Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Dallas Client's Jump Start to Transformation

First off, thank you to everyone who sent me sincere feedback in terms of what you like about MLHP.
My takeaway was:
1) You're cool with design boards, so long as they are part of a story (i.e. my casa, client's home, etc)
2) If I'm going to slap up an image from a glossy that everyone and there sister is blogging about, then you'd like me to break it down, and talk about how to achieve a similar look. Great - I'd love to do this!
3) You love the He Said, She Said series - Awesome! I'll try to do more!
4) ...and, of course, you all love a good B&A - instant gratification mongers! :)

On that note....
I've been working with an e-client, Linds, who lives in Dallas. She and her hubster just moved from a darling, first-home in Big City Central to The Burbs of Big D. They had hoped to stay in Dallas proper, but the space they craved for their growing family sent them to the sprawls of suburbia. They found a large, charming home, but Linds wasn't taken with some of the builder-grade design, and wanted to get a jump-start on turning it into a stylish place that implemented at least some custom aspects.
So far, my job has been very easy. Linds has a keen idea of what she wants, and has great taste. I've merely offered a bit of consultation, sourcing, and an objective voice when needed.

Long distance design services can be somewhat unfulfilling if the client doesn't send "after" pics - you just have to assume they implemented your suggestions. But, nothing's more fun than getting the updates on spaces, so I was stoked to get some "in progress" pics in my inbox this weekend.

Linds' living room has double-height windows. This is the MLS listing pic of the room.
Encinias living windows before

I suggested making an investment in double-high, double-width curtains. Something to immediately add impact - like this:
HB double height curtains
house beautiful

Having curtains custom made can get dumb-expensive, but luckily, Linds already has a wonderful seamstress who put together her custom baby bedding. Even better is the seamstress doesn't charge a limb, and said she could handle the curtains - sans problème.

Linds wants to go with a blue/rich yellow/cream color palette to coordinate with her existing furniture, and I thought this fabric was pretty great with its slightly Indian pattern. It was on sale for $5.99 a yard, and we cleared them out!

Here's how they turned out (pardon the glare). Aren't they incredible? Me and amazing curtains - we be good friends!
IMG_20110225_182017

Linds is making more drastic changes in the kitchen. She didn't dig the faux-Tuscan cabinetry, but struggled over the decision to paint them the white she so badly wants. I think she probably received a lot of unsolicited advice about how she just, "can't paint those wood cabinets!"
My opinion is this: Wood is nice, but wood is not sacred. If it's a white kitchen you want to live with, then by all means, paint the damn things and LOVE it!
Fullscreen capture 2282011 84503 PM.bmp

...So, she did.
IMG_20110218_095020

Bought new hardware and lantern pendants, too. Good girl.
IMG_20110224_181034

Encinias kitchen new hardware
We still have some details to decide on, but this is shaping up very nicely!

26 comments:

Alcira Molina-Ali said...

Wow, this is fantastic!
So impressed that you're able to pull these makeovers off from the Southern Hemi.
What a transformation already, great tips.
I'm always amazed at what white paint can do to obliterate a faux-Tuscan train wreck.
Cheers, Alcira

nerochronicles.com

Raina Cox said...

Good for her for cleaning up that kitchen! And I love the fabric you selected for the mondo window treatments.

bazaarofserendipity said...

It looks soooo FAB

Michele said...

Wow! So far so good!

Appletree said...

great advice!

Unknown said...

Ummm wow!! LOVE the drapes, hardware and what a fantastic decision to paint the cabinet!! So nice!

Trish said...

The drapes are gorg! Great suggestion. So many people struggle with a) spending on drapes and b) painting the sacred wood. Your client is brave and an inspiration to everyone. Please, please tell me where she got those lantern pendants. I love them!

Anonymous said...

Wow! I love those curtains! Great advice and sourcing ($5.99 a yard--wow!) -- they look great! Very impressed :-)

Susie Riley said...

This is SOOOO motivational for me, Alison: I've livied in a house for over eight years now, with a 30-ft-high wall in the living room similar to that of Linds... a bank of large windows atop one another. Always wanted to hang super long drapes, never have the nerve. I LOVE THIS LOOK - and am suddenly growing brave enough to dash to the fabric store this month. Thanks!!!

Mary said...

She is lucky she could have the cabinets sprayed. I'm painting mine white as soon as it gets warmer in the garage. But I'm doing it the old fashioned way with a brush & roller.

Ashley said...

Oh, it's gorgeous! The fabric you chose for the curtains is amazing...what an impact!

Lindsey E. said...

I LOVE seeing this in a post so fabulous written by you! It's been such a fun process, and I can't wait to get farther along. I promise to get you GOOD pictures where crock pots and button downs aren't thrown about!

Mary L said...

The drapes look really good! I can't believe you got it for $5.99/yd- where? Kitchen looks great. Is that restoration hardware pulls?
It already looks 100x better than typical suburban model home.

Lindsey Suggs said...

OMG I l LOVE all the changes! AMAZING job. I want a white kitchen now...

Carissa @ the Fabulous Design File said...

Those curtains = amazing!!! And the kitchen is well on it's way!

Jana said...

Amazing! I am lucky enough to have seen the before and the after in person, and it all looks soooooo great. :) Well done ladies!!

Unknown said...

Great job. I've always wondered how people get paid for jobs via e-mail. Do you get payment first, before you give your information about what to do?

Stephanie Sabbe said...

veeery nice! I'm with you on the cabinets. If you don't love them, who cares. As long as you won't change your mind in a month

LindsB said...

woah, that kitchen is amazing! SO much better painted white. And those curtains, love em!

Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies said...

I love the hardware on the cabinets!

Lindsey Saterfiel said...

Where did you find such a great fabric for $5.99 (even on sale!)? I would love to find something similar for dining curtains!

PS -- LOVE the white cabinets! Great decision!

pve design said...

Wowie, what a way to transformer one's environs.
Pull out the big brush and the big curtains!
looks swanky.
pve

silly6 said...

Where did the cabinet pulls and handles come from ? Thanks fo rthe help. :)

Cricket said...

lovely! can you source the hardware for the cabinets? (love, love). Also, how did you end up painting those cabinets? I am going to do something similar and can't decide how to do it. Send cabinet faces off? Do them myself? I am always looking for advice on that front before I pull the trigger!

my favorite and my best- MFAMB to you said...

i love that she said f it and painted that kitchen all white. also love that she did not take off the doors to paint.

Chic Coles said...

Yes,good choice to paint.Looks amazing.