A Teen Room Mini-Makeover and tips on how to get the look!

Hello again! I know it's been awhile. I've been designing and installing the first floor of a n old farmhouse in Bluebell over the past year or so. 

It's turning out beautifully and will share professional pictures with you once it's complete. But here's a sneak peek... with  really lame iphone pictures.

original stone wall

Thibaut wall-coverings, draperies and chair pads.

Since the designing and installing of an entire first floor can take a while I'm usually asked to spruce up the children's spaces at the same time. Typically it's their daughter's room so that's what I'm going to share with you today from this home... so fun!! 

And I'll include some tips on how to do it yourself!

Here are some before pictures.

I don't have any before, before pictures showing the furniture before it was painted this pretty shade of gray and turquoise.

How did we start the project? 

With a jumping off wallpaper. This stylish young girl fell in love with this wallpaper from Osborne and Little. And I always love a bold wallpaper so it was a go!

Now we have a color scheme.

 We kept all of the furniture and bedding (just cleaned it up a bit)  And remarkably the background of the wallpaper matched the color of the walls perfectly so no need to paint (that never happens). 

I would have liked to have placed the wallpaper on the ceiling instead of an accent wall but as you can see the room has the original beams and we loved the rustic touch it adds to the space.

Now we just did a little sprucing up to her space since we are using most of the budget to renovate and decorate the first floor.

I always like to include at least one custom piece in a room and in this case it was these beautiful cornices designed by me and beautifully executed by my work room.

I've also found teens just love the iconic ghost chair and no matter how hard i try to persuade them to go in a different direction they always stand firm in their conviction so I customize the chairs for them.

So now we have two originally totally custom pieces designed specifically for this young girl.

Here is how the rest of the space is coming along...

Bedding by PB teen and pom-pom throw from West Elm.

Pink lamp, leopard print pillow and multi-colored plate all from Dana Gibson.

And the art... I just love the modern art mixed in with these traditional pieces!!

Still waiting on..

This custom chair from Society Social in pink with white welt

Bookshelves, accessories, new hardware, new rug? and a bathroom redo!
P.S. If you want to see more of what I'm up to follow me on instagram.  I don't have much time to blog these days! I share what I can on insta from clients who give me permission ... not all clients allow sharing and i respect everyone's wishes!

P.S.S. Want to see more behind the scenes makeovers? Head over to the One Room Challenge from Calling it Home.... I'm not participating but I am following along for sure!!

Thanks for reading!! xoxo

Before and After Villanova Residence

Villanova Residence

Before and After

Here is a project that was finished awhile ago but we just got around to photographing. 

I absolutely adore working with this family and I'm so appreciative that they allowed me this opportunity and they trusted my vision!

The first room I helped transform was their cozy family room den

Here is the BEFORE

AFTER

Family Den

A study in neutrals...

Beautiful new built-ins were added to give height and dimension and architectural interest to the room. We also added brass library sconces from Visual Comfort and roman shades with simple greek key trim.

I love the warmth of the worn leather sofa from Restoration Hardware and the coolness of the dark gray walls. It's truly one of my favorite combinations.

We chose chelsea gray walls paired with lots of white for high contrast and to add depth and light to the space.

We also mixed metals and textures in styling the bookshelves... brass, mercury glass, lacquer, driftwood and creamy white objects.

It's all in the details...

We added a pair of mirrors flanking the bar area to make the space feel larger and reflect light from the large picture window.

The bar cabinetry was painted high-gloss white and the hardware was upgraded to a brass faucet and marble counter tops and back splash were added.

did u spy camera? need to photoshop these pics ha!

Loved keeping this space neutral. I think most people like my colorful designs but I do love designing neutral spaces too!

Moving right along ...scenes from  the "before" Dining Room 

Dining Room NOW! WOW!

We kept the window treatments and most of my client's beautiful furniture so we jazzed up the space with green grass cloth from Phillip Jeffries, new host chairs with pillow fabric from Aerin Lauder's line for Lee Jofa  and colorful modern art. The grasscloth has now become the star of the show!!

We also upgraded the lighting with classic yet modern fixtures from Visual Comfort and leopard lamps from Dana Gibson.

Table by oopmh sits next to window seat

And let's not forget this lovely little powder with Scalamandre and a striped roman...

SORRY no before

ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY THE MOST FABULOUS JOANNE POSSE!!! 
XOXOX

Gardner/Fox was contractor used for family den.

That's all for now!! Thanks for Reading!! xoxo

Dorm and Apartment Decorating

So you have a daughter or son heading off to college or their first apartment this fall.

Remember those days? Just spent last weekend with a college roommate and loved reminiscing about the good ole days. It's probably what inspired this post:)

 But back to the subject at hand...I have many clients and friends who fall into this category and I've  been asked by several for advice on decorating and bedding for college dorms.

Last year I designed a college room and loved how it turned out. 

May have hit the books a bit more if my space looked this.

You can read more about this room here.

So here are some fun items I found for a dorm, first apartment or even a teen's room...

First up check out this website

remodo boxed room

It's basically a room in a box. Like a bed in a bag but waaaay better.

Here is an example of what comes in the box

And here is what it looks like in the space

Fun, right?  They have several colors and patterns available.

Need art for above the bed or desk?

They have that too

So go check it out!

Some other bedding I found perfect for this group

is from one of my faves Urban Outfitters

And we can't forget IKEA the sweedish king of dorm decor

Have fun decorating!