11.14.2013

Do As I Say, NOT As I Do

“The only good thing to do with good advice is pass it on; it is never of any use to oneself.”
Oscar Wilde

Ok. Here's the deal. I failed to follow my own good advice and I am passing on my hard earned wisdom to you.

A few months ago I'd written a post called 15 Shades of Gray. In it, I discuss my top 15 choices for gray paint. I also impart some very important advice... I believe my exact words went something like this:

I've selected each color within its specific brand because I DO NOT recommend color matching (that is, taking a color formula from one brand and having it matched for another brand). Each brand has a  base color that is specifically designed to coordinate with each color formula.
Although color matching results are usually pretty close, 
on occasion it can go oh-so-wrong, and it's not worth the risk.

To make a long story short, I color matched.

In my impatience (it was, after all, the weekend and the store carrying the brand I wanted was closed), I went to a local big box retailer to get a gallon of paint so I could paint my bathroom, rather than waiting until Monday to buy the correct color in the actual brand. I goofed up. Big time. Here is error of my ways:


Can you see the difference between the painted wall (on the right) and the color chip (on the left)? Instead of a warm gray, the unfortunate result is mint green. Luckily I only painted a small section of my bathroom, but I am now out $40 for the paint I bought, $40 for the paint I will purchase, and I get to start over.

Dang. Why don't I listen to myself!

Please learn from my mistake. NEVER COLOR MATCH. Ever!

As always, stay tuned...

11.11.2013

On My Front Porch

"And the view I love the most 
Is my front porch looking in, yeah." 
Lonestar

I took advantage of the great weather this weekend to repaint my front doors. We added a porch to the front of our house in September (which still isn't done, grrrrr) so now that my double doors are receding, I wanted to add a punch of color. Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue HC-143 was the perfect choice.


Here's the progression of transformation so far...

This was the front of the house when we purchased it. I can't wait to have my front yard fully landscaped again!

I custom designed the front doors and painted them a bluish gray.
This was prior to repainting the exterior and adding the front porch.


And, the final product. Well, technically not final FINAL since the porch isn't done
(notice the missing wall lights in addition to many other things).  
More to come as this project continues!

As always, stay tuned...

10.28.2013

A View From the Terrace

"I am excessively fond of a cottage; 
there is always so much comfort, so much elegance about them." 
Jane Austen

Here's the second model home I worked on for Rainey Homes. The Terrace model at Daybreak is a quaint, yet sophisticated version of a lake cottage. Check it out...





As always, stay tuned...

10.25.2013

Welcome: All Things Considered

"Come on in, baby take your coat off;
Come on in, baby take a load off."
The Oakridge Boys

I offered to whip up an entryway room recipe for blogger Tressa of Tressa's Wishful Endings.  I asked her to send me some inspiration photos and a few key must haves for the space. Follow along on her blog as she transforms her space from blah to wow! Here's what I cooked up for her:

{INSPIRATION}

{BEFORE}
Tressa's Wish List:
1. A place to hang four children's backpacks.
2. A small seated bench.
3. Extra storage.
4. A warm and inviting entryway!

Tressa's Challenges:
1. The house is a rental, so no major renovations allowed!
2. There isn't a lot of wall space to place a bench.
3. The closet must stay as is since it stores coats and sports equipment.







{PALETTE}


{INGREDIENTS}
1. BENCH
Paint a geometric design on the seat of a small wooden bench.

2. RUG
A natural fiber area rug made of sisal or jute is neutral in color yet provides a hint of texture.

3. WALL HOOKS
Provide an oversized decorative hook for each child's backpack.

4. ARTWORK
Handmade artwork and screen printed graphics can be customized to fit the space or the family.

5. LIGHTING
An oversized light pendant adds an artistic, dimensional focal point to the space.

6. STORAGE
A wicker basket or two provides extra storage for odds-and-ends that sometimes collect in an entryway.

7-8. ACCESSORIES
Incorporate a decorative mirror to the wall collage to reflect light (and to check your teeth before answering the door!), and throw in a colorful, round clock to add an additional shape.


{ROOM RECIPE}
Tonya's Take: Even a rental home or apartment deserves to welcome guests in a creative, inviting way! Paint, furniture and decor are easy to add when moving in, and just as easy to remove or change once it's time to move on.


REPURPOSE an old piano or organ bench, which often come in odd, small sizes. Follow the instructions here. As a bonus, the lid lifts to provide extra storage space and a basket can be tucked underneath to provide even more storage. Paint a black and white geometric pattern on top and paint the inside a bright turquoise. Place in the space below the window.

PAINT the top 1/3 of the wall and the ceiling the same color such as Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray SW 7019. Install a decorative trim piece to separate the top 1/3 from the bottom 2/3 of the wall. This will pull the ceiling height down and create a coffered ceiling effect.

INSTALL tongue and groove or wide board and batten on the bottom 2/3 of the wall. Paint it the same light color as the overall trim in the house.

HANG four decorative hooks approximately 12" apart from each other on the far side of the wall next to the front door. Install hooks at approximately 48" from the floor.

ARRANGE a gallery wall of artwork in mixed frames to fill in the space above the hooks across the wall next to the front door. Add a clock and an uniquely shaped mirror to break up the square and rectangular shapes.

INSTALL a large, oversized pendant light in place of the existing fixture.

PLACE a 3'x5' to 4'x6' area rug in front of the door. The bigger size provides more space for leaving muddy shoes. A natural fiber hides dirt better and is easier to clean.

ACCENT the space with artwork in shades of aqua, turquoise, teal, gray, black, and white.





