I think I've shown you bits and pieces of this project before but I think it's worth repeating. I've been working with the 'perfect' client over the past year-going room to room in her bright and beautiful house and updating carpet, color and accessories. We've finished the kitchen area, back patio/deck, the "office-turned-den" and the "den turned office" so far. We are working on the main living area and the upstairs guest and master bedroom now. She's the perfect client in the sense that she already has a specific style in mind and has her own unique look she's after, but she's open to advice on changing things up and she asks for 'homework' to work on so that the next time we meet, we are ready to keep progressing. Never mind the fact that she is just so super sweet and fun to be with that I almost feel guilty getting paid. She's just that great!
I've also had fun painting some of her time worn antiques that seemed just a bit too 'fussy' now that we're going for a more casual, comfortable look. Here's a peek at what their original office looked like before. This is a room just off the kitchen that she wanted to make more whimsical and inviting. A t.v. viewing room that was bright and comfortable. Here's the before:
She was no longer enamoured by the floral carpet or the not-so-functional desk area. She was however, still in love with the bright framed print that you can see just a part of hanging over the chair in the corner. That print we used as our inspiration for what direction we were taking the new "den".
Here's the after:
Here's another before shot:
After Shot
We replaced the floral carpet with a comfortable 'twist'. We added beaded board beneath the existing chair rail. We purchased new furniture, lamps and accessories and made this room their favorite room in the house now. We were still able to pull in her favorite colors from the original print that we had reframed. We had it placed with a larger matte board and reframed it in black.
This project was somewhat out of my comfort zone regarding color. My sister always hazes me that I tend to "wipe the smile off any color". I'm not usually a fan of the bolder, brighter colors and like to make a statement with furnishings rather than color, but this room ties in so well with my client's bold, bright and 'oh so fun' kitchen, that I couldn't help myself. Plus...as I have to remind myself often...this isn't about me!! It's about her and what she loves.
Here's a before pic. of their original den which is adjacent to their great room. We decided to turn this room into a functional office space for her husband who works a great deal from home. First thing to go was the floral sofa and precious antiques. Do you recognize the curio? That piece I bartered my services for and ended up selling at my tag sale to a client to house her shoe collection? Remember that?
After
We darkened the wall color by painting the whole thing a deep buff color. We wanted to make it feel somewhat masculine without being overbearingly so because the rest of her spaces are quite feminine and festive looking. Our next plan of attack is to bring in some of the darker elements to the adjoining room which is her living area. Here's the room that is next on our agenda...
So far, we've restaged the built-ins, painted the brass fireplace surround, and replaced the carpet. Next up...new fun toss pillows, a darker coffee table/ottoman and a new print for above the fireplace, (which I don't have a pic of yet..sorry). The sectional is great and still works with the direction we're heading. I'll keep you posted as we go.
Now that the weather is warming up a bit, I've found myself in the garage/workshop again painting clients' furniture. I can always tell when I ramp up the painting again. I feel it in my bones...and my muscles and joints. Spring has sprung and I need to join a pilates class to stretch out and gear up for the upcoming painting season! (I'm getting to old for this)! I'll be sure to post some before and after pics of some of the projects I'm working on soon. Happy Early Spring!
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