Quick Powder Room Update!

I haven't written a blog post for almost two months, wow... So let's not dilly dally! In a large project of mine, there are a couple of powder rooms where we want updates without the expense, as we are putting quite a bit of expense into the main living areas. I'm thrilled the way they both are coming together. One is completely done, and the other is just awaiting artwork. I'll do the one that is awaiting artwork in a future post. Really! I promise! Yes, for sure!

BEFORE

What we called, the "Black" bathroom. Kind of a perfect before and after since it's near Halloween, huh?

Black, white, gold faux painted walls, sconces and shades, mirror, and pleated shade on the window. EVERYTHING, everything (ok almost) had this texture applied to it.

Here is a closeup of the treatment. Not only was it dark, and overdone, but a glossy finish had been applied to the top. Eeeek!

There was barely any light in the room because the metal sconce shades, which don't transmit much light anyway, had been painted black. Since the bathroom faces the front door entry, you couldn't really keep the shade up. The off white floor and white ceiling/trim only made the situation worse.

Lovely little cabinet that I removed and did not replace. Not particularly attractive either.

AFTER!!

Now called the "Lotus" bathroom. I kept the flooring, white pedestal sink and white toilet. I also kept the gold and black faucet, a truly wonderful design. I also kept the gold towel bar and ring. Ta-daa!

It's now a little jewel box! I installed a new mirror and new Jonathan Adler bamboo inspired sconces. 

I had the ceiling "de-popcorned" and painted a metallic gold. I also installed much larger artwork tying in the black. Incidentally, the wallpaper is called Lotus, and as I was about to have the artwork installed, I noticed on the back it was called Lotus too! How serendipitous!

The rug is a wool/silk blend that is a strike off or sample for a much larger rug. I love using these for bathrooms, powder rooms, etc. I have them all over my house. The quality and richness is amazing and truly elevates the status of a bathroom. Often, higher quality rug places will have these for sale for almost nothing! The shade is a simple gold colored pleated shade in the top down/bottom up style since this bathroom faces the front of the house. It still lets in plenty of light, which is probably why it's hard to even notice in the down position here.

Since there's no storage with a pedestal sink, and this bathroom is larger than your typical powder room, I got this cute little cabinet for TP and extra towel storage (contemplating switching out the towels to a darker color...hmmm...thoughts?).

Well, what do you think? Success? I know I'm super excited with the outcome!

Later!! Susan

Study Spaces

So here we are...taking my son to his 2nd year of college...already!!. A good friend of mine told me the college years went faster than the high school years, and she wasn't kidding!! For those of you in the midst of the same, or even if you are preparing your school age child's home space for studying, below are a few wonderful examples of work and study spaces for every style. Check it out!

This would be my favorite spot, feeling the heat of the sun rays coming through the window, hot tea, my favorite design mag...and wait, yawn, I think I'm ready to nap...

How about rough and ready? A little industrial style for a more rugged look.

You can never, ever go wrong with the extremely affordable Ikea Expedit system for storage. Loads of desk space doesn't hurt either!

A little old world flavor perhaps? Sometimes all we need is a cozy chair, light and a throw.

Need a little bit more room than a chair? A sofa with a large coffee table works wonders for studying! Love the world map mural!

Isn't this a clever nook with a bit of both worlds? Desk and lounge spaces in one!

I'm really in love with this one. A bit more open than a closet yet it still has the flavor of it's own little reading nook, and the architectural accent above to give it true savoir faire!

I've seen this pic before and it has always been one of my faves. Super cozy and inviting! However, in my house, it would be inhabitable due to total cat takeover and layers of cat fur!

If your child really likes feeling cozy, even a single door closet can become a personal study space!

Good luck to all students this coming year!!!

Toodles! Susan

All images via Pinterest or Houzz.

Sneak Peek: Music Room/Library

Today, I'm giving you a sneak peek into a music room/library I am designing. You can see my color palette of turquoise and chartreuse here in the reupholstery pic (yes a tad blurry...sorry) of one of the sofas. There will also be grey and a tiny proportion of lavender. You'll have to stay tuned for the final look!!

Have a "COLORFUL" week!!!

***Susan***

Island Project

Hi,

I know I have been so delinquent in blog posts this summer...it's been very busy in the design biz so that's a good thing, huh? I keep telling myself just do a quick little blurb with one pic just to keep it going, but sometimes that's just not enough of an incentive.  However, I'm not giving up on that idea yet!!

Here are some pics of a fabulous project I am currently working on. So far, we have the custom 108" long ( yep it's a biggie!) Caperton sofa with F. Schumacher burnt orange velvet installed, and the Bernhardt cocktail and side tables. Both tables are new pieces for Bernhardt and I love them. Need I say so did my clients' grandkids, as the first thing they did was crawl back and forth through the large hole! Stay tuned for more -- lots to come!!

Toodles!!!!!!

Susan

A Contemporary, Colorful Living Room

Hello my fabulous blog followers!

Below are pics of a living room I recently completed. It is in the same house as the kitchen from my last post. The final piece for this living room took awhile. It was finding just the right table for the corner in between the two purple sofas. With those high arms on the sofas, we knew the table had to be fairly high for function, but if it was the same height as the arms, it would look awkward...happy balance time! We also really wanted a pop of copper on top (say that 5 times fast :) to tie in the chairs and complement the purple sofas. I really like the Asian art and the Asian feel of the table lamp. Both of those features soften or take the edge off of the contemporary lines and add more visual depth. Enjoy!

 Keeping everything very geometric for a contemporary feel...also the nature of the architecture of the house.

 I love the windows in this house! Beautiful dichroic glass art on the coffee table by Designs by Shoshana. 

Looking into the dining room...tying the rooms together with red.

Off set wall hung shelves provide a nice place for art, family pics, and mementos.

Later, Susan

Finished Kitchen!

I'm sharing with you a kitchen I recently finished.  The home is a wonderfully designed architectural gem, and clients I have worked with for many years. The home has high ceilings, fabulous large windows, and an open but very warm and inviting environment...I love it! Enjoy!

 Stainless steel tile backsplash and granite countertops. I love how my woodworker Walt McHenry decided to continue the maple top trim of the cabinets around the cooktop hood!

 White laminate and maple cabinets with maple floors

 A look into the adjacent family room

 A closeup of the backsplash tiles and granite countertops

 Stainless appliances and cabinet hardware

 I can't decide if I like the pic better with the undercabinet lights off or...

on! So thought I'd include both! Now to find the perfect table and chairs!

Later! Susan

Redecker Hedgehog Brush

The Redecker Hedgehog Crumb Brush from Crate & Barrel. Get it here!

Isn't this just the cutest crumb brush ever? Not that many of us really take the time to get out a particular utensil to brush the crumbs off our tables. In fact, that's the one pet peeve my dear hubby has when we go to a nice restaurant...the crumb brushing..."really, is that necessary". Of course, at the restaurants, they use the bent metal type apparatus called a Crumb Catcher...not quite as appealing!

I don't think I would ever really use a crumb "catcher" or "brush", but it's just so cute! Only $12.95 and ships for free! What else could I use it for?? What would you use it for if not for crumbs? Let's think of something. I need some rationalization for buying this cute little creature!

Enjoy the weekend!!

XOXO Susan