Kim Macumber Interiors: Illusion

Showing posts with label Illusion. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

ORC and Link Up!

Ladies and Gentlemen, prepare yourselves for a

Blogging Design Star Extravaganza

to begin!

One Week from today, Linda, of Calling It Home, and 20 designers, DIY'ers, Interior Lovers will kick off the next One Room Challenge.

Six weeks of 20 Designers changing up one room each in 6 weeks!

I was fortunate enough to participate in the first 3 Challenges and heres what I was able to create ...

Challenge 1: Family Room for a young couple and their 3 daughters.

Challenge 2: Transforming an unused room for a young family into a Keeping Room.

Challenge 3: Creating an Office Space for me!

Let me just tell you the competition is fierce ... these participants know what they are doing and I am certain we are all going to have a ball watching them!

On October 2 Linda kicks off the official One Room Challenge. And

On October 3 Linda invites anyone who wants to link up their own challenge to her blog can join in! Find the details here. Take advantage of all the fun and talent and get a project done! You will be glad you did!

I am Linking Up this year to take my Powder Room to a new level and hope to you'll join in as well as we all attempt to:

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

xo,

kim

Friday, April 26, 2013

Hide ... obsession

So this week was a blur ... back from Palm Beach ... Did that even happen??? It is always fun to have a few days away ... but then do you feel like you are back peddling just to catch up? I have two installations happening under a crunch and while it is crazy it is my favorite time of a project ... seeing it all come together.

This also happens to me ... while out and about collecting things to finish off a space I stumble on things.

Some Not Necessary.

Some Absurd.

And some, you just HAVE to scoop up.

Like this Orange Hide ... from one of my favorite Discount Fabric Stores and in My Favorite Color, as you know!

What are you doing to do with it the lady asked? I have no idea ... but I am NOT passing it up!

I laid it out on my Zebra rug just for you to get the SCALE of this Orange Baby!

I brought it home ... quite pleased. And started pondering the options.

Then I had to go back ... for another piece of fabric to finish another project and ran across

THIS one ...

Hard to tell the patina of this one in the photo ... but it is shimmery platinum delight. I have it in mind for a client's office chair!! She doesn't know it yet!

And then the Orange Hide ... just might make a great statement on my Bergere Chair ... to continue my journey in the Illusion!!

Do you ever stumble on something and you just can't pass it up? No Matter what? Did I mention it was only $75.00!! Oh Yeah!

Have a wonderful weekend ... I am finishing up my "Palm Beach" Closet to share with you on Monday!!

xo,

kim

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Illusions ... Reality Check!

So the Big Reveal of the ORC was yesterday ... what fun and hard work took place over the past seven weeks. I promised a follow up to give you a few more details.

Do you ever find yourself wondering ... What is Really going on around that room? Am I looking at an Illusion?

Get Ready ... I am about to show you my Illusion and

my Reality.

First ... This transformation wouldn't have been possible without these:

Paul and Joe ... My Illusion Wall

My GrandMother ... her Cookie Presses

My Chevron ... Chair Makeover

The Beast ... Tamed

Kerry Steele ... Abstract Art

CEKArt ... Elephant Art

The Gilded Tassel ... Chinoiserie Tray

My Tassel ... as a Tassel

Target ... Spray Paint (I got on Clearance!)

And a Whole Lot of Orange!

NOW ... the Reality ...

Here is what I See when sitting at my desk.

Yep, the washing machine and dryer and my table for projects ... and lots of other Stuff!

Here is what I really see when I walk into the unfinished Basement ...

My Illusion Office to the left ... the Rest Surrounds!

I still have a few little piles that need to be cleaned up ...

The TV ... which is generally on for the White Noise and to cover the sound of the furnace! And all the other PRETTY machinery that makes the House Run!

A chair that I want to re-cover.

Then I turn left and SEE this. I smile ... and get to work!

So here's what you need to know ... It is possible to carve out a special area for yourself ... no matter what!!

