FRIDAY'S FIRST MATE

Ahoy!  We are gearing up for, what is sure to be a weekend filled with nautical LOVE.  We're working on a  nautical baby shower  this weekend.   Can't wait to share the creative ideas that have gone into this summer soiree.   Be sure to check back and we'll be posting about it soon.
 If you are a regular reader you know that I have a love affair with anything and everything involving the ocean.  My entire powder bathroom is decorated with my love for the beach.  Doesn't matter if you're in the city.  If you love the beach and the coastal feel, then incorporate it somewhere in your  home!

The ocean evokes feelings of peace, serenity, and relaxation (a few of my fave words); and whenever you can incorporate those same feelings into a space in your home, you will be beachy-keen, even if you're miles away from the ocean.

Nautical can be interpreted in so many different ways as shown in some of these photos below.  On the primary color end,  here's a mix of  traditional nautical elements.

But if primary colors aren't your thing, you can still create an amazing space using the beautiful pastel pallette found in the unforgettable sunsets and the colors that bounce off the rich blues of the water.

 I could write for hours about coastal decor because I  love it so much.  So many ways to show you  different color schemes you can use for a  beachy decor.  But I think my all time fave is a coastal room when it has some turquoise element and touches of driftwood.
LOVE LOVE this room ....

Do you have a room in your home with a nautical touch?  If not, check out World Market, Home Goods or Pier One this weekend.  They've all got some great accessories in store right now!

Have a great weekend and hope you're enjoying the summer,

 

Resources:

1. Yellow Lamp - West Elm
2. Nautical Flag Print - Etsy
3. Navy/Ivory Rug - Dash & Albert
4. Red Chair Photo
5. Beach Scene Photo - Etsy

A CLIENT'S MASTER BATH REDO

 Recently I had a request from clients to redo their master bathroom.  The owners wanted a fresh updated look but they wanted a traditional warm space.   By adding  new mirrored cabinetry,new natural stone counters,  updated  colors,  and new metals, we were able to achieve a  relaxing retreat.

 

The "lady of the house" side of the bathroom in it's "before" state felt heavy and too dark.  The counters before were a synthetic cultured marble:

We changed out the counters to a beautiful natural honed marble, and created all new cabinetry with mirrored doors.   Decorum Tile  supplied and  fabricated the counters and did a beautiful job.

 Now the space feels open and has great light.  (Design tip:  Mirrored doors or cabinets are a great way to make a small bathroom feel larger)

We  took down the dated shower tiles and the old shower enclosure....

...and removed the cabinet above and created a vanity space here:

 
 We took my client's  vanity chair.....

 
... and had it reupholstered in linen with cute covered buttons on the back. ( Click on any image to enlarge for the details.)

The gorgeous cabinetry was custom made from The Greystone Farm,  Greystone also completed the construction of this space.

The creamy white cabinets were rubbed with a light glaze.

On the "man's side" of the bathroom you can see the old heavier paint finish of the old cabinetry....

My inspiration came from a beautiful remodel project (shown below) created by Houston  designer Carla Aston.

I LOVE the X  mirrored front cabinets, the Calcutta Gold marble,  the vanity mirror, the onyx tile and gold metals that Carla used!

However, we wanted to stay within a certain budget, and I offered them a similar tile  in a lower price point, but still a very nice and beautiful quality.  I found our tiles at American Tile .  American Tile also stocks the beautiful onyx tile Carla used for her project.

My clients  also  preferred oil rubbed bronze and a very  traditional style on their fixtures.  All our plumbing fixtures and the beautiful Kohler sinks came from Ferguson Plumbing  .

 Sticking to our budget, we were able to find these "classic, yet modern" lights at Lowe's, as well as the glam crystal and iron hardware and the beautiful curvy vanity mirrors above the sinks.


My workroom created a  custom window treatment  with this beautiful Kravet linen fabric.  We dressed up the hem with a box pleat edge and a welt of the coordinating solid linen.

Hope you enjoyed the redo. And if you live in the Austin area and are interested in remodeling your space, call me!  I'd love to help you!

And for those of you inquiring about the E-Design services.  We truly are almost finished with the text and pricing of the design packages.  Hope to have it published on the website within the next few days, along with the updated portfolio on the site.   Look for announcement coming soon!


All the best,

Stalking a Modern Beach Cottage

We just got back from a great beach weekend in Port Aransas, Texas.  Next time I'll take more pics to share of other great beach homes, but wanted to share one of my faves.  This white modern cottage was recently built and always has my curiousity.  (bad photos I know....but I was stalking the house from my car.. click on photos to get a good stalking view point!)

But notice the great details :
- the succulents with boxwood topiaries
-the horizontal run of the privacy  fence (inside the picket fence)
-all white palette
-picket fence cut back on the corner of the lot to show plantings in front
-groupings of plants vs. all cluttered miscellaneous types
-modern sculpture piece
-linear, modern house numbers

Even the alley driveway looks great.
notice:
- the planters with boxwoods
-mini down lights above planters, in dark iron....at night these are very cool
 

Can you imagine what the interiors must look like?  I'm sure it's just as fabulous as the exterior.  

And speaking  of "stallking"....look at the beautiful corn stalks we saw driving home.  As you leave Port Aransas, back to Austin, there's an area of turbine  wind generators that tower beautifully over the gorgeous corn fields.   (click on the pics to view them larger...they look alot better this way)

Are you stalking a fave home?  Share your pics ....would love to know what stirs your curiousity on the streets of your town!

Speaking of homes....remember we have our home for sale?  Well, thought we had a contract while at the beach, but it fell through.  But we're hopeful because a family that has been interested in our home might have a buyer on their home, so they're considering.  But I know how real estate goes, so remember to blog about our house sale and you can receive free E-Design.  (see my previous posts for details...)

All the best,

TATUM'S NURSERY

I'm over the moon excited to be designing a  baby boys' room again!   I mean who doesn't love a baby's room right?  But this project is VERY near and dear to my heart.  I'm designing this one for my oldest son and my daughter in law's first baby...which means, yep, I'm going to be a Grandma! Me?  A Grandma??   I'm just not feelin' old yet....so you can call me "GiGi" :)  !
We're thrilled though and getting ready for his summer arrival into our lives!!

Tatum will be his name and I wanted to give you a sneak peek of the room design.  Nautical is the theme mixed with a soft palette of whites/creams/navy/greys and black accents. We started with a new ensemble from Restoration Hardware Baby: the Vintage Ticking set.  My son is also a musician,  so we had to add a little rock star fun to the room too.

Here is a list of resources for all of the items shown above (click on the links for more info):

1) Ceiling pendant light

2) Large wood "S" letter

3) GILT.

4) Guitar wall art

5) RH Baby & Child Vintage Ticking Stripe Bedding

6) Serena & Lily Ashbury glider with custom "T" pillow

7) Restoration Hardware Paint

8) RH Baby & Child lamp

9) Similar styles can be found at Four Hands Home or Restoration Hardware

10) Dash & Albert rug

11) KooKoo Bear Kids

12) Etsy

13) Pottery Barn Kids nautical storage baskets

The nursery is almost complete and when we're finished I'll post pictures of the actual room.

Dylan & Cooper like the nautical idea too!

All the best,

Need help with your home?  Contact me for rates.  E-Design coming soon!