Install of the Day !

Hey There !!!

Back at the Pearce's house to finish up their main, open concept living room.  We worked together on their master (here) a while back and phase two just finished up yesterday with all the details.

They lovingly built their "dream home" last year and we are working room by room to create something special for their much anticipated new home.  Jef and Leslie designed every inch of this when it came to the build and I was happy to help find the perfect pieces to combine their unique personalities.  Leslie - all girl who love a little glitz, Jef - musician and hunter. . . yes that's right, how different could they be !

This living space is wide open.  One room that steps up into the custom kitchen, design by Jef.   My goal was to mix his rustic vibe with her love of a little glamour.  We also had two dogs to take into consideration, i.e. dog friendly fabrics, rugs and textiles !

Take a look at my inspiration for Barbie and GI Jo . . .

First of all . . this space needed to work with the gorgeous kitchen Jef created !  We needed a good flow as it was wide open . . 

Clean, simple, artistic with that pop of red Leslie wanted !  We had custom made -  both the sectional and the recliner to fit the space and style of the house.  The leather on the sofa is a light taupe/grey and perfect for the dogs !  Sleek style for this modern room, but "rustic" in it's texture.  Layering in a hair on hair hide rug and the perfect coffee table.  We kept the windows simple with bamboo blinds. 

 It was such fun yesterday bringing in the custom red recliner !

The details are always the thing that bring a room together and I gave a lot of thought to these.  I wanted to mix rustic with glam and that can be challenging, but I found a few pieces that do just that.  The side table above, gold leaf with a wood stump and what about this lamp - shiny metallic antlers for the hunter meet glamour girl !

Another pop of red to balance the chair . . . with a mid-century modern vibe.

The combination of the lamp, mid-century red desk and George Nelson clock all work !!

Speaking of George Nelson, unfamiliar ?  Amazing mid-century designer who created pieces for Howard Miller in the late 40's.  There are some 150 different designs for these iconic clocks !  The first created was the "ball clock" (top row, far right)   Take a look at all his original designs !!

So when I spotted this red Spool/Spindle in the original box - had to bring it over !  I thought it was so perfect in combining the colors and style.  It's one of those special accessories.

So Jef is a hunter.  Though Leslie was reluctant, I felt these in the stairwell would be beautiful.  With this modern look and the white walls, they are simply more like "art" in this application !  Love them.

So to further mix the two styles, this hair on hair hide in a modern graphic pattern, was the perfect choice I thought.  And . . the ultimate in dog friendly !

From the ground up and to complement the leather sofa I got more than lucky on these pillows from Slate Interiors !  The patterns are perfect.  The first being a Kuna (see below) and hard to find.  The others were major scores included a fabric from Ground Works !  Normally uber expensive by the yard, these were already made up and on sale.

The coffee table, the perfect round shape for an "L shaped sofa, but also the perfect mix of rustic and the glam of shagreen (a type of rawhide consisting of rough untanned skin, or shark skin, this of course .. faux)

Simplistic yet a pulled together.

Lastly,  I came across a framed Mola to add just the right amount of color splash.  With their red accent choice, this piece not only is the real deal, the guitar image was perfect for Jef.

What's a Mola?

Mola (pronounced MO-la) means blouse or clothing in the Kuna language.  It's a word that describes colorful patterns made of cotton fabric and thread created by Kuna women of Panama.  They are generally attached to the front or back of women's clothing.  So this piece, to me, combined Leslie's love of clothing and Jef's love of music, plus the color was perfect !

Take a look at a few more patterns . . .

To learn more, this is a great book.  I just love all the texture !!

I love that the main living space flows up to the Master Bedroom !! We've started something good here I think !!

all photos by Mekenzie France

Thanks to all !!

Install of the Day !

Howdy . .

I have been so looking forward to Shannon Avason's install and I give her major credit for doing this at the beginning of the holiday season.  But now that it's installed with a week to spare, she can sit on that new sectional, take a deep breath and enjoy the space (literally) for the holidays.  I take all the blame for the last minute pre-holiday craziness.   You see, while standing in her kitchen trying to look around a big, fat wall into the family room we were re-doing, I said . . . "we should take that wall out." We did.  I called my contractor and the demo began right at Thanksgiving.  Demo is always a drag, it's dusty, a pain, and throws your routine off, but the outcome - totally worth it.  Her space seems huge now with the wall down and all the new lighter colors.

When Shannon came to me wanting to update her family room I knew it would be a fun job.  I did her "lego" inspired kid's bonus room about two years ago and she was game for whatever I threw out there and this project was the same.  She's open to new ideas, colors, and when it came to all the details, she let me surprise her with a full vision, I love that.

It was time to leave the dark and heavy colors behind and bring in the crisp, light and clean look.  All the pieces I chose reflected her fun personality, while being kid and George friendly.  George, the funniest bulldog you will ever meet.  So without further chatter, take a look at the finished product.

This space all started with the rug and window fabric I chose.  With such a gorgeous view of the lake I wanted to bring the outside in.  I then took both 2 boys and a big bull dog into consideration with the leather sectional.  This particular leather has a slight distress finish, so any kid and dog scuffs wouldn't be too noticeable.  The ottoman too is covered in a tough vinyl and has a more interesting leg shape.  There's nothing my upholster can't do for me.  With the TV to the side both chairs swivel which was as must for all those boys.  The main thing about this room is the wall and bookcase color.  We went from a dark khaki and even darker khaki bookcase to light grey and white.  Major difference.

It's all about unique shapes, textures and details in this space.  The console table has a hammered metal top with distress wood legs, the nail heads on the ottoman define the shape and the rug - a high / low pile in a bright green and cream pattern.

I had fun styling her bookcase with lighter, more whimsical accessories included a wire "bulldog" as one of my gifts to Shannon for being such a joy to work with !  I shopped her house for a few thing of sentimental value and then filtered in a few more pieces.

photos by mekenzie france

Where did it all start?  With design boards showing a new look.  I love the response I got when I emailed these to her and her husband Frank... simply "love it, I am so excited, when can we start."  I think that was it . . . trust factor . . .  high.

Shannon and I wanted to change all the tan, all the heavy, all the furniture and I think we accomplished that.  

Big change I would say !

Merry Christmas Shannon . . . it was a fun - day and thanks for dealing with the demo mess !!!

Stay tuned for install no. 2 we managed to pull off same day  . . . a fun bonus room on a whole other lake . . .