Before and After: Basement Guest Bedroom

My clients asked me to do an English-inspired guest room out of a catch-all basement bedroom.  The husband asked for something that would remind him a bit of his native England, with heavy emphasis on blue, his school color from his days at Oxford.  Um.  Okay.  Soooooo up my alley.

I chose to go monochromatic and more masculine than what I did for their carriage house last year.  The room is not done yet, but here's a peek.

We started here...

Adding grasscloth, furniture, carpeting, roman shade and a herringbone patterned bedding, we are now here...

Before...

Now...

That angled wall, above, will have a gorgeous 72" mirror, framed in a crackled, antique gold finish over some exposed wood.  It will work magic to open up this cozy space.

The brass lamp, above, will be replaced by antique brass, wall-mounted swing arm lamps on either side of the headboard (everything will move a bit to the left to accommodate them).

The budget for the adjoining bathroom was not huge, but we were able to tie it in with some effective changes...

Here it is now...

The new wall color, vanity, light, and rug have made a huge difference (in person!).

So, here's a horrifying story for you...we were originally only doing paint, rug, and accessories in the bathroom.  Well, I made the brilliant suggestion that perhaps a great new mirror would get things looking more connected to the new bedroom.  Here's where I died.  The contractor, taking down the mirror, hits the light fixture, chips it, the mirror brakes and ruins the existing vanity.  "Don't worry," says my client, "we should really be doing a new vanity and light anyway."  Sure.  That made me feel like a million bucks.  Or not. (They are the nicest people.)  If that weren't enough, the tile floor wasn't finished under the vanity, and OF COURSE the new vanity didn't cover up this gap in the floor.  So yes, new tiles and grout under the new vanity.

The mirror that came with the new vanity will be staying.  Goes without saying  :-/

The adjacent kitchenette also got a makeover with paint and a new rug.  The furniture was all removed, as I suggested we take an antique amoire from another room and put it along the wall for much needed clothing storage for guests.

These rooms are not finished yet, but since I'm impatient and didn't want to wait, I thought I'd post them.  The bedroom needs some serious styling, and there will soon be a gorgeous monogrammed pillow on the bed for a pop of color, and some art on the walls.

I hope from the projects I show that you might, somewhere along the way, pick up an idea that might work in your home.  And if you ever want help in your home, just email me.

Talk to you soon,
Carol

Bathroom Stencil

My girlfriend's bathroom went from builder white walls to this...

Wall: Ben MooreWarm Springs 682.  Stencil: Ben Moore Apple Blossom 479

It took her approximately seven million, four hundred and eighty two hours, and she loathes me now, for suggesting it, but at least she is thrilled with the results.  I get to blog about it, but I need to find a new friend.  She fired me as her bff for the torture.  No, she still cherishes me (ha), but the payback will be, well, it rhymes with swell.

What to do when your client is a DIY'r on a budget, wants great impact but not wallpaper? Suggest stencils.  Unless she is your bff -- then, pay out of your own pocket and buy her the wallpaper.  :-)

Would you try this?
Carol

Monochromatic Decorating

Source: lh5.ggpht.com via Victoria Sargasso on Pinterest

So, here's the thing about me and monochromatic decorating -- I LOVE IT.

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com via Peggy on Pinterest

The monochromatic art, above, is completely serene, and lends a gentle calm to the bedroom.

You have to know, if you've been reading me for any length of time, that I have a life-long love affair with orange.  The monochromatic white, with it's sweet pumpkin touches, below, is just divine.

Source: bhg.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Monochromatic is on my mind because I am debating green drapes in my living room -- I've been on and off this idea for a year.  Seriously.  I have problems.  But aside from that,  I am thinking I will commit this year to a monochromatic room of green.

Diamond Baratta via blog.pinkpagoda.us

What makes monochromatic so appealing?  It allows accent colors to change over time.  For a girl who loves change, it's genius.

What's your take?  How do you feel about monochromatic decorating?  Are you in or out on it?

Talk to you soon,
Carol

Happy New Year From Newport

Happy New Year, my readers!  Thank you for taking the time, all year long, to read my words and chat with me.  I truly appreciate your support, both as friends and clients.

 As has become tradition, we were in Newport, RI for New Years eve.  It was cold.  And windy.  And cold.  With snow. But we were warm in our hearts with the company of good friends to walk the streets with, and to share a lobster lunch and a hot Irish coffee.  Here's a bit of a tour of the sights...

New Year's eve afternoon was so gray, my images almost look like black and whites, save for a bit of a blue cast.  If they make you shiver, I assure you, that was the feeling in the air.  The harbour was quiet and still, as if without movement, and against the cutting wind the boats and docks steadied themselves. 

Even in the gray and cold, there is nothing like being near the water.

My favorite shop to buy a purse or wallet is Brahmin (a Massachusetts based company), and my love affair with their bags started here...

Next to Brahmin is the Cooke House, and I always love to see it lit at night, like all the shops, as if to beckon sailors home...

Their front door is always done with New England charm...

Newport soothes the souls of foodies and shoppers and decorators...

I've never tried the Gas Lamp Grille below, but I love the way it looked, as if pulled from a Dickens' street.

So, my best wishes to all of you for 2013.  I hope you have warmth in your hearts and lights to guide your way.

Carol