Casual Elegance, basement makeover from the Washington Post "House Calls"

So I decided to participate in this feature for the Washington Post called "House Calls".  It's where readers get to submit their design problems and the Post finds a designer to help them with their design solutions.  Here is my feature.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/house-calls-make-room-for-music-and-play/2013/06/25/8add3a64-d774-11e2-a016-92547bf094cc_story.html

The article really doesn't explain the level of difficulty in this design challenge, but I will!

If you take a look at the article, you will find a picture of what the space looks like now!  But here are some more.

They wanted this area of their home to have multiple purposes.  When I first looked at it, I have to tell you, I was stumped!  Even my kids playroom isn't this filled with stuff!  Not only do they want to keep the kids play area, they also wanted the husband to be able to keep his drum set there, have a sofa/seating area, storage, home office and laundry area.  OMG, say what now!  Well GAME ON!!!!

Well after racking my brain over several different layouts I came up with this one.  

The hall area is the perfect place for the office area.  It's rather wide in the hall and can house a nice size desk and shelving for more storage.  Top it with this cute lamp from Pier1, texture texture texture! Across the hall I added a mirror to bounce some more light around the space.  Add this garden stool for color.

Adding the storage units on the left as you come into the space is going to give the home owner MUCH needed tuck-a-way space.  OH YES, we are putting doors on that clutter bug! The one thing I really love about the storage I added is that it's completely customizable (whoa, is that a real word, because spell check says it's not).  From size, to the interior guts, to color, to door style.  Now I chose to add fretwork to the doors to spice up the plain white doors.  Check out myoverlays.com.  They specifically make overlays/fretwork for IKEA furniture.   

The owner wants to change the flooring to tile...so...I suggested they add an area rug for warmth and sound control.  OK, as a designer I would try and talk them out of changing the flooring to tile. If they are going to have kids on the floor and BLARING DRUMS in the space they are going to want a material that will be soft of the feet and absorb sound. But hey that's what they want.  

Since the space isn't that large I opted not to have a 3 seater sofa.  Honestly, no one want to sit in the middle....lol.  So instead I placed an armless loveseat and a side chair in the far corner to create a good seating area where you can actually sit and have a convo.  I choose the armless because it was less bulky in this tight space.  Next to the sofa I added nesting tables.  I love nesting tables.  They are great conceptually and great functionally.  You can tuck them under one another to save space or you can pull them away from each other to create separate surface space.  The lamp I chose is PRICEY, but I just love the glass and mesh combo.  Casual Elegance. LOVE IT!  The sofa pillows are two lumbar pillows done in a P Kaufman fabric.  You can find custom pillows like these on Etsy.com  

I love coffee tables, but I love OTTOMAN coffee tables even more.  They are all over my house...lol.  Seriously!  They are very kid friendly, comfortable to put your feet up, and another great way to add texture and color to the space with fabric.  

Some of the accessories I picked I chose with the kids in mind.  I added some floor pillows for reading and playing.  These bicycle figures are fun too.

I think house plants always add life to a space and so I tend to put them in all my designs.  However, if you're like me they will be dead before the week is out.  So this faux ficus is great for areas that don't receive a lot of light.  Place is on top of this Mocorran side table for height.  I placed it next to the storage units becasue I could not run the units all the way down to the wall because of the door.  I didn't like the blank space, so this fills it out great.

Lastly, I want to mention the wall color.  Again if you look at the article and pix above you will see the space has this VERY dated dark paneling on the bottom half of the wall.  It's creating this crave like atmosphere and in a perfect world with lots of money I would have told the home owner to just get rid of it, but since they are working with a tight budget, let's just paint it a soft off white and on the top half of the wall I'm thinking a calming cool blue-gray color.  Benny Moore's Nimbus Gray is perfect.

Ok, lastly...the short stubby windows.  Most homes with a finished basement have these high up windows, and no one knows what to do with them.  I would suggest a double rod with white sheers in back and color side hanging drapes to add height.  This will keep your eye from reminding you that you are partly under ground.  

As for some of the other challenges in the space....the owner didn't ask me to address these, but I feel as a designer it's my job to be thorough.  The lighting in the space is currently a LARGE (and I do mean L-A-R-G-E) fluorescent fixture.  IF budget permits, they should really invest in recessed lighting set on a dimmer.  This will be much better task lighting for playing, laundry, etc.  The laundry area needed doors!  I would put floor to ceiling bi-folds on the closet area housing the appliances.  This way you can keep it out of sight, but still have easy access when needed.  Why bi-folds?....They take up less floor space to open.  

Well I hope you enjoyed that!  Don't hesitate to email me you design dilemmas and I'll see what I can do.  thatsyourqdesigns@gmail.com.

Ciao for Now.

The Great Outdoors - Save and Splurge Monday!

Welcome back to another Save and Splurge Monday!

