Client Project: A Before and After Kitchen Remodel

We showed you in our last post how to create a dramatic difference with just paint in our client's breakfast nook...
and today we are showing off their new kitchen facelift.

The biggest impact is PAINT!

White paint, gray blue paint, lighting, and glass backsplash tile.... 3 simple steps to creating an entirely NEW space!!

When you think it's impossible to lighten and brighten up a kitchen -- check out THIS remodel! We love working with this wonderful couple who lets us have fun and create beautiful results. A dark, outdated kitchen with red brick became a white, bright and FRESH kitchen in a flash.

A STUNNING result:


Take a look at the before and after pictures:


We started with a lot of red brick, tile floors, yellow light and dark cabinets....


Oh and you can't forget the fruit pattern on the backsplash above the range. ;)


 But by simply PAINTING the brick we immediately started off with a bang. Such a large area being painted white made the brick hood look larger and more unique in a flash

We continued by painting all the upper cabinets the same white paint to blend and create unity between the brick surrounds.


We gave the lower cabinets, island, and cabinetry surrounding the refrigerator a beautiful coat of gray blue paint to top off a white slab of quartz as the countertops. 

To coordinate with the paint, we chose a gray blue subway tile for the backsplash and set it in a herringbone pattern above the range, while in a brick pattern elsewhere.


By adding a light blue paint on the walls surrounding the kitchen, and carrying the wood floor throughout, it gave it just the right amount of icing on the cake to top off a perfect remodel!


From dark to WOW .... what do YOU think?? We smile every time we see the pictures, and hope our clients feel the same each day they walk into their new space!


Client Project: A Fresh Coat of Paint = A Brand New Room!

Sometimes the key to the perfect design isn't how MUCH we can change 
but the drama behind it.

PAINT!

Changing the paint color can transform the space without changing one other single thing for so many reasons. 
Check out the before and after of a breakfast nook space we designed
earlier this year and just had it repainted:

The exact same furniture, drapery and mirror .... with NEW wall color and trim color! From dark to light and bright with one simple roll of the paint brush!

Why does paint color affect a space so much??
 Here are 4 reasons WHY:

1. The light is affected by the paint:
The taupe gray paint reflects the bright light coming through the window and helps to tone it down a bit and cozy the space up!

TCI Project link

2. The paint color sets the warm or cool tone for the space:
In this example below, the original paint color set a very yellow, warm tone and when painted gray blue, the pace is transformed into a cool, light design!

BEFORE:
TCI Project link

AFTER:
TCI Project link

3. The trim paint color is the "outline" for the room:
Outlining the room is like "coloring between the lines"  ... and the lines have to be perfect! Whether the trim is dark or light, it all fits perfectly into the design. With the black leather sofa in this design, the dark espresso stained trim brings it all together.

TCI Project link

4. The paint color pulls the main color of the color scheme around the space:
A gray blue color within the custom bedding was pulled onto the wall!

TCI Project link

Whip out your paint swatches and start brainstorming! What space can YOU transform?


Our Shopping Trip for Fresh Flowers - An Easy Accessory

We were busy yesterday getting ready for two photo shoots...
exciting days for us! To see our finished spaces again 
ALL DRESSED UP! 

Terra, Jessie and I had fun cruising through the floral freezers picking
just the right selections for our showcases... wish we brought jackets:).

Here are some tips for you to add living accessories with bold 
color to your rooms:

Fresh flowers always help cheer up a space, whether the weather 
outside is great or not!
It is an easy addition to a shelf, countertop or console table to bring color and a smile to the face of the homeowner.

Choosing the right flower, color and arrangement is only half the fun!
Finding the perfect "home" for the arrangement completes the space.

A big bucket of peonies dumped onto a farmhouse dining table is a beautiful way 
to make the space chic yet rustic all at the same time.


Bud vases of tulips are a surprise waiting to happen! We love the look of closed tulips as well as open, and you get two totally different looks!


Mix and match colors to help bring color schemes together. Through artwork AND accessories, color schemes can all make sense.
The blush florals will be PERFECT for an upcoming 
master bedroom install...


Don't forget the unordinary. Often plants and flowers that aren't used often 
tend to take the show! The deep purple makes me drool...



Lastly, find a wonderful florist that stocks all sorts and colors of flowers for you to 
choose from, and use them often!!


 See how this vase of yellow draped flowers soften the room and bounce yellow even more around the space?

 link
This tall vase of purple alliums create drama and beauty by the height 
and puff like appearance. 

Head out on this pretty summer day and grab yourself a beautiful bouquet of flowers 
to brighten up your space!

Let the Flooring Steal the Show

Many times, we as designers spend so much time filling wall space, countertops, tables and sofas that areas such as the FLOORING goes overlooked.

But it shouldn't!

Flooring can be the most important part if you let it be! Read on to find out why!

1. Darken the floors to achieve the "swimming pool effect".
When your pool floor has been painted darker it makes it seem deeper.
The same is true for outside the water too! A darker floor gives the room more height!


2. Lighten the floors to soften the room. 
For a quiet, homey space, try painting the floors white!


3. Use an out of the ordinary color to become the ordinary. 
The more you use it, the more it becomes a "neutral" color.


4. Be bold and loud to help make the room more comfortable. 
With the bright green floors in this room, it takes the uncomfort out of any feeling and places it within the flooring instead!


