones (black or dark stained wood)

3. replace twiggy wreath with an over-sized

piece of artwork ... leaned back onto slope

4. replace pillow on wicker chair with one

that is lighter in color (like wall color) and

textured (burlap/canvas) or fine print

 5. hide electrical cord  

(can be seen through the chair arm-hole)

6. place large basket w/cozy throws 

(or filled with airy wheat grasses)

to the right of the fireplace opening
or
set a couple of LARGE candle-holders
on the floor
(this option may not be kid-friendly, though)

7. on left side built-ins ... 3rd shelf from the

bottom -- scale picture down a size 

8. coffee table setting ... remove all small items 

and replace basket with one large shallow tray 

(metal/wood/weave) for books & magazines

9. coffee table, cont'd - remove candle holder

and replace with a medium vase with greenery

or faux flowers ... add a "soft" element :O) 

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here are some ideas that can work in this space nicely ...


my friend has small children -- so the coffee press wouldn't
be a smart choice -- but the trays are a mix of wood & metal -- nice.

- i just can't help myself when it comes to galvanized metal -
it's timeless and so casual
- makes me smile -
:O)

this is the weave option ... gives texture to a space but
is also sturdy enough to serve a round of drinks
(what is it with all the yummy green this season?)
this is a great color to make a room feel happy!  yes?

Whatever you do -- do not pay big bucks for chunky candle-holders!

I've gotten crazy-awesome deals at Hobby Lobby (90% off!)

or 

find mis-matched ones at at a consignment shop 

or thrift shop and spray paint them

Here's a peek at a set that would look great at the
base of the fireplace ...

ooooo ... see the crackers, wine and cheese ...
I'm getting the itch for some hubby time
snuggled up by the fire.

You can't see it in the picture but my friend's fireplace/library room has
a leather sofa ... these textured pillows will add to the warmth
of the room and will "pop" nicely against that wicker chair.
Love the wicker chair and the placement is perfect :O)

note: they may be a bit "gray" in color but the
writing and linen texture is easy on the eyes

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Speaking of libraries ... I found this picture on

RestorationHardware.com

Layering 3-dimensional artifacts with favorite books
(remove brightly colored jackets from books)
can help you achieve the look of an old library.

Redesign can be fun ... it takes existing spaces and freshens them up!


Sometimes it only takes a little rearranging ... Sometimes there's
a short list of items to either purchase or make ... or shop your garage
or house -- you might find a surprise lurking in the corner ...
ask a friend to come over and give you fresh eyes on the space
you've grown accustomed to.



_________________________________________


okay, okay

here's an update on our own redesign project in the works


The paintable wallpaper beadboard is an amazing product ...
here's a play-by-play of how we've used it to add the
cottage feel to these ordinary cabinets.

 

These cabinets need a good caulk job and 2 coats of semi-gloss paint.
I'm really liking how they turned out.
I want to polyurethane them so damage will be reduced to a minimal
as we start to use them ... but I hear "no yellowing poly"
really doesn't work.
That freaks me out a bit ... 
so I'm going to do a little research :O)

______________________________

Our electrician will finish the new recessed lighting
tomorrow night and then the fun begins :O)

______________________________

It gets bad when you go off to work (I work at a private

Christian School) with primer on your arms & legs and

really don't care that it didn't get washed off.

:O)

I'm getting silly ...


Happy Re-decorating my friend!