Three Before and After's

 I love this time of year, business wise in particular, it is full of design work, planning for the year, catching up, finding long forgotten "to-do's" (still left un-done), and supposedly organizing,…..the latter skill eludes me!

 We are in the endless planning stages because.......
 2019 is our 30th, year in business! 

Stay in touch, we have some great parties and workshops coming up to celebrate, and finally, a new website,  well shortly.

                     

Here are a few recent projects

NOTE: all photographs, except the last project, are with my old IPhone....sorry

Powder Room Before

It happens.....we decorate, sit back satisfied, then time goes, and goes, so fast that one day something makes us look anew. Suddenly we have to redecorate, NOW.  This is a client's, but my own powder room also needs a re-do after 23 years.... stay tuned!

Wallpaper borders were huge in the 80's, as was coordinating wallpaper patterns. One could open a wallpaper book and see 3-4 options, pleased that trend has long passed

And now.....

The border rails are gone for a more sophisticated look

The new wallpaper is by Thibaut, 'Augustine Brown'. 

I like a starting point, it could be a rug, sofa upholstery, even a pillow, or in this case, the wallpaper. Once the prominent element has been chosen, you have a key to play off of. 

The old light fixture

The ceiling is painted in one of the colors in the paper. For a powder room, erring on the edge of dramatic, is a better option than safe. I love this ceiling fixture, look at those shadows. The gold fixture mirrors the shimmering gold in the wallpaper

 As do these, I have had a long love affair with these accents we carry,  inexpensive and very effective. The battery operated taper fits perfectly, and the gold elements in the paper positively glow

 The antique, every room, should have at least one, for patina, originality, and for the back story.

 Handmade 19thc shell art from Rome

When I re-do my powder room, this is the paper, Brunschwig and Fils 'XIAN'.  

 In person, it is positively charming

 ONTO THE NEXT PROJECT.....AND THIS INVOLVES "MAGIC"

Recently my assistant Gerrit, and I went to a clients home to Stylize. It is a fun process whereas we arrive ready to move furniture, if necessary,  to style bookcases, tabletops, cabinets, move art, and add  elements to provide a new look. Anything within our realm.
With this client, much was accomplished by rearranging the existing furniture, the space was virtually a new room appearing more expansive while creating two distinct conversation areas

For Phase Two, we recommend painting the expansive picture window trim black, and painting the walls white, plus the addition of new lighting fixtures. (scroll back up to revisit the current scheme)

 Can you see the difference, isn't it a wow factor?! Instant visualization for the client. These graphics were created by our brilliant designer Gerrit. Via his magic, he provided a visual, showing the client what the room can look like with black trim and white walls.

All with a different fixture

Here is another fixture

Which light fixture do you like? I have a clear favorite...the last one

                                                               Third Project

While offering a design consultation, my client expressed uncertainty about a lamp of hers.This lamp came from my shop eons ago, the taupe base, wore a shade with now faded birds inside the shade which itself was a taupe, all screaming 1980's

 Feeling a need to 'use my hands' this project come home with me for a transformation.
Chalk paint, by Amy Howard, in black began the base

 Now onto the shade itself. Amy Howard gold gild sheets were added to the interior of the shade. Not difficult to do but time-consuming with 2 layers to more in spots.
I lay this on, overlapping as I go, lightly press so that it adheres and let thoroughly dry.
Once dry take a paint brush and go back and forth until all loose ends have been dusted off

 Going, going, gone are the birds

A gilded interior positively glows when lit. AG

For a full update, I painted the shade, Amy Howard paint, watered down, 3 parts paint, 1 part water. The shade reads fresh, and clean with it's texture intact.

NEXT EVENT.........

AT THE HISTORIC DUNHAM WOODS RIDING CLUB, WE ARE HOSTING 

A 'MAKE AND TAKE' EVENT, 'POT ET FLEUR'

A VICTORIAN ERA ART FORM, BROUGHT TO TODAY'S LIFESTYLES

We will create a beautiful fresh arrangement using live foliage plants that will always look good, with the addition of floral stems this centerpiece will take you from season to season, all year long

We will also chat Outdoor Containers, our tips,  tricks and combinations for success!

$64.00

limited containers

RSVP  .......  630.232.1303

Have a great week.......another freezing one here!
Debra