behind the scenes Archives - Page 3 of 3

November 23, 2018September 14, 2019

Mill Road Residence: Progress Update

Life of a business owner running the whole show…I have a confession. Most of you know that this project has been “in progress” since end of Spring/early Summer. So, it would only make sense if this progress update blog post took place sometime during those months. But, that’s not how it goes around here. This blog is fresh and new and often less prioritized than other things on my to-dos, such as actually taking care of my clients! Well I’m excited that this home is now complete and the clients are on their way to unpacking and moving in. So while that’s being taken care of, I’ve been working on updating the blog posts for their renovation journey. Don’t forget to check the “before” images of the project, and final photos can be found here.

OPENING THE ENTRY

So we are going to start with they foyer, because I love that the photo below has a progress shot taken from the same location as the before photo. Pulling out those dark cabinets and stair spindles and removing the light fixture helped so much. But the biggest improvement here was opening up the dining room wall on the left as much as possible to help bring some room and light to this area. It also now has more of a connection to the kitchen, which was really important for giving it some good use.

UPDATING THE STAIRCASE

The original handrail was painted white to match the trim throughout the home. New square metal spindles were added and drilled directly into the stair treads to eliminate the need for the metal shoes, which are essentially great for collecting dust. It took some convincing of the contractor to work out this detail, but he was incredible for dealing with all my ideas and particulars.

KITCHEN & LIVING ROOM

So I’ll jump right into the kitchen area since I just gave you a sneak peek of what that looks like from the foyer (and living room…oops)! Off the kitchen is a sitting room with lots of natural light, which would get much brighter with the new floors and a fresh coat of paint.

The wing wall next to the refrigerator was removed as well…sometimes those very small things can make a world of difference in opening up a space. We also felt it was necessary to move the fridge to the other side of the kitchen, next to the large sitting room windows. It feels better when appliances aren’t lined up right after another, allowing more counter space (on the sides of the range, for example) and more distinguished focal points. The kitchen also felt blocked in because of the change of flooring. Almost 100% of the time I recommend that if you have an open space, you need to treat it as an open space. There shouldn’t be changes in color of flooring or paint if you want the space to feel consistent and open and BIGGER.

CABINETS GET INSTALLED!

Cabinets are finally installed with quartz counters, as well as beautiful white oak flooring. See anything different about the ceiling? We filled in that awkward cove and changed the recessed can layout. Later, pendants will be added over the island. You may also notice the difference in the hallway, which started as a corridor of doors. We reframed the closets so we could do a large pantry closet (see the arched door?).Further down the hall is a small coat closet, which is now a convenient location for both the mudroom and front door. This floor plan really couldn’t be changed in a cost-effective way no matter how we looked at it, so it was in these small adjustments that we found huge improvements in functionality.

CUSTOM PANTRY

Ready for the pantry? I sure was! I practically jumped up and down when this thing was installed. This is a beautiful custom door that I dreamed of in this home since the beginning stages of design. The way it softens the entire kitchen makes such an impact. It really was an essential piece to the home. The cost of it nearly cut it from the project when we were analyzing expenses. But ultimately, we were all so excited about this piece that it just had to happen.

At the end of the project, the client and I were standing in the kitchen talking, and she asked me, “Do you know what my favorite part of the whole home is?” I shrugged and was like, “the floors?” After a few missed guesses, I was stumped. She said, “it’s right behind you,” nodding in the direction of the pantry. This made my heart flutter! OF COURSE! The doors are so stunning, and she told me how worth it they were. In the scope of the entire project, the cost really wasn’t something to blink about. I have to say, they totally change the feeling of the kitchen, and especially the hallway. You can also see in the image below why it was so important to remove that wing wall on the side of the cabinets. It allowed the pantry to be easily accessed and seen from the kitchen.

THE LITTLE DETAILS

Here’s a few last photos of the details around the kitchen…

New window over the sink as well as some close-ups of the beautiful quartz counters, blue cement tile backsplash and the custom island color to match it, brass light fixtures to bring warmth to the design, and polished chrome plumbing fixtures for the perfect mix of metals.

PLANS FOR THE LIVING ROOM/LIBRARY

Okay, let’s walk back over to the formal living room, which is off the foyer and front stairway. Remember this lovely fireplace? The room also had a tray ceiling that made the space feel dark and closed in. The same detail was found in the dining room. We removed this detail from both spaces. Normally I’m all about leaving the architectural details, but in this case, it didn’t make sense. We had cooler plans, anyway.

