Including The Whole Family

My husband and I left Dallas on Super Bowl weekend and headed to South Texas to spend time with good friends. They recently moved into a new home that they spent months remodeling and the result is fabulous. They have three of the THE MOST adorable little boys you have ever seen and from the moment we walked into the house, there was no doubt where the heart of their home was. Their HUGE open kitchen is now three times the size of the original and the island is definitely the hub of the entire family space.

Modern white cabinets with stainless hardware,  subway tile backsplash in three tones of white,  slate floors, Deep Gray Ceasar Stone countertops and top of the line Jenn Air appliances create a fresh open space for the family of five to hang out.

The island is always being used for art projects. Emilio was drawing a picture for me here, and  a few of us chipped in to help with his Valentine shoe box project the following morning.

We made homemade pizzas one night…it was a mess but a blast and sooo yummy!

Directly across from the kitchen is the family room and casual dining area. The boys were always at the table playing games or having a snack.  My favorite thing about this part of the space is the boy’s art work. It’s nothing new to parents,  but using your children’s art can really personalize a space allow everyone in the family to have a part in accessorizing the home. I love how their mother framed these colorful kangaroo paintings, they brought in the pop of color that they love and the pieces are modern enough to compliment the feel of the home.

Having a cup of coffee from the Saeco coffee machine was a morning ritual. These coffee painting by the oldest boys were adorable and proudly hung in the area too. What a fabulous weekend, I’m wishing Caddo & Ivy made pieces like this while they were at doggy daycare..no such luck!

One Standard to Stunning Kitchen, Check

I recently spent the afternoon with Melanie Johnson photographing a client’s kitchen. A few months ago, I posted the before pictures and idea board for the project….see it here. The transformation in this kitchen is fabulous and I am so excited to share the “after” pictures of the room. I really love to show before and after pictures of my projects. I want you, my readers, inspired by the changes and creative ways my clients and I work together to create their dream space.

Let’s start with a few before and after photos shall we….

Before: The dark cabinets and countertops were not my client’s contemporary style.

After: A fresh coat of white paint on the cabinets completely brightened up the space while the addition of the stainless steel vent hood pushed this kitchen towards the contemporary side.

A 4×8 white matte subway tile (Dal-Tile) for the back splash was the finishing touch to the modern sleek feel our client’s were looking for.

Before & After: The center island was my favorite change! We removed the storage on one half to make way for a new seating area and then grounding the island by painting it black. Caesar Stone Quartz Pebble and Misty Carrera (on the island) were selected for the countertops. The sleek edge detail and soft gray of the Pebble really balance out all the white that we introduced into the room.

Porcelain tile, Plaza Nova in Black Shadow (Dal-Tile) replaced the existing neutral tile and will keep the large dining, kitchen , butler’s pantry and laundry room cohesive.

Before & After: The unique shape of this kitchen allows for everyone to move through it easily. The living room sits just outside of the kitchen by the sink area. This was the one place where adding a unique detail, like this commercial faucet made a huge difference. Now, the view from the living room is just as appealing.

The view from the living room:

Finally: The eat-in dining area had a built window seat that was not being used by my clients. We pulled the space together by adding a few decorative pillows that tie in with the wall color, pops of green and the original art work that my client created! My clients added simple white blinds and wispy white drapes to soften the window. The oversized drum shade pulls everything together and adds a soft light to this side of the room.

Before & After: The butler pantry was also updated! My client mostly uses the area as a desk but it can be easily cleared off and used as a serving area for entertaining.

See this before & after featured on DESIGN REFUGE!

Taking Standard to Stunning

I just realized that it has been over a month since I have posted anything on the blog!  We have been busy keeping up with projects in the studio as well as managing other projects around the house.  One of the items on our blog “to-do” list is a kitchen remodel that is full speed ahead. Here are a few before pictures as well as the inspiration board for the final finishes.  The cabinets have been painted a fresh white, the floors and backsplash are out and the new blue-gray wall color is going up too.  Hopefully we have the after pictures soon.

Here is the inspiration board for the project. The cabinets will be painted a fresh white to match the existing trim throughout the house.  The center island is getting a makeover too. We are removing the storage on one half to make way for a new seating area and then grounding it by painting it black. Caesar Stone Pebble and Misty Carrera (on the island) was selected for the countertops. A 4×8 white matte subway tile for the back splash will bring in the modern sleek feel our owners are looking for.  A black slate will replace the existing neutral tile and we will finish off the space with sleek bamboo shades and new seating around the island bar. It will be stunning and a major change for our home owners. Let’s hope they make it through the construction while living in the house!