Design, Interior styling, Office Design, Tips

Exciting and Bold Modern Office Re-design

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Guess what my client’s first thoughts were on this wallpaper that was already in her office space when they moved in?

This is going to give me a headache. I cannot work in here and this is really not my style.  We debated removing the wallpaper but the rest of the office had bold patterned wallpaper and I did not want her office to feel like it wasn’t even part of the same space. So we worked with the wallpaper and let me say it was definitely a design challenge. I needed to add some traditional elements to make the client happy and calm down the overall space. However, I wanted her office to still feel like it could flow with the rest of the other work spaces around her. I love the way it turned out and the client was happy which is the most important thing!                                  

So what did we do to calm down the overall space?

Here are some of our design tricks and tips:

-We added some ivory into the color palette with chairs and a rug to soften things.

-We added some greenery and florals to add contrast against the busy wallpaper.

-We added a mirror to reflect light and the beautiful view.

-We added pops of teal with furniture and artwork so it still felt modern and bold and brought in the wallpaper.

-We chose a natural wood color for her desk so that she could keep the traditional feel she wanted.

Design, Interior styling, Organization, Tips

How does your home make you feel?

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Does your home feel like a sanctuary or is it a source of stress and anxiety?

I had an interesting conversation with a longtime client last week. She commented that she loved her powder room and it made her happy. It was recently redesigned with a new bold patterned wallpaper and a textured tile backsplash. Along with a new beautiful navy vanity and a fun piece of artwork.

Before my client even said anything I had been thinking how much the powder room represented her fun bold and colorful style. And how streamlined and clutter free it was compared to other parts of her house. So I asked her “What if your whole house could feel as good as this powder room?”

You don’t have to tackle your whole house at once. Just take one space at a time. Walk around your house and take inventory of what spaces and things you truly love. Less is more..you can create the home you have always wanted.

Take one room at a time and be a ruthless editor. De clutter, organize and style it so it represents your current lifestyle. And your style right now. Not the you from 5 years ago, not your ex-husband’s style and not the hand me downs from your family and friends you are keeping out of guilt. Keep only the things that feel like you and make YOU happy. (Of course, you do have to be mindful and respectful of other family members and their spaces.) But start with what you can change and you and everyone else will notice a difference I promise!

Design, Feng Shui, Interior styling, Organization

Living room design for senior clients

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I got a call from some clients that I have worked with for years. They are a sweet older couple in their late seventies and wanted to convert one of their guest bedrooms into a cozy den.  I was so excited to help with this project! The only things they really had in the room were 2 new recliners and a TV stand that had a fireplace insert. (Which they said they absolutely loved the coziness the fireplace added so that right there gave me some ideas.) So the design was a clean slate!

I suggested we do a cozy library feel with lots of browns and oranges. Soft glow of candles and fireplace.

They had an eclectic mix of artwork so we discussed that 3 different types of art would not work in the room. Southwest, Thai dancers and a barn. We decided to use some beautiful prints we had discovered while de cluttering my client’s office. They were beautiful brown sketches with an old world feel and would definitely go with the vibe of the room. We redistributed the other pieces of art to different areas of the house.

We started with a Pinterest board to narrow down color palette and general aesthetic. I encouraged them to order a low bookcase to go on an empty wall to add some warmth. I suggested we style it with some mementos from their travels, old books and a few new accessories. It would also be a good place for my client to keep his lap top and any reading materials he wanted near his recliner.

I took them shopping and it took us a little over an hour to find everything left on our list!

It really is amazing how a cohesive color palette and accessories can completely transform a room.

We still have a few tweaks and things to add but I love the way it turned out. It is such a cozy relaxing room. And the best part… the dog agrees!

 

Things I envisioned for the room:

-Low bookshelf in a dark wood to match TV stand

-Vintage sketches framed above bookcase

-Panoramic picture on long wall above recliners

-Faux plant to bring outdoors in (they did not want maintenance of a live plant and very little light comes in room).

-Battery powered candles in metal votive holders to create a cozy relaxing vibe

-Rug with warm colors like brown, orange and green

-Curtains in a neutral color

-Display old books and mementos from travel

-Stained glass lamp

-Wooden tray

Design, Interior styling, Organization

Colorful Office Design For My Client

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I recently worked with one of my longtime clients on designing her office. She is a doctor who was moving to a new office space and wanted to make it colorful, fun and inviting. Because I know her style and personality I had a vision in my head and I knew it would embrace her personal style! The office was pretty drab to start with so we really wanted to add some blues and pinks to give it some pop.

We started with a Pinterest board and narrowed down some of the options I presented to her. Things that were on the list:

-Cabinet for storage but not too big

-Bar cart to use for extra storage and add some glam

-Round rug to add color and warmth but not get in the way of the door opening

-Colorful fun art- I chose a few alcohol ink paintings because I thought they would be a bold fun look.

-2 cozy chairs for patients to sit in

-Standing desk positioned so she could see out the window

-Round mirror to reflect light

-Faux roses to add some pops of pink

What is your favorite part?

Design, Interior styling

The little things do make a difference…

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Do you ever say to yourself “Well this room is a mess and I don’t have time to do a big cleanup so there is no point in trying?”