I LOVE doing custom pieces for clients. And this house and client gave me several opportunities to do just that (like the pantry!). She wanted this front room to be a cozy library-esque space for her collections of books, art, and photo albums. She also loved color and pattern in the home since the rest of the space would be white, bright, and neutral. So here’s what I did…

I literally despise fireplaces that are flush with the wall. Like, it just feels so plain and weird to me. (Exception: modern houses…sometimes). Bookcases were needed in this room, so it was a great excuse to bump out the fireplace flush with the new built-ins. We also decided to use the same color as the kitchen island on these built-ins to get that deep blue color in another location. I love how it enhances the fireplace tile surround.

LAUNDRY & POWDER ROOM

For a few final details of the main floor before we move on to the basement, I’ll show you the laundry room floor. It has thin brick pavers laid in a herringbone pattern! The powder room was inspired by a Pinterest photo the client found. She did some great work sourcing the wallpaper. I love it! We were also able to track down a console sink for the tiny space we had to work within. It’s turning out to be a really gorgeous space that brings such an exciting feel for a little powder room.

THE BASEMENT

Last, the basement, which was a huge area to be finished out! It’s always fun to watch a creepy dungeon take shape into something more finished and bright. I loved the new stained concrete floors, it really brought some warmth to the space! This basement will be used as a family room and music room. On the other side (behind where I was standing) is a bedroom. A bathroom was also added and there was STILL room for a huge storage space.

No more progress shots to spoil the surprises! These clients have an incredible collection of rugs, art, and antiques that are changing the look of their new home! Check out the final reveal here!

If you have a project you’d like to discuss, feel free to contact me or book an appointment! I’d love to chat and see how I can help!

November 15, 2018September 7, 2020

Mill Road Residence: “Before”

It’s that time again! Time to catch you all up on another project from the Summer that is wrapping up this month. This home is expansive! With over 3,700 square feet, it was a large renovation with a lot of details to be taken care of. I loved finding ways to make this development-style home unique. It all came from small adjustments to the floor plan and big changes to the original finishes. I can’t wait for the final reveal! But for now, let’s take a walk down memory lane to see what this home looked like at the beginning of the year.

MOVE IN DAY = DEMO DAY

Clients always make me laugh with how they express their likes and dislikes to me. Some are shy and some are bold. This particular client was hilarious with how she would let you know when she didn’t like something. This kitchen to her was NOT happening. The day we met on-site is the same day she closed the sale on the home. She already had people removing the things she didn’t want or need! There were so many components in this space that really dated the whole home. In instances such as these, we usually try to resell or salvage. It always feels good to see that in an industry that is ever-changing in design styles and people’s tastes, that we can still find good homes for things that are no longer of use to us.

LIGHTING, OR LACK THEREOF

The home felt dark…everywhere. Inadequate lighting, darker wall colors, and even with lighter floors and carpets, it still felt so closed in. Traditional brown wood trim and dark fixtures added to the visual weight of the spaces. The formal dining room was mostly enclosed as well, making the entire foyer feel narrow. I knew I REALLY wanted to open this space up.

THE FUTURE LIBRARY

The living room had an outdated fireplace surround, but the client knew this would be her more “formal” sitting space. She wanted something here with color, pattern, and contrast to the rest of the home. I can’t wait to show you the transformation of this space alone!

THE CORRIDOR TO THE MASTER SUITE

There was a long hall filled with doors that led to the powder room, laundry room, and master suite. It felt like a dark corridor of doors! I wanted to rework this by simplifying storage space and updating the areas the doors led to.

BASEMENT PLANS

The basement was also unfinished. It was a large, long space that would be used as a family room, music room, bathroom, and bedroom.

If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you have already seen some of the progress photos. But I always save some of the special ones for the end!! You can find the final reveal here.

If you have a project you’d like to discuss, feel free to contact me or book an appointment! I’d love to chat and see how I can help!

October 15, 2018September 7, 2020

Rockwood Blvd. Residence: Progress Update

Well, if you haven’t already, go back and look at the “before” photos of this project! Without seeing that dividing wall in the middle of the space, you may not have the same appreciation for this. Hah! All I ever wanted was that kitchen wall gone, so when it finally came down, it felt like a pretty big moment. The impact of having this large open space was incredible. A huge visual weight was removed and the rest of the pieces would fall right into place. Here’s the progress shots so you can get a little glimpse of the blood, sweat, tears, (and money) that go into each home.

THE WALL GOES AWAY!

