Family Room Design!

A beautiful family that live locally contacted me for some help with their family room and I was HAPPY to help! The have a challenging shape to the room and had a few things that needed to be taken into consideration? Do you notice what it may be?

The kitchen has a really nice long bar height counter top with 4 stools that pushes a bit into the family room space. The couple will be replacing the carpet with wood flooring at some point within the next year so they requested to have another carpet to layer on top of the existing one for the time being. Thinking about moving the stools in an out was a consideration with the type of rug selected. I wanted something that would not make that difficult especially as their kiddies get a little older and will want to do it themselves. The angle of the ceiling and soffit also played into the selection as well as a specific budget, another little one is on the way this week! The wall color will also stay the same for now. Designing with these types of parameters is challenging and fun at the same time. The design is coming together in stages so I should be sharing some more photos soon. But here are some of the selections that have been made together them!

Some of these selections are not a definite but we want to bring a pop of color into the room, so lavender or maybe even a tangerine or coral may be the way we go. I will keep you posted! Thanks for reading and have a great Monday!

A Reader's Kitchen Design Dilemma!

"I need ideas for our kitchen. We have an oak floor. We will refinish that and save some money there. 

But I was thinking of putting in a rolling island. We have a cart now and I like the extra work space and storage. I was also thinking about putting in more cabinets than we have so they go to the ceiling to avoid all that wasted space. I don't know where to begin with a color scheme. I would like to change the appliances with stainless steel but will have to see what we can afford. I know we need to update. The sink is stained white porcelain and the faucet leaks. I would love some tips. I don't know what you call my style. I don't like too over the top contemporary but NOT country or traditional either. I love the beachy with a clean look not beach hut just as if I live by the sea."

I received this email a couple of days ago from a reader in Missouri! It is always exciting to learn that people from all over the US read my small NJ blog yay! I did some research and I think I found some photos that are not just designer kitchens but are real homeowner's kitchens. Hopefully, these can give her some great foundation ideas for color and design. These photos highlight the option to possibly paint the existing cabinets if the budget is tight and some photos that incorporate new cabinets! Creamy blues, grays and green are wonderful beachy tones to bring in either with the cabinets or just the rolling island if she desires. What would you do for her kitchen, I would love hear your ideas! Please leave me a comment!!

Vintage Farmhouse Design Dilemma...

A beautiful family with three young girls left my home state NJ and built an exquisite replica of a classic farmhouse in upstate NY. She wrote to me for some help with her living room below. The challenge is that the space is open to the dining area, entry way and kitchen with no definite separation. Here are the photos below.

This simple farmhouse has an organic essence with a vintage vibe at the same time. The color pallet is very calm and soothing but notice the small pops in color in the artwork hung. I created a design board according the families budget and needs. There were a few specific requests the client had, they wanted a slip covered sofa for obvious reasons, the ability the clean them and with three young ones that is almost a certainty. The sofa should be smaller in scale so the space is not overpowered by it and the sofa should also work well with that great black and white ticking chair that client just had upholstered.  I really hope you enjoy the design below as much as I did putting it together!

First, I chose this great linen slip covered sofa by Restoration Hardware. The reason I chose this one is because is comes in great 6 foot length and it's depth and comfort are perfect for lounging. The fabric options are also duck cotton, velvet etc. The price is really good and when you catch a sale, even better!

Add these side tables, lighting, rugs and any of these accent pillows and this design really would work well in that space!

all pillows via etsy.com

west elm

crate and barrel

west elm

west elm

overstock.com

ikea

Virtual Design for Jen & Dan's Enclosed Porch and Patio!

One of the most adorable houses, Jen & Dan's needs some attention to an area of their home that some find difficult to design. She wrote to me looking for a plan that would be inviting as soon as you open the door and also a place to entertain especially in the summer time! The enclosed porch and screened patio are connected and open directly into the main living areas, the dining room and kitchen. Because they don't have an informal eating area, I thought it would be best to incorporate a small nook to enjoy that first cup of coffee or tea but also could be used for an intimate dinner party.They enjoy reading also, so for a spot to enjoy a good book on a cozy afternoon, I created a small sitting area as well. Jen wanted both areas to connect visually, so I chose one color to use in both areas and other elements to join them. Jen is normally drawn to muted colors but she wants something a little bolder and was open to any color scheme, wow was that a challenge in a good way. So here it is bright, warm and bold!

 I hope you enjoy this design as much as I did putting it together for them! The catch for you readers is.....I only did one design so please rate it for me on a scale of 1 - 5 stars *****! I love reading your comments and it motivates me to continue improving and giving clients the best that I can!

The first area of the design.... the small eat in nook for this end of the porch.

Color on the walls, natural woven shades, a centered chandelier and a banquette with bold pillows to surround this gorgeous table!

Ralph Lauren Grange Hall

Smith and Noble

Shades of Light

Etsy

Etsy

Ballard Design

Crate and Barrel

These openings connect the rest of the home to this room. Using this great bar stand centered here with this mirror brings function and great style together.

West Elm

Clayton Gray Home

As an avid reader myself, this end of the room would be perfect for some chairs like she has here already. Ground this area with this great expresso/cream chevron rug in a runner size or a 3x5. Paint these great antique chairs rubbed ivory and reupholster them in this great Peacock Green silk fabric. Sconces on the wall adjoining the rooms would also bring in extra lighting. A small side table and striking pillows and it is complete! Don't you want to sit there as much as I do?

West Elm

Craigs List 

Silk Fabric Store

Etsy

Shades of Light

Wisteria

Are you having a hard time picturing it in your mind? These two photos by Decor Pad can help bring it all together for you, I just love them!

Onto the screened in patio...... great summer room by the way!

Painting the interior wood frames in light gray would brighten and freshen up the patio to start as shown in the photo below. Bring in all the white wicker furniture from the other room and arrange it on top of the sisal rug. Add some accent pillows, candles on the table, pendant chandelier and you begin to have a great area for entertaining! On the back wall of the house, hang a vintage map that you can enjoy while you share your past and future travel adventures with family and friends!

Crate and Barrel

Esty

PB

PB

Finally, along the outer wall I would hang an outdoor drape in each corner for decorative purposes and place a great console table to have your drinks, nibbles and some statement lanterns to bring warm lighting on a hot summer night! Storage baskets are always a good idea.....throws, newspapers, magazines, etc.

Fabric Outdoors

Ikea

PB

PB

PB

Kroll Antique Maps

What do you think? Can you see the vision I see? Share with all of us your thoughts and share the link to my post if you want to!!! It would make my day and thank you so much for reading my blog today!

Enjoy your spring weekend and if the weather is warm, eat outdoors!

PS Don't forget to rate this space for me:)