UPDATING A FAMILY ROOM

It seems to hit at about the 10 year mark.

Suddenly you can no longer stand the outdated colors or style of your room.

For me it was the colors -
I was so tired of the same colors everyday that I craved change.

It was almost overnight -
one day they didn't bug me, the next -
I hated them.

I think that looking at so much color all day

everyday

had me craving calm neutrals to come home to.

For Kathleen, it was both - she wanted to gray down her color palette

and she wanted a nice, clean-lined contemporary look.

We started with a new color palette.
Soft grays, taupes, creams, navy
and a pop of mustard

and went from this....

to this...

We used neutral fabrics with pops of color

and in another 10 years or so, when Kathleen tires of this color scheme, 

it will be easy to add new colors - simply change the accessories

The result is updated, calm, casual and inviting.  

photography:  Shawna Henrie at Bleu Dog Photography

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QUESTIONS FROM READERS

I'm looking for a paint color for second floor hallway. Wall to wall carpet is navy blue. Wood trim and built in wood linen closet is Benjamin Moore white wing. I'd like a color that would be good so we hang pictures on the wall.

Right now walls are white wing. There is no exterior light to the hallway, just painted white wing paneled 1900 doors to bedrooms and bathroom.

Regards,
Jan

Jan, 
Hallways can be dark spaces, so I'm recommending (sight unseen, of course) a lighter palette, but also a definite color so that the pictures you hang will have a nice background.    With navy, I recommend Sherwin Williams AMAZING GRAY or ACCESSIBLE BEIGE.   Of the two, Accessible Beige is the lighter, but in a hallway area, it will appear darker than on the paint chip. (Actually, the family room in the post above is painted Accessible Beige). It has a little more beige but is still a cool beige and will be lovely with the navy.  

Amazing Gray has more gray, is a little cooler and a little deeper color, but has a beige undertone, so again, will be nice with the navy.  

Give them both a try as a sample on some poster board you can tack in place and see which one is more appealing in your space.  Both, in a hallway, will be darker than the paint chip, but with adequate lighting will be very nice on the walls.

Best wishes,
Claudine

A KITCHEN UPDATE - BYE BYE OAK

Kathleen's kitchen was kind of perfect,

except for the wallpaper border

the outdated window coverings

and the oak cabinets

and the fact that she wanted to change

everything 

except the layout

[which was the perfect part]

and the floor - a wood look tile that she loved

But, other than that, she was okay with her kitchen....

Now, however, 

she loves it.

Who can blame her?

Gone are the dated yellow oak cabinets -

in their place... creamy white.

A new apron sink,

new window coverings...

and new appliances.

The new colors are beautiful, soft and calm -

a palette of grays, navy and mustard

We added additional recessed lighting

and pendant lighting [Pottery Barn]

We kept the table and chairs but recovered the seats.

We added new bronze knobs and pulls

Pental Quartz counters

and tumbled travertine (subway style) back splash

(we tucked the electrical plugs up under the cabinets so that beautiful backsplash

wouldn't be interrupted by ugly outlets)

We topped the island with warm walnut butcher block.

Added a custom vent hood

A few accessories

and an awesome magnetic blackboard

for the desk area

We also reupholstered this funky little desk chair - 

for a pop of mustard.  

The result is a warm and inviting kitchen

Updated

Beautiful

custom kitchen cabinets by

Aplus Home Improvements

DESIGN FOR A NEW HOME WITH A CASUAL COASTAL VIBE

So happy to have time finally to post these photos of some of my projects...

starting with this brand new home 

I loved the open floor plan of this home.  Lots of lovely light, and the flooring was a little rustic with a slight gray wash to give it a casual, beachy feel - but just a little.  A nod to the coast with driftwood toned woods and soft grayed down colors...

With no existing colors or furnishings to contend with - I had the blissful freedom to make it exactly how my client wanted it...

Here are the photos, (by photographer Shawna Henrie of Bleudog Fotography)
starting at the entry...

The entry looks straight into the dining area, which is open to the kitchen and living areas - one big wonderful space...

The table is reclaimed elm

chairs are linen

 The curtains are linen.

 Gray, cream, taupe and pops of mustard create a soothing palette

the sofa is in an easy care microfibre fabric that looks like a woven fabric

(and doesn't show handprints everywhere)

The kitchen is a vision in white..

In keeping with the rustic beach feel, driftwood toned rush seated counter stools...

Thank you Vicki for letting us invade your home...