I’m here to tell you the little things not only make a difference but they also provide motivation to do more! There are so many times that I have worked with clients who say “That area isn’t a priority and it doesn’t really bother me.”

Until….we improve the spaces around that area and suddenly it really jumps out as an eyesore and starts to drive them crazy.

This is why I am so passionate about organizing AND styling your space.  When you style your space or even just a corner of the room and love the way it looks then suddenly you feel better and want more of that feeling in your home!

What is one small thing you can do today to make your space feel happy?

Design, Interior styling, Organization

The icing on the cake…

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I have to say organizing and design go hand in hand as far as I’m concerned. I love to help clients with refreshing and styling their spaces.  Once a space has been de cluttered and organized, the design touches are the reward and the icing on the cake! ( and for those of you who know me well then you know that icing is one of my favorite things).  Without these added touches the room doesn’t feel finished,  or new or revitalized.

I guess you could say its one of my favorite parts of my job. I love taking a space and giving it a whole new look.  A space that was once neglected and used as a storage area is transformed into one of the happiest spaces in the house.  Taking a clients vision or “wish list” and giving a space a whole new purpose is so rewarding.

The question is do you have a room like that in your house??

Maybe now is the time to tackle it…

Interior styling

Some fall tablescapes

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fallcenterpiececraftberry
Centerpiece by Ms. Craftberry Bush

feathersandbottles
Image from article at Apartment Therapy

fallpumpkinsandgreenery
Mollyoneblogspot.com

fallpumpkinsandantlers
Toneontoneantiquesblogspot.com

I can’t believe it is already September! I do have to admit I am relieved we may get a break from this heat finally. Fall is my favorite time of year and I thought it would be fun to share some inspirational decorating ideas with you.

We all get in a rut from time to time and think we have to decorate in traditional holiday colors or stick to a certain look or theme.

The main goal is to have fun and be creative!

-Kristina

Design, Interior styling

Create a home you love

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Master Bedroom organization after redesignLet me start with wishing everyone a  Happy Valentine’s Day!  In honor of Valentine’s Day I wanted to write something about the topic of love. We all get used to our surroundings and our house and sometimes get too comfortable with the clutter. But do we truly surround ourselves with things we love?

The very popular new book “The Art of the Magic of Tidying up” by Marie Kondo, does have one really good message. Does everything in your home spark joy?? Are you keeping things you do not love out of guilt, or because it was expensive or you just have a hard time letting things go? The designer Nate Berkus also wrote a book called “The Things that Matter”. The theme of the book is the same. You should surround yourself with things that make you happy and have meaning. Maybe items in your house are sentimental or do  they just have happy colors or make you feel good?  Choose your favorite photos to display, or a piece of art that makes you feel calm,  a decorative object from a favorite vacation or loved one….  Whatever the reason is if you start to look at your house from a different perspective you will have an easier time creating the space you have always wanted.

Holiday decorating, Interior styling

Holiday Decorating

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christmas reindeer decor by professional organizer christmas tree decorations

One of my favorite things to help clients with is Holiday decorating!  Everyone has their own unique style and holiday traditions which makes each house different and fun.

Most of us have acquired quite a collection of Holiday decorations but each year there is always a temptation to add something , change a theme or update a look.  Holiday decorations don’t always have to be expensive. There are plenty of ways to spruce things up without spending much except for your time. (which I realize many of you are probably short on)  But for those of you that are up for a little DIY decorating here are some creative ideas I have found over the years.

-Look at catalogs and magazines for inspiration to create the look you want

–White lights can make quite an impact-they can be used in jars, vases, hung from the mantel. (there are some great battery powered lights for those of you that don’t have easy access to an outlet).

-A can of spray paint can transform almost anything!  If you have some decorations that need a face lift, maybe you have changed your color scheme?  Basically if you like the shape of something but not the color just spray paint it and make it work with your decor. (vases, candlesticks, wine bottles, etc.)

-I have seen many things recently on Pinterest on how to make snow covered jars-a little glue and some epsom salt.

–Tree branches that have fallen in your yard could make great miniature trees. Stick the branches in a bucket of sand or rocks and cover the bottom in burlap.  Then spray paint the branches white, add a little glitter or some white lights and you have a tree! (this would be great for a front porch)

– A little burlap, raffia or ribbon can add just the finishing touch to something.

-Buy some silk fabric for a tree skirt.  It is a fraction of the cost and looks beautiful.

-Buy inexpensive garland and add your own ribbon and other embellishments. This looks more custom and high end and it reflects your own look.

-Go to the dried flower aisle and pick out some great pods and pine cones to add into your tree, wreaths or garland.

Design, Interior styling

Surround yourself with things that make you happy

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officeforblogSometimes we become so used to our surroundings that we do not look at things objectively. We all have a tendency to gather decorative objects and home decor without always thinking about it. Maybe a friend or family member gave you a gift that wasn’t really your taste or you inherited hand me downs from family. It is a common theme for people to keep things out of guilt. Take an honest look at your house and when decluttering choose to keep items that truly make you happy.

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