Coo, coo, ca-choo Mrs. Robinson

Mrs Robinson’s Living Room---Often the room you see shortly after sitting in her entry and the room before you get invited to the heart of their kitchen.  The living room is one of the first opportunities you get to tell your audience what you and your family are all about!  In Mrs. Robinson’s case, it was pretty easy to tell!  The colors of her recently remodeled home were reminiscent of Scandinavia and were as breezy as her personality!  Soft Blues and precious wallpapers lined the hallways and a base layer of rugs and furniture had been purchased but the rooms were not yet finished.  The Robinsons needed the last few but imperative layers to make this house feel like a home!   I present to you, the living room!

The tables, lamps, secretary and chair speak for themselves and in a Beatles like chorus sing…..“Here's to you Mrs. Robinson”!  I join them.

-Suzanne

Private Residence - Family Room

We have had a lot of fun helping out-of-state clients; while nothing compares to being able to see a client’s home in person,  it’s amazing what we can do with just a few measurements, a slew of photos, and some Pinterest-stalking! We recently worked with a couple from Colorado. They had just given their walls a fresh coat of grey paint that really made their white moldings just pop.  We were inspired by their vision and hit the ground running, starting with their family room. Our goal was to make a comfortable, inviting space for their family to gather and spend time together.

We kept the beautiful rug they had in the room, and moved their more formal sofa and chairs into the piano room.

The space has many walkways and entrances into the room, so we re-oriented their furniture and introduced both a chaise and a pair of chairs alongside a new sofa. This gave the space a great conversation area, as well as created a relaxing environment to watch TV and enjoy having company over.

We wanted the space to feel gathered and eclectic. We started by anchoring the room with a large steamer trunk for a coffee table. In front of the trunk we placed two tufted ottomans; these little guys are great to pull up to a sofa or chair and put your feet up on, or to use as additional seating in the space. One of the complaints the couple had was that their current sofa looked great but was just wasn’t comfortable. We specified a new sofa from one of our collections that brought a great look to the room but was very family friendly and something they could all sink into.

We kept with neutral tones in the main furniture pieces and introduced different textures and patterns to the palette to create interest and depth. We left our bright punches of color for the pillows and the ottomans. As a finishing touch, we treated the bay window with floor to ceiling linen drapery panels, softening the corner and accentuating the height of the windows.

As an added bonus, our clients happened to be in town when we were ready to present to them- they were able to touch and feel the fabrics we selected for them, as well as sit in some of the pieces were we wanted to put in their space.  We were so excited to show them the cozy space we designed for them and can’t wait for everything to arrive so this relaxing, fun space can be enjoyed by the whole family!

-Natalie

Rose Residence

Well, where do I even begin with Mrs. Cheryl Rose?  When you first meet her, she will greet you with a bright smile, open arms, and a kind heart.  She smells of roses and is always put together from head to fabulously-healed toe. Needless to say, we always look forward to her visits here at Alice Lane! The first time we stepped through Cheryl’s grand French doors we were in awe with the simple beauty that greeted us. Her home was timeless and elegant, just like darling Mrs. Rose. This is when our love affair officially began.

Her space needed to be peaceful, effortless, and uncomplicated.  It was absolutely essential that Cheryl’s home was a refuge, a personal retreat where she could escape from the busy and wild world outside.  We layered textures and calming hues over elegant silhouettes, installed celestial-inspired art and added a little mood lighting to create the ultimate sanctuary.

The Powder Room – oh, the Powder Room!  It is filled with a special gallery of Christopher Marley’s finest work, from Abalone Shells to Mineral Crystals to a mosaic of the most charming bugs you have ever seen!  It is an absolute jewel box for her family and friends to admire – who knew a Powder Room could draw such a crowd!

The Master Bedroom is filled with details that whisper luxe and beauty.  Varying shades of the same color create a restful environment.  To keep the palette interesting, we combined multiple textures to create depth and character.  This Master retreat definitely makes it a little harder to get out of bed in the morning!

