Rock Residence Major Remodel

  Shelly, a warrior & breast cancer survivor,  did a “happy dance”  when her loving husband  Bill,   a successful general contractor, recently decided to surprise her with a dreamy remodel to their suburban Thousand Oaks home. My client Shelly is full of passion and celebrates with each and every day that passes,  I simply adore her. Unsure how to make this reno all gel,  Bill and Shelly asked if I could assist them. We have worked together in the past on several redesigns.

This renovation will include everything redone,  and I mean everything!!  “Including the kitchen sink” lol

Just to give you an idea of what I’m talking about,   Bill completely emptied out their home and tucked away Shelly’s favorite antique pieces.  They temporally moved to their beach home during this extravaganza.

This gnarly reno will include the following amenities:  complete exterior re stucco, tile roof,  back-lit raised ceilings,  interior modeled plaster finish, recessed lighting, gourmet kitchen,  sliding pocket doors throughout, oversized sliding glass doors,  skylights, floors replaced with hardwood.

Although this home had good bones, Bill removed several of the existing walls and opening up the entire space. He created a large dramatic room. The space will include foyer, family room, kitchen, breakfast nook with banquette, formal dining area.

First look - foyer

Rendering of formal dining room . . .

To the back of the photo formal dining space with charming corner windows,  and custom corner built in.

  View looking into space when you walk through the front door.

 

Kitchen island under construction,  family room to the right.

Scrumptious kitchen island to include a handy writing desk at one end, elevated counter, range with hood above. To help emphasize all of this beauty,  the island surface will be luxurious Calcutta marble with OG bullnose edges.  (And to be honest, After I pulled my open jaw off the floor – I thought makes me wish I had a stylish island with Calcutta  marble!)

View of the kitchen:  sink location will be in front of the bay window.

Custom built furniture style kitchen cabinets – so great looking!

Seen to the back of this photo,  installed oversized glass sliding doors in family room. These doors will really stretch  the space visually and will give a full view of their lovely backyard.

Outside view of new glass sliding doors.

 

  The family room will have a sexy lounge feeling.  My clients chose to use their existing Ethan Allen sectional and have it reupholstered. The space will house a large plasma television and custom-built credenza below that will hold media equipment,  books and some display items.  I will bring in their existing  furniture and accessory pieces. I enjoy working with clients’ heirloom pieces and incorporating them into the design concept.

Notice the three windows in the preliminary drawing, they are the same windows in the image below,  just to give you a feel for the perspective.

  To the back of this photo, under the two corner windows,  a custom built banquette with storage underneath and a round table. Shelly and I are currently working on textile selection for banquette.  While my client doesn’t mind neutral tones she loves spicy vibrant colors,  she says they make her happy :-)

 

Closer look at the corner where custom banquette and breakfast nook will be located. This location is sooooo peeeerfect right next to the fireplace,  it will be so cozy! I feel a fireplace should be a focal point in a space, but the existing one was just an eyesore. I chose to cover up the old brick with backer board for a more updated look. More on the fireplace later.

  I will create a sultry seating area for Bill and Shelly’s friends,  with an antique round wooden table and cushions in a gray textured fabric.

 

I have successfully used the larger plank size hardwood with my other redesigns and it really adds warmth to a space. Seen below are two proposed samples.

Gorgeous six inch wide plank hardwood flooring.

Lastly,  Sample of proposed ceiling crown molding to be installed throughout.

Pretty awesome, huh?

If you’d like to read more about this reno. I’m verrryy excited to share it with you all,  there is still lots more to tell. Stick around for round two of this post,  and thanks for listening.

For design inquiries, write to Laurie at me-n-you@verizon.net

Merry Christmas & warm Holiday greetings to all blog friends! ..

I’ve always had such a big interest in decorating, especially for the holidays. I thoroughly enjoy it, so when my parents called on me a few days before Christmas to decorate their home for the season. I jumped on it! I decided to make the living room mantle the focal point of their holiday decor, it greets visitors, and is also where our family will gather for the Holidays.

Okay now comes the fun part. Yep, I kind of figured you would want to know some of the dets of how I achieved this look.