 5. Paint the treads of a staircase to help define each step and set apart each movement.

6. Pull from other colors around the space. 
In this outdoor area, the natural citrine/green color pulls from the trees around the porch
for a cozy space.


Are you brave enough to paint YOUR floors?!

How To: Clean your Marble Countertops

We love marble. And many of our clients do as well! The one thing they don't love, or are apprehensive about is the staining and care that comes with marble.


Recently Houzz ran a series about how to clean marble. We took away several important tips and wanted to share them with you!

Luckily, according to marble experts, where there’s a will, there’s a way, and caring for the classic beauty of a marble surface may be easier than you think.
Here’s how to clean marble countertops.

Etching on a marble surface happens when something like lemon juice, alcohol or tomato sauce is splashed, dripped or spilled onto it. If it is not wiped up right away, the acid reacts and eats away at the calcium carbonate in the stone, creating permanent markings that look like dull, slightly darker spots or rings on the marble.

Sealer is a great option!
To reduce stains and etching, experts recommends applying a spray sealant at least once a month. “Sealers are like buying time,” they say. “What it is doing is sealing the top of the marble so things won’t penetrate quickly.


How to Get the Stains Out!

Oil-based stains (grease, cooking oil, cosmetics): Clean gently with a soft liquid cleanser, household detergent, ammonia or mineral spirits.


Organic stains (coffee, tea, fruit, food): Clean with a mixture of 12 percent hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia.


Water spots and rings: Buff with dry #0000 steel wool.



Acidic substances like milk, fruit, juice and alcohol will sometimes cause both etching and staining — a double whammy.


If you are successful in removing the stain and want to attack the etching, the MIA suggests wetting the surface with water and sprinkling on marble polishing powder. Rub the powder into the stone with a damp cloth or use a buffing pad with a low-speed power drill or polisher. Continue buffing until the etch mark disappears and the marble surface shines. Honing may be required for deep etching.




One Last Tip


If you like to entertain and often use your marble countertop for food service during parties, experts suggests having a special pad made to protect the marble. “There are companies out there who make furniture pads for tables,” they say. “If you’re going to serve wine but may not be there to clean it up in case of a spill, you might want to have a pad made for special occasions.”


Live it up, embrace the beauty and enjoy your marble!

A Brave Little Girl's Modern Aztec Nursery

We have a beautiful, fun, DIY nursery to share with you guys today! And best of all ... it's another nursery for a new baby coming to our designer, Courtney in September. You might remember her son's nursery here!

This modern aztec nursery is a perfect place for a sweet little girl to call her own. With a modern, aztec feel to the space and the addition of bright colors in an otherwise black and white space, we love bringing the unexpected into her room through color, texture and meaningful items.


The vintage painted arrows from GallivantingGirls Etsy shop are mounted to the crib wall provide interest and curiosity.  


The arrow inspired colorful crib sheet began the design of this space. With black and white being the base color scheme, we popped colors of pink, gold and turquoise through the crib sheet color scheme around the room. 


Our favorite collage of special items and phrases graces the wall above the West Elm glider for a constant reminder of verses and words of happiness. A homemade dreamcatcher from WhiteFarm MD Etsy Shop is one of these special items.  


A homemade feather mobile made by Courtney hangs above the changing table, bringing joy to the baby girl's eyes every time she gazes up at it. 


A white painted accent wall with gray arrow decals from TheLovelyWall Etsy shop is the showstopper in the room behind the crib. 


The bold black and white aztec rug from Society 6 grounds the room for a base of black and white color scheme. We mixed in some wood tones with hand stained arrows from CustomWoodDesign75 Etsy shop.


Lastly, the custom crib sheet from woolfwithme Etsy shop is what began all the design in this lovely space.


To pop a splash of color, some of our favorite patchwork poufs from World Market were added on either side of the crib. 

We are excited to meet baby Karis in the fall, and this room will be the perfect place to bring her home to!

Custom Build Series - New Orleans Inspired Home Part 1: The Doors

Build, build, build... we are constantly covered in dust and mud:), but we are certainly enjoying the design processes behind these gorgeous custom homes!

We'd like to welcome you to our newest build blog series!!

We are so excited to be designing a clean lined, New Orleans inspired custom home in Bartonville, TX with an amazing builder, Hawkins Welwood.

This home has many, many unique characteristics that we are forming. One of our first, and favorite details throughout the home ... 

The Custom Doors.

We started off with gathering several inspiration images to spark our imagination for the design of their interior and exterior doors.

These black steel doors struck us from the beginning ... and we went with the push!



Adding pattern into the door whether it be in wood, glass or mirror was also an idea we couldn't wait to implement.


Now our dreams (and our clients) are starting to come to life!!
Custom, solid hand carved wood doors with custom stains is the name of this game:



The carving pattern of the front door was carefully thought out and 
planned to be beautiful.





With a custom rich stain, these geometric pattern carved doors are the perfect 
entrance to the grand master bedroom.




We added glass panes into this "x" patterned door for a different look 
entering the craft room.


Rehme black framed steel doors encase many of the exterior openings of this home, 
and we are so pleased with how this look is turning out!



Stay tuned for more on the cabinetry, tile, stone and flooring in this home. 
Part 2 of the series coming soon!!


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