POLLY'S REFRESH

  POLLY

You mentioned you like Susan Meyers style. (We all do).  Those homes in her movies are iconic.  She has lovely accessories and furniture, but that is not what makes her houses iconic - a lot of homes have those things. It's architectural.  Check out these before and after photos of rooms where the architectural details have been added - its a world of difference.  And the ONLY difference is the architectural touches such as molding and trim added.

Remove the classic architectural touches and the Nancy Meyer rooms could easily be builder-grade homes with some nice furniture and accessories put together rather well.

HADA HOME

FIRST STEP - ADD ARCHITECTURAL INTEREST WITH PANELING AND TRIM

Decide what style of paneling and millwork you like.  Any areas you choose in the formal areas - living/dining/entry - should be in the same style paneling as the staircase molding.   However, if you would like a slightly less formal style in the family or kitchen or other areas, we can make that change and still keep the custom feel through the home.  I will make some recommendations below, and you can decide which areas you want to enhance.  Once you have decided, I will provide a sketch of the proposed moldings that you agree on as to style and position and one that your contractor can work off.  

ENTRY WALL

I recommend the entry walls be paneled in the same style as the staircase.  In addition, I would add moulding and trim to the two openings on either side of the mirror.  This will provide a finished and custom look to this area. (I don't currently have a photo of the wall with the exterior door, which we may also want to give a more finished look.) 

 Examples:

Picture molding like this behind the mirror and chest.

And this is what I mean by finishing the openings - adding moulding and framing the opening.

LIVING ROOM BACK WALL

This wall needs picture frame molding similar to the staircase

I think sconces on this back wall would be beautiful.  The panels should be arranged to accomodate the mirror and pictures, etc., and possibly sconces if you decide to add them.

EXAMPLES

DINING ROOM NON-WINDOW WALLS 

Recommend continuing the picture frame molding into the dining room - this can be full wall like the living room or just a wainscoting.

for both walls and while we are doing the moulding, the trim around the doorway into the kitchen should be wider and this would be a good time to change.

EXAMPLES

KITCHEN 

Recommend panels for these 3 walls (includes the short wall at the doorway)

Same idea here - but maybe in a slightly more casual style.

This area we discussed finding furniture - a tall cabinet - for beauty and extra storage.

EXAMPLES

This is a more casual style of paneling.  It can go all the way to the ceiling or stop at a height to be determined.

You thought you might like to paint the island. Here is an example - see if you would like that look.

HALL TREE AREA

Recommend removing the hall tree and replacing with a built-in platter rack.  I'm also curious what the door here represents.  Is it a closet? How do you use it.

EXAMPLE

AREA OFF ENTRY OUTSIDE OF POWDER ROOM

Recommendation for this area is to panel in a more casual style and cap that with a long shelf that would also serve as a way to hang any quilts you would like to display.  I need to know how you hang them - rod or clips? But either way can be built so that it looks finished with or without a quilt.

EXAMPLES

This is a more casual style of paneling I think is beautiful. 

Try to picture the above style of moulding with the long shelf shown below.  If you like this option, I would sketch it out so that your contractor can work off the drawings. Disregard the hooks.

FAMILY ROOM

Recommend the more casual style of paneling behind the sofa.  Framed to accommodate larger artwork. (What is the door?  Is it a closet?) We can talk furniture after this first stage.

We talked about moving the family pictures to the hallway wall at the top of the stairs.  I think that is a great idea.  This wall should have larger art - landscapes with a lot of green to pull that color in.  The paneling on this wall should be similar to the other more casual areas.

EXAMPLES

This is batten paneling.  The squares or rectangles can be any size we determine is best, as you can see by the other examples.

POWDER ROOM

Remove the wallpaper, repair walls, add picture frame molding (like staircase)

Possibly paint the vanity a color so that everything in here won't turn completely white

EXAMPLES

Picture frame molding with boxing around mirror and sconces.

High wainscot with possible grass cloth above.

PRIMARY BEDROOM (MASTER)

I would also enhance the wall behind your bed and connecting wall.

EXAMPLES

UPSTAIRS HALLWAY

The perfect depository for the family pictures.

GUESTROOM

This room isn't as critical, but could also have a little trim to enhance the walls.

STAIRS

RUGS AND FLOORING

WHERE?  If we are unable to match the flooring, we can change out the flooring for just the entry and add the new flooring in the other areas - living, dining.

New carpet on the stairs and up through the hall.  Possible Master?

COLOR PALETTE

Homework:  paint Dove White B M swatches to see if it is the color you want throughout