Freshening up...

From time to time, a client will call requesting a "face-lift"!!  The bones of the space are fine...the layout may even flow well...it is just that the furnishings need some freshening...such was the case with this space...



 

This family entertains often and this room serves as overflow...it is also directly off the entry.  So, highly visible and used infrequently-often!!  How is that for a combination?!!

The foundation of this room was this incredible vintage rug that was a gift from the client's father!!  (Who obviously has impeccable taste!!)



 

Shortly after taking this project on, we were on a scouting trip to Chicago and came across this fabric by Schumacher...

[caption id="attachment_795" align="aligncenter" width="150"] Tree of Life in Document[/caption]

The repeat on this piece is 48"!!!!!!  Talk about the perfect balance to the drama of the rug!!  So, from these two items the whole room was built!!!  New fabrics on new furnishings...vintage seashell prints...custom frames...updated accessories with a little history!!  (The only "construction" was the addition of an overhead fixture as the space was a little dark and we wanted to draw attention to the vaulted ceiling!!)



 

And here are a few after pics (please don't mind the quality...professional shots to come!!)







 

 

Face-lift...refreshed!!  Done!!

Progress...

[caption id="attachment_758" align="aligncenter" width="403"] Hearth room[/caption]

 

Remember this house??  The one with the to-die-for views??  Well, it is al....most....done!!

And it is going to be on the local Parade of Homes!!  Here is one last look ahead of time!!  But come see it in person!!

IT IS GORGEOUS!!!

 

[caption id="attachment_757" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Classic subway tile...rich dark cabinetry[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_756" align="aligncenter" width="432"] Perfectly patina-ed brass....that's right...brass...but not like you have ever seen!![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_754" align="aligncenter" width="432"] Custom wainscotting[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_755" align="aligncenter" width="518"] There are those amazing views again!![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_753" align="aligncenter" width="448"] Dramatic lighting over the stairwell![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_752" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Custom millwork takes the elegance level up a notch...or two![/caption]

Rooms with a view...

We may live in a small Midwest town, but it has several great qualities...one of which is the hills that provide gorgeous views...

[caption id="attachment_660" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Overview of our community...hills all around...[/caption]

 

As our town continues to grow, the hills are being dotted with homes, retail centers and roadways...and although it is changing the "look" of Manhattan...the various elevations make for some amazing building spots...

[caption id="attachment_663" align="aligncenter" width="300"] New Spec home in the Lee Mill Heights development[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_662" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Who wouldn't want to cook in a kitchen with that view...[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_661" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A view like this??? Amazing!![/caption]

 

Here are just a few pics of our inspiration for this home!!!

[caption id="attachment_669" align="aligncenter" width="300"] With unique ceiling features and rich cabinetry this home will be stunning!![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_667" align="aligncenter" width="245"] Stone fireplace, gorgeous creamy white trim....[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_668" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Custom millwork, gorgeous tile and a dramatic corner tub will make the master bath a private retreat![/caption]

Keep posted for progress pics!!  And get ready for a tour this June during the Parade of Homes!!

 

The "Konza Cape"

Amanda and I are always saying how blessed we both feel to be able to pursue our dream of creating gorgeous interior spaces!!  And we can also honestly say we have met the most wonderful people through this business...we have had the privilege of working with amazing clients and crazy-cool projects!

Each project begins a little differently.  We are brought in at various stages of each one...sometimes the client hires us before any contractor has been hired...or sometimes the contractor calls us toward the end of a project when the finishing touches are needed...and anywhere in between.  And we love them all!  However, we both will admit, one of our favorite scenarios is when we can be a part of the team from the infancy of a project.  We both love space planning and "visioning" a home/space before it is even begun...there is so much room to be creative when nothing is "set in stone" yet!!

This was the case with a recently completed project out on the Konza Prairie...

 

 

The exterior design of the home speaks to the feel of a traditional "Cape Cod"...and its location on the rolling Flint Hills makes it a "Konza Cape"

[caption id="attachment_648" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Love these lights!![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_647" align="aligncenter" width="225"] From the exterior colors to the trellis and trim design, the home stays true to the original inspiration.[/caption]

When we were first contacted by the builder, the homeowner and his architect had just finalized the floorplan...so there was just enough time to collaborate on a few design features.  The biggest change came with the decision to  expand the small second floor dormers and create two "shed-dormers".  Not only did this allow for larger windows, capturing more of the amazing view...but it created two niche's that we were able to turn into dramatic focal points in the master suite...

