The Ranch: Dining Nook to Hearth Room

<br />Have you ever heard the term Hearth Room? Back in the day, this was the space where the family gathered, the true heart of the home, all centred around the fireplace. Now we generally have the family room, which is larger, located well off the kitchen, and tends to centre around the television. Those small intimate rooms had such a welcoming, come-home feel, and sometimes we lose that in todays larger spaces.<br /><br />I recently had a client contact me with an interesting space. She had an open kitchen, with a space located off the cooking area that was surely meant as a dining area by the original builder. In this home, however, a mature couple with grown children and grandchildren, they dined in the dining room, and used the space as a hearth room.  It contains a wood stove which is lit daily, is fairly narrow in proportion, and the design must include a large cabinet that was a family heirloom.  The current furniture layout did not provide a conversational area. The home is situated on a working ranch, and gets lots of use by the residents, visiting family and friends, and their furry friends! This where they most often entertain guests and relax at the end of a long day of hard work.  J suggested most often the space would be used by two or four adults, and little ones that visited. The current furniture had seen better days, and the lady of the house was ready for a change! I came to see very quickly that J embodies the term gracious, and I wanted to give her and her husband a space where they could truly recharge, and that worked well for conversation with guests.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJtEUFHzA4H1QcWYob-OW3e4uUsbYs5D4urXHoM2nt4dTK198lVU8y_kp6hio312qOJ5Yl1T_kCBOlUOSKcQPW4zt-2XnJWFJsXnH8zab1XWmoQulCenSVEKSiQiFmrfh4bU9BQyERGU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+9.56.59+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJtEUFHzA4H1QcWYob-OW3e4uUsbYs5D4urXHoM2nt4dTK198lVU8y_kp6hio312qOJ5Yl1T_kCBOlUOSKcQPW4zt-2XnJWFJsXnH8zab1XWmoQulCenSVEKSiQiFmrfh4bU9BQyERGU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+9.56.59+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEEBP-7ZJdLpOrvEZJ4BsgoVuI87L8bDEguj1HvMQgS2wjmp07ofSjaKjdxZwlsm4581ezEkBaG2OAaLDfKd5-BMOzg6c1S-idHtmdIkLVTCnbHmBGqLemN49N1XISlrEkwMeI2A07Xk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+9.58.32+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEEBP-7ZJdLpOrvEZJ4BsgoVuI87L8bDEguj1HvMQgS2wjmp07ofSjaKjdxZwlsm4581ezEkBaG2OAaLDfKd5-BMOzg6c1S-idHtmdIkLVTCnbHmBGqLemN49N1XISlrEkwMeI2A07Xk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+9.58.32+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />The first layout I suggested involved moving the large cabinet to another wall of the space, creating a different proportion in the room, that allowed for a sofa and two chairs to be paired facing each other.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnYTpluu7Mdnz3chDlwfzlZCF9tdKK0sAckDAyGp1gwnbNNuRSLEh37PFIPUnq6rev7p0Y8keP_-idTZGBNOoroJksJnKA7Mi3z3bAmUPKrAo9FdqS-2f7o7vfikg4bI8W82_KOK7-Pw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-08+at+10.00.25+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnYTpluu7Mdnz3chDlwfzlZCF9tdKK0sAckDAyGp1gwnbNNuRSLEh37PFIPUnq6rev7p0Y8keP_-idTZGBNOoroJksJnKA7Mi3z3bAmUPKrAo9FdqS-2f7o7vfikg4bI8W82_KOK7-Pw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-08+at+10.00.25+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>J had struggled with the colour of the wood stove for many years. A true fan of warm earth tones, the navy stove was not working with the other colors in the space. J has gorgeous pine plank floors, wood kitchen cabinetry, and black stone counters with a warm neutral tile backsplash. We are working with yellow/orange tones in the woods, and slightly cooler neutrals on the tile. J had suggested she was open to bringing in greys here, however the rest of her home is warm and earthy. The large cabinet is a true antique barn red, which must be incorporated here, with the blue. Grey wasn't ring to work, but the walls could go a cooler beige, heading into the greige category, which would provide a soft backdrop. As the walls are similar in tone to the kitchen cabinetry, they don't divide the space visually, creating a more cohesive, larger feel.<br /><br />Leather is perfect for the sofa, in a warm rich caramel, which is durable and will only look better with age and use.  Two wicker chairs add some texture and a little interest. An small black bench J already had would work as a coffee table, and we would bring in some pattern in textiles to work in the blue and red.<br /><br />A large photo positioned over the sofa would ensure this was the focal wall, and we could now add two wall mounted sconces, in a flat black iron finish, to address the need for softer evening lighting. A ranch needs horses, right? I had a particular piece in mind from a very recent art consult, which I will share shortly.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPbJU4X1vmTHvXL7ydet3fSY8bUm3dgMajsJ9cL6X6VHays1UpQsDkkGhZj26iNLhLMcLTgo37VvgT4SEo_vi5Qspa-llZ3_IqWBkP17TMbavkN1VJZYpA8_73BDhkcGLWpl8hfIOcLE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-09+at+2.01.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPbJU4X1vmTHvXL7ydet3fSY8bUm3dgMajsJ9cL6X6VHays1UpQsDkkGhZj26iNLhLMcLTgo37VvgT4SEo_vi5Qspa-llZ3_IqWBkP17TMbavkN1VJZYpA8_73BDhkcGLWpl8hfIOcLE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-09+at+2.01.20+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />J responded that she loved the palette and finishes, but that she had tried to place that cabinet on the side wall previously, and it did not work. She was completely right, it was far to large for that wall. This is where the back and forth comes in, something I love about the online process, we can work to find the best solution, instead of you just receiving a single design. J said that it could be moved to another space if need be, but I knew that in her heart she wanted it there, as it reminded her of her Grandfather, clearly a man she had loved dearly.  I needed to find a better layout that would allow the cabinet to remain in place.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSFc9NPefQgRWM416BgMPhwMDNXvglm687jyrBe3mJ-vNTMvStihOWz5u5GTnuN6wOkd2sSISuJ6s6MBykou4-B0eM8WcBmR9ch2ctNlXcZb4tzcbkUbq2p1Qh-LYWZMzh_YvW-4H5HI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+9.59.56+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSFc9NPefQgRWM416BgMPhwMDNXvglm687jyrBe3mJ-vNTMvStihOWz5u5GTnuN6wOkd2sSISuJ6s6MBykou4-B0eM8WcBmR9ch2ctNlXcZb4tzcbkUbq2p1Qh-LYWZMzh_YvW-4H5HI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+9.59.56+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><br />I suggested something a little less conventional, placing four chairs in a grouping in the centre of the space, circling and round coffee table. By using this type of floor plan, we could provide seating for four very comfortably, and would include some ottomans tucked into the coffee table for footstools and as occasional seating for little ones. We would add a low bookcase on the side wall, and place lighting and the artwork there. J could display some of her favourite quilts on the shelves, as well as the games and books that would be used in the space. This is a great solution because the room remains open and inviting, but allows for intimate conversation.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lz92uf6qPStSFe68Iax3XzGpIX6nI5ERcU7FSmlpbDynreJknZagdKoI78MYu1dQl8cvy4ndRk5WEfgod5HXX55BXjLA6d8XbG-BBJJ-C5UWPDn1jfI00HivWQ4CiaZcxIzFxYWdJxI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-14+at+9.00.50+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lz92uf6qPStSFe68Iax3XzGpIX6nI5ERcU7FSmlpbDynreJknZagdKoI78MYu1dQl8cvy4ndRk5WEfgod5HXX55BXjLA6d8XbG-BBJJ-C5UWPDn1jfI00HivWQ4CiaZcxIzFxYWdJxI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-14+at+9.00.50+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Four matching leather chairs, in the warm caramel tone, form the base grouping. The key to this working, proportionally, is choosing chairs with wide seats, for comfort, and narrow arms, to keep their footprint fairly narrow.  The round table works for ease of movement, and a piece with reclaimed wood top and metal base keeps it light visually, and would tie in the countertops and lighting as well as the more rustic pieces in J's home.  J was very happy with everything, and went to to get a paint sample. Although she did not love the color on the paint chip, once she got it on the walls she loved it :) J painted her walls right away, and began to look locally for the leather chairs.  Once she those she will move onto ordering the other pieces.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjz4yPNl81rZ39nJ9bLn1q0LKWjm3j1pjijvA1XsWrk_qSsdUH4_nFl5kyCFFF_uv793OAJjAHGu6a4rHKtbp4YrT46E2sXwdq24fJLBtryB0_1By0lIqJK6f6riLzVh1CbAkGd_jynZs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-14+at+9.55.08+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjz4yPNl81rZ39nJ9bLn1q0LKWjm3j1pjijvA1XsWrk_qSsdUH4_nFl5kyCFFF_uv793OAJjAHGu6a4rHKtbp4YrT46E2sXwdq24fJLBtryB0_1By0lIqJK6f6riLzVh1CbAkGd_jynZs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-14+at+9.55.08+AM.png" width="522" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: xx-small;">The paint colour used here is Benjamin Moore <a href="http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/cc-90" target="_blank">Natural Linen</a> 966.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: xx-small;">The beautiful photograph is from <a href="http://shop.kararosenlund.com/product/wild-horses-photographic-print" target="_blank">Kara Rosenlund</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: xx-small;">The <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/product/round+wood+hairpin+coffee+table.do?&from=fn" target="_blank">table</a> and <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/product/antique-black-verona-two-shelf-bookshelf.do?&from=fn" target="_blank">bookcase</a> are from World Market.</span></div><br /><br />Nothing beats the moment when a client goes from "what do I do with this space?" to "I can't wait to get started on this space!".  It happens during every consult, and to hear the excitement and happiness that my clients are feeling is the reason I love my job! Our homes should make us happy, right? That's my goal, making sure they do...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Have great day! Will try to post about a few other consults shortly :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Am always getting requests for examples of the online process…  x am</div><br />