I decided to focus this Monday on the GREAT OUTDOORS!  Face it, when the weather gets warm, no one wants to work, we just want to be outside in the open air.  Outdoor living spaces are becoming more and more popular these days.  I mean WHY NOT, you paid for the real estate you might as well find ways to enjoy it!

I love this outdoor Chatham Low Platform Sectional from Pottery Barn.  The overall look of the piece is very simple and clean.  You can order it in different configurations to fit your space as needed.  I think the slat back on the frames adds a nice SIMPLE detail that allows you to maneuver your seating arrangement anyway you like it and it still looks good from all sides.  One problem I have with this piece are the 8,000 pillows. (ok, so not that many but you get my point)  Yes, it looks super comfy, but any of us with kids should definitely think twice about ordering all of those fort makers.  All in all I still love the piece.  This combination would cost you in the ball park of about $2200.00.

This piece is a similar in style and function as the Pottery Barn piece, but.....wait for it!.....it's only 640 BUCKS.  BAM in your face savings.  Now of course it doesn't have the multitude of pillows like the Chatham does, but you know how I feel about that.  It also has a slightly high platform then the Chatham, so this piece has longer legs, but that's why they call the Chatham LOW. This sectional system is from Ikea and it's called APPLARO. 

Garden Stools are SUPER trendy.  They step on to the design scheme a few years ago and the trend is still holding strong.  What's great about garden stools is since they are usual made of ceramic material they will last extremely well in the outdoors.  You can use them as tables, seating or plant stands.  Totally worth the money to have one.  They can also be used indoor.  I have one in my living room as a side table. The garden stool on the left is the Anitque Garden Stool from Horchow for (GULP) $760.00!  But the Urban Trends Garden Stool on the right is from overstock.com at $209.99.   Personally, I have seen this garden stool at Homegoods for $60.00 so keep your eyes OPEN and snatch it up if you see it for that price!

Garden accessories are a fun aspect to add to your outdoor space.  These two statues are very similar in shape.  They are different in style however.  On the left Pineapple Finial from Restoration Hardware for $95.00.  On the right, Artichoke Finial from Frontgate for $49.00.  I actually like the Artichoke better!  What do you think?

            

That's it for now.  I hope you enjoyed that little tid bit of frugalness.  Ciao for Now!

-Q-

Johnathan Adler - "Maga Makeover"

So I'm starting this segment of Magazine Makeovers.  I love the concept of the Look for Less.  Taking a photo from a magazine and making it over with pieces and products for a much lower price tag.  I want to choose things that are accessible to the everyday retail market not just to the trade.  ENJOY!

I want to start with this FUN Adler Room.  Johnathan Adler is such a wonderful designer.  He knows how to marry many different styles of furniture fabrics and finishes to make a room unique and enjoyable.  Check out this one.  Oh if only I could AFFORD him!


I love the hanging chair (sort of a rework of the vintage rattan egg chair) with the sheepskin cushion, paired with the rustic sisal rug and gold bamboo tray table.  See what I mean....the man is genius.

Ok, so let me give it a go.

So for that hanging chair, I don't know for sure where he got that chair.  I don't think it's one of his pieces.  Knowing that it is an egg chair, I can probably guess a price tag of about $800-$1000.  However, let's see what we can do.....I think we can keep the concept, but change up the shape a little.  This chair by Ikea is pretty cute. It's called SVINGA and it's $69.99.  Add it's Ikea colleague TEJN  faux sheep skin for $9.99 and this Maxwell Dickson Stream throw pillow, there you have it.
  
Ok, moving on to the table.  That tray table is to die for!  I love the gold bamboo legs and high gloss white tray atop of it.  It adds an elegance to the space and gives a little more structure for the eye to grab.  The one in the photo is the Meurice Butler Tray by Johnathan Adler.  It's about $600 smackers!....um I don't know about you, but I can find a lot more to do with 600 bucks then spend it on a table....an absolutely fabulously mouth wateringly chic table!....sigh

How about this one from West Elm, Tall Butler Tray Stand for $149.00.  Of course it doesn't have those sexy legs, but this one has a simple design that will add that structure I was talking about.  If only it came in gold....but a can of gold spray paint will fix that!


The Adler Zebra Rug, in the pictures is about $995.00.  That's a stinger, but this Hand-tufted Alexa Animal Shape Zebra Black Wool Rug from overstock.com is $237.00.  Both add the element of fun laid over the sisal rug.  The mixture of the two textures give visual interest.  It just makes you want to lay on the floor and flip through magazines with a cup of tea....lol

Since the magazine didn't source the lamp in the photo, I have no idea where the original lamp is from, but it looks like a Vintage Blenko Glass Lamp.  EXPENSIVE!  The color and shape of the lamp in the Adler room is just divine.  The base has a sort of decanter shape to it, making it a unique point of interest in the room.  Let's see if we can find a lamp similar in color and shape to add to our space.  This one green lamp base is from Lowes for $24.95.  Add a crisp white lamp shade and you have a very modern fixture to pair with the West Elm tray table.


