A few client “Afters”

Step one: color consultation and linen choices for the bath

Step two: find artwork to hang over the spa tub

I forget sometimes to show what I am working on with my decorating clients, so today I am featuring a few homes that I have helped transform with fresh paint colors, new art, decorative styling or design coaching. The spa tub above needed a piece of artwork that could fill the space and still make sense with the colors in the adjacent master bedroom. The bedding, which the homeowner chose, is a multicolored small print floral (scroll down below to see entrance to bath). I found this large canvas with tall flowers bordering a sandy beach. I like how it references water (i.e. being in the tub or in the ocean) plus the flowers in the painting are shown in the same rich colors that are found on the bed.

I suggested monogramming “his and her” towels
to add a personal touch to the new bath.

A cool blue was chosen for the master bedroom walls to coordinate with the bedding and to add a contrast to the warm wood tones of the furniture and the sandy palette of the bath. On top of the dresser, I created a focal point that would also anchor the flat screen wall mounted television. I added a pair of candlesticks for a touch of romance and to help bridge the visual gap between the television and the bureau.

For this vignette, I chose objects that were a variety of heights, finishes and textures. A painted vintage box acts as a pretty catch-all for small jewelry boxes along with the odds and ends that typically end up being emptied from pockets at night.

HOUSE NUMBER TWO:

A modern light blue-gray wall color was chosen to compliment the more traditional slate covered floors.




An extremely long hallway was given architectural interest by adding crown molding and wainscotting detail. Now the walls are ready for a gallery of family photos. By keeping the palette monochromatic, the focal point is on the master bedroom at the hall’s end, instead of drawing attention to the expanse of walls.

The master bedroom in this home is a
rich contrast of chocolates and creams.

HOUSE NUMBER THREE: BEFORE

Existing cabinets in this home were refinished and given new hardware to match the new stainless steel appliances. By keeping their existing cabinets, the homeowners were able to splurge on a new granite countertop and tumbled marble backsplash ...

AND AFTER

We chose a cranberry, gray and cream colored granite that would pull out the colors in the stained glass door on one of the upper cabinets. The yellow pineapple plays the same visual trick. When you work with what you have, instead of fighting it, the final design looks much more planned.


Learn my decorating tricks ...
Could your home use a little “design coaxing?” Do you have decorating questions that you would like answered? I am going to be presenting a series of evening decorating workshops at TaggArt Studio in Wakefield starting in January. If you would like to sign up, email me at yblacker@verizon.net and I will send you info.

Special holiday shopping event ...
There will be a holiday shopping open house at TaggArt Studio on this Friday night, December 2nd from 6pm to 8pm and on Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Along with fine artwork from studio owner Mary Taggart, jewelry, hostess gifts, and custom children’s clothing and accessories, my friend Beth Hylan will be there with her always creative holiday trimmings so don’t miss out! For more details, click here. I will be sending over some fliers with the information about my upcoming classes, and you will be able to get on the class list by signing up during this weekend sale. Decorating consultations also make great gifts and I will have some discounted gift certificates available for those hard-to-buy-for someones on your list!

A few shout outs ...

My boys got the above quote this week to set them off on the right foot (I am trying to encourage a supportive band of brothers and they seemed like they needed a gentle reminder). They always surprise me, however, when they can quickly rephrase the quote into kidspeak. According to son #2, “It means if you help someone, good things will happen.”

In that spirit, I am listing links to the businesses of a handful of my friends. Anyone willing to put themselves out there with a business of their own deserves some wind in their sails every now and then. Be sure to mention that you saw them on my blog (I am actually trying to gauge audience interest in different products) or feel free to post a comment here to let me know your thoughts (you can even just anonymously check a box if you liked this post : )

Thank you in advance for visiting my friends!

People always stop me when I am
carrying a bag by Jane Skelley.

I am putting Oranta Millwork
in my own home ... soon!

If you have young children and live
in the Boston/North Shore area,
you will love Wiggles & Giggles
for party entertainment or
parent-and-tot classes.



Special creative workshops at TaggArt Studio are looking good! What a cool idea to combine yoga with creative art instruction! Sign up now to register for other Winter 2010 classes. Classes begin Jan. 11th.

I wish this parent-to-parent matching service was around when I was home all day trying to keep up with a bunch of toddlers (and desperately wishing for adult conversation!) Discover new friends to help you navigate the ups and downs of parenthood at truebluematch.com. Or become a fan on Facebook to receive parenting tips, newsletters and friendly support from founder, Christine Cook (my trueblue friend since grade school!)



Some of the above friends are featured on my website Friends Who Design which I created in fall of 2008. My goal for this site was to promote creative friends in a virtual marketplace in order to share resources and references. When I came up with the idea for the site, I did not have any experience with blogging. Nowadays, I finder it quicker to share information through this blog, but I still update the Friends site often. Check it out and be sure to share it with your friends!