Ok, feel free to take that big deep breath now. We can all breathe a bit easier now with that wall gone. Truth is, after cabinets arrived, things started moving pretty quickly. Cabinets came in and were set in place, counters arrived the next week, tile came right after that. It felt like we were waiting for all the pieces of the puzzle to come together. Once they arrived, things came together so fast!

It was hard to see in the “before” photos, but there was a pantry cabinet built into the wall. I’m so glad we filled it in! It would have stood out and been a big distraction in the new space.

BLACK ACCENTS

My favorite part was when the black plumbing and light fixtures were installed. It gave it the contrast this light and airy space needed! You’ll have to wait for the final reveal to see those, though! 🙂 The staircase is another favorite. A metal and cable system was perfect for bringing in the black accents and incorporating similar finishes from the exterior of the home.

UPDATING THE FIREPLACE

The fireplace is a really cool focal point! For fun, I posted a poll on our Instagram a to see what people thought of a few tile layout options. Most people voted for a standard, horizontal layout. I gave the client the same options, and we decided y’all were boring. We were going to go for something out of the box…

Do you trust me yet? We love it! So I’ll wrap up the progress update with a few shots of the bathroom.

I can’t wait to show you the final reveal! I had such a fun time staging this home for resale, along with joining a wonderful open house to show it off. Final photography is coming soon, as well as another special surprise…stay tuned! If you want to be the first to know, join our email list (at the VERY bottom of the page) or follow us on Instagram!

October 1, 2018September 14, 2019

Rockwood Blvd. Residence: “Before”

This is one of those projects where after construction is complete, you can’t really imagine the space looking any other way. The designs fall into place so well that it looks like it has always been that way…meant to be. This was such an important goal for me on this project, because I was redesigning a home that already had a beautiful design concept, it just needed some updates. This home was built in 1983 and originally designed by local architect Jon Sayler. As an interior designer, I know how special each project is to the designers and architects who develop them. To respect the original design and aesthetic was so essential, and I do feel this newly renovated space fits right in.

At our open house, many people made this exact statement. In fact, people were so curious what the space had looked like before because the new design felt so seamless with the home. What a compliment! So let’s do a little reminiscing and look back at where we started at the beginning of summer.

You better believe I’m going to take you right to the view I had when I first walked into this home. Spacious, filled with light, and perched on stilts to give you a view of the trees (this home was even nicknamed “the treehouse” by neighbors)!

THE INITIAL SITE VISIT

When I was first called to the site, the homeowner had already torn out the floors. He had tried dozens of options ranging from cork to engineered woods, and just wasn’t feeling confident about any of them. He also wanted to update the original kitchen by painting the cabinets, replacing counters, and updating appliances. This is where I had to immediately say, HOLD ON. This needs to be reconsidered! Our client knew he would be putting the home up for sale. However, a quick flip on this kitchen wouldn’t get much of a return on his investment. The next person moving into this space would not be able to love this home with the very small size of the kitchen and closed off layout. So plans changed for the better (and I can’t wait to show you what happened!).

A PLAN FOR AN OPEN KITCHEN

The major red flag to me was not only the size of the kitchen, but the way it was separated from the rest of this AMAZING space. This home had beautiful bones, gorgeous wood accents, and an open concept that needed to include the kitchen. Besides, most people find that to be a very important feature of a home’s kitchen! So, needless to say, that wall had to go. By removing the wall, the kitchen would now be open to the sitting room, fireplace, and dining room.

THE FORGOTTEN FIREPLACE

Ok, so let’s take a look back at that fireplace, shall we? Here was the perfect opportunity for a focal point in the home. Even though this space was currently divided into three rooms by the kitchen wall, this fireplace was still visible from the dining room and sitting room. It needed some anchoring though, because it currently felt lost and unimportant. It would get some attention soon enough though.

A UNIQUE STAIRCASE

The next area that would need some design ideas is the stairway. This home has a rounded shape on a small part of the exterior, which is one of the many reasons why neighbors were always curious about the interior. It’s for the stairs! It had a partial rail on the entry platform, but no railing going down the stairs. We wanted to update these few handrails with a style that was similar to the exterior railings. They play a prominent role on the outside of the home, with its multiple balconies and catwalks (again, this home is on stilts!!). An interior-exterior flow was important because of the large windows and views.

THE MASTER SUITE

The last space of focus was the master bathroom. While small in size, there were probably ways to improve the layout. But budget really wasn’t allowing for a demo of the whole master suite, so we kept to a simple refresh. It definitely was in need of some new flooring, tile, counters, and fixtures.

This home is now complete and almost in the hands of its new owner. What an incredible transformation it has gone through! Follow along with the progress photos and the final reveal!