10.21.2013

Let Me Entertain You

"Everyone can identify with a fragrant garden, with beauty of sunset, 
with the quiet of nature, with a warm and cozy cottage."
Thomas Kincade

A quick peek at one of the model homes I worked on last week. Introducing the Rainey Homes Entertainer model at Daybreak...








As always, stay tuned...

10.07.2013

Book Launch, Waffle Party and Clearance Sale!

"Party rock is in the house tonight; Everybody just have a good time!"
LMFAO

So many fun things are happening at LIV Showroom on Thursday, October 10! Join us for the official Room Recipes book launch party! Meet the brilliant designers featured in the book from 6-8 pm.

The Waffle Love truck will be in front of the store from 5-9 pm. Buy a book and get a FREE waffle! 

Plus, LIV Showroom is having a Floor Model CLEARANCE SALE! Everything in the store will be 25% OFF! Holla!

Oh, and let me mention that a portion of every sale that evening - books, waffles, furniture, whatever! - will go toward the Susan G. Komen Foundation in conjunction with Shop Local! Save the Girls event on Main Street in Bountiful.

Come one, come all! It's going to be a blast!



10.03.2013

I Like Big Books and I Cannot Lie


“A bookshelf is as particular to its owner as are his or her clothes; 
a personality is stamped on a library just as a shoe is shaped by the foot.” 
Alan Bennett

Shelving in my hallway.
While being interviewed about my book, Room Recipes, yesterday, I was asked to name my top 10 must read books (if you're curious, go here). Whoa. Now that's a loaded question! My bookshelves (not to mention my Kindle) are literally full of hundreds of books I have read and reread throughout my lifetime.

But books aren't the only thing that adorn the shelves in my house. They are also full of accessories, mementos, photos, and souvenirs. And personality.

Built-in bookshelf in my study.
























As an interior designer, I have the opportunity to combine all of my loves into a beautiful and meaningful display. 

But how is this done, you ask?  I came across this great article in BHG.com by Darlene Weir, the principal interior designer for Fieldstone Hill Design. See Darlene's tips below:

Design by Fieldstone Hill Design.

So show off your personality by displaying your books in an interesting and creative way!

As always, stay tuned...

9.26.2013

It's Official!

"Inspiration is the key to everything."
Olivia Wilde

 "Room Recipes: A Creative and Stylish Guide to Interior Design" is officially available online and in stores next week! Purchase online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Deseret Book and Cedar Fort.


As I was looking at Cedar Fort's website, it was fun to see both my book and my husband's book, "I Knew Their Hearts" featured on their landing page.


And you can join me for a book signing at Seagull Book in American Fork, Utah for the "Celebrating Sisterhood" event from 9 am - 11 am on Saturday, September 28.

As always, stay tuned...

9.10.2013

French Provincial Eclectic

"Don't be afraid to mix old with new, classic with modern, rough with polished.
Your home should feel like a great outfit combined of items that look and feel great, 
but are also meaningful, comfortable and express who you are."
Edyta Czajkowska

There is a very internal part of my style that is eclectic. Even my "white" interior design obsession has a hefty dose of organized chaos mixed in. I like spaces that appear thrown together with a hodge-podge of styles, colors, textures and patterns.

Today I am going to a design consultation at a French Provincial house whose owner is requesting an eclectic living room. From what I know of this project, sight unseen, I am getting the vibe (yes, spaces send out energy that we all can pick up on...more on this down the road) that it might want to feel like one of the rooms by interior designer, Kara Paslay, featured in my new book, Room Recipes: A Creative and Stylish Guide to Interior Design.


Interior Design by Kara Paslay

Before I do any design consultation, I like to do a little bit of research prior to visiting a space. Here are some inspirational photos I've found. Check back often to see how this project progresses!





As always, stay tuned...

9.03.2013

Digital Design Board: The Entertainer

"The tones of gray, pale turquoise and pink will prevail."
Christian Dior





8.29.2013

Life Is Better at the Lake

"Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake."
Wallace Stevens 

Aah, the lake. There's nothing like breezy days spent picnicking on the shore and canoeing on the water. Breath taking views with the sound of water lapping on the shore. That's the lakeside lifestyle.

Two of my upcoming projects are lake front homes surrounding Oquirrh Lake in the new Lake Village neighborhood in Daybreak, Utah.

I'm working on concept boards for the builder, Rainey Homes. The home plans are open and airy with wrap around porches, large windows and casual indoor/outdoor living. Oh, and best of all, the homes were designed to maximize views of the lake. 

In the next few weeks I'll be posting the digital design boards I've created. The homes will have subtle color palettes with pops of color, natural linen and cotton fabrics, and beachy textures like seagrass and wicker.

As always, stay tuned...

8.26.2013

Pewter Power

"And the race is on."
Sawyer Brown"

There's nothing like giving yourself three weeks to undertake one of those nagging little home renovation projects (you know... the one's you'll start/finish someday) before you host a surprise 40th birthday party for your spouse.

That's exactly what my long-distance client Apryl did. She decided the aforementioned surprise party was the perfect excuse to tackle the powder room remodel that she'd been contemplating for a year.

Since Apryl lives out-of-state, she and I consulted via text and online. We talked about the main issues the powder room has (dated, poor lighting), what gets to stay (toilet and floor), and what she'd like it to feel like (light, sparkly, modern).

She sent me some existing shots of her powder room along with some inspiration images:
The sad, little powder room before. 
Ahhh... Apryl's hopes and dreams for her powder room.

After we developed a clear vision, I gave Apryl a list of shopping resources along with advice and direction while she did the leg work.

Once the powder room is finished, I'll post the and final product and the corresponding Room Recipe.

As always, stay tuned... 
 
SITE DESIGN BY DESIGNER BLOGS