Thank you, Cheryl, for graciously letting us into your home and your life.  We no longer just consider you a client – but a lifelong friend.

-Christy

[photos by Meikel Reece]

Bliss Residence Nursery

I present to you... The Bliss Nursery! I love installation days because for the first time, your client gets to see what you've seen all along. When designing and doodling, I pour my heart and soul all over the paper! We eat, drink, and breathe these moments and to see it go from a sketch to a tangible space, well, there is no greater reward at the end of the day. Tania and Kate, you are beautiful and like I said before...

Every memory and precious moment will be trapped in the fibers of this room, and I can't imagine a more beautiful place for Mama Bliss and that sweet baby Kate to spend time together, whether it be quiet mornings, warm afternoons, or even sleepless nights (may they be few and far between!)"

- Suzanne

[photos by Meikel Reece]

Private Residence - Master Bedroom

It seems like the Master Bedroom is always the last room in the home to be finished. Most often this is because this room is tucked away where guests can’t sneak a peek. At Alice Lane, however, we believe this should be the first room you dive into! Your room is the first place you see when you wake up, and the last place you see before you close your eyes at night- it’s your shelter from the rest of your crazy, chaotic life, and should be as serene and comfortable as possible—and gorgeous, of course!

When we visited with our adorable young clients, we were inspired by the sounds of music, giggles of young children, and the pattering of little feet that echoed through their house. We felt the love that filled their home and wanted to carry that warm feeling in our design.

Our rug – oh, our rug! This is what began our beautiful story. Its luxurious texture and calming circular shapes were just the ticket to start our scenic tale. Its warm hues and peaceful palette really embodied the warm-hearted feeling we were after.

Instead of placing a typical bench at the foot of the bed, we decided to place a cozy, tufted settee. Not only does this look beautiful, but it’s also a cozy little spot for a sick child who’s having a rough night (or a great launching spot for the wee ones to dive into Mom and Dad’s bed on Saturday mornings!).

 Across from the settee sits the fireplace and a set of His-and-Her chairs. We did His chair in a cozy gray and white ticking stripe, and Hers – well, where do I begin? The custom gray and white toile upholstery just melts into the hand-carved frame with delicate gold detailing- it’s a truly feminine chair! This is surely a spot where our young family will enjoy cuddling and reading bedtime fairytales by the fire.

 Above the fireplace, we nestled a silver leaf Portuguese starburst mirror. The mixture of the soft metallic frame and antique mirror has a celestial quality. Who wouldn’t want to wake up to this every morning?!

Every room needs a little something to loosen it up. For this space we decided to sprinkle pearly white Carnation platters in the corner. Their organic shapes break up all of the linear lines in the room and give a sculptural, relaxed quality to a bare corner. The platters almost look as though they could float away!

My advice to you is this: don’t save your Master Bedroom for last- just dive into it! You need a refuge where you can escape your crazy and chaotic day, where you can breathe deep and relax. Most importantly, you need a space that inspires you, where you can’t wait to wake up and start your day!

 

- Christy

 [photos by Meikel Reece]

Show n' Tell - Nemrow Theatre

You all remember the Nemrow’s right?  The amazing kitchen transformation we featured on our blog a couple years ago?  Well, you can imagine my excitement when Anjerie called and said they were finishing their basement and needed help with the plans, specifically the long anticipated theatre!  It is so gratifying to design for a completely trusting client and that is exactly what Anjerie and Scott are.  As a designer, having this freedom allows you to flex a different muscle and the spaces always end up spot on.  It’s Magic!!!

When scheming on the look and feel of the space, I wanted it to be clean, style-forward, and sophisticated; I pictured large art, strong contrasts, and plenty of seating for the Nemrow’s and their posse. We treated the walls with an applied board rhythm and painted it a deep ink color.  We had a great opportunity to create a soffit and highlight the center of the room with an absolutely insane wallpaper!  It looks like a silver-leafed lunar surface with dollops of gold and patina thrown in the mix- completely hypnotic!