The Ranch: Dining Nook to Hearth Room

Have you ever heard the term Hearth Room? Back in the day, this was the space where the family gathered, the true heart of the home, all cen...

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Online Consult: Give a Standard Master Ensuite Bathroom Some Personality

<br />Hello everyone! Have been very busy trying to wrap up some projects before the holidays, always a mad rush, isn't it? I'm going to make a real effort to share more online consults with you, as they are becoming the mainstay of my business, and we all love to see design boards, right?!! This one is fairly recent, and with all of us entertaining over the holidays, a few of us (myself included) may want to do a little sprucing up in the loo!<br /><br />Bathrooms often are the last rooms we look at in our homes. Slap some colour on the wall, hang a shelf or cabinet, maybe swap out the mirror, and we're done, right? Well, not for this client! Let's call her A, shall we? While A had already completed the rest of her home on her own, she really wanted her Master Ensuite to have some personality. Her question: could we bring a standard bathroom up to the level of her other rooms? This consultation, like many online consultations, morphed from a Color Consult into a Design Consult as we progressed. The beauty of working online is that I can accommodate any time frame, from days to months, and we can bounce ideas back and forth until the client is completely satisfied. I'm amazed how much my online service has grown, and have to send out a huge thank you to all of my amazing clients!!<br /><br />A's home is located in a historical building which has been converted into lofts, complete with beautiful wood beams and original fireplaces, etc… really great bones. This particle room did not include any period architecture, but the builder had used clean-lined modern fixtures and sleek tile, so we had a nice base to work with.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbKCCeOYuYr15Acj5jfQetr5M8ip_bjol1hGcyoX0p5B0OKDNaQQFNIF7ygjSYMtDS73yWk95b_Zc6c5QQH9RUt1IdNXDfYURGfAJeRj3y8iCArQAd0BMY4ZKDlgS2-T1y0Vgfgic9Yk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+9.31.55+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbKCCeOYuYr15Acj5jfQetr5M8ip_bjol1hGcyoX0p5B0OKDNaQQFNIF7ygjSYMtDS73yWk95b_Zc6c5QQH9RUt1IdNXDfYURGfAJeRj3y8iCArQAd0BMY4ZKDlgS2-T1y0Vgfgic9Yk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+9.31.55+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><br />In terms of personal preference, A wanted to add a grey to the walls, and was up for a darker tone, which would complement her bedroom (painted in BM San Antonio Gray) and other spaces. Other than that, she was open for ideas on how to decorate the walls, etc.<br /><br />The darker grey walls work in this small space because there is a fair amount of warm natural light, large swathes of white fixtures, and that large mirror over the vanity. I recommended Chelsea Gray, Benjamin Moore HC 168, which would complement the San Antonio Gray bedroom walls.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkF9XVTUqQz769OLYVYsLxvbuuB5GTEUizhN41FjghyphenhyphenxyD7E1mBZ8kzEWiXPz5x67Ks4GHml22lviKwH4nUApq5NNUDP7NvnysVZKRfSwSDzDPnT1XgTzsZtQbGCq4yf6GxSSHZuURDZs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+9.45.00+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkF9XVTUqQz769OLYVYsLxvbuuB5GTEUizhN41FjghyphenhyphenxyD7E1mBZ8kzEWiXPz5x67Ks4GHml22lviKwH4nUApq5NNUDP7NvnysVZKRfSwSDzDPnT1XgTzsZtQbGCq4yf6GxSSHZuURDZs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+9.45.00+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />The first thing that I suggested is to bring some wood into the space, as reclaimed and timeworn woods are a large part of the aesthetic of the rest of the home. A few examples of the palette at work were included to show A.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJFVPB7WHxJ-bV22Vu0PrJrdxOYCgR8FbSziXlxPN4YrtTbV8jlGIzAKWU3QNcH3hzpqpWbdRcpcH_73D2CoJ-tI8kaGqst1qbfyDvhjLkXTGEvl6VKL3B_-pICDhMNzh0cDREBWf4fk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+9.46.29+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJFVPB7WHxJ-bV22Vu0PrJrdxOYCgR8FbSziXlxPN4YrtTbV8jlGIzAKWU3QNcH3hzpqpWbdRcpcH_73D2CoJ-tI8kaGqst1qbfyDvhjLkXTGEvl6VKL3B_-pICDhMNzh0cDREBWf4fk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+9.46.29+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Since we had to look at finished or replacing the large builder mirror, the frame for this was a natural placement for the wood element. I suggested a few options. The first was to frame out the existing mirror. The second was to layer a wood framed mirror over top of the existing mirror.