Music Room: Sneak Peek

After a fun filled week-end away, I am just getting settled back into the Summer swing here, which means that today you just get a quick tidbit. 

Harvey and I thought you would enjoy seeing how the Music Room was coming together....

This room, like the others in this home, is colorful, fun and functional, so fitting for this family. I'd say Harvey really likes it.... what do you think?!

  

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better with a Room Rx.

Room Rx: Music Room

When I began working with this client, she had big plans for her home, shifting how the family made use of the various rooms on her first floor. What was once the family room was to become the "Music Room" and a place to study and work or play on the computer. The space had great bones, with a cozy fireplace (off center as it may be), beamed ceilings, and a built in bookcase, perfect for the "study" concept. What it needed was a cohesive look and greater functionality.

The plan was to re-use a number of pieces already owned (including a rug), design and build some additional cabinets and create a low maintenance room that would hold up to the wear and tear of the family's three boys, their friends and the dog. Originally we were going to ground the room with the existing wool sisal rug, but as decorating plans go, when you see something you love, you've got to roll with it. While shopping for the rugs for the other rooms in this project, a stunning wool stripe spoke to my client, and so became the foundation for the design. The rug incorporates the colors used throughout this home.

The space has really taken shape, just a few finishing touches are needed.  I'll share my plans for the built-ins, which were recently completed and are being put to good use, as well as the finished space, as soon as I get some photos together.

In the meantime if you want to see the other rooms that we have been working on in this home, here are a few links:

Sunroom

Dining Room

Family Room

Foyer

There will be a little radio silence here on Room Rx until early next week,  we will be spending some time at the beach with cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles! Can't wait!!!
What plans do you have to enjoy your upcoming Summer week-end?

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better with a Room Rx.

10 Things: Sophisticated master retreat

Something about this home resonated with me when I saw it, and not just the fact that it is in Lincoln Park, a lovely neighborhood of Chicago that I once lived in. The home has been completely transformed by SPACE Architecture + Planning and beautifully meshes the original details of the home with a modern aesthetic. I was especially smitten with the master bedroom....

SPACE Architecture + Planning via freshome

1) Crisp white mouldings and trim throughout the room
2) Ceiling medallions
3) Chandelier
4) Built in bookcase, stain color as well as wood species
5) Styling of bookcase, especially the multiple urns
6) Gorgeous grasscloth wallpaper
7)  Mid-Century chairs
8) Eclectic mix of furniture styles, including traditional sleigh bed
9) Soothing color story of taupe browns, blues and whites 
10) ??? What do you love about this sophisticated master retreat???

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better with a Room Rx.

Fresh Fabrics Friday: Roman Shades

Don't you just love a simple Roman Shade? Look at what an enormous difference the shade (among a few other things) makes in the bay window in this dining room....

Robert Allen's embroidered linen, United Vines, is the fabric we used and I love the classic, timeless look it gives to this shade.

Thanks to my terrific workroom for fabricating and installing these lovelies along with a few other goodies for this project. Like the sunroom in this home, which I shared the other day, we are in the "finishing touches" phase in the dining room. Artwork is on order and the host and hostess chairs are a work in progress, but we'll get 'er done!

Enjoy the week-end ahead and celebrate the fathers in your life!

Almost there: A Cheery Sunroom

It's been a while since I have shared the progress on this space. Since then we have added a custom ottoman and pillows, a desk and chair and some other accessories. With the exception of hanging a few items on the walls, the space is complete and being used as it was intended, as a cozy spot to relax and "take a load off." Come have a peak for yourself.....

You may have noticed... I've been a bit sporadic in my posting of late, (something that seems to be afflicting many in the blogging world these days). I'm still here, just too many competing demands, so I am giving myself the freedom to continue this way through-out the Summer.  Hope you don't mind and more importantly, that you don't go away! I've got quite a few projects coming together and I look forward to sharing them with all of you, as well as getting back into a routine come Fall.

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design?  If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better with a Design Concept Board or a complete Room Rx.

10 Things: Dreamy porch

House Beautiful

1) Use of texture - rough and smooth

2) Repetition of natural elements, seagrass rug, wicker tables

3) Simple color palette of green and white

4) Blue painted ceiling

5) Furniture unified with white paint and fabric

6) Pairs - pillows, chairs, side tables

7) Stack of more formal looking, gold framed paintings on the wall

8) Gorgeous glass lamp

9) Succulents in terra cotta pots add a touch of living green

10) ??? What do you love about this dreamy porch???

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Our boy is home after an amazing semester at Conserve School! 
The photos below are book-ends of the past several months...

