Recent Project: Pretty Master Bedroom Redo

About a year ago I was contacted by a client who was in need of a master bedroom and bathroom renovation.   We started with the master bathroom and when that was completed we moved to the bedroom which was recently finished.  It has been a fun project and I'm very happy with the results (and so is my client!)

They live in a historic home in downtown Annapolis.  Below is their pretty side door.  Isn't their portico with the copper roof great?

Below is a before picture of their bedroom.

Here's the after picture.  We transformed the room with a spring green color on the walls, a vibrant new rug and new fabrics for chairs, bench and bed.

Below is a before picture with the new rug spread out so we can discuss color direction.

The Osborne and Little stripe fabric on the bench and shams worked beautifully with the rug and has the airy fresh feeling we were looking for.   Existing furniture was rearranged and we added some great artwork that my client already had.

On the other side of the room is a tv sitting area.  Below is the before picture.

And, here it is now with newly upholstered chairs and ottoman.

We added the same striped fabric to the chair pillows.  In the background you can see we used a deep pink fabric for the bedskirt and headboard for contrast.

Earlier this year you may remember I did a post on this master bathroom renovation.   I had taken the pictures before the shower doors were installed so here are the most recent pics.  Below is a reminder of what the bathroom used to look like.

And here is the finished result.

One more before picture...

And the after.  You can learn more about the bathroom renovation process...here.

Below is my client's front door with a reminder of the thanksgiving holiday that is around the corner.  

 I hope you and your family have a great holiday!

Bedroom Canopies

It's been a crazy couple weeks.  I can't believe this is my first post for June...yikes.  My goal is to do one a week so I've got some catching up to do.  Last week I had a great trip to Detroit.  I now know the Michigan Design Center inside and out.  It was a great design center but I have to say they were missing two of my favorite fabric lines...Osborne & Little and Quadrille!  They would have been perfect for my client to check out.  Not too big a deal.  I sent her lots of samples once I got home.

I'm currently working on a design plan for a master bedroom and bathroom for a beautiful historic home in Annapolis.  I would love to incorporate a bed canopy into the design.  A canopy seems so luxurious.  But they are also cozy.  Almost like they give you a big hug when you are in bed.  Some even remind me of being in some faraway land or better yet on vacation.  I'm not planning a four poster bed canopy but an abbreviated version to cover only the headboard and and pillows which works great for a smaller room.   I found some great examples that I wanted to share.

Here's a great use of pattern.  I really like the valance fabric with the pretty blue ceiling.

Southern Living

So soft and pretty and using one of my favorite colors.  The stripped bolsters are adorable.

Southern Living

What a great canopy for a little girl's room.  I don't think it's possible to have a nightmare while sleeping in this bed.

Canadian House & Home

 Another serene room in green.  It looks like the wall lights are coming out the sides but they must be on swing arms coming from the back wall.

Canadian House & Home

 Interesting shape for the upholstered valance.  Very fun.

Veranda

 A simple canopy with gorgeous embroidered bedding.

Meg Braff

Great embroidered detail on the valance.  I like the subtle pattern on the inside of the canopy.

Coastal Living

 Love the simple contrast banding on the valance and panels.  The designer really packed in a lot of goodies for such a narrow room.

The green lamp shades are very cool against the all that pattern.  I like the use of hardware up top and on the sides.

I like seeing the artwork or mirrors displayed in front of the panels.

Exotic.

What a gorgeous canopy for a daybed.  One of my favorites.

Ooh la la...so very french.  

Oh...just in case you didn't hear...I just started blogging for the Severna Park Patch.  Check out my first post here...8 Design Tips for the Active Family.   Please leave a comment!

Have a great week!

Behind the Design

I was thrilled to be highlighted in the Washington Post House Calls section on May 5, 2011.  In case you didn't see the article yet, you can check it out here...A Room that welcomes guests.   It was fun responding to the reader's comments on the Washington Post website!

I wanted to share with you some of the details behind the design.

