Archive for November, 2009
Reader Redesign: A Buffet Reinvented
When Lindsay sent us the before photos of a cabinet that she completely transformed we could never have predicted just how different the end result would be. It looks like a whole new piece! Here’s her letter:
Well, I know you guys love a good before and after so I wanted to share an “extreme makeover” we performed on a large hutch a few weekends ago. For us, it was all about working with what we had, livening up the piece and taking cues from places like Pottery Barn and Ballard Designs (too much $$, but really cute things!). The hutch is a truly dramatic transformation (see more info here on my blog about the process). Hope you enjoy it! Love your site! -Lindsay
Isn’t it amazing that she could look at something with such a rustic country look and turn it into something crisp and clean-lined with new doors and a newly framed base? And you gotta love that they kept an old piece of furniture out of the landfill by reinventing it with a little elbow grease. Thanks so much for sending the photos our way Lindsay. In a word: inspiring!
Ania’s Design Dilemma: Solved
When Ania sent us her delicious after photos (thanks to this mood board that we whipped up for her last month) we couldn’t wait to share the eye candy! We know you guys love a good before and after, and Ania did a faaaabulous job! Here’s her letter:
Here are a few after pictures that I took for you! Needless to say, we LOVE our new living and dining room area. I can’t believe I ever had doubts about the bentwood chairs or the media stand. They are honestly my favorite items that we purchased. We L-O-V-E everything. From the frame collage to the chandelier to the sofa table… everything! Thank you soooooo much for the design advice. It feels like a completely transformed space and we love to spend time here. Amazing! You two truly have a gift. You will definitely be hearing from me again. Oh man do I have some more ugly rooms for you! Best, Ania
Just to refresh your memory, here are the before photos of the space:
Ania wanted a few new furnishings that felt less boxy and matchy-matchy to create a space with beachy, modern and glamorous touches. Here’s the mood board we whipped up to help add polish and breezy style to her living & dining room (find more details here):
But enough stalling. We know you’re all about the afters. So here ya go:
Didn’t Ania do an amazing job? What’s your favorite part? We’re torn between the super fun medallion curtains and the new white pedestal table with the capiz chandy overhead. That entire breakfast nook just leaves us breathless. I mean we knew that her space had fantastic potential but it’s still unbelievable to see it all spruced up and polished looking. No more paper on the windows!
And didn’t she totally rock that charming L-shaped wall of frames that we described? We love that she took the ball and ran with it. It’s even better than we imagined! Plus it only took her a month to get back to us with after photos which is truly unbelievable. Let’s shower Ania with praise for being so wonderful and sending us her eye-pleasing after pics. And here’s hoping more Design Dilemma after photos will be landing in our inbox very soon…
Update: We sadly can no longer find the time to take on client commissioned mood boards (we now whip up general inspiration boards instead) but if we ever reinstate them we’ll make a big announcement!
Fab Freebie: FLOR-al Arrangements
***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries***
When FLOR offered to hook us up with some modular carpet tiles for our basement, we couldn’t pass up the chance to spread the love to you guys. So here’s where you can get your hands (or feet?) on some of our favorite FLOR designs - including the Ascot Stripe variety that we chose for our big basement makeover.
Yup, FLOR’s giving away a 5′ x 7′ square tile rug so one of you can join us in the fun of these stylish yet practical floorpieces. They’ve got a whole slew of designs available – natural fibers, bold colors, sophisticated stripes and even a line by Martha Stewart herself. And we’ve picked out seven styles that make our toes curl. Check out some samples below, but don’t forget that they each come in multiple colors!
- PRIZE: One 5′ x 7′ FLOR area rug in any color from the seven styles shown on this page (Coir, Stampede, Straight and Narrow, and Martha Stewart’s Faux Bois, Sea Grass Stripe, Needlepoint Stripe and Ascot Stripe)
- TO ENTER: Comment on this post with the words “FLOR ME” and…
- BONUS QUESTION: …tell us what else makes your feet happy (fuzzy slippers? a pedicure? a nice massage?)
- GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Wednesday, November 18th at 8pm EST
- NUMBER OF WINNERS: One
- PRIZE SHIPS: To all Americans and Canadians
- USUAL STUFF: One entry per e-mail address is permitted. The winner will be selected using random.org and announced on Thursday. Good luck!
Get more info on our freebies at our Giveaway FAQs page. Images courtesy of FLOR.
