Latest Swag Project!

A client had some particular requirements for this custom window treatment project that created some challenges.  Space restrictions, using no lining, and figuring a way to reveal the reverse of fabric, required some creative solutions.

My solution for the space restrictions was to avoid using a rod, so instead I used rings, mounted by themselves, which I draped the fabric through.

Without lining the fabric (in order to reveal the reverse side of the fabric), I used a simple 1/2 inch hem.  I turned the tails of the valance out, to show both the front and back of the fabric (the clients liked both sides of the material).

Here are my results:

 

Ladybird Beetle Bench

I'm working on redoing my nieces and nephew's shared bedroom, and have been feeling oh-so-creative.  I found some adorable woven ladybug fabric at a goodwill in Grand Rapids, and my mom had purchased the snoopy toy box used a few years ago.

In the children's bedroom, I decided to do a variation on a primary color scheme, so the yellow fabric with red, woven detail was a perfect choice.  There was a lot of "white lullaby" paint leftover from a home painting project, so I painted the toy box with this color.  (The kids even helped me prime!)  It upset my nephew to cover up the dog on the bench (there was a picture of Snoopy), but as the project progressed and he saw the end result, he seemed to forgot all about it.

The bench top was made from plywood from the side of an old cabinet I tore out of the laundry room to make room for a high efficiency washer and dryer set.  The padding for the bench top came from an old egg-crate mattress that we've had around the house.

 And here it is...

Great for storing toys, and sitting!

Review from my youngest niece: "It's soft like a cloud."

Sweet, Little, Vanity Seat

My sister, Rachel, has encouraged me to blog again.  So here is the beginning of a string of projects I've been working on for the past few months.  Whew, I've been busy!

Recovering this vanity seat took, maybe, half an hour, but I was so pleased with the results!  I picked up the chair at a local thrift shop for $7, and while I abhorred the drab, 70's synthetic leather covering it, the frame was in wonderful shape.  I had some leftover fabric from a client project that just fit (I mean, JUST fit... I had to strrretch this one to cover the seat), but it did cover, I just had to align the fabric a little off-center (which I like better anyway. 

And here is how it turned out...

Before:

After:

And how darling it looks in my bathroom!

La Vie En Rose -- FABulous artwork!

Finding a piece of artwork that fits your space and ties everything together can make a world of difference in the entire aesthetics of a room!

A client and I poured through art books and finally decided on this print -- "La Vie En Rose" by Didier Lorenco.  The painting had the corals and blues that were already in this sitting room, and also some darker colors to help tone things down.  The strokes of the painting and shapes in the balcony rail followed the same form of the patterned wall-covering, and helped to ground the piece.  We framed the print in gold and silver scrolls and swirls, a specialty frame from Max Moulding.  The piece gives the room such depth and life, and provides a visual escape to a Parisian lounge-y day!

Bold lines redefine a pair of valances

A client had some valances in her kitchen area, made about 3 years ago.  She still liked them, but felt they needed to be a little bit bolder.  I suggested using fabric from the draperies I was making for the adjoining room to create some bold lines on the valances and tie the two rooms together.

The results are in:

Before:

After:

This was such an inexpensive way to totally transform the look of these valances.  Using the contrasting darker fabric, made these valances more sleek and modern -- creating a new look, with very little cost!

How to: Make a cornice-- the at-home and easy way!

To begin, we measured the curve of the window and extended a foot out on all sides, using a large sheet of paper-- tracing the inside edge of the trim on the window with chalk, to create a pattern. 

We then laid the pattern out on a piece of plywood and using a jigsaw, cut out the shape of the cornice.  For 6 inches of depth, we had boards ripped at the store, and screwed them into the plywood front of the cornice.  We used L-brackets for additional support in fastening.

Next, we laid down a synthetic batting over the entire cornice, for padding and softness of shape.  After the batting, we laid down our fabric and trimmed it to the shape, then made sure to line it up and center it before beginning to staple.

To install above the window, we attached larger L-brackets to the wall, mounted the rods and draperies to the cornice, set the cornice ontop of and screwed into the L-brackets.

Ta-da!  Here you have it, a bold cornice -- done by you!

Fresh accents for the Greslick room

Creating a more modern, finished look in this sitting room was a bit of a challenge -- it's rich red walls, and mixture of tones and textures required a bit of creativity in finding a harmonious, balanced feel.

Before:

Solutions:

The first thing to do was switch out the area rug in the room.  The previous had become faded and was more antiquated, so we selected a colorful rug with larger florals, that seemed more to scale with the room and gave the room and younger, fresher feel.
For artwork, my client had two frames, with doilies and broaches mounted in them, that had belonged to her grandmother, so I felt it was important to incorporate these into the design of the room -- because of their significance.  I also decided to feature a fabulous painting of a woman and doves that my client already had hanging in the room. 

We kept the existing furnishings, with the exception of a few pieces (a chaise and side table), added in some lattice-patterned nesting end tables in black (for contrast and sleekness) and gold table lamps.  We fashioned a cornice to mimic those found in another room of the house, and added some new draperies and sheer curtains.  The fabric we used in the cornice is a modern touch, that ties into the shapes and colors of the framed doilies, while the drapery and sheer fabrics give the room rich pops of color.

Almost no room refresh is complete without a change in the furniture layout, so I moved the furnishings around for ease and functionality in the space, placing the sofa on the opposite wall, and moving a side chair and cabinets as well.

After: