Project Downsize: sneak peek

Some time ago I shared my plans for helping my in-laws with their move in Project Downsize. 

Today I thought I would give you a progress update on the main living area. 

Now mind you, we are not finished in here, there are still many details needing some tweaking, 

but I thought you would enjoy seeing where things stand.

Remember where we began?

Therese and I (aka: The Committee) landed on move in day and helped direct the movers as well as began to place and install furniture, window treatments, art and accessories.

 

I even had time for a little DIY...
recovering a couple of chair seats!

I am so pleased with the happy combination of patterns and colors. And to think, a pair of chairs upholstered years ago and hardly showing signs of wear, were the starting point for the color story.

Thank goodness for the fab, well priced Pottery Barn rug, which was the first find
and the gorgeous window treatment fabric which created a focal point from the front door
and further inspired the choices throughout the rest of the home.

Last time I spoke with my father-in-law, 

he told me that he liked the new place more and more with each passing day.

Considering they spent 40 years in their former home, I can't tell you how happy that makes me!

On the do to list?

+ Of course some pillows from Therese Marie Designs

+ A DIY upholstered footstool+ Paint for the media piece which was custom made by my BIL

+ A new coffee table

+ Custom photos for the 2 large, empty frames over the media piece

So, after my next visit to see my MIL & FIL, 

I promise to take more photos and reveal the finished room.

In the meantime, it's fun to see the progress isn't it?!!

--------------Cathy--------------

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Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design?  I would love to work with you to help your room "feel better."  

Contact me for more information about my design services.

"Big City Apartment" (almost) done

Put a fork in it, This Big City Apartment is (almost) done!

I did not mention this before but my nephew is a trail blazer, living in downtown Detroit, a city on the rebound. From Detroit City Apartments, he can walk to work, the Theater District, Comerica Field and Ford Park.  The building has tons of amenities, great views and large, well appointed units, the perfect situation for a recent college grad. 

Therese and her boys did an amazing job creating this....

from this!

 That is Grandma's hand knitted afghan, confiscated during Project Downsize.
Can you believe that Therese once thought it was ugly? This was a pivotal piece for our design!

When I said (almost) done the reality is that we are still awaiting the move in of the roommate and his belongings, but the living room is set up to accommodate his furniture and the artwork is staged to be hung on the wall surrounding the TV and media stand once they arrive.

I still can't get over the green chair, the perfect find for highlighting the colors in the afghan. And did you notice the license plate frame on the wall? It now has a mirror.

 For the bathroom, Therese couldn't resist doing a little embellishing on a plain white shower curtain...

Which combined with this 

really gives a boost to an otherwise mundane bath.

Remember my Design Plan for the bedroom?

Here is how it turned out... a piece of particle board cut to fit, some black duct tape, Target bed linens, a thrift store lamp, that cool painted side table, a Therese Marie Designs pillow and voila!

All of this installing and decorating can be exhausting.......

But the result is a very cool apartment which will be the envy of your friends!

You can let them know that "The Committee" hires out!

And then you can go and chill at the rooftop pool...

And on a final note, how about this for a hip outdoor reception area at Detroit City Apartments?

What a fun project!
When Therese added up everything she spent it was around $1800.
Considering that the only thing my nephew brought to the party was a desk, a chair and a few hand me downs (bedroom dresser and rug, LR arch lamp, Grandma's afghan and a few kitchen items)
I think she did an amazing job creating a stylish and functional first apartment don't you?

--------------Cathy--------------

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Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design?  I would love to work with you to help your room "feel better."  

Contact me for more information about my design services.

Thrifty make-overs for "The Big City Apartment"

Today I am sharing a few of the fabulous transformations of the thrifted and hand me down pieces that Therese rounded up for her son's "Big City Apartment."

She did such a great job, some of these pieces we collaborated on and others, she just did on her own and shared the results with me. 

I have said it before, but we really do make a good team....

High fives for "The Committee!"

A garage sale bulletin board gets some pizazz with a black frame and painted stripes.

Since the fabric was in decent condition and the color worked perfectly, this cute little chair got a fresh look by removing the skirt, cleaning up the legs and adding a hip Therese Marie Designs pillow.

 

 Only the tiniest bit of paint and a little creative genius and this chest gets a simple update.

Inspired by this, a thrift store painting, a thought, stick on letters and a wash of paint yields
a conversation piece in the powder room.

A little spray paint and some dark wax gave this side table a hip new look.

A funky vintage lamp, so cool it doesn't need more than a good cleaning....

 

 And how about a little sneak peak to see the lamp in use 

and how the "Sting" poster makes an appearance..... 

Yep, that's the Ikea Karlstad, a Lack side table and a couple of TMD pillows.

Lookin' pretty darned good dontcha think???!!!!

Have a great week-end!

BTW I am linking up to the Best of the Nest party and you should too.... no doubt you have some cool project to share, so be brave and do it!

--------------Cathy--------------

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Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design?  I would love to work with you to help your room "feel better."  

Contact me for more information about my design services.

Big City Apartment on a budget

If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen that I have had another special project on my docket.
Once again I have partnered with my CSIL to design her oldest son's first, post college apartment!

Therese was a whirlwind of activity once we got the design down,
shopping thrift stores and garage sales,
sewing, painting and DIYing,
making Ikea and Target runs
and finally moving the boy in and doing the install last week.

We had a great space to work with and the building website even offered a free space planner.....



What made this project a blast was the fact that there was an "extreme" budget and lots that needed doing so we had to be resourceful.  My nephew owned only a desk and chair to bring to the new place, luckily his roommate would be providing a table and chairs, a large comfy chair as well as the TV and media stand.
Only 3 major purchases needed to be made, a mattress with frame, a sofa and the LR rug.
We chose versatile, inexpensive pieces....

Ikea Karlstad

Nate Berkus for Target

The rest would come from hand me downs and thrifted goodies like these.....


 

 

 

I know this thrift haul may not look like much, but stick with me, over the next week I'll show you the fruits of our clever efforts to make each of these items a unique addition
to a fully outfitted, well curated, budget minded, recent college grad's first Big City Apartment!

Have a great week!


--------------Cathy--------------

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Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design?  I would love to work with you to help your room "feel better."  

Contact me for more information about my design services.