August 15, 2018September 14, 2019

Burroughs Road Remodel: Progress Update

I have a few phases of construction that are my total favorite…besides, of course, the final reveal. One of my favorites is when the demolition is complete and you see the home in it’s raw, empty space. It’s like a fresh slate and you can really start to visualize the plans you created, because the old stuff is gone. But my other favorite phase is when new cabinets start getting set in a kitchen design. The entire kitchen will just change before your eyes. Here’s an example from the progression at Burroughs Road…

A NEW LAYOUT

You may have noticed that we moved the refrigerator from the right side of the kitchen to the left (go back and look at the “before” pictures!). This was a simple switch but made so much sense. Because the original cabinets on the right side of the kitchen were only 12″ deep, it caused the refrigerator to stick out and block the view of the whole kitchen. Switching it up opened the space substantially! The rest of the kitchen kept with the same layout as the original kitchen, but we did expand the island. At one point we considered opening the wall between the kitchen and dining room. However, it would cause us to lose storage and create some dead zones of the home. And believe it or not, there is a balance of open and TOO open.

the fireplace transformation

Take a look at how we built out the fireplace to enhance the ceiling height and frame the room. If you don’t remember what it originally looked like, go check out the “before” pictures of the whole home. It’s not done yet, though! Wine racks for storage were an important piece on the client’s wish list. We tucked them in along with some beautiful wood floating shelves and a rustic wood mantel. Stay tuned for the final reveal on those…

flooring

In the photo above, you can get a small glimpse of the flooring installed. We went with a laminate floor in a dark chocolate brown. It was some of the most realistic laminate I’ve seen! It had great rustic patches that will help hide dirt while also adding character to the clean white space. One of my favorite tricks is doing a darker floor with lighter walls because it makes a space feel bigger! Here’s another picture of the flooring…

COUNTERS ARE INSTALLED!

Let’s get back to the kitchen! Quartz countertops (shown installed above) are pretty much my favorite, but I usually stick to simple patterns and colors. This client wanted to shake things up a bit though by finding something with more pattern and color variation. We found something with a creamy undertone that had patches and speckles of brown and white. It definitely helped us reach that traditional aesthetic that the clients also liked!

Can you guess the backsplash we selected? Head on over to the final reveal to see if you’re right!

July 21, 2018September 14, 2019

Burroughs Road Remodel: “Before”

One of my favorite things to do as I wrap up a project is to go back and look at where we started. When you are going through a renovation, often for months, it’s easy to forget what was once there in the first place. These clients had been living in the home for 20 years! They actually had the home built for them and helped select the original finishes. I’m sure it would still be a shock for them to look at the difference of their new kitchen in comparison to the old…I love having a record of the progression!

This kitchen was twenty-years old with builders-grade style finishes and fixtures. While the clients initially struggled to define their style, we did some digging by having them take the style quiz as well as the in-depth style assessment offered with our design services. The results pointed us in the very prominent direction of a traditional style with farmhouse touches. This was perfect considering the home was located on some dreamy acreage north of town.

A CABINETRY CONUNDRUM

What started as a plan to refinish the cabinets, we did quote comparisons of refinishing the cabinets versus ordering new. Sure enough, like others who have gone through this process, we decided it was a small upgrade to going with new cabinets. This was good for many reasons…1) the style of the cabinet doors was outdated. 2) there were many gaps and fillers or homemade components to their existing cabinets. 3) it was only a matter of time before the age of these cabinets started to show and break down. So, cabinets got torn out for reuse somewhere else.

PLANNING FOR FIXTURES & FINISHES

The original counters were laminate, which definitely needed to be upgraded. The plumbing and lighting fixtures were old, worn, and outdated as well. For budget reasons, we kept the existing fluorescent lighting. However, a little cleaning and replacing of bulbs helped freshen them up. Part of the way through planning, the clients decided to get new appliances, too!

The flooring throughout the first level also needed to be replaced. It was Pergo flooring and had started to pop and gap in areas. Later, in the lower living room, we noticed a large sink hole in the corner by the stairs. This gave us all a big scare, but was fixed with a bit of concrete and leveling. Instead of putting the old carpet back down, we decided to use the same flooring we selected for the kitchen.This, in addition to painting the whole level the same color, really helped the home feel cohesive.

A FORMAL DINING SPACE

The layout of this home is incredibly common for spec homes in our area. But the homeowners didn’t need two living rooms! What they really needed was a dining room that could fit more than four people. We decided to take over the formal living room and turn it into a dining room. The client had a beautiful extra long and live-edge table that was made by her dad using exotic wood. It would fit in the space perfectly and allow them to entertain and host gatherings during the holidays. This space also had a fireplace, although it was small in scale for the size of the room. It needed some finish updates as well, which was the perfect opportunity to enhance the whole space.