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrG6NTJzkaK-unhMfA7eXnb4ecyB80X_-l45U1V_-Y5pEesu5q4nUlCQnJsUzYMlmMqYlx7aalnScbPhEUhrv_RmBmxdYxk3B73AHZAVitN_C9p3o3lNQdD_NfmGrRRHN-NT5lZCa8W0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+9.48.27+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrG6NTJzkaK-unhMfA7eXnb4ecyB80X_-l45U1V_-Y5pEesu5q4nUlCQnJsUzYMlmMqYlx7aalnScbPhEUhrv_RmBmxdYxk3B73AHZAVitN_C9p3o3lNQdD_NfmGrRRHN-NT5lZCa8W0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+9.48.27+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefO6oFEpLR56viEumoVyHSgy8nrQJc2QgE-aaPgyDlA5cuZShUhyphenhyphenRYfuj0jEW0tTr2-CSBRCcE46jd-Wlc2nYog0uo5bhFa0BFpVKyzAWn-rXu6xRpO7BA-noMpDMBg3t9ixFjF0ZxFE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+9.49.55+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefO6oFEpLR56viEumoVyHSgy8nrQJc2QgE-aaPgyDlA5cuZShUhyphenhyphenRYfuj0jEW0tTr2-CSBRCcE46jd-Wlc2nYog0uo5bhFa0BFpVKyzAWn-rXu6xRpO7BA-noMpDMBg3t9ixFjF0ZxFE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+9.49.55+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Bringing in some darker metal elements would reference the feel of her main living space. I suggested a  small wall cabinet or shelf over her toilet, in/on which she could place white towels and accessories to again bring that freshness back into the space. A did not like here existing towels hook beside the sink, which was rather largely proportioned. I suggested a modern hook option here, something unexpected to add interest.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWjpv7FKh9NnhagZdfrDb1CR_PPxsnKG75t4EjMVijofV9nWGS7JWkd-5gAYf5KaCFoj5ND7Rj5ev0gFkoc1_bgy-afHUJxpQAgbtQFUrFKaWgtuf6Oo3vRdKaZXvWipN8tHVRfEZGXA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+9.52.22+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWjpv7FKh9NnhagZdfrDb1CR_PPxsnKG75t4EjMVijofV9nWGS7JWkd-5gAYf5KaCFoj5ND7Rj5ev0gFkoc1_bgy-afHUJxpQAgbtQFUrFKaWgtuf6Oo3vRdKaZXvWipN8tHVRfEZGXA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+9.52.22+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscKgLIdgC9AukdOJWLBKttqKptKpklZF0xDGlnG03bH4z0DRo-sBjRuQugFaRY-nrtZoAFxhv0AK4V6zkxnyb-FCG28W9e0vNksdsr5V6WUrpZWjdfMbLr91DqUhg8IJ7YlMiWbUweCE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+9.53.26+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscKgLIdgC9AukdOJWLBKttqKptKpklZF0xDGlnG03bH4z0DRo-sBjRuQugFaRY-nrtZoAFxhv0AK4V6zkxnyb-FCG28W9e0vNksdsr5V6WUrpZWjdfMbLr91DqUhg8IJ7YlMiWbUweCE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+9.53.26+AM.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGhPw1h_rWqYnm0P_3VNRteybglv25Q_E0nZYmA7btIKkWUmoKqT0Ws96LRY8v-Y8KKBJgzKaHN3LY9uk9S-AKnqgtjwyKuwD_awuYjJ5LWxfQDnrd7IjT28X8Uww3RI-QKOh2Xhv3pI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+9.54.08+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGhPw1h_rWqYnm0P_3VNRteybglv25Q_E0nZYmA7btIKkWUmoKqT0Ws96LRY8v-Y8KKBJgzKaHN3LY9uk9S-AKnqgtjwyKuwD_awuYjJ5LWxfQDnrd7IjT28X8Uww3RI-QKOh2Xhv3pI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+9.54.08+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><br />After looking at all my recommendations, A decided the paint was perfect, and she would frame out the mirror in wood, She had found some <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/211583255/set-of-two-modern-brass-wall-hook-plus?ref=pr_shop" target="_blank"><b>towel hooks</b></a> on Etsy that she loved, and wanted work in gold to the mix. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQEasIuCijnj0tXjpILstJ8R4efBbms-aoWnrQAWCCfW32V61UO0JujjtNfuwqYFBpvGG_astthyphenhyphen0X0RpVZZ0znXMdSpt3wqnCA3_cHf0IRMt_A7DEmAyliyfZh2PMT_RQ1uRk7UkpUE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+10.15.08+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQEasIuCijnj0tXjpILstJ8R4efBbms-aoWnrQAWCCfW32V61UO0JujjtNfuwqYFBpvGG_astthyphenhyphen0X0RpVZZ0znXMdSpt3wqnCA3_cHf0IRMt_A7DEmAyliyfZh2PMT_RQ1uRk7UkpUE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+10.15.08+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><br />Also, she decided she did not want additional storage, and asked if an art wall would work over the toilet in lieu of the shelf. The area is 36" x 36".<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJWiIV55a17ruI71zFhgMaTHbXsbqKfqtEnWmTix1mbOHHLd_Q3qCGsJewY-pz-qX1hK1Jad_VJluvv-cbNPugfQEIY6FXPbK8HwDjzMTurzmJdi-QoQgPVCZb-gRVs4R7foTdvkgp7I/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+10.09.42+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJWiIV55a17ruI71zFhgMaTHbXsbqKfqtEnWmTix1mbOHHLd_Q3qCGsJewY-pz-qX1hK1Jad_VJluvv-cbNPugfQEIY6FXPbK8HwDjzMTurzmJdi-QoQgPVCZb-gRVs4R7foTdvkgp7I/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+10.09.42+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><br />Why not? I'm huge fan of art in every space, a room without art is not complete! This offered an opportunity to repeat the varied metal elements, as well.  A mentioned liking the prints available on <b><a href="http://www.luluandgeorgia.com/walls" target="_blank">Lulu and Georgia</a></b>, and so that became the starting point for two gallery options. I chose two prints, the Booby Pin piece and the Oh Dear I love you, which A had especially liked, to begin.<br /><br /><br /> The first grouping was modern and playful, and worked in some colour. Two modern photographs (<b><a href="http://society6.com/product/up-side-down-3nm_print?tag=landscape#1=45" target="_blank">here</a></b> and <b><a href="http://society6.com/product/everyday-0sg_print#1=45" target="_blank">here</a></b>) flank the <b><a href="http://www.luluandgeorgia.com/walls/wall-art/oh-my-deer-print" target="_blank">Oh Deer</a></b> print, both referencing the mountains outside. A had mentioned wanting to include a letter, if possible, and so custom <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/163264728/handpainted-wooden-wall-letter?ref=shop_home_active_16&ga_search_query=m" target="_blank">wooden letter </a></b>from Etsy painted gold would add that bit of sparkle. Lastly, a fresh <b><a href="http://society6.com/product/colorflash-3_print?tag=graphic-design#1=45" target="_blank">fractal work</a></b> plays against the photos and grey walls, and keeps the grouping light and airy.