a new project

I have a new project starting for some friends that are preparing for a move across country. They are just about to close on their new house so I don't want to jinx it by revealing too much but our focuses will be on their master bedroom and their combined kitchen - living space. The plan for the bedroom will mostly be light cosmetic changes as well as furniture and linen purchases. On the other hand, the kitchen/family room will be a big project with lots of decisions to make - cabinet color, countertops, backsplash, cabinet hardware, a new sectional, rugs, lamps etc. They are still undecided about how much they want to tackle right off the bat but the tentative plan is as follows:

Kitchen
- Repaint the oak cabinets
- Replace countertops and backsplash
- Add lighting (flush-mounts or pendants)
- Change out existing hardware for new 
- Purchase a vintage rug
- Paint

Breakfast nook
- Purchase new chairs and table
- Add a light fixture
- Potentially install bamboo shades
- Paint

Family room
- Purchase a sectional, console table, matching lamps, rug, end tables and coffee table
- Recover existing pair of chairs
- Refinish fireplace
- Mount TV over fireplace
- Install bamboo shades
- Paint

The plan is still very rough as we don't know such key information as room dimensions or budget but below are a few inspiration images I have started to pull for each space. 

I love the traditional yet a bit boho feel of this kitchen. For my friend's kitchen, I am leaning towards all white cabinets although a rich color like navy or teal could be great too. (via Style Me Pretty)

via Elle Decor

I really like the laid back feel of Amanda Peet's casual dining space. I am thinking a round, rustic table like the one pictured with these Serena & Lily bistro chairs. 

via Hillary Thomas Interiors

My friends know they for sure want a sectional and I love this navy one with coral piping. They are thinking they will do the Bliss Down-Filled sectional from West Elm. Stay tuned to follow the progression of the project!

resource review: domino

domino magazine

Domino is back! Launched just a few days ago, the new online format is part magazine part marketplace. Allowing readers to shop directly from their features, the magazine bypasses traditional and competitive forms of advertising. This strategy is viewed as new way of doing business for the magazine - one that will hopefully give the publication a second chance at life. For those of you not previously familiar with domino, it was a print magazine published by Conde Nast. Started in 2005, the magazine was published with wide praise until 2009 when it was shut down due to poor advertising revenues. Deborah Needleman was the founding editor in chief and ran the magazine for all four years of its circulation. She along with Sara Ruffin Costello and Dara Caponigro also published domino: The Book of Decorating - a must own book for all home decorating enthusiasts. Needleman, who left Conde Nast when they closed domino, now is the editor and chief of T: The New York TImes Style Magazine.

The "new" domino is now being run by Michelle Adams. Adams was the original co-founder of Lonny who parted ways with the online magazine in March of this year. The magazine will publish four issues a year - available online or in print by special order. In addition, they will be building a digital archive of past domino issues. With three ways to view each story (read story, view photos or shop the story) the format is user and pinterest friendly. However, when I tried to read the cover story of the current issue I got an error message so there still seems to be some kinks to work out. Needless to say, I am very excited about a new-ish design publication becoming available and will definitely be following along. 

bedroom makeover proposal

As a sort of continuation of Jenn's closet makeover, I am helping Jenn and her husband Mike update their master bedroom. This past Wednesday, we got together and I presented them with two slightly different design schemes.

First, some background on the project. Jenn and Mike have two very sweet dogs. One that is around 40 pounds and one that is around 160 pounds. They both sleep in the bedroom and they both shed a lot. So our first design criteria, which is not a bad thing but often helpful in making decisions, was selecting a color scheme that would hide dog hair. Our second design consideration was that they both really like color. Lastly, Jenn has a dresser that was her grandmother's that she wanted to incorporate into the room. 

Over casual conversation, we decided on a color scheme to start from - coral and gray. A coral padded headboard to be made by Mike, light gray walls to warm up the space and predominately gray bedding to hide the dog hair. We also decided that since the dresser is not in great shape, we would have to have something done to it - maybe lacquered navy and add brass hardware. After that, Jenn and I exchanged some images and I set to work on creating a plan. This is what I presented to them:

Painting by Samantha French, nightstands, sheets and throw by Serena and Lily, fabrics by Quadrille, bedding by Restoration Hardware, lamps unknown

Painting by Samantha French, lamps by Land of Nod, bedding by Restoration Hardware, sheets and throw by Serena and Lily, fabrics by Quadrille, nightstands by Bungalow 5

Key to both designs is a Samantha French reproduction that ties the whole room together. However, as I explained to Mike and Jenn if they didn't love it we should look for another piece of art within the same color palette. As I blogged about in my post, art in the home, art brings so much to a room and can be a great thing to organize a room around. It is also extremely personal so go with what you love. Both designs also present an approach to the design that is not super matchy matchy but rather contrasts colors and patterns. This makes a room more unique and personalized. Option 1 represents a more saturated color palette with a more textured and casual feel while Option 2 has
de-saturated color scheme with a slightly more glamorous feel. 

The options I showed to Jenn and Mike were really just a starting point and what they ultimately decided was that while they really like the color coral now, they worried that they might grow tired of it. So back to the drawing board for some revisions...stay tuned!