A pretty little powder room

My designer friend Cynthia, of Wanamaker Designs in Des Moines, shared this photo of her recently wallpapered powder room with me....
Swoon....

This bathroom was renovated many years ago and Cynthia wisely chose timeless finishes and materials. The addition of the gorgeous wallpaper gives the space a fresh, yet classic look. I am literally green with envy over how it has been transformed by the paper.

Last year I shared another room in Cynthia's charming home, you can read more about it here.

If you live in the vicinity of Des Moines and are looking for help designing a room as swoon-worthy as those above, Cynthia would love to hep you. Just let me know by leaving a comment or sending me an email and I will put you in touch with my very talented friend.

Room Share: A Cozy Sunroom

Today I am sharing the delightful sunroom in the home of some local clients who I worked with on this Room Rx project and this one.  This room was the staging area when the family first moved in to the home. Beautiful bones, with solarium windows on two walls and a tall ceiling, make it bright and airy, ripe to become a cozy sitting area.

 

Other than a few suggestions, I can not take credit for how this room turned out.  My clients pulled things together themselves using several pieces they already owned as well as a few well thought out purchases, the first being the four club chairs and the round coffee table.  Initially, an already owned rug was pulled into duty, but it was not quite right due to size and color.

With the right rug under foot and some standout accessories and artwork, this sunroom is not only cozy, but comfortable. The color story plays well off of the nearby dining room and living room, bringing in the soft blues, brick red and neutrals.

The subway art makes a huge impact on the paneled wall with a low ceiling, placed on either side of the beautifully crafted book case.

Using four chairs circled around a round coffee table is a fresh way to outfit a room like this.  Perfect for grabbing a "cup of joe" and reading the Sunday paper or for sharing a glass of wine after a long day.

Didn't they do a fantastic job creating this welcoming room?  I am always delighted when after working with my clients, they feel confident enough to forge ahead on their own in pulling a room together. I just love how this one turned out.

Do you have a lot on your plate this week with Thanksgiving only three days away?  I have a list a mile long, so I am off to get a few things accomplished today, including the very un-glamorous visit to the grocery store for my turkey dinner fixin's.

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.

Room Share: A collected Family Room

Today I am going to brag about one of my dearest, closest friends. Early in August I took my boys on a road trip to visit her and her family and while I have been to her home many times and always admired it, I finally took some photos.  It's dangerous to be my friend and have a beautiful home, because before you know it, I'm blogging about it!

 

My friend, like me is a decorator and her home is a veritable showcase of her style.  Traditional with a twist is how I would describe the look she goes for.  Rooms filled with antiques, collections and always a surprise.   The family room of her home was an addition several years ago, built in the footprint of the former one car garage of the 1920's colonial. The room is long and narrow, a factor that would stump many, but one which she made work perfectly with a sitting area at one end and an entry and work space at the other. 

The foundation of the room includes black slate floors, built in bookcases and loads of charming, white painted wainscoting.  The camel and green color scheme is fresh, yet refined and comfortable with toile, checks and animal prints. This friend was layering animal skin rugs on the floor before they ever showed up in shelter magazines!  She a girl ahead of the curve, who knows how to combine fabric, finishes and accessories to create amazing spaces.

Collections of Majolica, barley twist candlesticks, oil paintings of cows all work in harmony in the room lending a layered look with lots of visual interest. The needle-pointed pillows, (made by this talented gal) and animal heads and further whimsy without being over the top.

 

Even the window treatments are layered, with gorgeous toile panels paired with sheer cafe curtains.

The "working" end of the room serves as an informal entry complete with a bench for changing shoes, a coat closet and lots of baskets.

And then there is the "command center" a large, gorgeous piece with file drawers outfitted with all manner of organizational accessories.  How about the magnetized chalkboard and the striped phonebook cover?  Even the dog bed coordinates! Love it all.

I consider myself so lucky to have a close and wonderful friend with such talent. So friends, if you live in the Des Moines area and need help pulling your home together, I have just the person for you. Contact me and I'll put you in touch!

Today Rene is hosting a "Room by Room" party over at Cottage & Vine and I am sharing this fantastic family room there. Head on over and see what other fabulous living and family rooms are out there....

Finally I want to remind you of the Mood Board Monday challenge that Sarah of Pewter and Sage posted about here.  It's coming right up and I hope you'll join us!

 

 

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.