December 18, 2013

Adaptive Reuse of Hallway Space

When our clients bought a new house in Dallas, the previous owners had built in desks in the upstairs hallway for their children.  A wonderful idea for them – but for our clients, this was an unnecessary use of space!

Our solution – to redesign the space for a windowseat instead of desks.  The contractor was able to build it according to our measurements with useful storage underneath.  We added a thick cushion and throw pillows to create a warm and inviting space to curl up with a book.

Before

After

Artwork and colorful cushion and pillow fabrics make this a welcoming space to sit.

December 17, 2013

The Ultimate Upgrade

When my client approached me about renovating their basement, we had to make a few important decisions. What is the ultimate purpose of the room? Knowing what furniture would be used was the determining factor in their decision. My client wanted to incorporate their existing pool table, an antique pinball machine and one, possibly two, poker tables. The intended results: the Ultimate Man Cave – upgraded!

The basement before the rennovations.

December 5, 2013

The Question – To Paint or Not to Paint Your Stained Trim?

If your husband loves his stained woodwork, here are some before and after photos that may help you change his mind!

Painting your trim can instantly change the look of your room.

At this house, we chose to paint the stained bookcases, mantel and ceiling beams white.  It made the ceilings appear taller and gave a fresh look to the room.

Before…

After… 

For this next client, we removed the stained shutters to let in more light and painted the woodwork a soft blue green color.  The contrast with the lighter walls gives this room a peaceful, relaxed look.

Before…

After…