World Market | It's Great To Be Home

Bohemian Spice

November 9, 2009 By Liz - It's Great To Be Home 15 Comments

Can I just say how fun it is to play pretend? That’s why I’m so excited to participate in Mood Board Monday (created by Room Remix and hosted today by Comfort and Luxury).

Basically, the whole idea behind Mood Board Monday is to design an entire imaginary room around a single item – today, that item is the fabulous (and wallet-busting) Antwerp Chair from Anthropologie:

Gorgeous, right? If someone gave me $1,698, I would totally buy that chair.

The second I saw this chair I knew that I wanted to create an eclectic, bohemian, cozy, inviting, spicy space. To live in this space, I imagined a successful young professional that scrimped and saved for years until she could afford a fabulous, Spanish-inspired bungalow in California – picture white plaster walls, coved ceilings and rich wood floors. And let’s throw in a fireplace with gorgeous vintage tile just for funsies.

Anyhoo, our young professional couldn’t bear to paint those white plastered walls and detract from their natural beauty, so she decided to bring warmth and personality into her living room with vibrant color and inviting textures.

The velvet fainting sofa sits in front of a bay window that is flanked by spicy curtains – the deep orange in the curtains is repeated in the ikat and paisley pillows on the sofa. The swing arm lamp provides reading light over the sofa, while the ginger side table is placed on the other side of the sofa for drinks and magazines. Our young professional rests her feet on the woven coffee table, which sits on top of the chocolate brown rug with a trellis print in ivory. On the wall opposite the sofa, two Antwerp Chairs sit on either side of the mirrored side table, and the orangey-red lamp provides some ambient lighting. On the third wall, the glass-fronted cabinet acts as a media console for the flat screen TV, and all of the techie components are hidden inside. Finally, two faceted pendants hang from the ceiling at either end of the room, drawing your eye around the space.

1. Antwerp Chair, Spectrum Swirl – $1,698.00 (x 2); 2. Faceted Mirror Side Table -$199.00; 3. Mini Teardrop Table Lamp in Ginger – $59.00; 4. Sunflower Mirror – $49.95 (x 2); 5. Planters Buffet – $999.00; 6. Spice Basketweave Grommet Curtains – $49.98; 7. Faceted Glass Pendant Lamp – $89.99 (x 2); 8. Ginger Side Table – $299.00; 9. Orange Ikat Pillow Cover – $17.00 (x 2); 10. Embroidered Paisley Pillow – Rust – $34.95; 11. Pleated-Shade Floor Lamp – $249.00; 12. Antoinette Fainting Sofa – Caribbean – $575.00; 13. Concentric Coffee Table – $299.00; 14. Fallon Brown / Ivory Contemporary Rug (8 x 11) – $655.00.

Total: just over $7,000. Ouch! But it’s fun to dream, right?

How do you think our young professional did?

Design Quickie: A Cottage Kitchen

October 5, 2009 By Liz - It's Great To Be Home 9 Comments

Remember that cozy, cottage-inspired living room that I designed for a lovely client a few weeks back? Well, I promised you guys that I would also share the plans for her kitchen and dining area, so I’m back to deliver!!

Here’s a sneak peek at what we’re working with. As you can see, everything is in great shape but it just needs a little tinkering to make it fabulous:

Each of the three design plans I created is totally affordable and provides a neutral base (per request) that my client can easily spice up with accessories, inexpensive rugs, or whatever she likes! You will notice that all of the design plans feature the neutral walls and gorgeous hardwoods that are found in the design plan for her living room. With an open concept plan like my client’s home, keeping the flooring and wall color continuous throughout the living room, dining area and kitchen is an important design factor that instantly makes the space appear larger because the rooms are not chopped up by different floorings and paint colors. Because of this, the soft beige paint and oak floors that are featured in the living room will be continued into the dining area and kitchen for a seamless, flowing look.

Let’s take a look at Option 1, which is simple and classic and can easily be dressed up or down as she pleases:

Cabinets: The existing cabinetry will feel fresh and new with a coat of crisp, white paint. White cabinets are classic, and create an open and airy feeling.

Countertop: This medium toned laminate countertop is made to look like natural stone, and will be a lovely complement to this neutral palette.

Backsplash: Subway tile grouted in white will add to the airy feel of the kitchen, and at only 21 cents per tile my client won’t feel like she’s breaking the bank to achieve such a stylish backsplash.

Sink: This single bowl stainless steel undermount sink is the perfect addition to any kitchen, and its simple, clean lines will work perfectly with the classic design of this space.

Hardware: These oil-rubbed bronze pulls and knobs will highlight and repeat the iron accents that are found throughout the living room and dining area. A pop of black adds instant sophistication and drama to the white cabinets, and gives the cabinetry an added bit of personality.

Dining Table & Chairs: The dining area is the perfect shape for this round table, which is lovely because it invites conversation. The clean lines of these woven banana leaf chairs are a nice contrast to the curves of the table, and create visual interest with their beautiful texture. The existing barstools will look fabulous after receiving a coat of this walnut-toned stain.

Lighting: The shape of the round table is repeated in this chandelier that will make the family feel like they are dining by candlelight.

