Tuesday

While my husband and a friend work down in the basement I figured I had better get another blog composed and out to the world!  I suppose the sound of the compressor and nail gun from two floors below somehow ended up reminding me of work.. hmmm...I wonder why that is!?

This day...this week....this month...this year have been crazy and I have a few big projects wrapping up over the next month or so that I am really excited to share with you but before that I want to show a job I completed not too long ago.

I designed this family's basement and I will be showing it in parts becuase it was a large project but one of my favorite parts was a reading nook for their kids.  We had a huge space to work with and wanted to add some extra seating for the entertainment area, extra storage for toys and of course a spot where the kids could hang out and read.  At first I think they thought I was a little nuts (that the kids would read more often if they had a reading nook) but I am a big beleiver that if you have a designated space to do something and it is properly designed and of course comfortable - that you will use it more than you think!

Since we started with a blank concrete shell I don't have a before photo but here is one during the construction process - can you say "dusty!?".  At this time I was trying to select the perfect fabric and Dan Savageau, the contractor on the job was wrapping up cabinetry.  I enjoy being on site for projects - I think that it is amazing to see the process of how a project goes from this....

To this....

We used beautiful alder cabinetry with oil rubbed bronze accessories. The pendant lighting helps to make reading a possibility for the kids and a comfy bench helps too!  We used an accent paint color between the cabinetry that coordinates with the fabric to give the space a fun bright feeling.  The most rewarding part.....a few months after we completed the project I was told that the kids actually go down to read there!!! So cute!!

More next time!

Designer: Sarah Brown with Floor to Ceiling
Contractor: Dan Savageau Construction
Cabinetry: Omega Cabinetry by Floor to Ceiling
Carpet: Tigressa Carpet by Floor to Ceiling
Lighting: The Lighthouse

North Dakota Country Living

I am proud to say that this space I designed was featured in our ad for this month's "Inspired Home" magazine!!  Below is the awesome ad that was put together to feature our store's work for all of Fargo to see!

This project was a huge undertaking and it really pushed me as a designer because it was the largest scope of work that I have had for a client.  Myself and a salesperson at our store named Brian worked on this project for months to create a truly unique space for this family.

This is a renovation of an existing home along with an addition.  Basically a home was built around an existing home and our goal was to keep as much as the existing space while creating a seamless transition to the new spaces in the home. 

Finishes were selected to create a space with a feeling of warmth (which is important with our chilly winters) and a timeless design with a fun twist on country & traditional design elements.  Rustic furniture with traditional travertine & contemporary appliances blended styles that the clients liked to create a look unique to them.

Kitchen & eat in dining space

 

Kitchen range wall & island

  Kitchen island & HUGE pantry - I would cook much more often if I had all of that storage!  I try to use baskets or drawers on the bottom of pantry cabinetry so you have to bend down and dig less to get items from the lower spaces.

Dining Room

Custom entry bench & laundry room

Entry into the master bathroom shower

Aaah...Spa! Master bathroom shower

Master bath custom wood tub surround - perfect for both access for plumbing and a custom look!

Master bath vanities - Each has a linen on the end with a central storage cabinet in the center.

Custom rustic alder fireplace mantle

 

Custom built in cabinetry in the mud room & my FAVORITE accessories! This pull out goes in a vanity cabinet and provides a safe place to store hot irons and curling irons when you are finished using them and need to get going with your day!  There are also storage bins below the stainless iron storage spaces.  This piece is worth every penny and provides easy and accessible storage!

Accessible bathroom

 

I always LOVE a challenge!

When I first started working on this kitchen I was told by my client that she had a "unique layout" and to "have fun" coming up with ideas. Boy... was I going to have to do some brain storming and custom drawings, as the house turned out to be in the shape of a hexagon!  My client was open to ideas and was soo inspirational in the design process as she was really excited about her unique space and the changes it would soon see.

Before Dan Savageau & I started working on the kitchen it was outdated and not as functional as it could be.

The kitchen rests in two corners of the hexagon shape of the home.  This photo shows the exterior walls of the home that the kitchen sits against and the photo below shows the hexagon fireplace which is the center of the home.

The largest challenge for this kitchen was to create a space that increased the functionality of the space while fitting in all of the required appliances & accessories and still having enough circulation space.  After space planning we came up with a plan that worked well and our client was satisfied with! 

 The results....amazing!

The result was a more spacious and functional kitchen that was bright and welcoming.

The perimeter contains the refrigerator , range, oven & microwave while the island houses the sink and dishwasher which results in an efficient layout for cooking and prep work.  Dan made custom cabinetry to match the rest of the kitchen cabinetry to go around the fireplace to create a built-in area for extra storage and buffet style serving.  We also installed a custom TV cabinet in the back corner of the room, gorgeous Pirouette window treatments & a simple but stylish chandelier above the dining table.

I selected rustic hickory cabinetry with a black glazing and accented it with black painted rustic alder with rub through distressing.  Paired with stainless appliances and Cambria quartz tops it creates a country feel with a modern twist. Smokey grey glass pendants tied together the paint, quartz and backsplash tile while also coordinating with color tones in the new flooring to create a cohesive color scheme.

In the mud room I designed a custom bench piece which Dan built and installed.  It ties in the wood species from the kitchen to the mud room and creates a furniture piece look.

I have been having a ton of fun photographing recently finished projects lately so stay tuned & check back soon!

A Hutch with History

One of my hobbies is taking something old and turning it into something new.  My Dad & I took old furniture, stripped it down, and finished it again to make all of my dorm furniture for college and I guess that has stuck with me. 

This summer I went to a floral shop that was going out of business and found this hutch - pretty much in pieces and decided to purchase it and make it my own.  I purchased it for $50.00, paid $25.00 for an installer from work to bring it to my home & about $100.00 total for paint, fabric, foam, crown, hardware & a little labor from Dan Savageau to put on some crown and make a base for the bench cushion to be attached to.  I painted the entire piece and then sanded down the corners and shelving to make a rub-through and worn look.  So for just $175.00 - an awesome furniture piece was formed.

The lesson - an accent piece of furniture can make an entire room look completely different and put together.  Also - it does not have to be expensive to look expensive.  A rustic piece like this can be found in stores for much more - but if you spot a piece that has potential at a flea market or garage sale - go for it and create your own accent piece!

The hot colors for accent furniture pieces lately have been:
-Red (a barn red)
-Black (with a distressed look)
-Sage (or any olive tone)
-Navy (try something with a hint of teal to it)
-Mustard (bright yellow paired with grey works great too)
-White (always a thumbs up choice!)

I also see these colors used as accent colors for kitchen islands & built in units!
Oh! And remember my comment regarding easy ways to add pops of color to you home without buying expensive artwork?  In my hutch there are three of my favorite fabric pieces framed in chrome.  A great way to add a hint of color!