When it came to the kitchenette, Scott had a lot of appliance requests. It’s was a slim space, but we managed to pull off a small miracle and got it all to fit perfectly. Why? Because that’s what we do!

Dr Pitt!  It’s like the largest party barge you’ve ever seen!  It’s perfect for a theatre or any space where you need a whole lot of comfort (and even more cuddling!).  We wrapped it in a charcoal velvet and upholstered the ottomans in a vinyl that looks like shark skin!

The theatre recliners were upholstered in a bone colored leather and my favorite Michael Weiss barstools were done in funky teal leather.

The art was and lighting is always my favorite layer. Until this is up, your room will never feel complete.  In this space, I didn’t want to propose knick knacks and small prints; instead, I chose large art that made an impact. We started with Albert Einstein’s “Moon Study” which is just sooo brilliant, and added two vertical stripe prints (which reminded me of TV static) and the most beautiful mirror in the whole world!

This mirror has massive Swarovski crystals embedded into the frame….its bonkers and deserves an award.

What makes the project is the people you get to work with and we loved combining forces with Scott Dent at RC Dent Construction.  And to Anjerie and Scott, we adore you and are so grateful to know you and your darling family.  Thank you!  Mwaw!

- Suzanne

[photos by Meikel Reece]

Private Residence: Formal Living Room & Entry

We have worked with this local family before on their front porch, and now it was time to bring things inside. For years they used their front room as an office before finally deciding to turn it in to a formal living room.

We started by lightening the room up with a silver-leafed cork wallpaper applied above their decorative paneling, along with a light fixture that was more to scale with the room size.

The room was very small and we wanted to maximize the seating, so we positioned a full sofa under their tall, shuttered windows as an anchor to the room; we then used a sofette along the other wall and placed a sculptural chair in the corner to not only create a great conversation area, but also provide additional seating as needed. We grounded the space with a fantastic rug that brought both color and movement to the room, and above the sofette we hung a series of blue screen printed ferns in silver leafed frames that play well against the cork wallpaper.

In addition to the living room, we wanted to make the entry a functional zone for the family as well.

We selected a new light fixture and a large woven rug to fill the space as you walk in, and placed a 78” long console and  large starburst mirror along the wall next to the front door. It was very important to keep the scale of the pieces appropriate with the size of the space so that nothing felt dwarfed or undone. Along the stairs we placed a bench with a large print hung above, bringing some of the color from the living room into the entry. At the end of the entry we repurposed a smaller console, tuckedd it into her niche, and filled it with a splash of green Pellegrino bottles. We topped off the space by placing some faux aspen branches atop the console. I love to use flowers or greenery in a space- they can really  bring life into a room!

We will be finishing up the install of the formal living room at the end of the year, but here is a sneak peak. Stay tuned for images of the final install.

- Natalie

Movie Night!

An adorable young couple came to us with the request to design their theater room.  They love to entertain, play games, watch movies, and spend time together as a family.  They loved the idea of creating a warm, cozy environment with a modern turn, and so did we; we knew the push-pull dynamic between the cozy and modern aesthetic was destined to create an interesting design.

Thom Filicia’s Niagara rug was the perfect beginning to our story.  The lines are clean and modern, but its wool content keeps it cozy for the kids to snuggle when playing games or watching their favorite movie.  We needed to seat loads of family and friends comfortably - we immediately thought of the simply tailored Keaton sectional.  Once their guests sink into this little piece of down-filled heaven - they just may never want to leave! We hugged the sectional with a modern low console that doubles as a bookshelf - functional and so chic! We then generously sprinkled the room with lamps – the soft, moody lighting gives the room a warm and welcoming feeling.

What’s more fun and modern than a barrel swivel chair?!  We knew it would surely become a favorite spot for the kids and just had to sneak one in the room! In order to keep the room from feeling too stiff, we loosened it up with art.  We loved the simple, natural, grounded feeling of the black and white horses. It’s this dynamic, the pairing of modern and ease, that adds depth and dimension to the design - making it both interesting and fresh.

