Friday Snip - Its' … Seeing Blue Skies!

1.  The Sun is Shining in the POD!  

It is being unloaded and moving out … SOON!

2.  Dana Gibson rocks the Color. Orange Crush Wallpaper!

3.  Skylights … OUT!  No more leaks and now I have a ceiling to work with!

4.  This going in a client's home.

5.  Along with this Arteriors Lamp. Brass Love.

6.  And Greek Key joining the Love Fest.

7.  A Week of Celebrations here at #ProjectDownSize.

8. This ROW of Peonies standing Tall in the Garden!

9.  Tilton Fenwick and Duralee.  

I am inspired by the fabric paneled walls!

This week has been full of Design and Blessings. 

Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Friday Snip-It's ... life via Instagram

1.  Table Scape ... love the natural elements.

2.  SMW.  I am swooning!

3.  Horn ... out thrifting.

4.  Dresser with new Base Coat.  Dressing Up the Girl next week!

5.  Pillow Love ... client kitchen.

6.  Mirror.  Metal basket Weave

7.  Would someone please buy this from Home Goods so I don't have to?

8.  My Cotton Arrived.  Ready for a new home.

9.  My obsession with Old is rearing its' head again.

Happy Weekend Everyone!  Make it a Good One!!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

House Tour ... the Family Room

When we moved into our Farm Road house in 2007 I had visions of a Mid-Century Modern Living Room.  You know, where you sit all pretty on a teal velvet tuxedo sofa and sip martinis with your friends sipping with you and conversing in a very interesting manner.

Here's what happened ... I'll fill you in on some of the pieces as we go ... 

Kantha Quilt.  Brimfield Find. Duralee Fabric on Windows and Pillows.

So the room sat virtually empty with only pieces of random furniture and a baby grand piano for about 2 years.

Sad, Before State ... 

Then it was Thanksgiving and we were going to be having Christmas at our house.  For two years we let the largest "living" room in the house sit unused. Stupid.

Don, the kids and I (bad grouping) went to a big box store and bought the deal of the day ... Sofa, Loveseat and a TV for $1999.00.

Yep, we did it, I was horrified and stomped through the store having my own pity party.

Art. Mike Elsass. Abstracts on Metal.

Fake, Faux, Leather Sofas.  Oversized and COMFY.  The kids couldn't be more thrilled.  Don was keeping us on a budget.  I complained that "I am an interior DECORATOR" We cannot have these in our homes.  Besides, we would be throwing them out in a year because they would fall apart and would be gross and he would be SORRY.

Note to my clients that have husbands' that won't give up the leather sectional.  I get it!  

Antique French Step Ladder.

Just because I didn't win the sofa debate ... I marched forward bringing in color and warmth in every other aspect that I could.  One day they will be gone (PLEASE) ... but I kind of like the way the room turned out!

The Faux Grouping has held up to popcorn, pizza, snacks, kids lounging in all manners and the room gets used.  While I am still on a mission to change the sofas, the room makes me smile.  

I even carved out my own little corner.

Chair, Brimfield Find.

Secretary, English Antiques, Atlanta.

This Secretary has served as an office, homework spot and all the school notebook paper, index cards, pencils etc have a nice place to live.  Thank the Lord!

Peacock Lamp. Brimfield Find. Antique Family Bibles.

The TV is over the fireplace and we NEVER use this fireplace ... so here's where I have a little fun changing up the look each season.

Brass Planter.  Estate Sale Find.

I believe we all have pieces of furniture that probably aren't our first pick.  But in this true "family" room ... we are all happy and I don't have a freak if anyone spills or puts their feet on the table.  

Real Life.

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Friday Snip - Its. A look at my week of Inspiration ...

1. Gorgeous Necklaces as Art. I am in love with the texture, the edginess. FDO.

2.  Waiting on Martha. The Shop. Monkey Soaps ... for the Powder Room.

3.  Bedroom Inspiration. Kravet and Duralee ... in the same breath.
4.  Bedroom Inspiration Number 2.  Kravet and Duralee. Again.

