Nov. 2

Wow, can you believe it's November already?! I sure can't. . . I've been a busy little bee lately (as you can probably tell by the lack of posts here on the 'ol blog) but I think it's great when life stays pretty fast paced. Much better than being stagnate, right?! As I mentioned before here, I'm working with an online client in Savannah, Georgia. I finished up a couple of designs for her and I thought I would share them with you here today. First up is the entry;

 

 

My client loves traditional pieces but wanted to mix things up and give it sort of a twist. As you can see I selected an Ikea wardrobe to provide extra storage in the space. I used her existing wood console table but spiced it up a bit with some fun yellow lamps and a modern sunburst mirror. The lattice wallpaper and hanging lantern are my favorite elements in the room and the small foyer table definitely gives the space a formal, traditional feel.

Next up is the living room design. I had a lot of fun pulling together my clients ideas (I kept telling her she really knows what she is doing when it comes to decorating!) and adding a few extra layers to help tie everything together. Here's the floor plan and design boards;

We had to work with her existing sofa and leather club chairs (which I actually didn't mind, both were nice, neutral pieces of furniture.) The artwork framed in gold above the fireplace was also existing, I just suggested adding a couple of other pieces of art to create some dimension. I selected this rich blue paint color (Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore) which will make all the white in the room pop (ie; desk, shelves, fireplace, drapery panels, etc.) My client found two cute bamboo side tables at a consignment shop and I suggested painting them a navy blue color (since they will be situated in front of the white drapery panels.) The fabrics I chose for pillows are all from Schumacher and the cozy rug, parsons desk and lamps are all things she selected herself. I really love the traditional-eclectic feel of all the rooms in this house and it was such a fun project to work on! I'm looking forward to receiving 'after' photos once the transformations have taken place.

If you are interested in my online-design services, you can find out more info here!

Have a wonderful weekend and I'll be back next week to share some more projects I'm working on :)

Project Sneak Peek

I'm working with a new online design client to help redecorate several rooms in her home. When we first started chatting she described her style as "traditional with a twist". I knew right away that this project was going to be super fun! Here's the design plan I came up with for the dining area;

As you can tell from the floor plan, the dining area serves as sort of a "walkway" to the hallway. Also, there are no windows in the space, so lighting was super important. We decided to go with a settee, pedestal table and smaller scale chairs in order to maximize the narrow space. The mirror is an existing piece that my client already has and I love the way it will look over the settee! This room serves as both the formal and casual dining areas, as well as where the youngsters in the family gathers to play games, draw, etc. I love the way this design came together and am so excited to see the room take shape!

Project Sneak Peek: Teenage Boy Bedroom

After living in our house for over 3 1/2 years, I've finally decided it's time to tackle my step-son's bedroom. I don't know whether or not he's going to be very excited about the transformation. (He loves his hodge-podge bedroom with stickers on the walls, torn posters, and dirty teenage boy stuff everywhere.) But I'm tired of looking at all that and it's time for a change. I assured him it will still look "cool", it will just be a lot more organized, functional and stylish. I saw this room online while searching for inspiration and fell in love with the color combo;

Although he would love to have his bed hanging from the wall like the pictures above, we'll be sticking with a futon style bed instead. I love this color palette with gray walls, navy blue accents and pops of yellow. Here's the design board I came up with for my step-son's bedroom;

There is a large built in desk and cabinets in his room and I plan on painting them white, with the desk top painted dark gray. The dark gray paint color will also extend onto a focal point wall which will have a large built in bulletin board as well. I'm going to hang some navy blue curtain panels with black out lining (his one and only request for the bedroom) and also purchase a new rug for the space. His bedding will stay the same (a navy blue plaid comforter with gray sheets) but I plan on incorporating a yellow accent pillow or two.  All of the rock band/skateboard/surfing/etc. posters will go onto one large wall (I'm not going to be that mean and make him get rid of them!) Lastly, I think I'll incorporate some framed art above his bed (like in the inspiration pictures.)

So what do you think? Do you like this color combo and design plan as much as I do?! I'm excited to get started on a new project!

Show and Tell

I recently completed these initial design boards for two different clients and thought I would share them with you;

The first kitchen design is for an online client of mine who lives in Seaford, New York. Her kitchen is basically a blank slate (except for the existing cabinets and countertops.) I selected several industrial-style items such as the barstool, pendent lights and stainless steel subway tile backsplash. I injected some color by means of a large rug and some fun wall art.


The second board is an entry design I came up with for a local client of mine. The homeowners recently purchased a split-level home in the country and I'm helping them decorate several rooms in the house. They are a fun family of four with traditional-meets-modern tastes.

I'll keep ya'll up to date with the progress of each project, so stay tuned!

Quicky

I've been working with an online-design client for several months to help her transform several rooms in her home. We started off with the living room (you can see the design board here) and she has been pulling the room together ever since. I thought I  would share a quick 'before & after' with you, you know, just a teaser ;) Once the room s completed (the gallery wall is still a work n progress) then I will share more photos of the space. Until then, here's how the fireplace wall is shaping up;

Before

After

After

These photos were taken the day of her daughter's birthday party - isn't that photo garland adorable?! I really love the way the gold sunburst mirror looks above the freshly painted, white fireplace. Oh, and did you catch a glimpse of the turquoise ceiling?! YEP, I said turquoise! It turned out fabulously and I am so happy that my client went with my suggestion. . . More photos of the space to come later so stay tuned! :)

Entry Design

I'm working with an online-design client right now to help her transform the first level of her home in New York. (You can check out the living room design board here in case you missed it!)