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkd2JnG9ecU52MnAFd2UXIr0IrPSqUCSOy6vPgifYbXEni_gLn7RzICbctIlFeMbeDUrXYVBAjiDBfDBy2I16pdFaCvb1Iy-VSe7MrBCoj2vGdWwSqVEdGeLMRlNbyzvLPD_bCoa7fhCY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-13+at+6.45.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkd2JnG9ecU52MnAFd2UXIr0IrPSqUCSOy6vPgifYbXEni_gLn7RzICbctIlFeMbeDUrXYVBAjiDBfDBy2I16pdFaCvb1Iy-VSe7MrBCoj2vGdWwSqVEdGeLMRlNbyzvLPD_bCoa7fhCY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-13+at+6.45.27+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />The <b><a href="http://www.luluandgeorgia.com/walls/wall-art/bobby-pin-print" target="_blank">Bobby Pin</a></b> started off the second grouping, which is softer and more sophisticated. A <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/183360941/abstract-painting-watercolor-print?ref=shop_home_active_4" target="_blank">watercolor </a></b>becomes the central piece, the watery texture perfect for a bath. A small <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/176028019/butterfly-illustration-original-pen-and?ref=shop_home_active_5" target="_blank">pen and ink</a></b> adds some punctuation and balances the bobby pin print. A <b><a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=16403909&parentid=A_FURN_WALL#/" target="_blank">steel letter</a></b> tucks in without stealing the show, and an <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/155506431/light-up-original-oil-painting-landscape?ref=shop_home_feat_2" target="_blank">original oil</a></b> is absolutely stunning, working in all of our varied tones and adding some subtle colour here.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5eY9RvTp4_q_GJwgQkFOkKMIdcTd6zjXzqPj_X1wSGgGgkFP2om6upWVA-U38VX8U41ERncyWYnjXR4f8YYTVUXyRYTQFVbsFA6telkNZ9Ajkmumg1sE9oYE6Zg6SDnaoowLgzKZbd8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-13+at+7.19.03+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5eY9RvTp4_q_GJwgQkFOkKMIdcTd6zjXzqPj_X1wSGgGgkFP2om6upWVA-U38VX8U41ERncyWYnjXR4f8YYTVUXyRYTQFVbsFA6telkNZ9Ajkmumg1sE9oYE6Zg6SDnaoowLgzKZbd8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-13+at+7.19.03+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />A chose the second grouping, but her husband did not like the Bobby Pin print, so we needed to work in a replacement. I suggested a<b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/118926590/nude-number-4-fine-art-print-from-the?ref=shop_home_active_16" target="_blank"> nude</a></b>, which works with the more sophisticated feel of this group. After considering a few options, A chose this print, which is perfect.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEoalIXMZbRUPpW-s1fkSZNwVvmik61dyRDIYwSVL8_Sz4DP-CEMM4UCf8TaJUBvQyMwLZSTHJjwFXleAwoH2cCb4m4mvH2fgKWjIAwUk7jA5OFl6jw-71Ueen6YSyQ71zJAGg438K3Y/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+11.04.45+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEoalIXMZbRUPpW-s1fkSZNwVvmik61dyRDIYwSVL8_Sz4DP-CEMM4UCf8TaJUBvQyMwLZSTHJjwFXleAwoH2cCb4m4mvH2fgKWjIAwUk7jA5OFl6jw-71Ueen6YSyQ71zJAGg438K3Y/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+11.04.45+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><br />After receiving the art, A ordered some frames on Etsy. She chose <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/115834922/natural-reclaimed-oak-picture-frame-4x4?ref=shop_home_active_14" target="_blank">this</a> </b>wood frame for the abstract watercolor, and this gold frame for the painting.<br /><br />Now we just needed to finish up with another small piece of art for the entry wall, on the right side of the window. I suggested <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/201035268/grouse-feather-watercolor-in-a-vintage?ref=sr_gallery_2&ga_search_query=gold+frame&ga_page=5&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">this</a></b> original painting. The artist mounts each of her works in vintage frames which are included in the sale. It is a beautiful effect. A agreed. Yay! Love it when a client and myself are completely on the same page!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIE7kbe95Cpq7UBGri_Z8ltYLU4-8WEXi-u3J7cQbpclIyUkjP9Tit-dCE7Z6ZZDzwt20UPdIa-v0gJwdf0cEVezMx_qmOKP-7ATNw3rnZl4uR2GlUs_ZJ8kFErin3ui5SAlfdNkLrVyM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+10.56.50+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIE7kbe95Cpq7UBGri_Z8ltYLU4-8WEXi-u3J7cQbpclIyUkjP9Tit-dCE7Z6ZZDzwt20UPdIa-v0gJwdf0cEVezMx_qmOKP-7ATNw3rnZl4uR2GlUs_ZJ8kFErin3ui5SAlfdNkLrVyM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-15+at+10.56.50+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />And that wraps up the bathroom swish, lovelies! I hope you enjoyed, and maybe discovered a few new artists along the way…my apologies if I lured you into lost hours on Etsy - can never get away from once I begin exploring the art shops, lol.<br /><br />Wishing you all a lovely, Christmas-Carol-filled day - x am<br /><br /><br /><br />