The plant in the corner looks really, but if you're like me it will be dead in a week!  A faux silk plant would look just as good in this GRASET black planter.  I love the subtle modern pattern.


Lastly, I want to talk about that screen in the of the photo.  Dressing screens are used in many different ways in design.  In this particular room I think it not only adds a great look to the over style of the space, but it also helps with the lighting, serving as a sort of window treatment.  The one in the picture looks like it might be custom.  I could be wrong about that, but non the less....what I like about it is the circular design.  Let's keep with that.  This Black Frame 3-panel 'Circle Design' Folding Screen here has a circular pattern as well and can also serve as a window treatment idea because of it's backing.  At $154.00 is a good comparison.


Well that was fun.  If you have a room you'd like me to try and recreate for less, please email me your picture and in the subject line put "Maga Makeovers".  thatsyourqdesigns@gmail.com.

Ciao For Now!

Q

Save and Slurge Mondays! - The look for less!

Be a SAVY SHOPPER and still get the look you want!

I know what it's like to look in the design magazines and play "Wish it"...you know that game..."OH I wish it was mine!"...yeah that one.  As a designer I understand why some things are priced the way they are, but to the average consumer, some of these prices are hard to swallow. So I decided to do this post to show you, that you don't have to sacrifice style to fit your budget and have a fabulously styled home.  Check back in for the next Save and Splurge next Monday. Enjoy and happy shopping!  

This BEAUTIFUL Danieli chandelier from Niermann Weeks is absolutely the cream of the crop at a $7350.00 price tag.  I love the beaded arms and the drop crystal in the center.  The curved shape at the top adds a little visual texture and draws your eye up and down the fixture to admire it's glam!

Danieli Chandelier from Niermann Weeks

but I found a similar chandelier by Candice Olson called "Camerson" from AF lighting at $318.00 bucks.  Of course they are not completely the same, but the overall look is definitely comparable.  I purchased this little beauty for my master bedroom and I am SOOOOOOO happy I did!  It's gorgeous!  I actually purchased the smaller version (4-lights) and set it on a dimmer.  The why the light reflects in the beads is so memorizing and the 4 lights provide PLENTY of illumination for the space.

Camerson Chandelier from AF Lighting

For all of you who like funky prints, check out these two rugs.  I love this one from Jonathan Adler called Black Gio Kilim at $695.00 (5 x 8 size).  The black and white print is super trendy and when you pair it with a bright solid colored upholstered piece of furniture it makes such a statement!  A good one...lol, trust me.

Black Gio Kilim from Jonathan Adler

But this one is pretty cool too!  It's from Ikea and it's called LAPPLJUNG RUTA, it cost $69.99. (6'7" x 6'7" size).  There is a slight difference in size but the pattern is super cool.  I am actually going to use this rug in a nursery that I am doing!  (stay tuned in for that...probably sometime in July when I finish the nursery)

LAPPLJUNG RUTA from Ikea

Ok, even designers get fooled sometimes....lol.  Check out these contemporary barstools, they are almost identical.  The backs of the stool carry a slightly different shape, but GOODNESS they are close.  The first one is from Design Within Reach called LEM Piston Stool,  priced at $865.00.

LEM Piston Stool from Design Within Reach

This one is from Staples....yup you got it, Staples carries fun furniture too.  This one is from Zuo Mondern, which is a GREAT company to find ultra comtemporary furniture at a decent price.  Staples just happens to have it at the lowest price at $179.99.  I can just see this pushed up against a light colored speckled granite with high gloss white cabinetry and stainless steel hardware...yummy.

Zuo Modern Equino Barstool at Staples

Ok, one more piece and I will stop for now....I get a kick out of finding deals!  Ok, so this Pintucked Coffee Table ottoman is from Wisteria.com.  It's so pretty and looks great in any design setting, such a fabulous piece...however it has a $899.00 price tag. OUCH!

Pintucked Coffee Table from Wisteria.com

The Elements Rubbed Ottoman Table from overstock.com is very similar in style.  It's rubbed wood finish is close to the rustic reclaimed wood look of the wisteria piece, and the smoke gray tufted top adds extra layer of visual coziness.  The top is a little heavier then the wisteria piece, but for the price of $287.99, who the HECK CARES...just kidding.  It really is a great deal. LOVE this piece!

Elements Rubbed Ottoman from Overstock.com

So that's it for now.  I will be doing a segment on "Magazine Makeovers", a blog post for viewers to email me a magazine picture of a space they like and I try to recreate the designer look for less.  Feel free to email at thatsyourqdesigns@gmail.com with any request.  Ciao for now!

-Q-