I used two oversized garlands, one at the top above the mirror and one on the mantle. The next step might make you a little squeamish, to hang the upper garland you will have to use two picture hanger hooks in. Yep, you will have to make a few small holes in the wall. The holes will have to be patched after Christmas. Come on folks you can do it, that’s what spackle was created. The lower garland you can secure with nails underneath the wooden mantle. That’s one of Mom’s crafty tricks!

The garlands aren't the skimpy kind you see at Target and WalMart, oooh no, these bad boys are densely thick and come with a hefty price tag. You can purchase them at specialty Christmas stores. I bought these the day after Christmas for half price, and have used them many times over the years. My clients often rent them for the holidays. I used a combination of fresh Noble branches mixed in with the artificial garland.

She chose a burgundy & gold color palette. I used this magnificent velvet fabric on both ends of the mantel, I allowed it to cascade to the floor in a puddle.

I placed this elegant angel mom purchased at Home Goods, in the center to be the crowning gem. We love Home Goods!!! I placed the angle on a pedestal to make her appear airborne!

Sorry about the blurry photos folks.

I mingled curly willow and birds (mom’s favorite) throughout. We call all birds rippers, not sure why, we just do. lol

I used 20 yards of burgundy velvet wired ribbon.

( before)

(after)

Wishing you all a very blessed and Merry Christmas!! Have a wonderful
day and enjoy!

How to use a Vintage Hutch for a Headboard?

 

Happy Holidays everyone!!!

I want to announce the winner of my giveaway.

Congratulations Tery Hodges Annapolis, MD

Please email me your information.

Many Thanks for participating in our wonderful giveaway!!! It’s been so much fun getting to know all of Jennifer’s peeps!!! Thanks a bunch for all your heartfelt sincere comments, shout out to all my new followers!! Your arrival is a cause of joy!

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To put together a fabulous room, it helps to create a focal point.  This vintage hutch turned headboard was just what I needed for this master bedroom.  These photos were taken during our merchandising process,  but I couldn’t wait to share with you, so please forgive the messy display of items.

I positioned the top half of a vintage hutch behind the bed,  and mounted it to the wall.  The hutch top was slightly larger than our bed,  not to worry.  I was still able to achieve the look that I was going for.

In this image below you can see how a hutch will most often come apart into two pieces,  I used the top half. Our bed was Cal king 72”x 82”, twelve inches wider than a queen size bed,  and adds four inches in length when compared  to the queen size.

So y’all,  next time your at the flea market or a garage sale… keep an eye out for a gorgeous antique hutch.

Isn’t this bit of vintage decor . . . . da bomb???

Shhhhhh don’t tell anybody or they’ll all be doing it. (wink)

For design inquiries, write to Laurie at me-n-you@verizon.net

 

I’m Giving Away a Bella Inspirations Gift Certificate

 

My dear friend, the fabulous blogger extraordinaire, Jennifer Grey, who writes The Old Painted Cottage, and I have got together and cooked up the most fabulous Holiday giveaway!

Rush over to her blog and read all about it.  We have decided to offer the winner of the $75.00 giveaway any item they want to spend their gift certificate towards from my Etsy shop.  Here are a few of my charming vintage burlap items, pictured below  . . . .

 

 

My newest creation, crown design with two perched sparrows table runner? My table runners are available in custom sizes for that perfect fit!

You can select from different styles. For your favorite Euro cottage look, a ruffle.  For a more rustic feel how about 6 inches of fringe???

Charming French burlap pillows?

Grain sack inspired burlap pillows?

All of these beauties were designed by me and they are all very popular,   I try my best to make my collection as gorgeous as it can possibly be.

So what will it be?  Burlap Table Runner?

or a sweet domed cloche?

Leather Dr’s bag?

 Good luck to you all!!! 

I was so excited when Jennifer said she would be the mistress of ceremonies for this fun giveaway! Thank you Jennifer for your wonderful post and for helping me with this fun and fabulous giveaway.

Do you have a vision of how you would like your home to look?

Do you need help putting it in motion?

For design inquires email me-n-you@verizon.net