Overall, this first floor of the home expanded into a bigger project than we initially planned. But every decision ended up making sense! Homes with these large, open floor plans are hard to “cut off” when renovating. This is because some materials continue to the next room (wall colors, flooring, trim, etc.). However, take a peek at the progress photos for how we achieved a cohesive feel in the wide open space!

June 30, 2015September 14, 2019

Golden Road Residence: Progress Update

There are so many areas of this home to cover! Many are still a work in progress. So I decided to share the other spaces that are moving right along. These include the laundry room, office, and man cave.

THE LAUNDRY ROOM

The laundry room was a fun farmhouse space that needed to provide serious storage and functionality into a small space. With some creative space planning and custom cabinetry, we were able to fit in all the amenities the clients wanted. This included two dog kennels (in each corner), a dog-washing station, a built-in desk, and cleaning supply closet.

THE OFFICE

The home office was primarily for the husband, who wanted that rustic cozy style carried into the space. We looked at unique finishes for the cabinets and even cooler pieces such as a desk top made of bullet-proof glass. Ah, the progress pictures are just so dark, unfortunately! Since this space is not included in the final project reveal (lighting was nearly impossible), I will share a few images of it here!

THE MAN CAVE

This next part of the project, the “man cave,” is one that is so unique and I was thrilled to do the designs. The client had an opportunity of several small unused storage spaces in their home that we reworked to make one large man cave/hidden gun room. The drywall is up and locking safe doors are installed, including a unique ship-door which leads to a fire-safe space under the stairs. It will provide storage for important documents and family memory keepsakes. We continued to utilize Dare Designs for fabrication of the pieces in this space. This included custom cabinets, gun racks, and a metal focal wall.

AN OUTDOOR OASIS

And finally! As the interior wraps up, the outdoor spaces begin claiming our focus. Summer is around the corner, so the outdoor kitchen and sitting area have started construction. The kitchen will include a sink, grill, under counter refrigerator, and bar seating. The sitting area will have a large fireplace and TV, perfect for outdoor relaxation and entertainment. Large stone work matching the interior spaces will bring some cohesiveness to the interior and exterior spaces, which is always important!

I came by what seemed like a few days later and look how cute and inviting this outdoor oasis has become! This is a family who loves to entertain and will open their entire backyard up for play and gatherings. What an awesome design for them to really be able to utilize the space they have and offer their guests the best!

Check out the final reveal of the entire home right here…Golden Road Residence: Project Reveal!

June 9, 2015September 14, 2019

Golden Road Residence: Demolition

The Golden Road Residence clients were partially through a master suite remodel when they reached out to me. They wanted help for pursuing renovations of the rest of their home and I was excited to help! Since contractors were already on-site, I barely finished the design plans before demolition started happening! Because of this, I didn’t get true “before” photographs, besides these few that the client sent me. But WOW! How did we get from this to the final reveal!? Here’s a behind the scenes look at the Golden Road Residence.

Demolition Begins

The picture below shows the kitchen stripped of the original cabinets and wood ceiling. I usually like to keep wood ceilings in homes. Unfortunately, because we removed the fluorescent lights, we decided to pull the wood out and replace with something different. In general, this stage of demolition is my favorite. Seeing the space cleared out and having a big open room is the first step in feeling the new design come to life.

Framing the New Space

Next, in the back left corner of the room, you can see the new framing that closes off the second entry point to the kitchen. During the design phase, we looked at several floor plans that left this space open. Ultimately, we decided that the best plan was to close it up. By doing so, it allowed us to use the back wall as a balanced focal point and add additional storage into the space. In this photo, you can also see the start of new finishes installed. We added blue pine (“beetlekill”) to the ceiling with recessed cans to replace the original fluorescent ceiling lights. Last, little tweaks in other areas of the home offer a custom feel yet provide a lot in the sense of functionality. As an example, this nook would eventually host a new media center with storage.

New Opportunities for an Old Basement

The basement, which started as several awkward spaces, was re-framed to divide the space into more functional rooms. This includes a recreation space, a family movie room, and a hidden “man cave.” This special room also has fun features planned, such as an old submarine door leading to a fireproof area to protect family documents and memories.

Interested in seeing the finishes added to the space? Click here for the next progress update and view the most beautiful reclaimed barn wood floors and custom cabinetry. If you just want to get to the final reveal, the post is here!