So Go Get Your Space On! Illusion or Reality ...

you can do it!!

Now ... please go to Emily's blog for the

Work with What you Have Link Party!

Emily

xo,

kim

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Weekend ORC Warrior!

So this is TUESDAY... NOT the official ORC update day. But the ORC is wrapping up this week with our final Reveal next Wednesday. Well ... I need the extra time!!

And it was warm enough to bring out the Spray Paint!

Last week, Alice and I trekked up to Essex to do a little antiquing. We had a ball ... more to come on Friday about our Day.

But for now ... I found this little bamboo table base. Without a top. Exactly what I was looking for.

Sneaking a peek at how well it works ... but it is yucky dark brown.

I am thinking a Glossy Black will be much better.

First time I have EVER spray painted in the Snow!! But it was close to 50 outside and the sun was shining. I was in business!!

Check back tomorrow to see how Fab this looks!

And then, there is this ...

You are witnessing my downfall. I cannot pass up a good magazine. Well ... those days are over.

Yep, this is a December BH issue ... not even out of the plastic yet!

I found some good storage and Will NOT renew any of my subscriptions until these are all read and pages appropriately torn out because there is something I like.

This is my Promise. I Promise.

Next I tackled the back of the Beast. I told you I wanted to kick it up a notch. I also told you I am NOT over Chevron. So here it is. A paper Runner from the Paper Source. It just didn't have quite enough definition for me.

Out comes the Navy Blue Sharpie. Yep. I am much happier!

I have not finished scraping the paint off yet. I did get new razor blades. But the Chevron is UP!

Please come back tomorrow to see how this weekend brought my Illusion Closer to My Reality!

xo,

kim

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Snow Break ... and a breath of Fresh Air!

The kids' Winter Break was last week and we snuck off for a little time in the NH mountains.

When we first arrived ... I was in this mode ... I'd rather have the SunShine and Beach!

But then look at this ... It was a pretty Stunning Day and it's nice to have us all together without X-Box and sports activities!

A litte Country Farm Bed and Breakfast around the Corner offered some fun sites for me to photograph ...

I love a Good Stack! Look at the textures and colors all buried in this pile of wood!

What most see as Brown. I know you can see the details with me ...

Gray, red, brown, orange, black, gold ... all forming a gorgeous neutral palate!

Which got me thinking about the birch's in my In-laws backyard. Way back when, they said I could have one.

So this weekend seemed the perfect opportunity.

Don thought I was whacked ... perhaps. But My Sweet Brother in Law was ready to amuse me!!

My Own beautiful Stack ... Ready to be packed up!

Ali was Paul's helper ... and put up with me!

Great time skiing with family ...

And Yes, I went Right.

At the Sign.

Off to Conquer the Illusion!!

Thanks for stopping by and letting me share our surroundings for the past few days.

Please check back in tomorrow to witness The Illusion coming to life!

kim

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

The Wall of Illusion ... ORC Week 3!

One Thing I'll Say about Linda and the ORC. She gets her ORC'ers Ready, Committed ... and Motivated. Good Thing. Because the Challenge is BIG and I needed the Push!

MY Illusion-Office is becoming a Reality. Go Visit the Disaster To see How this all started!

About five years ago ... I got my own toolbox for Christmas. I know, probably doesn't sound like much to the average girl. One of my best presents ever!! Don got tired of me stealing his tools ... well, now I don't have to, and DARE him to touch mine!

But I did swipe this air compressor.

Woman with an Air Compressor and a Staple Gun.

Don't get me MAD.

Last Week Paul and Joe built my Wall. Now the fun part. Since I chose this fabric, I need to prep the plywood. Fabric straight on board is stiff and hard and doesn't look friendly.

So ... Batting up The Board.

Batting Hung.

Fabric Hung.

Trim Wainscoting Happening.

The Corners ... Taking Shape!

Up-Close Detail of trim and fabric. I am thrilled with the "texture" of the fabric!