Online Consult: Give a Standard Master Ensuite Bathroom Some Personality

Hello everyone! Have been very busy trying to wrap up some projects before the holidays, always a mad rush, isn't it? I'm going to m...

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Feng Shui in a Family Room

So this fall a really interesting client emailed requesting an online consult. K and her family have just recently moved into a new house, and are working toward creating a harmonious home incorporating Feng Shui.<br /><br />I was at once intrigued. I have a very loose knowledge of the Feng Shui principles, having applied certain bits to my own home. Even if you do not specifically subscribe to the belief that our homes have energy passing through them, and we can funnel that energy in ways that are beneficial to us, I think that anyone who is consciously working to create harmony and order in their home to better their life is probably applying this same effort in other areas of their life, and this will likely bring them some great results. There are also some facets of Feng Shui that simply reflect good design principles, such as incorporating mirrors to bounce light (or energy :) around, eliminating clutter and restricting your colour palette. There is also the familiarity factor: it may bring a certain sense of peace to a person knowing that specific areas of your home are always going to contain certain colours, for example.<br /><br />The first room K wanted to work on was her family room. A traditional modern family two-story, the family room is open to the kitchen/eating area.<br /><br />Here are some of the before shots:<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8sk7paok0t_-R1uqHRezn2XmBkIyka8aVOwZVyQZE1AEL7h97b7p0AGhfkEUQXsReJSRGA_KwjgXzk0LBuhUuiF9oyDZRFibzNNPpV6GxgxFQc2dWui8CIrLXh9qjf4maHqQv3hqQvA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-22+at+1.04.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8sk7paok0t_-R1uqHRezn2XmBkIyka8aVOwZVyQZE1AEL7h97b7p0AGhfkEUQXsReJSRGA_KwjgXzk0LBuhUuiF9oyDZRFibzNNPpV6GxgxFQc2dWui8CIrLXh9qjf4maHqQv3hqQvA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-22+at+1.04.55+PM.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gfybzKdRUJiajwLYzHYVIKoaT6X8WKJWt_utODXzU9mAyNhQX4gW-HE-AnXhFn3Nl-0iWgYwMP66Go6ujsVNUkA8H2sCOhE5qwTp9tmp7ODzW019TQp19uRpGLLcA7iSwXfLfGHAbjw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-22+at+1.06.10+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gfybzKdRUJiajwLYzHYVIKoaT6X8WKJWt_utODXzU9mAyNhQX4gW-HE-AnXhFn3Nl-0iWgYwMP66Go6ujsVNUkA8H2sCOhE5qwTp9tmp7ODzW019TQp19uRpGLLcA7iSwXfLfGHAbjw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-22+at+1.06.10+PM.png" /></a></div><br /><br />Beautiful wood floors that complement the cabinetry tones, a lovely fireplace with built-ins, a breakfast nook and plenty of natural light and space - this home has great bones to work with!<br /><br /><br />K wanted to work with blues or greys, to bring the best fang shui for the particular positioning and placement in the home found here. I agreed that cool-toned walls would work, as her space receives warm southern light and has all that lovely warm wood for balance. Blue pairs effortlessly with orange-toned woods because they are complements on the colour wheel, and blue brings out the richness of the wood. K has bold colours present throughout her home, and wanted this space to have some character.<br /><br />After working out that K quite liked modern furnishings, we needed to find a way to mesh those styles with her home, which is much more traditional. She had already ordered a white leather sofa. The first thing to work on was the floor plan. By placing the sofa against the wall we opened up the room, creating a better flow (for Feng Shui and design purposes!) I suggested K purchase two chairs to face the sofa, thereby adding comfortable seating without blocking the doorway off. A low bench positioned where the sofa had previously sat provides additional seating for larger gatherings but still allows the two areas to be connected.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3U-X_WN8CCn6ZgQAKgWDjJwQ-NGpGP3HxmJtzMF4_8kee5X4VfI1TxL3gD_uNlWFAUWg6PGsQgy7E0y3Kj4Xssr5uu4l9lUzwWtWYjJNLViQGlHkHU-WAcYruANW18EUJL8O1LmFvjTc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-21+at+3.17.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3U-X_WN8CCn6ZgQAKgWDjJwQ-NGpGP3HxmJtzMF4_8kee5X4VfI1TxL3gD_uNlWFAUWg6PGsQgy7E0y3Kj4Xssr5uu4l9lUzwWtWYjJNLViQGlHkHU-WAcYruANW18EUJL8O1LmFvjTc/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-21+at+3.17.06+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since we are planning to move onto the living and dining areas next, I suggested adding a warm orange in small accents to give us another colour to pull out in the adjoining rooms. The wall colour you see here is Benjamin Moore 1626, Gentle Gray.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">DESIGN TIP: When working with pale blues, you really want a grey with a blue undertone, rather than a true pale blue, or your room will look like a baby boys nursery :)</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVaW5LMud1mTVFaVJUWD7WS9_gTIF6wrkHDjJFn-j-S7viBZBCfQdBmIq7xg8J1xkoxTbwzbwwHEhUp7BnC4ZIFsXNqfaYPAuCTznWpePGKBr_kORTA5XASDQqBc-EWmfMyPMr1VOXuU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-22+at+1.30.