5.  Greek Key courtesy of M&JTrimmings. 

6. Come visit me on Thursday 9/19 as I discuss starting with a Classic Base 
at European Manor in Wellesley.

7. Lions heads.  I cannot help it.

8.  Glass Knots ... more new "little things" from FDO.

9.  My Bedroom Inspiration Ideas.  Starting with a Plan.  
Then coming up with the pieces that speak to the client.
Round 2!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Quite by Accident ...

I have happened upon inspirations as I am appreciating the Kitchen and celebration of the Family over this holiday season ... this one makes me smile!

Via

Happy Yellow and a Place for Family to gather.

The one change I would make?  The flip flops ... Why not the footprints of your Family?

My one mantra as a Designer ... make things Personal!  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving ... Celebrate your Family and love every minute!!

xo,

kim

ORC - Professionally Done

The One Room Challenge was so much fun and we are still getting lots of questions in regard to our rooms ... if you didn't follow along, click here or click the button on my side bar for an update!

The photos I posted along the way were my own snapshots ... and here are a few done by a professional getting ready for my website portfolio ... hope you enjoy!

Many questions still arise ... here are the details!

Paint 
Twin Sofas
Fabrics
Relic Table and Horse Lamp
Flower Pillows
Rug

Thanks so much for all the fun and sharing in the process with me!  Have a wonderful Weekend!

xo,

kim

One Room Challenge!!

Linda, from My Crafty Home Life, wanted to complete a room.  She sensed that she wasn't the only one out in the real world that needed a little push to get things done.  She reached out, and the rest of us said "YES" get us moving!  We 15 design bloggers have pledged to one another, and now you, it is time to finish a room.  Just ONE room.  And we will report to you on our design scheme, progress, a few lessons along the way ... and a completion in 6 weeks!  Please join us ... be sure to take a look at everyone's site and see what everyone is up to on these cold days of winter!  We will update you every Wednesday for the next Six Weeks! (and maybe some lessons in between!) 

Ready, Set, Go!!

My Room - Living/Family Room

Situation:  Just Moved In, Currently Contemporary and Cold.

Subjects:  Young Family.  Three Beautiful Daughters. One new Lab Puppy named Ruby.

Room: Double Duty ... Family Room AND Living Room.

Desire:  Cozy, Warm.  For Family Movie Night.  For Entertaining Adult Friends.

I am so excited to be working with this precious family ... they have just moved into a new home and we have some work to do.  While the lines of the house are good, everything has a really "contemporary" cold feel.  Cool blues, peach and gray "marble" tiles on the fireplace surround, matching pale blue blinds ... etc., etc.

Here's where we begin:

This was "move out" day of the previous owners.  Thankfully they moved the "built - in's" out as well!  From this shot you might be able to see the one end of a fan blade ... really?  It needs to go! 

We were lucky in that we had a blank slate to work with!

Inspiration: Warmth and Color and Life!

Duralee - Butterscotch - no longer available

When working with a completely blank room, it often makes sense to start with a rug.  This sets the basis for your room.  However, with this young family, we wanted to create the space they love first with fabrics.  Because they have a new puppy and young girls they wanted to purchase a rug that would complement their new furnishings, but be able to have something that they wouldn't worry about little puppy bites and occasional accidents!  And then if need be, they can toss it away in a year or so and not feel guilty!


Join me next week for the next step in turning this cold room into a cozy space for a young family!


xo, 
kim


Please visit all of our rooms ... and Get Inspired to Finish One Room this year!

Saved By Suzy                                                      Dutch.British.Love
Nicole Scott Design                                             Rue De Emily
The Pink Pagoda                                                   Trapped in North Jersey
Refresheddesigns                                                 Nana Moon Shop
Taylor Morgan                                                        Inside Ways
My Crafty Home Life                                            House Four
(a life style thing)                                                   Living Savvy