I knew I wanted to create a warm welcoming bedroom that can be used for multiple purposes...sleeping, reading, and working.  But at the beginning of the design process I was torn between two looks.

LOOK #1 - Soft white walls, fun art, ethnic coverlet, and cool lighting.  Very eclectic.

I was considering Sundance's Gudari Quilt as a starting point.

But after careful consideration (including the feedback from many of my blog readers on previous posts), I decided to go with a look that was more welcoming and with broader appeal.

LOOK #2 - Pretty, peaceful, and monochromatic.  I like the deep color on the walls and the subtle pattens and textures throughout the room.

The Washington Post requires the designers use retail items only (no trade-only items allowed) for their House Calls column.  So my starting point was Ballard Design's Scandicci Gray fabric which I landed up using on the desk chair seat and back.   The fabric is even prettier in person...a worn vintage feel.

I then put together a space plan to determine what type and size of furniture would work best in the room.    Here's the final plan I submitted to the Post so items had been selected and labeled on this version.

After a few weeks I received rough sketches from Julius, the Wash Post illustrator.

After giving him some feedback, the print copy was then published a couple weeks later.

I'm very happy with how the illustration turned out but I wanted to share some closer up pics of the items I selected.

Check out the texture and pattern in Domestic Modern's Grey Tibetan Weave Rug that I paired with Pottery Barn's Woven Jute Rug  and the details on West Elm's  Knotted Felt Pillows.  The Crate and Barrel's Beverly Floor Mirror was left out of the article because you couldn't see it in the illustration.  Anthropologie's Stockbridge Side Table is so cool I wanted you to get a better look at that too.  The wall color is Restoration Hardware's Stone, a warm grey that works well with Benjamin Moore's Decorator's White that was suggested for doors and trim.  

Here are Ballard's Little Bird Giclees I choose for the room.  Very cute.

For a more upscale look, check out the "splurge items" I picked for the column.  Paintings by Melissa Payne Baker, which you can purchase from Quatrefoil Design, an online store by one of my favorite blogs, Things That Inspire.

Aren't they gorgeous!

You can check out all my picks for the room here...Design Solutions.

I've been receiving emails from Washington Post readers who are making changes to their guest rooms as a result the of the article! So cool!

I believe all great designs result from a close collaboration between the designer and their client.  Thank you to all my readers who provided my feedback on their design preferences which helped me with the design process for the article!

Have a great week,

Pretty Bedrooms

I'm a little bedroom obsessed these days for mainly one reason.  I'm excited to say The Washington Post just asked me to participate in their House Calls column.  For many years this column has been a favorite of mine.  I look at the "before picture" then spend a few minutes coming up with my own solution for the space plan, then look at the designer's "after picture" to see if they came up with a similar space plan.  Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't.  It's a fun little exercise I enjoy every Thursday morning.

Well, they've asked me to design a guest bedroom.  Some of you may remember my post called  Are You Ready For House Guests?!? where I listed all the must haves for a guest bedroom.    So no surprises on the elements that I'll want to include in the room.  For the design, however, I'm currently loving a certain look for a bedroom...crisp, peaceful, with some international flair and a hint of masculinity.  Here are some inspiration pictures I've collected over the past year.  Keep in mind these pictures do include lots of "trade only" items whereas I'm limited to retail items and a budget under $10k.  Also, the client asked for "no flowers and pastels" and they prefer greys and blues, a mix of traditional and modern, and they would like to incorporate an existing cherry dresser that luckily has simple lines.   My design is due by the end of the month and should be printed in April.  I would love your help with the process...tell me what you like about these bedrooms and why!  Just comment below...

Photo Credits:  1. Coastal Living  2. Southern Living  3. Unknown  4. Southern Living  5.  Elle Decor  6.  Suzanne Kasler  7.  Martyn Lawrence  8.  Candace Bushnell  9.  Michael S. Smith  10.  Ty Larkins  11.  Bella Mancini  12.  Unknown

Thanks for stopping by!