Before and After....
Country Kitchen
Before
The stunning wood panelled ceiling with beams was the inspiration in redecorating this space. The dated track lighting was replaced with pendant lights and the new paint color selection complements the natural wood. The blue chairs were painted green in keeping with the new color scheme.
After
Country Kitchen
Begin Again...
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And Again!
The expansive windows were topped with Sage Green Rafia Box Cornices styled with grosgrain ribbon straps and buckles, and large hammered bronze tacks around the perimeter simulating an old trunk. Hung beneath the cornices were roller shades in a warm neutral tone, tying in the Pine table and Maple accent chairs. The white storage units were replaced with a wrought iron Baker's Rack, and a hand-painted chest for a more rustic, country feel. Black accents around the room work well with the oversized, industrial clock. Plants were added to soften the corners and add texture.
This former dining area transforms wonderfully to accomodate an open concept kitchen seating area, a functional convertible feature for these empty nesters. Movie nights are so much better when they are adjacent to the popcorn maker and the fridge in the adjacent kitchen of this large open concept space! The sectional accomodates a crowd of family and friends. The sofa table was designed using vintage Victorian porch corbels.
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The decorative accent rug introduces a subtle deep red, which is picked up with the accent pillows, clock face, leather camel saddle ottoman and horse-head accent table for a splash of color!
Details, details...
The massive, heavy wrought iron mirror was discovered lying on its side in a barn behind musty bales of hay. Hung by chains from the ceiling gives a nod to the Industrial style, as do the buckles and hammered nail head trim on the leather cornice boxes, pictured right. Oversized Mahogany Chests of Drawers with heavy brass drawer pulls and corner brackets, bookend the furnishings.
The utilitarian, yet decorative antique Baker's Rack houses cookbooks, porcelain serving dishes and antique platters. The rack's curvilinear detail echoes the mirror across the room. The black wrought iron is the perfect complement to the Black and White antique sail boat photograph collection.
Powder Room
Removing the huge dated sink cabinet and mirror already create a dramatic effect. The metallic copper ceiling reflects light, adding tremendous warmth to the space.
The wood grained, glass vessel is a link to the natural pine shutters and trim. Those colors read like copper, hense the gorgeous round copper accent mirror.
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After!
Before
This room is a classic example of a WIP (work in progress). The updates got as far as the light fixture, then life got in the way!
Improvements were deferred until those crazy kids went to college. The spare rug was handy to throw in when temperatures dropped and the slate floor grew cold underfoot. Then the whole scheme became "white noise". You became so conditioned to it, you didn't even hear it anymore. Until. Until you take a harsh objective look at it like this. "Acckkk!" Scary.
Many people have a room like this in their homes, where they look back and laugh, shaking their heads and saying, "I can't believe we let it go so long!"
We get it. We don't judge. It's not a priority. As long as the plumbing is functional, it's all good. (This is a good time to point out that there is the highest level of confidentiality and discretion when we enter your home - it's like taking the hypocratic oath.)
During
Finally all of the finishing touches are in place including mahogany crown molding, free-hand painting and the nature inspired valance with frog and satin ball trim above pine shutters. Nothing too good for the best seat in the house!
Yankee Magazine Designer Showhouse
Designer Showhouses provide a forum for Designers to flex their creative
muscles, displaying their ingenuity and infinite engineering skills to see if
their vision can actually function in reality. (In this vignette, the fishing rod in the Master Bath which doubles as a curtain rod is my favorite case in point, along with the ship sailing along the window sill whose sails work as a
window treatment for privacy in just the right places!)
If the client has an idea, DK interiors will develop the concept to become a
functional design. There is also no shortage of creative ideas that can be
suggested to you. If you are up for the adventure, we will make it happen!
Before
After!
The Dressing Suite
From Renderings, to Reality...
Befores...
The Master Bath
Before
After
The Wildlife Appreciation Party
Designer Showhouse
Before
Too many details to mention went into the transformation of this seasonal porch which started with only two wicker chairs and a bench.
The Audobon Society book on the easel (below left) showcases the Famous Grouse. A bottle of Famous Grouse Scotch Whiskey and antique snifters sit upon the table (lower right). An Antique pinball machine in the rear corner is later embellished with a "Big Game" placard, adding to the pun. A giant telescope is focused on three large iron Heron scultptures perched near the distant boulder in the yard. The same sculptures are seen in miniature on the Turkish hexagon table pictured lower right.
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If you look carefully, the arrow, (lower right) is pointing to a decorative element, a small, feather covered pheasant that hangs like a tassel from alternating peaks of the sawtooth valance which wraps the sliding doors surrounding the porch.
Afters
Framed Audobon prints adorn the walls behind the massive glass top partners desk on iron stands. An assortment of antique telescopes are clustered near a set of antlers and travel books. A gorgeous antique globe loosely reads like a worn parchment map further adding to the warmth and character of the space. The hand-painted, Zebra striped sisal rug (above right) plays in contrast to the wavy striped seat cushions and hand-painted leopard spots on the muslin covered lamp shade.