This Makes Me Want to Re-Paint
I love, love, love this kitchen. Well, more specifically I love the color scheme. It reminds me of the gray that I have in my living room, and I’m tempted to carry the color into my kitchen. I’ve actually had a lot of positive comments about the bright color I have now, which made me take notice of the subtle colors I’m attracted to. I’m not sure about the semi-bright green (“Misted Fern” by BM) I have now but a girl can dream. Always looking out for the better color, or side table, or rug, or ceramic garden stool. Which brings me to this kitchen from House Beautiful.
I love the white cabinets, gray background, and black and green accents. What do you think? It might actually help me tie in the “I am too cheap to buy stainless steel appliances” white and black appliances that I have. 
Don’t judge me. It’s a starter home! The only problem I have now is my stock blonde “wood” laminate countertops. They’re in good shape so they’re staying for now, but we are planning a kitchen remodel – SOMEDAY. Our kitchen is way awkward with no storage, so it should be fun! But I can always repaint!
On another note, I just helped a client choose countertops from a color selection of meganite. Ever heard of it? It’s an acylic solid surface. She wanted black countertops, which would have looked great, but after seeing a friend’s dark acrylic countertops (which were full of scratches) she voted for my lighter selection, which should hide the scratches. Soapstone would have been so beautiful…but so expensive!
I can’t wait to see her “after” pictures! I’ll have to post them as soon as I get a picture. Have a good week, everyone!
(images via House Beautiful and Meganite)
Read More{E-Decorating} Tonya & Cody's Wyoming Bedroom
Tonya and Cody asked for my help, ready to move the babies out of their room because they wanted an update to their bedroom (which is already an amazing room to work with) with some rustic modern style. They love neutral and natural colors and furnishings, but with some contemporary style. The bed and headboard, green chair and ottoman, black desk, rug, and black gun cabinet had to stay, while everything else was able to go, so I got right down to work to put a plan together. Tonya’s biggest issue was the bed. It really can only go on one wall (unless you get rid of the headboard — not happening according to Cody) because of the angles of the roof — something you don’t realize will be problematic until you live in the space. I’ll let the pictures do the talking!
Here are Tonya’s before pictures:
As you can see, the bones of the room (and rest of the house) is new and updated, so they wanted their decor to be calming and a restful space to enjoy away from the kids. The floorplan is a “U” shape surrounding their master bathroom, with a lot of difficult angles and tight spaces, so I had to focus on low furnishings and camouflaging to make use of wasted space.
Here is their new bedroom floor plan (click the photo to see it larger):
The main differences are that the desk will be to the left of the bed, the chair and ottoman will be in the entry, and the new furniture is around the walls. See more info. below!
And here is the plan I came up with:
And here is the color/material board breakdown:
- This room will be a palette of green, brown/blacks, creams and a little red in the existing rug and bathroom paint. This first color is the wall paint color, a soft, sagey (yet masculine) gray-green to coordinate with their existing green chair and ottoman, and ground the room in a nice, earthy color. It will also bring out the greens in the rug, and tone down some of the other main colors. If possible (but it will work either way) I would like the headboard and floor mirror to be stained a deep brown/black stain. This color is called Misty Air (OC-44) by Benjamin Moore.
- This is the ceiling and trim paint color, a nice warm cream that will soften up the ceiling angles and warm up the space. Sea Haze (2137-50) by Benjamin Moore.
- I chose to darken up the duvet with a nice chocolate brown organic set with lots of fluffy texture.
- These wall mirrors with java-colored shelves will add some sparkle (especially with a few candles flickering on them) and reflect the warmth of the ceiling. These (I chose them as a pair) will go on the flat wall on either side of the bathroom door, off the foot of the bed.
- I chose black grommet curtains for both windows to add some modern pop and to make sure to block out the view as the neighbor’s house is right out of the window behind their bed! This will also tie into the black desk, gun cabinet, and new brown/black furniture. They will have to be hemmed for the low window.
- To soften up the modern black curtains, I’d choose a double rod and add these graphic (yet rustic-patterned) sheers underneath. Layering always helps finish a room.
- Another great contemporary decor statement would be these block shelves, which come as a set, and will go above the existing desk. The desk will be moved to the left of the bed, on that same wall. The existing photographs and artwork (which is now on the floor and the gun cabinet) will go here, along with some candles or accessories that Tonya already owns.
- These black and white ikat print throw pillows will add more rustic, yet contemporary, charm to their bedroom while coordinating with the other patterns in the room.
- Tonya requested some natural textures and botanical touches, so these willow branches (maybe even 2 or 3 vase-fulls around the room) will add some height and camoflauge in those awkward spaces. So speaking of camoflauge and awkward spaces, the gun cabinet will be pushed away from the corner as far as it can go and turned 90 degrees (with the door facing the room), and the vase of willow branches will be placed in front of the door. Another spot that could use a vase of willow branches is in the opposite end of the “U”. Back there is a built-in countertop, sink and mini-fridge with a mirror above it. However, the slope of the ceiling is so sharp that unless you’re standing right next to the countertop, you can’t even stand in there.
- This is the vase that the willow branches will go in. Self-explanatory, right?
- What do all quiet work desks need? Why a nice little lamp! Again, the desk will be over to the side of the bed!
