What M Wants, M Gets...

My client, MB, has a very artistic daughter M, and she wants her to be able to express her creativity as I do, through my design choices. MB contacted me several weeks ago, as her bath project was finishing up. She needed me to help them choose exterior paint colors...but M wanted the house to be purple. My only issue with this was that the lower half of the house is brick. How could I combine brick red and purple successfully? This might be a challenge.

Looking at swatches, we actually were able to find a great color—a muted violet with hints of navy and gray—that picked up the deeper tones in the brick, accentuated the stained glass transom and read as the same value as the brick so the house feels more cohesive. Initially MB wanted the shutters and front door to be red, but that got lost against the brick so we did them both in high-gloss black. Bright white trim blends with the new windows.

The hint of purple in the body color picks up the color in their spring flowers, and contrasts nicely against the greens of the summer foliage.

I am happy to say I pleased both MB and her daughter with this choice.

BJ's Kitchen Reveal and The Ultimate Compliment

"My mother raved about it…" When the mother in question is a successful businesswoman, a gourmet cook and very particular, I know I've done good! Who doesn't want a mother's approval?

The view when you enter the kitchen. This alcove was transformed from a disorganized space crammed with clutter, to a useful buffet space, ideal for countertop appliances, with lots of needed storage. New light fixture and outlets are a practical addition. The brand new tin wainscoting adds vintage charm. Marmoleum Click linoleum floor tiles by Forbo are comfortable underfoot and an eco-conscious choice. 

Today for the first time I visited BJ's home since her current renovations were completed. I was blown away! The house was transformed from, (as BJ referred to it) what looked like a frat house to a vibrant, warm home for a young, busy family. 

Talk about color! If I told you we used cream, orange, blue, black, white and red together would you flip? The colors are bold, but in balance, so they work. 

I am so happy with the results, but most importantly, BJ and her husband are thrilled. Compliments from mom are just the icing on the cake! 

New paint finishes transform the previously "painter's tape" blue cabinets. The cream uppers blend in with the soffit and ceiling to open up the space, while the blue-gray base cabinets help black appliances blend in and anchor the space. The color also pops against the warmer "autumnal" colors of the flooring, creating a look that is classic, but not boring. The existing sink functioned well, but was updated with new oil rubbed bronze faucet. Walnut plywood (with custom-fabricated edge) finished with tung oil is easy to maintain, water resistant and food safe (though it should not be cut on). New light fixture (which is a larger version of the alcove's fixture) illuminates the space much better than the old flush mount, and adds a touch of old world style. 

Detail of the tin panels used on the wall and some of the homeowner's own accessories, which were able to be reused.