Paneling.

Crown Moulding.

We have some Wrinkles to be worked out.

Here's what is happening Behind the Wall:

ArtWork ... HomeMade

I NEED 2 Cheap & Fun Chandeliers ... HELP!

Painting The China Hutch - UGH!

Organizing ... hasn't even come into the Picture!

Go See what is happening with all My Other Creative ORC'ers!!

kim

Hodge Podge

the Peak of Tres Chic

the Pink Pagoda

Powell Brower Home

Simple Details

Monday, February 18, 2013

Illusions!

Happy Presidents' Day!

As I am working on my Office Illusion for the ORC I am finding myself in a funny place. I came up with the "Illusion", because sometimes I really do feel like the rooms I see and love in the trade publications ... dare I say it ... just MIGHT be an Illusion!!

Not that I don't think these gorgeous homes and rooms don't exist. Of course they do ... and oh the lucky folk that get to actually live in them.

As I am day to day working in real homes of families wanting to create a space that is welcoming and happy, there is a lot to consider. First and foremost ... how to get the best bang for the buck. I prefer not to just hop on over to Home Goods to fill the lacking spaces, but sometimes I do ... whatever I do I try to make each space unique and true to their style. Even when I come away very pleased with the results of a space I have worked on, and know my clients are very happy, I have always felt the reality that some of the spaces would never be able to grace a Magazine Spread.

Okay ... I am rambling on because I came across this photo in the March Elle Decor

Now, this home in the south of France belongs to a Vintage Textile Dealer ... it is her family's country farm house. Something I most likely will never have the ability to own. So ... forgive my being a little snarky, not something I normally do.

But really ... is this space BEAUTIFUL ... OR are we fooled into the "illusion" of a life in France and the fact it is in Elle Decor ... it must be? I think I might be afraid to sit there!

I'd love your thoughts about the Illusions we are fed on a daily basis!!

Hope you are all enjoying a nice long weekend! Kids are out for the week ... but I still have marching orders for myself while focusing on my own little Illusion happening in the basement!

xo,

kim

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

ORC - The Illusion!

Week TWO ... The Illusion Begins! Thanks for stopping by to see how We are All progressing with our ORC ... If you are new, Click HERE to see my Inspiration Office, My Mood Board ... and where this all began!

I like pretty things ... as most of us do. These are the most UN-Pretty photos I have ever posted. Forgive me ... but the Reality is Harsh and Ugly!

This Wall ... started cluttered. I have now cleaned it ... Pretty, huh?

Okay, I really just piled everything up in the workout area. Who has time for working out???

If I was as good/motivated/had the tools/as cute/ as Linda ... I would have built this room myself. However, I am none of those ... so let me introduce you to my Heroes Paul and Joe!

Here is where the Illusion is going to come in.

This is the UNFINISHED basement. I have no intention of Finishing it in the Standard Sense. I ONLY have SIX weeks, okay????

Kind of blurry but the BOYS were moving like the speed of Light for me!

I am Creating a SPACE. Kind of like a Movie Set.

This is where my Illusion begins!

The boys are giving me my BackDrop

BackDrop Framing almost complete.

Wall Panels Going IN!

The Most Beautiful Site all Day!! 12 Feet of Raw Plywood!

Waiting to be dressed!

Okay ... Ready for the Pretty?

I toyed with WallPaper ... but again, this is my Illusion. I don't want to put that kind of money into this Wall.

So I went on a Bargain Fabric Hunt.

Metallic Zebra Print ...

A Good Giraffe, a little more subtle ...

AHHH ... Cheetah in UltraSuede ...

Un-Uh, No Way Hosea. This price was NOT an illusion. Moving On!

Here's what I have ended up with. Nice Cotten with a little textural weave giving it a GrassCloth Look! I do love the Animal Print ... but I really do know when to STOP the Madness!!

Purchased for $7.99/yard and a little Trim @$1.99/yard.

Yes, Wainscoting for my BackDrop!