Curtains: The pattern of these cream and mahogany curtains add another layer of texture and interest to the space, and will look lovely framing the sliding doors.

Turning to Option 2, this design plan really plays upon the cottage features of the living room design plan to create a breezy and comfortable space:

Cabinets: The kitchen cabinets are kicked up a notch in this design plan, featuring khaki insets on a white background to add definition and visual interest to the cabinets. This simple painting technique will be applied to each panel on the upper and lower cabinets.

Countertop: The white accents in this stone-like laminate countertop will pick up the white in the woodwork throughout the room.

Backsplash: Since we are going a bit more cottage in this design plan, a crisp beadboard backsplash is just the ticket. As an added bonus, the beadboard will be a lovely tie-in with the beadboard in my client’s entryway.

Sink: This farmhouse sink is just the right combination of rustic and refined.

Hardware: A bit of shine and shimmer is always a good thing, and these chrome knobs and cup pulls will sparkle on the existing cabinetry. The cup pulls on the drawers will help convey the cottage-y feel of the room.

Dining Table & Chairs: This dining room is all about being comfortable with family. From a rustic trestle table to a cozy bench, family and friends will feel instantly at home in my client’s dining room. The bench will look best placed so that it faces the kitchen, and the other side of the table will be flanked with these cross-back chairs. Painting the bench and bar stools a crisp white will tie everything together perfectly.

Lighting: This pendant light will look great hung above the table, with its natural woven shade adding oodles of texture and interest to that side of the room.

Curtains: By repeating these curtains on either side of the sliding doors in the dining area, the living room and dining area will instantly feel cohesive.

Now for Option 3!! This third option is the most formal of the design plans, but still allows for a cozy, family feel to the space:

Cabinets: With this plan, the upper cabinets (as well as the larger pantry-sized cabinets) receive a coat of fresh white paint, while the lower cabinets and drawers become rich-looking with a coat of walnut stain. This beautiful combination of finishes on the cabinetry will be both visually interesting and eclectic, which is a hallmark of cottage design.

Countertop: This granite-like laminate countertop provides the perfect transition from the rich lower cabinets to the fresh and crisp upper cabinets. With touches of caramel, white, black and cream, the countertop embodies the color palette for this space.

Backsplash: I would love to see this classic subway tile used for the backsplash, finished with black grout to define each tile and add a touch of drama.

Sink: An undermount double-bowl stainless steel sink is the perfect combination of form and function, and will fit perfectly into this design plan.

Hardware: These iron cup pulls and knobs will look fabulous against the cabinetry, adding pops of black that will stand out against the white upper cabinets and look rich against the stained lower cabinets.

Dining Table & Chairs: This dining set is just beautiful, and will be perfect for family dinners. The existing bar stools will fit right in with the rest of the wood in this space after a coat of walnut stain.

Lighting: This textural pendant lamp mimics the shape of the dining table, and will provide a great focal point for this room.

Curtains: These beautiful striped curtains add a refined touch to the kitchen and dining area, and will look fabulous flanking the sliding glass doors.

So there you have it – one space, three ways! Which of these designs tickles your fancy?

P.S. Thanks for all your advice about what to do with that corner of our den – most of you were thinking the same thing I was, which is always reassuring! Hopefully I’ll have an updated photo for you guys soon!

This post is shared with DIY Day on A Soft Place To Land.

Design Consult: A Living Room To Love

August 7, 2009 By Liz - It's Great To Be Home 8 Comments

Lately I’ve been so busy filling you guys in on what’s been happening with the flip that I’ve gotten behind in showing you the design plans that I’ve created for my clients – the shame!! So, today I thought I’d share this gorgeous contemporary space that I designed last month for a lovely family of five.

My client had recently purchased a clean-lined microfiber sofa in chocolate and a pair of contemporary sage green swivel chairs with rounded backs that she absolutely loved – unfortunately, she realized that her awesome new furniture just wasn’t working with the mismatch of furnishings that she currently had in the room. Here’s a quick peek at the “before” of my client’s living room, which is open to the kitchen and dining room:

Since the living room is where my client and her family hang out and entertain, the goal for this room was to create a comfortable yet sophisticated space that is perfect for either family game night or a room full of guests. Working with the existing palette of chocolate brown and sage, I added touches of metal, glass and wood to create this inviting and contemporary design that her whole family is sure to love:

The backdrop for this room is the existing beige wall color – it acts as a great neutral base for the rich tones and pops of color that will be brought into the space. Here’s how the rest of the plan breaks down:

Rug.A fabulous rug can be hard to find, and this gorgeous piece anchors this space and ties the whole living room together. By replacing the existing burgundy rug with this 7.6 x 9.6 contemporary, lighter-toned rug, the living room is instantly brightened and feels more cheerful. The sage and brown accents tie in perfectly with the chocolate sofa and sage green chairs, while the blue introduces a beautiful and somewhat unexpected accent color into the room.