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVaW5LMud1mTVFaVJUWD7WS9_gTIF6wrkHDjJFn-j-S7viBZBCfQdBmIq7xg8J1xkoxTbwzbwwHEhUp7BnC4ZIFsXNqfaYPAuCTznWpePGKBr_kORTA5XASDQqBc-EWmfMyPMr1VOXuU/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-01-22+at+1.30.30+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chunky chairs in the same espresso finish as K's table and chairs help the two spaces to relate to one another, and of course we need a round coffee table - this is a major Feng shui principle - avoid corners whenever possible, they are thought to create disruptive energy within your home. a selection of carpets allows K to choose exactly how energetic she would like this space to feel, and of corse, the art references the Feng Shui water element we are channeling here.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWttz7M7VD1hSVLLmNiEK32iH6ts9qKbqIZSBUOHB_Lo_6pEGAqjokhENKzi-g3zQ82y2q5dO2DGS0rHvjRvOTcz2WYw4KdvmAnBIm_ZPZZZ4foXZszqUp4nb4Hu3PaKF8eyb9QAimG8I/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-21+at+2.35.11+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWttz7M7VD1hSVLLmNiEK32iH6ts9qKbqIZSBUOHB_Lo_6pEGAqjokhENKzi-g3zQ82y2q5dO2DGS0rHvjRvOTcz2WYw4KdvmAnBIm_ZPZZZ4foXZszqUp4nb4Hu3PaKF8eyb9QAimG8I/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-21+at+2.35.11+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">K responded that she wanted to replace her dining set with something lighter and more modern, and that she was wary of making such large commitment to blue with the leather chairs. She sent a link to the dining set she was considering, and asked me to create a board incorporating that and the large floral carpet. These chairs work with the wood tones present, and the modern abstract back picks up on the legs of her new dining chairs. Having just the seat upholstered blue allows for that hit of colour without the commitment - it would be easy to swap out this fabric down the road.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4RUHcakmYXVSJE1M0efWYIxT0lrH18-Enhaw1sdOxMuplqR3yslOSUjAMKsqr5_SnP-T7cGoUAVWK5v4wc-MP83ypqVOEReaQ2oWy2RmS0kPo0ksy6YvC8kmWfiEWz40wiGshAU2rPA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-22+at+1.43.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4RUHcakmYXVSJE1M0efWYIxT0lrH18-Enhaw1sdOxMuplqR3yslOSUjAMKsqr5_SnP-T7cGoUAVWK5v4wc-MP83ypqVOEReaQ2oWy2RmS0kPo0ksy6YvC8kmWfiEWz40wiGshAU2rPA/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-01-22+at+1.43.33+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After receiving that board, K mentioned wanting a more neutral option to show here husband, who wasn't sure about the blue. She had used Benjamin Moore OC-52 Gray Owl in another room in her home which faced north, and had thought it was a bit too cold for the family room. I assured her that in the warm southern light at the back of her home Gray Owl would appear more neutral, and suggested she try a swatch out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4hXKWk0tOVItJKjdDgjOn4yNpcXXxISybjyx5-4P0QT5jhQX2yguIWZUikBuZ84NPI6zObkIQb_D6jdPcGYgeEKx5fvKIpLPe4F47357uWAPum4sxuEzvCeSFmH44Pu-p-cbNPhPoBs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-11-01+at+5.08.10+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4hXKWk0tOVItJKjdDgjOn4yNpcXXxISybjyx5-4P0QT5jhQX2yguIWZUikBuZ84NPI6zObkIQb_D6jdPcGYgeEKx5fvKIpLPe4F47357uWAPum4sxuEzvCeSFmH44Pu-p-cbNPhPoBs/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-11-01+at+5.08.10+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I sent her another board illustrating this neutral palette option. I'm in love with that carpet. LOVE.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2hPB9ei6d7PJv_nSt66y8hzHkvgzCQbhNzYl6t68gab_49KCPkrXcQo0qKcgXYAuP8CaFvvtmJk1Xj74iNETf4wMwBFSIkxj28P7YY8SYq2wYynbASke3PsoBNkI9dE3wohiRZ-gMxQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-11-01+at+5.32.11+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2hPB9ei6d7PJv_nSt66y8hzHkvgzCQbhNzYl6t68gab_49KCPkrXcQo0qKcgXYAuP8CaFvvtmJk1Xj74iNETf4wMwBFSIkxj28P7YY8SYq2wYynbASke3PsoBNkI9dE3wohiRZ-gMxQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-11-01+at+5.32.11+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At this point we were nearing the beginning of holiday season. K wrote that she loved both options, but that she was leaning toward the more neutral version. After New Year's I got an email that made me smile :) K and her husband tried the Grey Owl on the wall, and found it did nothing for them, but the bluer option, Gentle Gray, looked wonderful! They decided to go ahead with the second blue design option, and were very happy with the progress so far. I'm hoping for some pics of the finished space to share with you...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and that, darlings, was my first official Feng Shui Design Consultation! Something of an adventure, and I learned a lot along the way... as side note, I may try to tackle how to bring some basic Feng Shui principles into your home in some future posts - would you ladies like to explore with me? I'm thinking a little cleaning a re-organizing can't hurt anyone.... my house could definitely use some love! x</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Feng Shui in a Family Room

So this fall a really interesting client emailed requesting an online consult. K and her family have just recently moved into a new house, a...

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Retro Mix First Home

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />A few months back E. emailed me asking for a design consultation for her first home. Being a military family, this couple has moved and travelled extensively, but after receiving a long-term posting had just bought their first home. I LOVE working on a first home with a client - they are always so enthusiastic and appreciative of their space. E described her loves as mid-century style, and the colour red.<br /><br />Sounded intriguing!<br /><br />When E. sent me the photos of her home, they brought back a flood of memories - their home is a raised bungalow, and the layout actually almost identical to the first home my husband and I bought, almost fifteen years ago. The open living space is lovely, and E. already had some great mid-century furniture and unique accessories from living abroad that she wanted to incorperate. The challenge was to make it all work together.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1OybtCFFQWGP8endS8VxOJLEA391n_-9yX_GV9TayEpZclc3ZtiT0RivLNd2Dd15w55m-HIKNYiiSp3fd5tztMqlC6G4RworMsIFaPml2p6FH_LRATCZdWwyacL810zf93mwaCw6gEY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-08+at+11.37.43+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1OybtCFFQWGP8endS8VxOJLEA391n_-9yX_GV9TayEpZclc3ZtiT0RivLNd2Dd15w55m-HIKNYiiSp3fd5tztMqlC6G4RworMsIFaPml2p6FH_LRATCZdWwyacL810zf93mwaCw6gEY/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-12-08+at+11.37.43+AM.png" width="490" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />E. decided to replace the vintage orange chairs with Ikea Poang chairs, and the existing sofa and console were to remain. She wanted to work on tables, lighting and accessories for the living room. In the dining room, the table and chairs were staying, so we needed to find a way to make the dark finish work with the rest of the space. E. wanted to update here kitchen by painting the cabinetry and adding a new countertop and backsplash.<br /><br /><br />We started with the living room space. Here is an inspiration room that best summed up the feel we wanted to achieve.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_6IYBZjOrdyODQqScnuPDR5WaIMsvABnrUOxnhL7_7bP1_eUT4-O0Bru-g-868ZTy15P8uXEErFNLy_m8X9iLfz2OhhWSgeQoNo9j6fQi9IN8gbfSa51TqX41yUVW51gDanhPtBBbug/s1600/Cozy-Living-Room-with-Retro-Mid-Century-Style.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_6IYBZjOrdyODQqScnuPDR5WaIMsvABnrUOxnhL7_7bP1_eUT4-O0Bru-g-868ZTy15P8uXEErFNLy_m8X9iLfz2OhhWSgeQoNo9j6fQi9IN8gbfSa51TqX41yUVW51gDanhPtBBbug/s640/Cozy-Living-Room-with-Retro-Mid-Century-Style.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><span id="goog_1451080067"></span><br />The caramel tones in E's sofa and console really set the palette. She and her husband plan to replace the beige carpeting in the living room with hardwood down the road, and so we decided to lay an area rug down over the carpeting now that will work over the hardwood once it is in place. Since E and her husband both like bold, saturated colour, we incorporated red and small amounts of green as accent colours, against a clean backdrop of walls painted in Benjamin Moore's Moonlight White.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsasxL8oIEl_98BKT3cHTC98cKk73UC4sM9q9e6XzSCfrvNf-yKAfPHNpDh6B3ZaQ1HQ8sg4nzuuuwTbAHCmIx_YzYjJRs0FzkRjTdg_q0NxDcZ4TzSrM2cwM-J8D4nFda0bsQvxZeiU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-07+at+11.40.05+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsasxL8oIEl_98BKT3cHTC98cKk73UC4sM9q9e6XzSCfrvNf-yKAfPHNpDh6B3ZaQ1HQ8sg4nzuuuwTbAHCmIx_YzYjJRs0FzkRjTdg_q0NxDcZ4TzSrM2cwM-J8D4nFda0bsQvxZeiU/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-07+at+11.40.05+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />E has a handy husband, lucky girl, and he reconfigured the small cabinets that go with the console into side tables by mounting them horizontally onto some vintage legs he found. The console will serve as an entertainment stand, with the television placed on top. The only things we were really missing were <b><a href="http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/50148848/">lighting</a></b>, a carpet and a coffee table. I found the vintage inspired surfboard table on<b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/8982064/eliptikal-coffee-table-surfboard-eames"> Etsy</a></b> - E had it custom made in a glossy red. A moroccan inspired <b><a href="http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-moroccan-shag/ivory/200MTVS28A-8010.html">carpet</a></b> adds some softness to the design, and the diagonal pattern will lead the eye across the entire space, corner to corner, visually expanding the living room.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-4cXcFyhlsWuaF7UVx6c8QuBIeGs97DGWrNVbFGsu3fq7-l8-0oE1K1MRh8nV-q-M2Krp0qiMlhPQWgs0DqZ2l3FxrwGZEXTZ0t0T3751rMimxLV_dOPnYiL6GKxqL5Fg8_fg6CHmgY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+11.34.00+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-4cXcFyhlsWuaF7UVx6c8QuBIeGs97DGWrNVbFGsu3fq7-l8-0oE1K1MRh8nV-q-M2Krp0qiMlhPQWgs0DqZ2l3FxrwGZEXTZ0t0T3751rMimxLV_dOPnYiL6GKxqL5Fg8_fg6CHmgY/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+11.34.00+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As always, there is a plant tucked in here. This is a fiddle leaf fig, the tree to end all trees :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's large size will fill in the space beside the console, and if it were real it would bask in the light from the large window. The couples frequent travels don't allow for plants, so <b><a href="http://www.amazinggreen.com/collections/frontpage/products/fiddle-leaf-fig-tree">this</a></b> very good quality imitation will work for them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you know me at all, you know I'm an art junkie! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The sofa needed tone grounded into that large blank wall, and defined as the focal point here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since we are on a tight budget, I suggested E purchase a canvas and try an <b><a href="https://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=art+diy">art DIY</a></b>...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9m0u9hAgTMNVFPXDlmSWV3DIya0SxCu15FGYIrGOFg73nZYWJMPSxRrB66wG05l__aOpfNXex4fZQq_n0h_rpG2Rw_rskRI_ou_qdXSLtIeVIJnERwdZlldvUKgK7ly39YMmzAb2erk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+9.35.06+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9m0u9hAgTMNVFPXDlmSWV3DIya0SxCu15FGYIrGOFg73nZYWJMPSxRrB66wG05l__aOpfNXex4fZQq_n0h_rpG2Rw_rskRI_ou_qdXSLtIeVIJnERwdZlldvUKgK7ly39YMmzAb2erk/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+9.35.06+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">In the end, however, she decided to add some bold red wall cubes above the sofa and place some of her treasures collected through the couples travels - </div><div style="text-align: center;">perfect for remembering all the previous homes they have lived in.