Upon arrival; Nervous, yet excited about the experience ahead. Ready to enjoy all that the semester has to offer, from the beauty of the seasons in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, to meeting new people, trying new things and pushing personal boundaries.

Upon departure; Filled with a new-found maturity and confidence, a fully developed love for the outdoors and our environment, not to mention the joy of deeply forged friendships. Beneath it all the sadness of endings, yet the excitement of beginnings.

I can't say enough about this fabulous semester program and the amazing experience our son had. Should you have a high school student, or know of one, who would be interested in such a program, I would be delighted to share more, just leave a comment or send me an email.

Have a great week!

 

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better with a Room Rx.

Teen bedrooms: a lament

Do you have teens? We have three in this house and I think I didn't get the "owner's manual," especially when it comes to keeping their rooms clean and orderly. One of the things you hear over and over when it comes to kids is to "choose your battles" and honestly, despite my personal tidy-organized genes, this is one I have had to let go of.

So today I am keeping it real people, welcome to my life....and my daughter's room....

Um, yes, I do believe those are dirty clothes. Wonder if she can find her books so that she can study for her finals.....? Oh happy day, I see one!

Wet towel in a heap, growing mildew, check.

Smelly socks and athletic gear, check. (Don't worry though, the potential smell is countered by those yummy lotions and potions from Bath & Body Works!)

Something living under the bed? Check....wonder what it could be? Animal? Mineral? Vegetable?

Bed not made, for months? Check.

But hey, I don't have to live in this room or get into that bed at night.....!

She thinks this is rather funny.....

Maybe once finals are over she can turn over a new leaf... or not.... Sigh....

Hard to believe, but, I have learned to live with this, that's what doors are for!

Have a great week-end. Our plans include tonight's 8th grade "graduation" for our youngest, a trip to Land o' Lakes, WI to pick up our oldest from his semester at Conserve, and I'd say some room cleaning, but Monday is the last day of school here, so the reality is that studying for finals trumps all!

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better with a Room Rx.

10 Things: A cheery dinette

Browsing through the portfolio of design firm Graciela Rutkowski Interiors, this happy spot just jumped out at me.  I love the simplicity and aesthetic of the dinette's design and here is why:

1) Fresh color palette, with black playing a starring role

2) Graphic patterns in fabrics are of similar scale, yet they work well together

3) Side chair color, fabric and fretwork back

4) Leather settee with nail head trim and rolled arms

5) Gorgeous trestle table with "x" base and interesting finish

6) Pop of orange takes bright to a new level

7) The green found in the trees right outside the windows plays a part in the color scheme

8) Walls and trim appear to be painted the same color, different finish

9) Use of end tables, an unexpected element

10) ???

Jump in here people, what do you see? You are responsible for "thing # 10" so please don't disappoint!

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better with a Room Rx.

Mood Board Monday: Seating that speaks to you

Oh how I love Mood Board Monday over at Pewter & Sage! Sarah's done it again with this installment, which is all about upholstered seating. If you are new to my blog or are not sure what MBM is all about just follow the links above and be prepared to be immersed in the creativity of fellow bloggers as they pull together a look using one of Sarah's chosen chairs.

Me? I fell for this one.  Hard. LOVE it! The style, fabric, details and size. And the name, Cecilia (who is by the way, the patron saint of music).

 Horchow's Cecilia Chair

I have a corner in my family room where I just love to sit and loaf. I thought a pair of these chairs would be perfect for re-creating such a corner in a lovely old, imaginary home, filled with character, beautiful windows and dark stained wood floors. I kept the paint color pale, added an antique carpet and lots of "pairs" to create symmetry.  The space is traditional but not too serious. There is a splash of shimmer in the artwork and lighting, lots of texture with the footstools, side tables and magazine baskets and a touch of whimsy provided by the needlepoint pillows and ombre drapes. I picture having a cup of coffee or glass of wine in this space and whiling away the hours chatting or reading or listening to music.

You can click on the icons below to go directly to the source for each item.

 Now don't be shy, take a few minutes and go have a look at MBM at Pewter & Sage and see which chairs spoke to the other participants, you won't regret it, I promise!

I am in count down mode, 8 more days till school is out and 5 more days until we pick up our son, Ryan from Conserve School! Then Summer officially begins. I think I might have to make a Summer Bucket list like my friend Pam.... (who, btw I get to meet in person during our vacation in July!!!) I am looking forward to the less scheduled, more relaxed pace of the coming months. How about you? Has your Summer begun and do you have a bucket list?!

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better with a Room Rx.