Cabbage Rose Re-birth ...

I can just feel it ... it is lurking around the edges of my brain.

"Back in the Day" before blogs ... I was taking kid photos, not home design projects.  Last week an IG friend posted a photo of some old fabric she was going to re-purpose and it reminded me of this time in my life.  

I worked very hard for this complete Ralph Lauren Bedroom ensemble!  And the Laura Ashley Stripe wallpaper ... my favorite.  When I look back at this photo I am reminded how much I love the look.  This was circa 1996 ... almost 20 years ago.  I think it is time for a rebirth of the Cabbage Rose. 

Fast Forward to now and I have a new client with this sofa!

I actually told her it was so old it is almost Current!

Knee jerk reaction ... how can we ditch it?

After careful thought ... We decided to see how we can keep it and make it feel fresh and NOW.

And NOT ... Shabby Chic.

Here's a little mix we came up with to bring the Cabbage Rose into 2014!

The Cabbage Rose ... Is it NOW or NOT?   

Stay tuned!!

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

xo,

kim

Thank you Grace!

While I was unplugged a couple of weeks ago ... and Catching a Breath I picked up the March InStyle Magazine.

And Found Grace!

This is It!

You know I've been wanting this.

So Grace gave me the inspiration to move forward with my Buffalo Plaid.  

The Yellow and Red and Black spoke to me. 

This sweet girl that sat in our living room for years and she just got all gussied up and Moved to the Kitchen.

A Pop of Yellow Happiness is keeping the kitchen fresh

and even sunny with snow still in the window!

Window treatments to be made ... and yes, I am ignoring the fact that there is a door behind the sofanowbanquette.

Because I don't want the door there.

I have dismissed it.

Show you how we do that as the kitchen progresses!

It's all in the Details.

Thank You Grace.

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

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Who is YOUR "Design Mentor"?

xo,

kim

To Skirt or Not To Skirt ...

Happy Monday! 

I've been dreaming of a new sofa for our family room.  

Right now it is truly existing only in my dreams. 

But while unpacking and shoving putting things away ... visions of pretty rooms have been dancing in my head!  And I am fixated on a new sofa.  Yes, you remember my old family room and the sofas that I was horrified by ... well, they didn't make the move.  

There are so many other pressing decisions that need to be made but I really want to know in my head ....

To Skirt ....

Via

Or 

Not To Skirt ...

Via

I happen to love the classic lines of the London Sofas from Duralee ... and am having a very difficult time with this seemingly simple decision ... 

Please weigh in ... To or Not To ... Skirt.

Oh ... and here's what I envision she'll be wearing ... 

Via

Yes, this is a pillow ... I am on the hunt for this fabric.  

Wide. Wale. Navy. Corduroy.

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

xo,

kim

It's All About Personality!

Here We Go ...  Week Two of the One Room Challange!

Creating a custom room and design doesn't mean you have to break the bank or be rolling in the dough!  I encourage all my customers to work with me to be creative in their space.  Let's not go to the big box store and buy the catalog cover room ... yes, they are pretty, and soothing and pulled together.  But they aren't "you" ... it is someone else's personality ... we MUST have your personality ... or it will never feel like home!


Remember our room is taking a double role of family room and living room ... we want the furniture to speak to both. I happen to love sectional sofas.  But they aren't right for the role of this room.  We want it to be comfy and inviting ... but keep a level of sophistication for entertaining.


When we left off last week, we had made a decision on our inspiration fabrics:

And we added a rug!


A. Rug from West Elm
B. Stripe from Duralee
C. Butterscotch Ikat from Duralee
D. Pumpkin from Duralee


Here's how they will be used:


We will choose a stock neutral fabric for this Sofa from Mitchell - Gold.

The Charlotte

The Room is large enough, and since we are not going to use a sectional, but want to maximize seating ... we'll take two of these sofas, please!

Boston Interiors has a nice product and great pricing ... and like Ballard Designs (remember the Chair)... will allow you to choose your own fabric to put on their pieces at no extra cost.  Here's what we chose:

The Apollo

We'll take two of these chairs as well!

The Santa Fe

And One Cocktail Ottoman to round out the room!


The Basics are In Place, now we need to make some structural design changes.

Remember the faux grey and peach marble tile fireplace surround ...  

It is in for a change ... A new solid piece of black granite.  This will neutralize and ground the space while looking richer than the tile effect.  We will also lower the mantle. 

The "vaulted" ceiling gives wonderful height to this room ... but my clients and I would like to see it warm up a little.  We will be adding some beams to the ceiling. 

And, guess what?  The TV.  It will go above the fireplace!!

Things are moving over here ... we'll be showing off the New Fireplace Surround and New Mantle in place next week!!

Are you making changes?  I would love to hear about them!

xo,

kim


Please check in with Linda at My Crafty Home Life and our other Challenge Sisters as we transform 15 rooms in 6 weeks!!  I know you can find some inspiration somewhere in here!


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