</div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1OybtCFFQWGP8endS8VxOJLEA391n_-9yX_GV9TayEpZclc3ZtiT0RivLNd2Dd15w55m-HIKNYiiSp3fd5tztMqlC6G4RworMsIFaPml2p6FH_LRATCZdWwyacL810zf93mwaCw6gEY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-08+at+11.37.43+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1OybtCFFQWGP8endS8VxOJLEA391n_-9yX_GV9TayEpZclc3ZtiT0RivLNd2Dd15w55m-HIKNYiiSp3fd5tztMqlC6G4RworMsIFaPml2p6FH_LRATCZdWwyacL810zf93mwaCw6gEY/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-12-08+at+11.37.43+AM.png" width="490" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Let's look at the changes the kitchen are currently undergoing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The cabinets are in good condition and so will be painted out white to freshen up the space.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I suggested adding a butcher block countertop in beech from <b><a href="http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/40057853/">Ikea</a></b> to bring some of the wood tones from the living room into this space, and keep it warm -</div><div style="text-align: center;">don't you love the way they have stepped the end of the breakfast bar, below?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.woodworkershdwe.net/servlet/the-497/Amerock-Hardware-Cabinet-Kitchen/Detail">Hardware</a></b> with a retro feel in brushed stainless will work perfectly.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBqTm-ONCTDh-_OzmaKvM_YEppWZSsQayU1yC04A198wO83UZmnnUzeXeUAMnLEd0VHQwM3mlbKDXao8u_XIWAgts741zRRv0OXbrjHl8u2_7kUsuGWwX9De74bxdN00_gcYKBAufVRk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+12.48.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBqTm-ONCTDh-_OzmaKvM_YEppWZSsQayU1yC04A198wO83UZmnnUzeXeUAMnLEd0VHQwM3mlbKDXao8u_XIWAgts741zRRv0OXbrjHl8u2_7kUsuGWwX9De74bxdN00_gcYKBAufVRk/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+12.48.30+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc5HoGZAL49seztveQBo67ZarDauUWfdYoe3T4StcEas9jt80PB0tWuzQAP9SP1IJphX9-6G-5uX_N69P_70Sd6htYtsu9sCyXdb5yxx3UP98nLoGV1B6aY8ksEIiTeXNNeyEo92cvVs/s1600/wood+counters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc5HoGZAL49seztveQBo67ZarDauUWfdYoe3T4StcEas9jt80PB0tWuzQAP9SP1IJphX9-6G-5uX_N69P_70Sd6htYtsu9sCyXdb5yxx3UP98nLoGV1B6aY8ksEIiTeXNNeyEo92cvVs/s640/wood+counters.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">E wanted to add a backsplash. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A subway tile is a classic look, but we wanted something a little edgier. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How about a square tile, with dark grey grout.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This echoes the retro vibe we've got going on, </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and adds some graphic lines here without overwhelming the space.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMx3cHWhtau23Ue9RIdojH-iBjLFTWfrXoJoA1xx1WGXF5vu9spx5I_NJ9hwfQw0GjjsTJem-6Kp5M-meRlaNYh_n6Zb1AAStYt_hdPt-9fLT_ZI2xzXhhgnPQ2pfH2YBXeT8sOhBxdW4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+10.56.23+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMx3cHWhtau23Ue9RIdojH-iBjLFTWfrXoJoA1xx1WGXF5vu9spx5I_NJ9hwfQw0GjjsTJem-6Kp5M-meRlaNYh_n6Zb1AAStYt_hdPt-9fLT_ZI2xzXhhgnPQ2pfH2YBXeT8sOhBxdW4/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+10.56.23+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since the back wall of the kitchen is the first thing you see when entering from the living room, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we needed to add some interest to this spot. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I suggested E remove the wall cabinet between her sliding door and kitchen window, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and add open shelving.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After considering various options for the shelving,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> she decided to use the leftover Ikea countertop and install wood shelving here, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">creating a beautiful place to display a collection of colourful ceramics, etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7MbUSmjgkrDzQSDCsXNyELMq7JLIxWrsxh6_H1qQIoKv0mpkh-I4t159sdhp2sHe9ftiUiYy93Rt8cCkzS6yQWlta1mx3YIAb4kW14hsruFB1yWzs65GNHIFtS76AQpdRvEz0BkL7AE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+9.13.07+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7MbUSmjgkrDzQSDCsXNyELMq7JLIxWrsxh6_H1qQIoKv0mpkh-I4t159sdhp2sHe9ftiUiYy93Rt8cCkzS6yQWlta1mx3YIAb4kW14hsruFB1yWzs65GNHIFtS76AQpdRvEz0BkL7AE/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+9.13.07+AM.png" width="592" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7fImFjSi5-J4Rr3WCxwoE6hAcO0ruR_qXp08UGQElhhrMWewrO2Lvqd3QAoDJaWzjhuR4g-2kG-aNXFit3nUX1vT2AmSiCBgUIXOnyO0Anbvte-ObMC9ZHqmgFea9fbwQ04udFfcP0M/s1600/11822017741932788_mcnjvBVc_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7fImFjSi5-J4Rr3WCxwoE6hAcO0ruR_qXp08UGQElhhrMWewrO2Lvqd3QAoDJaWzjhuR4g-2kG-aNXFit3nUX1vT2AmSiCBgUIXOnyO0Anbvte-ObMC9ZHqmgFea9fbwQ04udFfcP0M/s640/11822017741932788_mcnjvBVc_c.jpg" width="526" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Although E will be keeping her dining set for now, a change is not far down the road.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A table in the same wood tones as the countertop and some interesting red chairs will keep this space light-hearted and consistent with the rest of the home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJxXQRK8KgNJxirzJDXGu6uMHmIpd7IqWeCuSuHfG8FsCW-VWx9lG_NDe5JsVp3RmF_usCYXoQQvW2fftNW__FEHm14BLtzO-eKPhL6INi7rZSQAWPkj4362XX2kcDWSWRa4epDBEo_o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+12.23.39+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJxXQRK8KgNJxirzJDXGu6uMHmIpd7IqWeCuSuHfG8FsCW-VWx9lG_NDe5JsVp3RmF_usCYXoQQvW2fftNW__FEHm14BLtzO-eKPhL6INi7rZSQAWPkj4362XX2kcDWSWRa4epDBEo_o/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+12.23.39+PM.png" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and, of course - art again!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">LOVE these <b><a href="http://www.allmodern.com/Danese-Milano-Art-Edition-Due-La-Pera-The-Pear-Poster-DEDZ002-AMO1034.html">Enzo Mari</a></b> prints for the dining room wall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfYINzZioWKwZ89WlG-48psSahVpNr1U46bMAyZVqexfuk5WspPioS_EtbAam3lVJoGnjHjLSZZnXhhOS9ZqVEoXOR2kEaiXxY0W2EInKspuAolqkYJNNkIpuKA9KhIkvPzot1Gn_bDo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+9.17.06+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfYINzZioWKwZ89WlG-48psSahVpNr1U46bMAyZVqexfuk5WspPioS_EtbAam3lVJoGnjHjLSZZnXhhOS9ZqVEoXOR2kEaiXxY0W2EInKspuAolqkYJNNkIpuKA9KhIkvPzot1Gn_bDo/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+9.17.06+AM.png" width="562" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">E has been wonderful about keeping me up-to-date on her progress, and the work here is nearly complete. She is loving the way the changes to here home have brightened the space up, and unified her furnishings and all the treasures from the couple's travels.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hopefully I'll have some pictures of the completed space to share with you all soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />

Retro Mix First Home

A few months back E. emailed me asking for a design consultation for her first home. Being a military family, this couple has moved and trav...

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