Before and After Friday!!

Wow! I am so touched by all of the sweet words of encouragement that I have received about the new blog.  Like I mentioned in the "debut," finding the time to write a blog is a HUGE departure for me, but I have found that it is an unexpected highlight of my week!  I love sharing my projects (and thoughts on design!), especially since receiving your generous feedback.  Thank you guys for making it fun for me!

So, here's an idea...how about we have a "theme" day?  I LOVE a good "before and after" and what I'm hearing from you is that you overwhelmingly do, too.  "Before and After Friday" it is!

Since I've been teasing you with this project since my first blog post, I'll start with this "Santa Barbara-style with a modern twist" kitchen, dining and main living space that I completed this spring.  A little bit of background -- this project is in Austin.  A mid-2000 "Tuscan-style" home.  Many of us in west Austin, especially, are very familiar with this look -- it is often rich with heavy architectural details (stonework, dark wood beams, stained cabinetry, faux finished walls) that were based on some of the gorgeous historic architecture of the Tuscany region of Italy, but maybe a little overdone in ATX.

These lovely clients wished to lighten up and add a touch of modern to these spaces without throwing the baby out with the bath water, so to speak.  I was up for the challenge!

Using my love of Santa Barbara, California style (heavy Spanish architectural details, beams and handmade tiles contrasted with white venetian plaster walls) as an inspiration, as well as my young, fun, client family's love of young, fun and modern, we embarked on the redo...


BEFORE:  In the original kitchen, the faux-finished walls and honey-colored cabinetry practically hid the high-end appliances and beautiful hand-crafted tiles on the backsplash. 

BEFORE:  Heavy architectural features and richly-colored furnishings.  Distracting in this large, open space.  Client was ready for a change!

BEFORE:  Faux-finished walls, iron railing, dark oriental-patterned carpet.  Do we change the railing, demo the entire house? Move??  ;) No, no...let's start with changing the carpet and paint...and some fresh decorating.

And, drum-roll, please....the "AFTERs," in reverse order...

Photo credit:  JanaMcKelveyPhotography.com. 

AFTER!  The entry freshened up with seagrass carpet and stair runner, Benjamin Moore Lancaster Whitewash walls and trim.  It's not your granny's table skirt...best way to update any table!  Fabric is a Lee Jofa embroidered geometric.



AFTER!  Large sectional in family-friendly fabric fits the whole gang. Reclaimed wood side table adds to the mix and works with Client's existing copper and wrought iron table.  Kelly Wearstler fabric on Lee Industries swivel chair.  See more photos of this project by clicking on the "Portfolio" tab at the top of this page.

AFTER! The kitchen...ahhhh.  The tile stayed, the granite stayed, even the cabinet pulls stayed!  But, oh, what a difference paint and some key accessories can make!  Benjamin Moore White Dove (my absolute fave) on cabinets.  Visual Comfort pendant lights, burlap and hand-rubbed black counter stools.  Beyond gorgeous zig-zag linen fabric finishes the room on the roman shade.  I love that the kitchen feels brand new but not a bit cookie cutter.

Love this project!  One of my faves!  Thank you sweet clients for allowing me to share!  :)  XXOO, LP