Behind the Scenes: A "Designer" Living Room

Every once in awhile, one must set aside time to "design"  a personal space.  The crucial phrase is "set aside time", because, between current client's projects, client's waiting for your time and then family life in general that can be a much bigger challenge than you might think!!  But for Amanda, it finally happened when her sweet and gracious husband asked if he could hire an interior designer to "do" their living room!!  wink, wink !!   Well, that will make a designer-wife "find time" like nothing else!!  So, in less than,  2 days...ok, it might have been 3...the plan was made...



...the fabrics selected...



 

and the furniture ordered!!  And then the wait began...do you know how long it takes furniture to arrive when you are the one waiting for it???  10 times longer than when it is for a client...not even kidding!!!

But it was worth the wait...(and these pics don't even begin to do the space justice...trust me!)

[caption id="attachment_675" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Chesterfield style sofa...wonderful layers...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_676" align="aligncenter" width="225"] extra seating...fabulous artwork...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_679" align="aligncenter" width="300"] ...interesting accessories...did I mention fabulous artwork??...[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_673" align="aligncenter" width="225"] ...a baby grand...gorgeous!!...[/caption]

 

...even room for a tidy desk area...

This space is done!!  And that makes this "designer"...and her husband very happy!!  Home Sweet Home!!

 

 

 

 

Don't forget the "non-rooms"

Often times the little "non-rooms" of our homes get overlooked....the hallway, the stairway...the awkward little spaces that are neither a room or a hall or anything, really.  But usually these spaces are the very ones that receive the most traffic in our day-to-day...they take us from one room to another...and shouldn't these  pathways be beautiful, too??

 

No matter the square footage of a space it can be brought around...not simply updated but made into a perfect reflection of those that fill the home!!

 

And now every trip to the private quarters of this home is a treat to all of the senses...new carpet underfoot, wall covering that provides great texture and updated pieces on the landing above!!

[caption id="attachment_465" align="alignleft" width="179"] Before[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_463" align="alignright" width="225"] After[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This little reno all began when Amanda came across this Kravet carpet.  She knew it would be perfect for the stairway of the historic home they had recently purchased.  Eager to put her stamp on the home, she ordered it, so excited to get started...

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Kravet-Devi Sunset[/caption]

The next step was to coordinate the wallcovering...our "go-to" for natural, seagrass wallpaper is Phillip-Jeffries...

 

(Note:  as Amanda's luck would have the loom had to be re-oriented so the stripes would run side to side...no problem for a custom rug workshop...however...it took over 4 months...ouch!!  And then the call from the wallcovering company informed her that the color she had selected was on back order...so what was initially going to be a "simple" and "quick" change-a-roo, turned into an eternally long process.  And that, we have found, time and again, is just par for the design-course!!)

Just these "simple" changes took a once "un" passageway to a favorite space in the home....drawing you up the stairs and into the comfort of the private family spaces on the second floor!!

Favorite Things #1

Being organized is something I strive for as a busy wife, mother, and small business owner. But, organizing my gift wrap items was not high on the to-do list! Until, I saw this neat idea.

Before I had wrapping paper and tissue under the bed, ribbon in a closet, and cards in a drawer. I dreaded having to pull together a gift because I had to spend time (something I seem to be short on) looking for all the items I needed.

I purchased this nifty pantry organizer at http://www.chefscatalog.com/ . The shelves are adjustable so you can make it work for all your gift decorating needs.

Not only do I have ALL my gift items together in one central location, but I can actually see what I have. Before I was digging around or had to remove ten spools of ribbon to get to the one I needed. Now, as I'm racing out the door I can quickly throw together the cutest little gift with ease!