This style setting theater is bound inspire countless evenings at home, filled with family and friends, playing games, watching movies, and just enjoying one another.  We hope it inspires you, too, so start popping the popcorn!

- Christy

Show n' Tell - Private Residence Bedroom and Bath

Those who know me and those who love me know that I looooove rugs!  Every kind really but I must say my heart stopped at one and has had difficulty moving on!   Her name is Tiffany and she is hand knotted, with a stylized motif that feels like she has lived forever!  The way the navy tones melted into the golden sun and splashed you with persimmon is like the perfect sunset!

It was no question in my mind that one particular client HAD to live with this rug!  And their second home in Entrada was the perfect landing spot!  When we started designing one of their guest bedrooms, we began with the rug and Tiffany was it!  Being so enchanting and whimsical, we paired her with a iron bed with a quatrefoil detail and slubby yummy white and greige bedding.  We wanted the nightstands to feel found, like they were born with the home and the lighting to feel authentic and true!  The accessories and art had to be just right….simple yet thoughtful!

The tile in the bathroom was critical!  We had to find something that felt hand sketched, painted and loved for centuries.  We found it from Tabarka tile!  A company out of Arizona who hand crafts and paints each terracotta tile.

We designed and hand picked everything in these spaces from the tile work to the plumbing to the cloisonné knobs on the vanity.  There are so many moments in this space that one only needs to stand still, absorb the sunlight and you can’t help but feel like you’re being hugged by mother earth!

-Suzanne

Private Residence Dining Room - Before and After

As fall tempts us with its metamorphic mountains and brisk morning air I can’t help but crave the holidays!  I am a girl of seasons and anticipate the upcoming events far before they happen which is why I’d like to talk with you about Dining Rooms, home of fabulous food and family!  Specifically giving your current dining room a facelift before the holidays land in your lap!  

We just finished up a dining room remodel and I was amazed at what a little paint, reupholstery and lighting did for this once very dark and closed in space!  I present to you a very dramatic “Before” and “After”!

When we walked into this dining room initially, there was a large disconnect with the homeowner and the space!  She is all things charming and gracious and the space she entertained in so often didn’t reflect any of these traits!   The existing dining chairs were beautifully crafted and just needed some new skin.  The dining table was the perfect size but the design was ho-hum, nothing that couldn’t be dressed up and the lighting just wasn’t special enough for this jewel box!  So we rolled up our sleeves and got to work!  The cranberry paint color on the walls was a big factor in how the room felt and was replaced with a watery color that brought the temperature down.  Immediately the space was more relaxed and approachable…..just like our client!  As many of you know, we start from the ground up when designing a space which leads me to our rug!  The rug that was in the space before wasn’t broken but was not an ideal size nor color for this square room.  We opted with custom sisal with a diamond design and metallic binding.  Again, the natural fibers and the non-descript color was exactly what the space needed especially when we combined it with the aqua and red table covering our client picked up in Turkey.

The sconces were designed by Suzanne Kasler (a personal hero) and are such a necessary detail the room didn’t have before!  When lit they look like diamonds in the sky!  And the chandelier is a gold leafed flower of a thing that gives back a lot of whimsy to the dining room!

The dining chair upholstery needed to be something that was interesting, textural and gorgeous of course!  This faux bois number was just the ticket ad gave such an update to these very traditional chairs!

Everybody, go right now and look in your cupboards and unveil your favorite china, pewter, candlesticks, whatever it is!  Display it!  Nobody hides Baby in the corner and you shouldn’t hide your favorite things behind closed doors!  Our beautiful client had so much fabulousness tucked away in her cupboards and we found it blasphemous NOT to display it for the world to see!  (We added the crystal ooey gooey candlesticks to add some glam to the arrangement but other than that,these were all things in her house!)

- Suzanne

Show n' Tell - Bliss Residence Nursery

Mrs. Bliss is the most delightful person you will ever meet; always put together, with the perfect amount of blush on her cheeks and the most gracious smile. We have known each other for years but when we met to discuss her home she had a new glow about her! As we walked up the stairs towards her bedroom, she stopped short and said, "This is where the nursery will be!" I gasped, we giggled, and I learned that she and Mr. Bliss were chosen to adopt the most perfect baby girl in the world who they would name Kate... Miss Kate Bliss.

