Let's kick off the new year with a first look at our first reveal of 2022!
The home had some pretty strong architectural features that gave off major 1990's vibes, so one of our challenges was to make them work with the California casual look we wanted. The scope of the project was refresh and refurnish, not a total gut renovation, so prioritizing the updates that brought the most bang for the buck was crucial. One thing we focused on was simplifying the trim and woodwork to feel more modern, including taking out a totally faux built-in cabinet (more on that below).
Of course, Project Creep kicked in and we ended up doing a bit more to the home than we originally planned, but I'm really proud of what we were table to do within budget restrictions, using stock cabinetry, and in the midst of wild lead times and delays.
Photography by Public 311 Design
Construction by McMaster & Hill
The Formal Living Room
"Formal" isn't a great descriptor because our clients wanted all of the spaces to feel relaxed and welcoming. But, this is literally the entry to the home so we wanted it to feel special. After everything got a coat of white paint, we added a lounge-y slipcovered sofa, two chic leather arm chairs, a natural pine coffee table, and two black cabinets for contrast and style.
Before: Not only was this entry space used a play area and not really furnished, the many angles and openings of the of house felt busy -- it wasn't exactly the sophisticated entry our clients wanted!
After: Painting it all one shade and simplifying the moulding is one of my best tricks for updating a house without a lot of cost or effort. To bring all of the open spaces together, we focused on shades of blue, textural wood objects in light tones, and pops of black. Now, it feels cozy, but elevated, and better reflects our clients.
The Dining Room
Adjacent to the formal living room featured above, this is the first space you see straight on from the front door. It's also framed by a cool opening, so we really wanted this room to pop. The blue drapery panels are unexpected and really draw the eye into the room, and the table and chairs all have a lot of understated texture.
Before: Placement in front of the stair made the upper section of the original built-in not functional (the doors were faux!).
After: We removed the faux doors and worked with the shape and depth of the wall to create inset open shelving above the lower built-in cabinets. Not only is it actually functional now, but taking down the heavy cabinetry helped the room breathe and flow better with the cleaner, more modern style we took the rest of the home.
The Office
I love to do an office or study in a really saturated shade in the middle of a white house. It creates a cozy, jewel-box effect and helps with the mental separation needed in a work-from-home situation. We wanted the client's office to really feel like it was her's, so we installed a sisal wallpaper in a gorgeous shade of blue. The lovely aged drift Oak desk ties in with the tables we used in the living and dining spaces, and the neutral wool rug is super cozy underfoot. For a little bit of glam, we included a modern light fixture in brass that really pops off the blue walls, and chose over-sized floral art as a feminine touch.
The rest of the home was not without its own unique (and some not-so-unique) challenges, and we'll dive into those in the next post. In the meantime, get ready for some more peeks on Instagram. If you'd like help with your own remodel, you can inquire about our services here. Our 2022 calendar is rapidly filling up, so don't delay!