Dream Weaver

I haven't lamented about my oldest daughter's impending graduation much but the reality is slowly starting to sink in. 
On Sunday after church, I was responding to an acquaintance asking where Kennedy is looking to attend college (possibly Azusa Pacific in California) to which this acquaintance replied. "Wow, I'm impressed you seem so composed about that". 
To which my second reply was: Check back with me in August."  :)

This pic was taken after Kennedy returned from Azusa last week. I think sissy missed her as much as I did.
That being said, I'm bummed to report that Ken and I won't be peddling our "Room For Change" wares at the downtown Zeeland Spring Peddler's Market. We love that show and we have so much fun doing it but my time will be spent this spring tidying things up around this hundred year old bungalow to host her graduation open house. 

I am still managing to find time doing what I love...filling custom orders, and meeting with you Champs for design consults. Here are a few that went out yesterday.

 
A shortened version of The Shema:

This morning, I got to revisit a client's house (Weaver's) that was purchased two years ago at which time I was called in to offer a bit of direction for color choices and to help with vision for the project. I stopped by once or twice in that time frame to offer suggestions as they made their way remodeling this sprawling bi-level. 

I have to admit, on the first initial consult, while I could share their enthusiasm for the amount of potential this place held, I was a little overwhelmed for them. It had great structure and bones, but was dark and had lots of oak throughout. 

Here's what happens when you hire Marty Hulst from Integrity Cabinets to transform your kitchen, and when you invest in new paint for your woodwork and add cottage style touches, and decorate like a boss. (Her, not me) :)( I just boss while she decorates). The only thing that remained was the granite on the counters which worked just fine with the new feel of the space. 

New LVT wood looking flooring, new backsplash, cabinets, hardware, stools, and some appliances. You can see in the before pic, that the stove even shifted.

This was a desk area that Kylie didn't think they would use for a desk and she was concerned that it would become a gathering ground for junk.

So, it was reconfigured to be a coffee bar with plenty of closed storage and new butcher block to compliment the granite. 

I didn't get an after pic from this angle, but suffice it to say, this kitchen has been given a new lease on life!

 
BEFORE: Kylie and I were really torn about leaving the fireplace as is. I loved the rustic quality of it and didn't want her to slap paint on it or replace it right away. I'm glad we were patient as it still does give the family room character. She told me today they haven't ruled out updating with a different kind of stone or brick down the road, but for now, with all her pretty things around it, it works!  BEFORE:

AFTER: Not much has changed other than the wall mounted t.v. which was a great solution for facing the furniture towards the focal point of the room (t.v. and fireplace).

This wall below was another debate. She and I were struggling with whether to take out the builts in and open up part of the wall into the kitchen. Her husband was a fan of taking it down-we were worried about having enough room to stage furniture.

The wall and shelves came down and it was beyond the right decision!!!

BEFORE:

AFTER: 

BEFORE:

AFTER: The natural light that comes in this room from the dining room is amazing and both the dining and the family room feel so much bigger now!

Here is the south dining wall before:

Here is the same wall and space after:

BEFORE pic taken from fireplace corner:

AFTER pic taken from opposite fireplace corner:
New carpet. colors, painted trim. stairwell newel post, and entry closet repurposed into a bench area.

This is across from the front door in the pic above. Great use of space!!

  New lockers in the back hallway/entry from garage. 

Cute half bath off of back entry hall.

Here is the IKEA shower curtain system in place displaying her little ones' artwork in the lower level hallway: 

This girl has a knack for accessorizing. I kept asking her "What am I doing here"? :)

Stay tuned for the exterior transformation which is happening as I type this. I took a before pic today of the exterior and hope to post after shots soon. 

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Manic Monday

Super random and manic post today. I've gotten a bit of a second wind this gloomy afternoon in the mitten after a morning of cleaning and painting. 

I'm working on some sign orders and invoicing and thought I'd take a break to blog. 

I was opening up some folders of pics that I had filed from last year and thought I'd just post most of what I found in one. 

These photos must have been downloaded from my phone when I was out and about looking for some furniture items for a client. Can't even remember who it was at the time, but I still like most of these selections, so I thought I'd post them and see if you do too. Of course I'm not going to remember all the sources and locations, but maybe you can recognize a few as we go.

I'm absolutely infatuated with this updated wing back chair style-and the nailhead trim on the arms...makes it even more bling-a-licious! I can picture these in front of a fireplace or next to each other like this, perpendicular to a sofa and across from a loveseat. Or how about four of them in a circle with a huge rustic drum coffee table in between?

 This might've been UBU in Grandville. I liked these geometric mirrors. These would look great down a stairwell or in a foyer. 

 I like this slight barrel back style as well. Lower in general so it makes sense to use these if you're walking into the room and see these from the backside. The smaller scale makes something like this a nice choice for smaller homes like mine. 

 This was Heggs and I've wanted this piece for so long now to use in my back family room. I will try to talk Ken into making me one for my bday this year, as I haven't really seen any cheaper than $600.

 Cute style and cute fabric. Would look even better in a dark charcoal with contrast welt, (like the arm of the chair you see above).

I think I snapped this pic in my sister Laurie's lower level of her new house. Totally forgot about loving this countertop until it was time to finish off our laundry room and I asked for a cheap remnant piece of laminate counter top at Carpet Bonanza and this is one they had available! Score!

 Beveled white 3x6 subway tile. I think this was at sis' house too. Always a timeless, classic choice.

 Loved these drapes for the subtly of pattern and the taller luxury length. West Elm perhaps?

 Okay, sometime I feel like words and letters are overdone, (wait, who am I kidding? I can't get enough of lettering and typography). I especially loved that these are functional. 

 These on a metal rod. Interesting twist.

 I saw this in a magazine and I snapped a pic because I want to make this sign for my niece Kaia who owns and rides horses. Haven't gotten around to it yet, but glad to have stumbled upon the inspiration.

Mirrors at Hobby Lobby. I actually have the one below above my fireplace and I love it.

I'll never get sick of quartz. Isn't this one amazing?

 I think I had this canvas below in mind for one of my client's dining walls. It would look great over a buffet or even in a bathroom.

I've had this long narrow table in mind for someone for so long now. Haven't had the chance to use it yet, but it would look great in a family room or especially long entry wall.

World Market

 Random World Market eye candy.

You know I'm a sucker for round drum shades. Won't have it any other way, but I'm especially fond of the texture of this one and the rustic wood base. This is a small one, so it would be used for a desk area or small dresser/end table.

 LOVE, LOVE LOVe this one and wish I could justify purchasing it for my own house. I don't need it to use it, but I do want it to look at. :) Maybe Brecken's bedroom? Lord knows she needs help organizing her life!!

 My two addictions....pillows and throws! 

And who doesn't love HOME GOODS??

 Loved this sectional. Don't love the size or look of the ottoman with it, but Brummel's isn't really known for their showroom. (Look at the lampshades...need I say more)? I do love their service and furniture but they need a little help with staging. :)

"You've been consulted" Ken would say. That's his new response if I ever share unsolicited design advice or opinions (which I'm ashamed to admit is quite often). :)

Also, shameless plug for Easter sign orders. Let me know if you'd like to order one of these. I can do them on barn wood too. $15 painted. $20 barnwood

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