I felt so lucky to be a part of this miracle! Nurseries are one of my favorite spaces to design because they exude all things that are good... and, in this case, pink! I concluded that Little Kate's nursery would swim in the universal color of love and it is possibly a gallon more precious than anything you've ever seen before. Prepare yourself.

To anchor the room (and all that pink!), we used a rug that was organic and flowering!  A loose design by a French artist named Paule Marrot laid the perfect foundation for the rest of the room!  The crib was curvy with a lil’ bit of humble pie so things didn’t get too serious, and the only thing I thought appropriate to put inside the crib was Bambino linen(with ruffles, of course)!

Every mama needs an amazing place to rest her feet and rock her baby.  We dressed her swivel glider in a gold and ivory faux bois and the ottoman in this insane velvet that melts your soul!  Mrs. Bliss will use this surface not only as an ottoman but as a place to lay Kate when changing her outfits.

The changing table- Oh, the changing table!!! This thing is fit for a queen and the graphic German silver appliqué makes me want to be a better person!

Honestly, the best part about this nursery is how easily any of the pieces will transplant to the rest of her home.  While Baby Bliss will eventually grow up and out of her nursery, Mrs. Bliss will be able keep these pieces forever and incorporate them in other areas of her home!

Every memory and precious moment will be trapped in the fibers of this room and I can’t imagine a more beautiful place for Mama Bliss and that sweet baby Kate to spend time together, whether it be quiet mornings, warm afternoons, or even sleepless nights (may they be few and far between!).

Congratulations and thank you for letting me be a part of this!

- Suzanne

Tickled Pink!

Pink is the universal color of love. Pink is happy, playful, and charming - just like my sister, Amy! And I was tickled pink when she asked me to help design her home for her and her beautiful family. Amy's main request? A little touch of pink in each room! I smiled and said, "This, I can do!"

We began with the sneak preview to any home – the entry.  Amy is a busy mother of three children and leads a hectic life to say the least.  So she wanted every room, including the entry, to not only be stunning and elegant, but practical and kid proof as well.  Believe it or not – that is a doable combination!  We wrapped the entry in a luxurious cream wallpaper with a luminous silver-leaf pattern.  This set the tone for everything else to come.  My sister craves light in any room, so we of course lit her console table with two lamps.  On top of the console we placed some of her favorite family photos, and centered on the wall above a stylish multi-layered sunburst mirror.

The entry opens to her music room.  This room is well used since Amy is a talented pianist and her children share the joy of music as well.  We wanted to create a space where friends and family could comfortable lounge and listen while music filled the room.  The windows are draped in a metallic sheer, an elegant and peaceful look that lets in as much light as possible.  For that touch of pink, we added a fresh flower arrangement and a cozy pillow.  This room is no longer a pass through, but instead is a welcoming resting spot for friends and family.

Where mom is, the kids are sure to follow!  Just off of Amy’s kitchen is her family room, so this is where she and her family naturally spend the majority of their time.  She wanted this space to be stylish, comfortable and livable - with a dash of pink (of course!).  The watercolor-like hand knotted rug anchors this room – giving it an elegant look with the practicality she so needs with a young family.  The organic mirrored armoire not only looks beautiful, but the mirrored doors create a liquid quality that’s incredible calming and serene.  We spread that touch of pink throughout the room with the use of custom fabric on her modern wing back chair, a fun Moroccan pouf, whimsical art and comfortable pillows.  When I asked Amy what she thought, she excitedly told me, “I love how happy this room makes me feel.  Every time I walk in, it just makes me smile!”

Don’t forget about your laundry room or mud room.  As with most moms, these rooms get plenty of use!  We wanted to dress these spaces up a bit so that the typically daunting task of laundry would not seem so daunting.  So we spread a little pink around, hung cheerful art and tossed in some textured pillows.