I recently put the finishing touches on the design package for her entry. This room in her home serves several purposes. First of all it's the first room in the house when you walk in the front door (hence the reason I referred to it as the 'entry'.) Secondly, it serves as a 'mud room' so to speak and had to have loads of storage for coats, shoes, etc. Lastly, it is also used as a reading and sitting room since the natural light in this space is phenomenal. Here's the design I came up with for the space;

My first goal when designing any space is to address the functionality first. Form and aesthetic (the pretty stuff) always come second. I think the design of this space will serve a multitude of functions while also being stylish and chic, don't you think?!

Quick Before & After

Although I haven't had time yet to get around to styling and taking proper pictures of this bathroom remodel I've been working on, I'm dying to share it with you! The before shot is quite horrendous and not for the weak of stomachs (LOL!) The walls were a faux finish metallic purple paint and the vanity dated back to the 60's. Brace yourself, it's pretty bad. . .

Here's a quick shot of how things are looking now;

There are still a few missing components (like an updated and centered light fixture and accessories) but all in all this bathroom remodel is moving along quite nicely! I get giddy when I look at the new countertop and subway tile backsplash - SUCH a huge difference. Oh, and the although the purple paint job might have been pretty many years ago, the gray walls looks so fresh and updated now. Like I said, I'll share more details and better pictures with ya'll sometime soon!

Project Reveal: Jordyn's Bedroom

I've been slowly putting the finishing touches on my stepdaughter Jordyn's bedroom for quite some time now and have been sharing bits and pieces of it with you along the way. You might remember the bookcase I painted, the nailhead inspiration board I made, the desk makeover, the DIY headboard, etc. Anyhow, I finally got around to tackling her dresser (another brown wooden beast that got a coat of glossy white paint) which completed my list of things to do in her bedroom. Jordyn will be turning 11 in about a month and I'm ecstatic to finally be done with her bedroom. I think it turned out to be a fun and girly space without being too juvenile or too sophisticated.

Just for kicks, here are some pictures of what the room used to look like;

 

Two years later, a whole lotta white paint, some fun fabric and a couple DIY projects later, this is what the room looks like now;

So what do you think? I love the way everything turned out and am happy with the cheery, colorful space! I think it's perfect for the outgoing 11 year old and she seems to be pretty pleased with her new room. Another happy client! ;)

A peak at a project I've been working on. . .

I've been working with a new online client to help make her long and narrow living room work better for her and her family. She lives in New York and her style is a mix of vintage and modern. Her home has great architectural details, crown moldings, etc., it just needs a few changes to make it feel a little more fresh and modern. I just sent over her design package yesterday and thought I would share a snippet of it with you;

I suggested that she paint the existing brick fireplace a creamy white color and hang floor to ceiling white drapes (my favorite Ikea Merete grommet panels.) For the walls I selected BM Northern Cliffs and I also suggested she paint the ceiling a fun turquoise color (BM Waterfall.) Punchy pillows and a fun Moroccan pouf add color to the space while the upholstered tufted ottoman provides storage and function. We are also using a couple of her existing pieces (like a tv cabinet, side chair, end table, etc.) I think the room design turned out great and I can't wait for her to send over some pictures after she pulls it all together!

If you are interested in JPM Design's online design services, contact me. I can put together a custom package for you that includes a design board, floor plan of the space as well as a source list with specific details and notes on how to pull everything together. It really is design made simple and affordable!

Project Sneak Peak

Here's a glimpse at an e-design project I recently finished!

 (click to enlarge) 

The homeowners tastes are pretty traditional and somewhat rustic and country-inspired. They live in a home that was built to resemble a barn that is located on a ranch and is just yards away from a beautiful flowing creek. Their landscape in the Spring and Summer really is something else! Take a peak;

The only existing items that I wanted to incorporate into the design of the room where the light pine furniture pieces that were handmade by my client's husband which included a coffee table, side table and tv console as well as her collection of barn art. Everything else was fair game! I selected neutral furnishings to compliment the dark gray-green paint color I picked out. The 'wow-factor' in the room will be the rust colored drapery panels hung on the wall with three sliding glass doors that look out to the creek and farmland. I suggested covering up their existing dated brick fireplace wall with Eldorado stone and also designed some additional custom pieces (like the desk and closet doors) for the husband to fabricate. The homeowners are in the process of executing my design as we speak. Once the project has been completed I can't wait to show you the 'before & after's'!

DIY Headboard

Happy Friday! I want to share a 'lil project I recently finished around my house. You might remember the improvements I have been slowly making to my 10 year old step daughters bedroom. (If not you can check out this post, this post, this post or this post.) Well, I just completed an easy, do-it-yourself headboard for her bedroom and I love the way it turned out! Take a peak;

I found this fun material on clearance at my favorite discount fabric store for only $3.00/yard! I couldn't pass it up because incorporated all of the colors already in her room (red, pink, lime green, yellow and turquoise.) I also purchased a white, fitted bedskirt to help tie the bedding all together. I really cheated when it came to constructing the headboard - I used foam boards instead of plywood and adhered it to the wall with 3M tape. Shhhhhh, don't tell anyone my secret!) I lalala-love the way it ties the whole room together now! Here's a closeup;

Now the only thing I have left to do  is a dresser makeover and some art to complete the room. . . Have you finished any super easy and super cheap projects lately? I would love to hear about it! Have a wonderful weekend, and I'll be back next week with double posts since this week has been a little sporadic.

Birthday Party Inspiration Board!

via Ruffled

I saw this image (above) on Pinterest and thought it was such a gorgeous centerpiece for a party! I loved the gold, magenta and pink color pallette so much that I thought it would make a great theme for a birthday soiree! Check out the inspiration board I came up with:

A certain someone (as in me) turns 30 in a couple of months. Is it lame to throw yourself a birthday party?! Because I would LOVE to go with a theme similar to this. Either way, I really love this color combo, so much I can almost taste the champagne and pink macaroons! What do you think?