(More) BEFORE and AFTER

A renovation can be as simple or complex as you and your budget require. We've said it before, but it always bears repeating:  new paint and color changes can make a world of difference.

Restaging/replacing furniture and accessories can breathe new life into any space.

BEFORE:  

 

AFTER:

BEFORE and AFTER - Case Studies

They say a photo speaks a thousand words, and in this case study, it also speaks a huge - but simple - change!

A dated master bedroom becomes new again with fresh paint, updated window treatments, modern accessories and luxurious bedding. In this example, note how the mirror behind the lamp provides a connecting (and recycled!) element between the old and new designs.

BEFORE:

 

AFTER: 

Specialty Lighting

Want to take your home from Wonderful to WOW! ? Different techniques in specialty lighting can do just that. Area ambiance can go from being just another part of the home to a conversation piece.

For example, we built an onyx-topped bar for a client (see photos below) in an area that divides two rooms, then lit the onyx from underneath. That surely says WOW!

LED can lighting in ceilings and LED tape lighting under cabinets is also becoming more popular - and energy efficient!

The onxy-topped bar (middle of the photo) that spans two living spaces

Close-up of the onyx-topped bar

How Do You Choose Finishes and Color Palettes?

Making color palette and finish choices is always a process. We take time to get to know our clients and their tastes. Sometimes, we can have one meeting and immediately envision what they want to accomplish, but more often it takes a few conversations before we reach a point where the selections process can begin. 

Our clients can be involved as much as they choose. Many of our clients prefer we do the legwork and present a color palette and samples for their review. 

We make the selection process as easy as possible, making sure the selections guarantee our client a beautiful environment that matches their vision.

What Does Refreshing A Home's Interior Entail?

Kitchen BEFORE refreshing, showing dark cabinets

Refreshing a home's interior can range from simple paint and color changes to a total redo. Sometimes, just removing heavy draperies and decluttering the accessories is all that is needed.

Lately, we have been changing a lot of dark faux paint (Gothic style) to lighter paints. Kitchens are being transformed by painting dark wood cabinets a pretty white, as seen in the before (above) and after (below) photos shown here.

A refreshed home is updated so it feels new and charming!

Kitchen AFTER refreshing, showing cabinets painted a light color

DESIGN TIPS: Drywall Detailing

Everyday, ordinary drywall can become a glorious design element with just a little bit of detailing and inspiration! 

For instance, by adding a top layer of drywall to  the  bottom third of an existing wall, you can cut in 2 foot by 2 foot squares the depth of the drywall layer. Add chair rail inside each square and to the top of the newly added drywall.

Bingo! You have created a wainscot. 

This is a great look in a dining room or study.  The wainscot can be painted with wall paint any color of your choice, or even enameled to look like wood. It can also be fauxed it to look like wood, which is much cheaper than real wood.

Let your imagination fly with drywall!

ENTERTAINING 101: Get your home ready!

Have you noticed that Southwest Florida just might be the home entertainment capital of the world? It is!  Our beautiful climate and friendly people blend together to create the perfect environment for getting together, and what better place than in our homes. 

Is your home ready for entertaining?  We want our house to look as good as possible when we invite our friends to spend an evening or afternoon.  Your home says a lot about you.  You invest a lot of your time and energy to make your home as comfortable and as appealing as possible. 

A large or very small decorating budget shouldn't make a difference if you follow some simple suggestions:

Sometimes just re-arranging or eliminating furniture pieces can make a dramatic difference.  An overly crowded room doesn't do you one bit of good.  You should be able to move around freely, if not make a change.  Sometimes moving furniture from one room to another makes a nice difference.  If your dining room is small, buffet dinners will work just fine.

Formal or casual rooms should look comfortable and not haphazard.  Too many colors,  textures, sizes and scales create chaos making your room feel unfriendly.  Formal arrangements should be symmetrical in your furniture and accessory arrangements with the use of muted or deeper colors.  A casual look is usually asymmetrical and playful with the use of textures and color (but not too many).

A theme will help you unify your decor.  The theme should flow from room to room.  Examples of themes are beach, tropical, country French, Tuscan, Asian, or world traveler,  just to name a few.  If you can't decide on a theme tear pages of pictures of homes you like from decorating and home magazines.  More than likely they will have a similar look or theme, and this will help you develop your theme and style.

DESIGN TIP: Color Your World

by Ann Kingon, Southern Showcase

How do you refresh and update your home without great expense?

Color can transform your home! So many people live in white or beige rooms, which can appear stark, cold or display a real case of the "blahs". Just a touch of color can add drama, warmth, and even a touch of sunshine. Color can be bold or subdued; it can be warm or cool.  Your desired effect will determine what colors you should choose.  Here are a few  tricks  designers and decorators use that can help you navigate the world of paint and color.

Make more space without adding a single square foot!

Pale colors tend to recede visually, the lighter the color you choose for walls and floors, the larger your space will appear.  Cool colors such as blues and greens make small spaces appear larger.  You might want to consider using the same color throughout in a small condo, it will make the condo seem larger.

Make large rooms appear smaller!

Deep colors reduce sense of space.  Warm colors (red, orange, yellow) appear warm and cozy (they also simulate appetite)  Large spaces feel more welcoming and user friendly with these colors.  Have you ever been in a large home that felt cold and uninviting?  I bet they didn't use a warm color pallet.

Get more headroom!

Make low ceilings appear higher by painting the ceiling a shade or two lighter than the walls.  You can install crown molding around the perimeter of the room, which will help draw your eye upwards.

Hide things you don't want to emphasize!

Windows, doors or any off-center architectural detail will not be as noticeable if they are painted the same color as the walls.  Air conditioning vents and returns seem to disappear when painted the same color as walls or ceilings.

Get modern!

Paint with contrasting color for a contemporary/industrial look. Pipes, metal work and air conditioning ducts can look like sculptural artwork.  You have to be a little adventurous to go this route, but remember, it's only paint.  Niches and tray ceilings are much more noticeable when painted in a contrasting color.

Optical illustions down the hall!

Paint can make long corridors appear shorter if you use a deep warm color on the far walls. Try this one tip - it works like magic.  To give the corridor a more spacious look paint with light cool colors. And to make the corridor look longer, mount a tall mirror.

Paint is inexpensive, and lighting at the paint store can't be trusted to match your own lighting, so initially, buy the smallest amount you can and try a test area. This will assure you that the sample you fell in love with on the swatch really is the color you want.

Remember, paint is one of the easiest transformations for your home, and can give you a big bang for the dollar.

Stay tuned for our next tip, and most of all, have fun!