Behind the scene's: Project "AHD Office" update

 

 

 

 

So the floors of our new office are painted, the walls are painted,  the new trim has been installed and  the fabulous wall sconces are in place...

Let the fun begin!!!  And just so you can see where we are headed on this project....

The aged brass sconces are already in place...eventually we want to do a wet bar with the reclaimed wood front as seen above...and our overall concept is light, bright with plenty of work space to spread out our latest project(s)!!

OF course what good is an office if you can't lounge a little...this area just begs for inspiration to hit!!

And as much as we love white...we need a few pops of bold color to make us smile!!

We will keep you posted on the progress!!

 

On a roll...a brass roll...

I've been on a brass kick lately...no...not the builder grade shiny faux brass...

(No offense if this piece is hanging in your home...just a perfect example of "builder's grade brass")

 

Nope...I'm talking the rich, aged patina of brass (the real stuff) that adds warmth and elegance to any space...traditional, modern or anywhere in-between...

Hall chest update with 6 of these...via myhardware.com

 

Wall sconces for the new AHD office...three of these gorgeous lights...via Restoration Hardware

Inspiration in brass is everywhere....

Amy Meier

Lauren Leiss

Two of my favorite designers are using aged brass mixed with other great metal finishes...and it is all in every shelter magazine on the rack...why??  It reads "vintage"..."heirloom quality"..."rich with history"...all the qualities designer's need to create a room that has presence without feeling too "showroom"...a room with character!!  What do you think of aged brass?? Where would you use it??

I am a "Messy"...

 

I'm not going to lie...I am a messy painter...A VERY MESSY PAINTER.  No matter how careful I try to be, I get paint EVERYWHERE...on my hands, on my clothes, in my hair...on the floor, down the side of the paint can...did I mention EVERYWHERE??!!  So, when I can I pay someone to paint for me...and when I don't have the budget or the patience to wait on a painter's schedule, I do have one tip that has been amazing for this certified "Messy"...



 

Take a nail (or in this case a long screw...it was close by!!) and insert it in the groove on the top of the paint can...

 

 

 

 

 



 

Use a hammer (apparently named "China") and pop holes in two or three spots around the can lip.  Then after you have poured paint into your pan, any paint left in the groove will flow back into the can (instead of dripping all over your hands!!)  I wish I could take credit for this fabulous tip...however, I read this tip forever ago...and have no recollection of where...or I would give full credit!! Happy painting!!

sooooo excited...

I am sooooooo excited...a new office space is in the works for AsterHouse Design!!

Why??  Well, our office is housed in the lower level of Eryn's home...our first office was quickly thrown together.  We desperately needed one!!  It has been wonderful to have an designated office.  A place for samples, a spot to host clients and room to splay out products, floorplans, etc.  But we never really finished it...we never had an actual "design plan"...we are the proverbial "cooper's children" or "mechanics's car"...always so busy planning everyone else's spaces but never taking the time to focus on our own studio space.  So, we are backing up the train...shifting focus to our own space so we can better serve our clients...boost our creativity and fill our "inspiration tank"!!



This time around we want a "serving station" for our own enjoyment as well as offering clients beverages while we share ideas!!



Loving some aged brass...looking for a "collected", coordinated but not overly thought out aesthetic!!



WILL USE...gorgeous tile...somewhere...



A few shots of pink and orange???





 

We will keep you  posted!!!!

 

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!!

Finished product

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing months and months of work and creativity come together!  When you step back and admire the finished project, the feeling is like none other!!

What the “after” pictures don’t tell you is how long it takes to get to this point. We began working with the client and builder over a year ago, and construction started in March.

During the many months of  planning, all aspects of the interior design concept from the furniture, lighting, rugs and custom art had to be considered in order to end up with a product that both the client and designer was proud of!!

This process  is an interior designer’s dream.  We designers love nothing more than to see our vision for a space come to fruition.  To plan, re-concept and be intimately acquainted with every detail of a project takes patience and imagination but it is immensely satisfying.

And here is is....



 

As soon as you step into the reception area, you are met with a comfortable blend of updated mission features and finishes with a strong connection to the gorgeous Flint Hills!!

 



 

The trim work and transoms throughout were a splurge item that set the stage for the entire building!!

 

Even the restroom got special attention to details...LOVE this sconce!!

 



 

One of the doctor's offices...custom fabric selections pull together the browns and blacks seen throughout the space!

 

Two niche's provide comfortable seating as well as the perfect backdrop for a unique block print...another reference to the Flint Hills.

The light in the staff lounge makes coming to work a real pleasure!!

Behind the Scene's: Amanda's 2013 Design Goals

Lest our blog faithfuls think our own homes are "done", "picture perfect" or "dream" spaces...I thought this year we would do several "Behind the Scene's"  posts...a look at what happens on the other side of the photo shoot...inside the "real world" so-to-speak...a personal glimpse into our lives...here is no particular order...

 

Amanda...2013 Design Goals for my Home:
-Redo Girls TV/Playroom: Involves switching out the rug,

changing the fabrics for the window cushions, curtains, & couch

pillows, switching out light fixtures, and adding floor pillows



 

 

 

 

 (Houzz.com)

 

 

 

-Finishing the Dining room: either wallpapering or painting the ceiling, and switching out the light fixture for something oversized and dramatic





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Jonathan Adler, Greek Key)

 

 

(Farrow & Ball)

 

 


-Redo my "tween/teenager" bedroom: change the wall color, add a fun wall design, switch out the rug, curtains, and bedding



 

 

 

 

 

(Houzz.com)

 

(Serena & Lily)

 

 

Amanda...2013 Design Goals for AsterHouse Design:

-Redo our office space and completing it this time!
-Create fun new business cards

Amanda...2013 Personal Design Goals:
-Take a photography class with Eryn!!!

(This one maybe???)

-Take a two/three day inspiration trip!  (Please take Eryn!!!)



 

Here we are...all serious...on task...completely focused on design research...

And then here we are after a day of intense design inspiration collection...very flattering photo angle!!  But this is real..."behind the scene's"!!

(FYI...as long as we are keeping it real...Amanda had no say whatsoever in the "inspiration" photos attached to this blog...those were 100% Eryn throwing out ideas...they may or, most likely, may not be any reflection of what she actually wants in her home!!)