Mood Board Making
Phuong’s Second Design Dilemma
We couldn’t have been more excited when Phuong and her husband Jeff came back for another mood board after we made over their bedroom (see those photos here). Here’s their letter:
We are once again in need of your help! As for what styles appeal to us, our overall taste is simple and understated focusing on comfort and timeless design (clean lines and contemporary style). In order of preference, we like to shop at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Room & Board, Crate & Barrel, and West Elm. We don’t use the dining room (too far from kitchen & we have a dining area next to kitchen) so we would be very interested in repurposing that space. We like the two rooms to become one connected space that is inviting, comfortable, and usable. The items that have to stay are the arm chairs, couch, and the window blinds. Everything else (the dining set and other side table are happy to leave). The ceiling lamp can also be replaced. We do want to keep current color which is Benjamin More HC-26 on top and HC-21 on bottom. We really like the look of a room with a neutral background and pops of color. Our biggest problem with the space is that it just isn’t used. Whenever we have guests, people always loiter in the foyer or quickly make their way to the kitchen and family room… we just cant figure it out why and don’t know how to fix it! We cant wait to see what you come up with! – Phuong (and Jeff)
Here’s the plan:
And here’s the new layout suggestion:
Now for the mood board breakdown.
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Wendy’s Design Dilemma
Wendy’s ready to spiff up her living room in a major way. Here’s her letter:
Thanks so much for your help with our family room- we definitely need it! We like clean, fresh, traditional/contemporary looks. The cream TV cabinet and the leather recliners need to stay. We’d like to replace the couch and have toyed with a sectional because we could use the seating space. Everything else can go. We’re open to wall color suggestions. We like the green in the kitchen (it’s from the previous owner), but we’re not sure it works with the more natural colors we’d like to see in the rest of the house. We like earth tones & natural colors – calming creams, browns & greens with a few splashes of red for contrast. We need curtains to diffuse sunlight and add interest. We’re thinking of adding built-in white bookshelves below the bar in the kitchen with baskets for kids stuff and I don’t know what to do with the space in front of the large family room windows. And although we’re focusing on the family room, I’d LOVE a suggestion for kitchen chairs (I have a new table for the space but no chairs). We’re very excited to see your ideas! Wendy
Here’s the plan:
And here’s the new layout suggestion:
Now for the mood board breakdown.
Read the rest of this entry »
Phuong’s Design Dilemma: Solved
When Phuong and her husband Jeff sent over their Design Dilemma after pictures we couldn’t wait to share the goods. We know that many of you are chomping at the bit to see how our mood boards turn out (believe me, we are too) so we’re always thrilled to see how those spaces transform after each homeowner gets down to business. You may remember that we whipped up this custom mood board for Phuong and Jeff a while back when they came to us for help turning their bare and basic bedroom into an inviting and cozy place to unwind after a long day. Here are the before pictures to refresh your memory:
And here’s the mood board that we created to add a splash of color and some crisp and modern layered interest for ambiance to spare (see more mood board details here).
And now for Phuong and Jeff’s after pics. Here’s their newly spruced bedroom thanks to some colorful and textural accessories (which really amp up the formerly brown on beige space):
Didn’t they do a fantastic job in there? The room is so much cozier and more inviting thanks to everything from those fun striped slipper chairs to the large abstract art print that they hung across from the window. We love the pops of aqua and amber along with the added texture and interest that things like the area rug and the curtains introduce to the room- and even the smaller upgrades like the blue faux coral on the tall chest across from the bed (or those pretty mirrors placed behind each night table to bounce around more light) make the entire space feel polished and special. And here’s what Phuong and Jeff had to say about their big bedroom makeover:
What can we say? We LOVE it! We ordered nearly every single item that you recommended and everything came together very easily (sorry it took us so long to send the after photos to you). The room looks great and we are very happy! Thanks so much for the awesome mood board… we’ll be back again for more help! -Phuong & Jeff
No thank YOU Phuong and Jeff, for sending us your room update (we get positively giddy whenever they turn up in our inbox). Didn’t they do an amazing job bringing that mood board to life? It looks so warm and yet so modern at the same time- and we love that the mix of their gorgeous high-end existing furniture blends right in with affordable slipper chairs and curtains that we hunted down from Target along with the on-sale decorative accents and pillows (in the $20 range!) that we found at places like ZGallerie, Crate & Barrel and CB2. So let’s all shower Phuong and Jeff with praise for being so wonderful and sending us their pretty 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 (and just whip up general inspiration boards instead) but if we ever reinstate them we’ll make a big announcement!
Bonnie’s Design Dilemma
Bonnie’s ready to give her living room a light and beachy look with a dose of glam worked in. Here’s her letter:
I can’t even tell you how excited I am to have your help. We’re looking for a beach inspired space with touches of glam. I love crystal, mirror and silver. The only pieces I really want to stay are the two Pier 1 side chairs. The cream leather sofa can stay or go, as I believe I am drawn to slip-covered white sofas more (but if you can work in the sofa, that’s fine). We need a new rug, and I like sisal and jute. We are open to anything really! We are having our wood floors sanded and varnished (not stained) so in a couple of months they’ll be a much lighter color. We love blues and greens, and color combos like turquoise and teal. I would like a new neutral wall color that I can carry throughout the whole first floor. I am at a loss when it comes to curtains because we need privacy and I don’t know what to do with those tiny windows by the fireplace. I like the mix of curtains & woven blinds like you have in your own living room. We will need a stand for a new flatscreen TV along with new lighting, end tables, and a coffee table. Maybe something with a little storage? We also like white furniture, and I’m open to mixing white with wood. All of the current art can be relocated, and I desperately need something pretty for over the fireplace. Thank you so much for your help! -Bonnie
Here’s the plan:
And here’s the new layout suggestion:
Now for the mood board breakdown.
Read the rest of this entry »