Floorplan. My client and her family have tried numerous furniture arrangements and are comfortable with their existing floorplan, so we’re leaving it like it is – with just a few minor tweaks. Moving the sofa several feet out from the wall will narrow the gap between the sofa and the swivel chairs, and keep the ottoman from floating out in the middle of the room. The extra space behind the couch can now be used for a console table that provides the perfect opportunity for a little personality (we’ll get to that later).

I also provided the client with an alternative floorplan (below), in case they ever decide to shake things up a bit.

Furniture. My client already had some great basic pieces for this room, and I was super-excited to find new furniture to complement the existing sofa and chairs and really up the sophisticated and contemporary vibe of this room. Here are the details on her gorgeous new furniture:

~ Ottoman. The family of five needs room to spread out, so this tufted leather ottoman is perfect for extra seating during Wii tournaments, or they can just put their feet up and relax. I especially love this ottoman because of the slatted base which provides an awesome place for woven baskets filled with games and Wii controllers, folded blankets, or cushy floor pillows. A silver, hammered tray would be beautiful on top of the ottoman and would provide a sturdy place for drinks.

~ Media Center. The long wall across from the French doors is begging for a sturdy entertainment unit. This affordable combination of a media stand and etageres will give the family ample storage for DVDs, and still allow them to display personal photographs and accessories on the open shelving. In a deep chocolate brown, this piece will balance the sofa and add some needed weight to that side of the room.

~ Console Table. This glass and metal console table is sleek and stylish, and its curved metal base is pretty sexy. Centered behind the couch on the back wall, this console table will anchor a gorgeous vignette that the entire family will be able to enjoy from the kitchen and throughout the room.

~ Side Table. I love this side table – its metal base is rustic and the curved legs are so unique. The maple tabletop helps blend the light-toned cabinetry in the kitchen with the rest of the space – and it’s always nice to have a place to set your drink!

~ Dining Table. The existing dining set ties in beautifully with the maple cabinets in the kitchen – however, I’d love to see my client stain the table in a deep walnut tone to blend the wood tones in the kitchen with the chocolate woods throughout the living room. Now they’ll have a beautiful contrast between the blond, graphic chairs and the rich, stained wood of the table.

~ Dining Chairs. This striped outdoor fabric is the perfect choice for reupholstering the chair pads for the dining chairs – easily wipeable, this beautiful cloth can stand up to three kids while it adds another layer of interest to the dining area.

Lighting. Lighting is the perfect way to create a cozy ambience in a room, and my client is sure to love these beauties:

~ Capiz Table Lamps. A pair of these shimmering capiz lamps on each end of the console table will instantly add texture and interest to the room. This duo will frame a beautiful art print (discussed below) that will be hung above the console.

~ Metal Floor Lamp. The addition of this bold, metal floor lamp will brighten the corner to the left of the barstools. These touches of metal throughout the room provide nice contrasts with the smooth, rich woods around the room.

~ Wood & Chrome Ceiling Fan. While the existing white ceiling fan is certainly functional, this contemporary, lighted fan ensures that every aspect of the room is cohesive (and adds a bit more light!).

~ Contemporary Chandelier. This pair of chandeliers is really a star in this design. Centered above the dining table, these sculptural chandeliers are totally unique and exciting, and the glass shades will add a touch of sparkle to the dining nook.

Curtains. Tying in perfectly with the swivel chairs in the living room, these sage green curtain panels will look fabulous hung wide and high on either side of the French doors, as well as the window in the kitchen. The curtains can be drawn during movie-time to ensure that everyone can enjoy the show without a distracting glare. Black or oil-rubbed bronze curtain rods would totally complete the look. If my client wishes, bamboo blinds can be used to add another layer of texture to the French doors and window in the kitchen.

Artwork. Since my client already has beautiful artwork that she loves, I have blended her existing art with a new piece. It would be a great touch for all of the artwork to have coordinating frames and mats – the existing frames can be spraypainted a chocolate brown, and cream-colored mats would look fabulous.

~ Multi-colored tapestry. The colorful tapestry that is currently unframed will look amazing framed and hung on the wall behind the dining table.

~ Framed text. My client already found a great location for her framed text (by the bar in the kitchen), so it’s staying put!

~ Triptic prints. The set of prints is also staying put – kind of. With the lamp placed in the corner, it would look best if the prints were rearranged in a vertical line to the right of the lamp.

~ Abstract art print. This piece is perfect for the space – the blues and greens tie in beautifully with the rug, chairs and curtains, while the unexpected splash of red keeps the living room from looking too “matchy-matchy.” As an added bonus, this colorful piece is a great complement to the existing artwork.

Throw Pillows. The final touches to the space are throw pillows for the couch and chairs. These off-white pillows are crisp and clean and pick up the cream in the rug. – two of them will look great on the chocolate couch. The brown and cream crewel pillows are my favorite, and by placing one on each chair the chairs will instantly mesh with the chocolate sofa.

So there you have it!! A fresh new living room that really captures the family’s style and needs for the space. What do you guys think?

This post is shared with Hooked on Houses and DIY Day on A Soft Place to Land.

Images courtesy of cb2, Pottery Barn, World Market, JC Penney, Fabric.com, Overstock, Contemporary Rugs, Home Depot, and Art.com. Floorplans by Floorplanner.com.