I know.... it's been a while

My plate has been full, and my focus has been on things such as...

scheming on dorm decor, 

crafting dorm art

then moving my girl off to college for the first time 

and getting her room pulled together so it feels happy and homey. 

Also on my docket,
updating a sun room for a repeat client.

Designing built-ins and a fresh look for this family room.

Working on a variety of projects for this charming home.

 And creating design plans for some other delightful clients.

 

Oh.... and then there is the knitting that I have recently become quite fond of
thanks to a lovely and patient friend....

That is why I hope you will forgive my absence from the blog-o-sphere.
For now I am on blog hiatus while I decide what the best and most fulfilling use of my time is.
In the meantime, I will be attempting to use Facebook and Instagram better in order to keep you up to date on my work and other happenings, so I don't plan to disappear completely!

--------------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.

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.

Second chance chairs: a few before and afters

Who doesn't love a cute chair? They add interest to a room, can be inexpensive if bought 2nd hand and if you have a vision, can be transformed with a little bit of paint, fabric and elbow grease.

I have shared many chair transformations here on the blog like this, this and this. 

I even have a board on Pinterest where I collect beautiful chair makeovers, 

so I suppose it's safe to say I have a bit of a chair fetish!

Today I have a whole new crop of chair makeovers. The first couple I am sharing are my own chairs and were done in collaboration with my friend Ann, of Siena & Spoke, who recently added creative painting projects to her interior painting business. 

I gave Ann some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old Olive and free reign on this guy....

 

She did a wonderful dry brush technique and gave it a new look.
I can't believe I waited all these years to have this chair painted,
I am delighted with the transformation.

 

I got these chairs for $7 each at a local thrift store. Ann painted everything with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, including the faux vinyl upholstery and gave them a coat of wax.
I designed the pattern on the chair back and despite my DIY-ADD, we painted those together.
Until I come up with a plan for where to use these guys and what to re-upholster them in,
I love them on my sunporch!

Ann also did this piece for me

If you are local to the Madison, WI area and have a sad, tired piece of furniture looking for a facelift, give Ann a call. 

You can find her business, Siena & Spoke, as well as her portfolio on Houzz and Facebook. 

Her tag line "repurposing with paint {furniture, walls and beyond} says it all!

This next chair is the product of my client's DIY and Ebay skills and a collaboration with my wonderful upholsterer.

Her neighbor was ready to put these guys to the curb, my client saw potential....

She painted the frame a lovely gold, found this amazing python fabric on Ebay for a song
and sent them off to be re done....

I. Die. 

Plus, I am so proud of my client for going it on her own to update these chairs. We talked about many options and in the end, finding this amazing fabric set the project in motion.

Remember this chair from my Bold & Blue family room project?

 I showed you an update here

Now check this baby out in her new home with her kitchy pillow, slipcovered ottoman and beautifully refinished table....

 So fun!

Do you have a chair fetish like me? If so what have you done to transform yours?

--------------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.