[caption id="attachment_643" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Niche' 1: Cozy reading nook overlooking the hills[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_649" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Niche' 2: Dramatic "free-standing" tub....bubble bath with a view!![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_651" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Master Bath[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_650" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Master Shower[/caption]

Originally the master bedroom was to be on the main floor, however, when the homeowner saw the views from the enlarged upstairs windows, he changed his plans and claimed this space instead!!

The master suite upstairs is a continuation of the main floor style...

[caption id="attachment_640" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Collected elegance in the living room[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_639" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Gorgeous painted cabinetry, true to a "Cape" aesthetic...with a few masculine touches thrown in for good balance.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_641" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Main Floor guest room...[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_642" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Guest bath[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_638" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Powder room...grass cloth wallcovering adds texture and keeps the fixtures from feeling too "sweet"[/caption]

 

The homeowner specifically wanted a space for his young boys to feel at home when they stayed, so we went to work creating a room they felt right at home in!!

[caption id="attachment_645" align="aligncenter" width="225"] We took advantage of the unused space under the eaves, carving extra square footage for the beds and allowing for custom built-in space.[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_636" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Gorgeous windows line the walls in every room...in the boys room, we created a study niche'...partner desk, fun seating and display walls for each boy.[/caption]

 

The overall look and feel of this home is so inviting...and although it is brand new, it has a feel that says...collected, comfortable and lovely!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finishing touches

For most of us, moving into a new home is an experiment in re-purposing...up-cycling...and re-organizing...taking our beloved (can also be read "tired" or "well-loved"!!) pieces, furniture, artwork and accessories, spreading them through the new spaces, often reaquainting ourselves with forgotten treasures or seldom seen favorites...

Often times, the new space, being different than the last, needs something new to complete it...taking the rooms from, just-moved-in to the welcoming, warm space you love to call home!!



 





We began the process by warming up the walls with a deeper cream and adding wall to wall draperies in a rich ivory silk...this added a fabulous feeling of texture and depth without sacrificing the light airy feeling of the space!



Adding new accent tables, lamps and fresh accessories finished off the room.



 In every project, our primary concern is that the space reflects those that live there...so we love when we can use pieces/artwork/accessories that have been selected by the client...often times a favorite painting simply needs a fresh mat and new frame to be completely at "home" in the fresh design!  In this room, we accented the fabulous ceiling height by running a colorful collection of art up the wall!



This gorgeous barely twist table was the client's own...we rescued it from the corner of another room and brought it front and center into the heart of the home!!  Gorgeous!

 In the dining room, we added a delightful blue to the walls that made the trim and wainscot look brilliant!  We again ran artwork higher on the walls to pull the eye up the dramatic walls!!  New drapery panels, a woven tray with very clean lines and linen shades on the chandelier blended the more formal tones of the room with the comfortable, casual feel the client wanted to bring into the home!  And now this delightful client's home accurately reflects her lifestyle...surrounded by her collection, past and present...at home!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heart of the Home

The kitchen...we all know it is the heart of the home...even for families without cooks!!  We gather there, we snack there, we pull up a chair and we sit awhile!  And so when your kitchen does not "work" for the way you live, it is like the pebble in the shoe...everyday frustration...little irritation...constant tension...until finally...one day...you call AsterHouse!!!

The homeowners had purchased this home because it has several fabulous features...however, the kitchen and dining room were not included in that list.  They were anxious to make their home flow better for their young family and love of entertaining!!

We came up with a couple of options that would open up the space and turn this space into one of the best features of the home!!

Before, this space created a traffic jam anytime the fridge was open and anyone wanted to walk through...by relocating the fridge to the interior zone of the kitchen, the space becomes the perfect spot for the wine/serving station!!

The kitchen now flows naturally into the, once seldom used, dining space...the peninsula providing additional seating for those evening homework sessions...or space to layout the game-time spread!!

Bon Appetit!!

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