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...
 
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