Before and After Living Room Makeover

An artsy family’s sense of whimsy and passion for collecting unique art was lost in a drab living space that was weighed down by a busy patterned rug and dated wall adornments. We came in to help create a refined adult retreat that was functional and kid-friendly and simultaneously could serve as a space for the family to show off their one-of-a-kind paintings.

By updating the dark khaki walls with a soft, warm white paint color and refreshing the white molding, the room immediately feels substantially lighter. To continue with this fresh theme, we covered up the dark wood floors with a creamy natural fiber area rug that is both kid and dog friendly.

A simple glass coffee table keeps the space light-hearted and airy, while reflective lamps, vases, and accessories maintain the breezy vibe. Matching mirrors and dark chests on either side of the fireplace balance the room while creating the illusion of an even more open and bright space.

Tying in colors from the family’s amazing art collection into the chairs, pillows, and drapes helps to achieve a playful, yet unified atmosphere. For example, the patterned pillows resting on the blue armchairs reflect a design similar to that of the painting between the drapes, while the bunny-printed bolster pillow maintains the same sweetness as the nearby bird painting. Sprinkles of green in pots on the mantel, in the form of a tableside succulent, or arranged creatively on the coffee table give additional nods to the natural world and keep the space from looking overly pristine.

Combining sleek shapes, organic textures, and the family’s distinctive artwork, we transformed this living room from a dark den into a vibrant, light-filled space perfectly suited for family life, artistic inspiration, and perhaps even a little quiet reflection and reading time.

Get the look!

Let There be Light: A Bright and Airy Bathroom Makeover

After living for many years with a first floor layout that included a bedroom and a study with only a small bathroom, two empty nesters decided it was time for a change to better suit their lifestyle now. Eliminating the study made way for a major bathroom makeover (and for the addition of a walk-in closet). The resulting room is a bright space filled with tactile and visual details that give the room an abundance of personality.

Key to keeping the sleek serenity of the space is the crisp yet inviting color palette. Choosing a soft neutral for the walls and under-the-sink cabinets makes the space feel bigger, calmer, and soothing.

To shed light throughout the new space, Sara doubled the room’s natural lighting by adding another sight-line window. In addition to overhead recessed lighting, she also added plenty of shine-reflecting bling in the finishes.

Pops of color and texture add intrigue and enliven the space. For example, the painting above the mirrored chest is a sea of organically crafted and warmly colored brushstrokes, painted by Sara herself,  while the ushak floor rug creates a cozy, lived-in feel.

A vintage relief sculpture of a woman in a hat adds an artistic dimension to the wall.

Despite its luxe appearance, the shower was finished with tiles in a marbled design in taupes and greys in lieu of actual marble. Tile doesn’t require the maintenance and care (or cost) of natural stone, but still offers a natural, polished look. A panel with a design breaks up the shower area and adds another layer of texture, while the glass door makes the space seem bigger.

With elements toggling effortlessly between the modern and the eclectic, we transformed the bathroom into a bright, relaxing, and soothing oasis that the homeowners will enjoy for years to come.

First Home Essentials

As I get ready to celebrate my anniversary it brings back memories of all the firsts and exciting moments of getting married and preparing to build a life together. Looking back almost 15 years I am sharing a few things I have learned along the way...

Whether you live together prior to marriage or not, moving into your first home as Mr. and Mrs. feels special…and getting a little help in purchasing all the things you want and need is a wonderful bonus of getting hitched. Your registry provides the perfect opportunity for you to request goods, furniture, art, and more that will reflect your relationship and interests as a couple and help prepare you for your lives together. 

So many choices and areas can make the registry process seem overwhelming (Towels! Matching tennis racquets! 35 types of waffle makers!), so we made our list of the Top 5 best things to register for, invest in, and use often. And that last part is of utmost importance: if you don’t have aspirations of hand-making your own noodles for spaghetti night, skip that pretty KitchenAid with the pasta arm attachment. A surefire way to kill newlywed domestic bliss is to end up with cabinets and closets of appliances, décor, and knickknacks that are simply collecting dust. On the other hand, surrounding yourself with beautiful and useful items that you choose together can keep that warm glow of love going.