- This is a black and white woven throw, which would be a nice touch on the green chair and ottoman to make a new little reading nook. The reading nook will be located in the room’s entry, which is where the gun cabinet is located. This will also help to camoflauge the awkward corner that is left right there. (Note – this throw has already sold out!! So I’m substituting this organic version in natural or clay.)
- Tonya and Cody’s bedroom could definitely use a little more storage — so let’s cue the new dresser! The nice thing about this dresser is that it is low enough to fit under the angles of the ceiling, and it also will triple as a media cabinet (to hold her printer) and a changing table (which is what it technically is).
- I thought this console table with storage baskets would be a nice storage piece for right next to the entrance; a spot to drop change or watches, and it could store some books as it is right next to the reading nook.
- All reading nooks need some light, and I loved the shape of this floor lamp. Another piece that would camoflauge the gun cabinet with some height.
- As to not leave the other far wall bare, this black/brown bookcase will be laid horizontally underneath the low window in the room, providing storage and display space.
- This side table will add some more natural texture with its woven base, and a little sparkle with its glass top. These could be used in the reading nook, next to the armchair, or even against the bathroom wall (under the mirrors) off the end of the bed.
And there you have it! Tonya and Cody’s rustic modern bedroom, set in beautiful Wyoming! We can’t wait to see what they come up with!
If you’d like your own custom color/material board and e-decorating package, then visit this site or contact me to get started!
Read MoreI {Sew} Can't Wait!
I can’t wait to finish this project! Well, my mother-in-law will probably be doing most of the leg work as I’m re-learning to sew, and she is much, much better at it — I guess I just don’t trust my skills yet! But this is the fabric that I bought which will be the new shower curtain in our bathroom! It’s a super soft, creamy linen which I matched to a lighter shade from the paint chip card that is the wall paint and I can’t wait to get it up (and replace the green and red graphic print curtain we’ve got going on now!), as well as get new towels to match the curtain!
I just hung the fabric up to see how it looks and I can’t wait! It will really lighten and brighten up the room. I was going to sew a floor-to-ceiling length panel for some drama, but I’m really worried about blocking ALL the light in the shower. I think the light panel will let more light through the panel itself, but the ceiling light is what brings the light in and I need to be able to see when I’m shaving! What do you think?
The new panel almost makes the pistachio green bathtub look great in there! Yes, we’re that lucky to have a green bathtub.
So what do you think? Ceiling height shower curtain or standard 6 feet?? I can’t decide. And how great does the linen look with my super cushy bath mats??
Happy Homeowner Anniversary to Us!!
Exactly 1 year ago today, my husband Glenn and I became first time homeowners! We were living in our camp trailer out on his parent’s ranch (hee hee!) until we got the keys to our new home on July 1st, 2008! And the inside was so ugly and disgusting and un-livable that we still lived in the camp trailer in our driveway for a couple weeks, especially because they were tearing up ancient carpets, which is not good for a pregnant lady to be around. Our daughter joined us in our home a month and 3 weeks after we moved in, which was an early surprise (Glenn painted half of her room the night before I went into labor – a month and a week after moving in) and while Harper and I were in the hospital for 2 weeks Glenn came home and worked his butt off to get the rest of it ready for us!
On first glance the house was a little scary, old and dusty – it had been sitting on the market for almost 2 years! – but we could see it’s potential through the smoke residue and dirt. It’s a great first home for us, and we are enjoying being homeowners…except when you’re trying to move 7 tons of gravel one shovel-full at a time! I kid, I kid…the main thing I’ve learned is how much time it takes to get to where you want to be. I still don’t feel like a single room of the house is “finished” and I don’t know if I ever will, but I think we’ve made a lot of progress over the past year! What do you think??
Our living room and kitchen before:
And this was taken about 5 months ago…the dining room is different now and we have different living room furniture.
Living room:
Another mid-work shot:
And here are some new details behind the pool table (but I really want to get some new white (but light blocking) curtains:
Living room with flooring down:
Kitchen and Laundry Room:
Laundry room:
Looks the same (no paint yet) except for my pretty new washer & dryer set:
Main bathroom:
And here is how it looks today…project is still in progress (new shower curtain, towels, mirror and light):
Our bedroom:
Like all the other rooms, a work in progress, but it is definitely a livable bedroom!
Remember, though, I have new side tables! No more baby bassinet in there!
Baby’s room:
A room I’d really love to “finish.” But it’s low on the list and has to wait…
1/2 Bath in baby’s room:
It pretty much looks the same, except for new flooring.
I’m always looking at magazines and websites, wishing I had a bazillion dollars to spend so I could finish the house exactly how I’d like it, but after reminiscing over these photos today I’m pretty proud of how far we’ve come in a year, and I’m actually very thankful that we even have a roof over our head at all. I’m actually very, very blessed in so many ways.
So happy anniversary to us, and feel free to leave a comment letting me know what you’re thankful for and celebrating today! That reminds me…I’m celebrating my high school reunion this weekend, too! Happy Independence Day, everyone!!
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About Me
I'm an interior designer and a draftsperson, but I live in the country. I like it that way. I'm also a firefighter's wife, mom to 2 cute kids, and a homeowner and I like that even better. But right after that is a pretty and affordable space...and I mean a REALLY affordable space. Because I believe good design can be for EVERYONE!
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