Thursday, October 7, 2010

Design Dilemma Update: Jonesin' for Jonathan

If you'll recall, many months back I posted about a Design Dilemma idea I had for my friend, Jana. Jana, her hubster Ray, and their two French Bulldogs share a precious home in Dallas. Jana is very inspired by Jonathan Adler's happy, crisp style, and wanted to bring that feel to their sitting room, and adjoining dining room.
I took my cues from Adler's generous use of white to balance pure fresh colors, and made some suggestions for paint, fabric and art, but Jana did all the heavy lifting. Over the course of several months and emails, we commiserated on the best way to use the side chairs she already owned and loved, as well as some other Craigs and Round Top (antique fair) pieces she picked up. I'd say Jana's a genius at using what she's got to create a look coherent with her hopes, but you go ahead and see for yourselves!

Before: Sitting Room
Fireplace Room

After: Light Gray paint, large doses of yellow and white, and you've got one totally opened-up space!
Fireplace Room Updated

Before: Ray's Bar/Nook - When Jana first began brewing ideas for the room, her husband told her the bar area was "hands off."
Bar

After: She was able to keep that promise, while still spiffing it up. Love the frenchie silhouette!
Fireplace Room Updated 2

Before: The Dining Room - The open-concept home allows for the sitting room to flow into the dining, so it only made sense to connect the two visually. I suggested she carry-through with the wall color, paint the hutch and center the table so as to truly function as a dining room.
Dining

After: She did just that and more: juxtaposing simple, modern chairs against the industrial table was a stroke of genius. It's a tough call, but I think this area is my favorite!
Dining Updated

The Corner nook in the sitting room. The small, mid-century sideboard hits the spot!
Nook Updated

Entryway: Jana and Ray have built-ins in their main living area, and they did a great job tying them into the design. Major kudos for the nice styling, too!
Updated Entry

17 comments:

Averill said...

Looks fantastic! Love the fabric she chose for her chairs.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

The transformation is amazing. It's hard to believe those are the same chairs. They are fabulous with the paint and upholstery. Love it all. Hugs, Marty

Blondie's Journal said...

I love everything, Alison. The fireplace made a nice transformation. I like the color scheme as well! Nicely done!

XO,
Jane

Jana said...

Thank you Alison! I could not have taken on this re-do without all of your ideas, help, advice and talking me off the ledge a few times! Ray and I are really enjoying how much lighter and brighter our home is now!!

Unknown said...

Amazing! I love it all! Two questions.. Where did they get the green print of their French Bulldog? I would love to get one done of my Boston.. Also.. what color paint is on the yellow cabinet?

blydesign said...

What a transformation! I had to do a double take to make sure it was the same house!

Unknown said...

Wow. Alison, I cannot believe you managed everything from afar~it's just amazing! Your friends are so lucky. Also, their re-do makes me year for our return home so I can actually paint, upholster, and all the things that make a home truly unique and beautiful. Congratulations on a job well done!

Bailey@ peppermintbliss said...

I mean...yowza...I love...and am stealing to show a client right now!

life, in small chunks said...

That is an awesome transformation! Love that wall color. Truly an inspiration- thanks for sharing it!
Karin

Stephanie Sabbe said...

You did SUCh a great job! love it

LindsB said...

I'm in love with all the yellow and gray! hmmm, wonder what I can paint yellow in my house now?

Cristin // Simplified Bee said...

Love it! The paint really opens up the space. So chic and fresh.

xo,
cristin

PS~Erin said...

Looks wonderful. So light and bright. What color/brand light gray paint is the new area painted?

MFAMB said...

great job!!! you pulled off some serious adler-ness!!

jessica lynn said...

gorgeous! thanks for sharing!!

anawee said...

wonderful transformation! looking for a bright and soft grey like the one in the living room. what paint color is that?

My Interior Life said...

What a transformation! The yellow and gray totally update it and make it Adler-esque. Great job!