China and Dinnerware

This is the time to splurge! Your wedding is likely the one time in your life someone else will be buying china and dinnerware for you so select pieces you go ga-ga for. While it seems like you can buy anything on the Internet these days, we highly recommend that you take a trip to the store before adding these every day and special occasion essentials to your registry.

Hold the mugs, feel the weight of the silverware, examine the plates: these are the MVPs of your kitchen and dining room so you want to make sure you are choosing wisely and for the long haul.

And speaking of the long haul, the price of sterling silver can increase dramatically over time, so if your wedding day yield is a mix and match of silverware pieces, make sure you save some of your gift cards and extra funds to fill out at least one set so that you have it for life. This is a good tip for dinnerware as well: go ahead and purchase the rest or at least several sets. Some stores discontinue lines or even just certain colors, and you don’t want to be stuck without enough pasta bowls or end up with a hodgepodge of mismatched dishes. To get varied looks (and the most bang for your buck), consider picking a simple and classic dinner plate and then adding wild, playful, fun dessert, salad plates or chargers.

A good sofa

Whether you have visions of watching your favorite movies huddled together, hosting friends for wine, cheese, and charades hang outs, or spending lazy Sunday afternoons napping, picking the right sofa is of key importance and another instance where you want to try it out in real life. To choose a sofa that will last whatever life throws at it (and on it), seek out a kiln-dried hardwood frame and cushions with eight way hand-tied springs. As for fabric, we don’t have any hard and fast rules, other than to choose something that’s durable and that you find yourselves drawn to, whether it’s neutral or in a statement pattern or design. If your tastes change quickly, and you love switching things up regularly, consider erring on the neutral side. Throw pillows and blankets are a great way to incorporate bold colors, and swapping out these décor details will be less painful (and expensive) than a whole sofa!

Original art

Art is a deeply individual part of the decorating process, and it’s crucial for adding a personal touch to your home as well as setting the tone and mood. Original art sourced from galleries, Etsy, or your artist friends truly elevate a room and help make the space uniquely yours. One-of-a-kind pieces are conversation starters; even a few smaller, distinctive pieces framed well and hung with care over a second-hand sofa looks much more put together than a poster from college hung with push pins. Trust us: we are hereby giving you permission to throw away, recycle, or move into the attic anything that graced your walls during your college years.

If you and your significant other love a piece of art, it will likely be eye candy to some of your visitors as well, but don’t worry about whether the art is “good” or “worth it” from an investment standpoint. You and your spouse will be the ones living with it so select something that stands out to you! Of course, building your own art collection is rewarding, but for many novice art buyers, it’s more important to select pieces that work for your budget and your style now. You can always save up later for your own little Matisse or Kahlo original!

Versatile and investment-worthy furniture

Playing with the size and shape of your rooms and what can fit in it is one of our favorite activities as designers, and you and your significant other can play too with a few foundational furniture pieces. Look for versatile options that are built to last. Select furniture crafted from wood from sustainably certified forests, antique pieces that have stood the test of time, and/or pieces that feature evidence of craftsmanship and expertise, as evident in dovetail details. 

Finding hardworking pieces that can transition between different rooms is a major goal here. For example, a chest of drawers could be used in an entry hall, topped with a lamp and a beautiful bowl for mail and keys. It could just as easily be incorporated into the master bathroom as an elegant way to store linens or as a functional TV stand in the living room. And take your time. Some hand-crafted furniture takes weeks or months to arrive after ordering. The wait will be worth it (and you won’t even remember it) years down the road as you are still enjoying your carefully chosen pieces.

Something that you choose TOGETHER

It’s common that one half of a couple takes the registry reigns and makes many of the decisions. If you or your spouse truly doesn’t have an opinion or trusts the other completely, your selection process will undoubtedly be easier than that of two highly opinionated people.

However, we highly recommend that BOTH of you weigh in on the registry and selecting pieces for your new home together. Not only is it a good bonding experience, but having both parties join in the decision-making process will make your home feel like what it should be: a reflection of the both of you. Have some fun and incorporate your common interests, complementary styles, and respective sensibilities. Whether it’s an amazing painting you found in a gallery while on vacation, a statement chair that reminds you of the pink dress you wore on your first date, or a hand-thrown vase that makes you laugh and think of your ill-fated attempt at a couple’s pottery class, find and invest in pieces that make you both happy and that reflect your unique personalities.