One of the easiest ways to let your guests feel at home is to dress the powder room.  Fill this room with luxurious soaps, soft towels, fragrant candles and anything else you think your guests might enjoy to freshen up.  This is exactly what we did in my sister’s powder room – and I have to say I love lingering in this room!  We enveloped the walls with a soft pink paint.  When the lights are dimmed, it casts a beautiful rosy glow - everyone looks fresh and young in a rosy glow!

As Jessica Bennett says, “Your home should be your favorite place on earth.”  I was tickled pink to create that place for my sister.

[photos by Meikel Reece]

- Christy

Show n' Tell - Influence Real Estate

It is time for some show and tell! At Alice Lane we are widely known for our design and aesthetics in homes, but we love working on commercial spaces as well. There is nothing better than creating a functional and beautiful environment for people to work in.  

We recently were asked to work on the offices of our good friends at Influence Real Estate. Influence Real Estate is based out of Salt Lake City, Utah and is a boutique firm founded by Rob Corcoran, who has raised the bar of the real estate industry. It is always a pleasure working with Rob. he has created an  amazing experience with his company. When he contacted us, he wanted to create a working environment that reflected the homes they were helping their clients locate.

Their office space is located in a beautiful and architecturally stimulating Modern Prairie style building in the area of Cottonwood heights. We wanted to stay true to the architecture as we selected the interior finishes and furnishings of the space.

The building has a great juxtaposition of contemporary open ceilings and warm modern wood tones. We started by re-painting the space a light neutral, making the offices feel open and larger.

We found an amazing new slab of granite for the front desk and gave it a large two inch edge, giving the front desk a more substantial presence in the space.

We added in pattern and texture with furniture and a rug.

We took inspiration from their logo and branding to etch their boardroom glass, incorporate leather-stiched wallpaper behind the front desk, and wrap their copy center in bright orange grasscloth.

We created the perfect balance of both Modern and Contemporary design.

- Natalie

[Photos by Meikel Reece]

Bon Appetite!

Bon Appetite! The heartbeat of any home is the kitchen.  This is where family and friends gather for delicious food, loads of laughter and great memories.  It’s not too often we get the opportunity to design a kitchen for a real chef, but that’s exactly where we’ve found ourselves on this most recent project!  Not only did we want to make this kitchen beautiful, it needed to be high functioning, efficient and well-organized.

We began our kitchen recipe with the backsplash – the most stunning cobalt blue herringbone!  Once we laid our eyes on this tile, we knew it was for our chef!  Because our backsplash is the main course, we wanted to keep the other finishes clean and simple.  We decided to make all lower cabinetry white oak and paint all upper cabinetry white, creating an easy and contemporary backdrop to our backsplash.

We fell in love with the idea of restaurant-style floating shelves for our chef.  We strategically placed the floating shelves near the Teppanyaki Grill (yes, that’s right – Teppanyaki Grill!) so our chef could easily plate hot food for his guests.

In order to create some mood lighting, we positioned sconces on the columns flanking the floating shelves. Imagine how stacks of white dishes will softly glow in this space! Lighting is key in a kitchen - it’s the garnish on top; without it, it just wouldn’t be as pretty!

We left no stone unturned in this kitchen, including designing the pantry!  In small spaces you are only in for moments at a time - go bold!  We covered our pantry floor in a cobalt blue, 3” hexagon tile.  We then plastered the walls with a graphic white and taupe wallpaper that resembles a contemporary woods scene – why not?!  Because our pantry is so flavorful, we couldn’t keep this jewel hidden, so we placed a sliding barn door outside the pantry.  You can’t help but smile when passing this pantry.

This is bound to be a kitchen where family and friends gather for delicious food, loads of laughter and great memories.  Bon Appetite!

-Christy

Private Residence - Family Room

We recently worked with a wonderful Alpine couple on their family room. When first visiting their space, one of the couple’s biggest concerns was that they hated going into their family room. Despite the picturesque views of the Rocky Mountains, it was un-inviting and did not function the way their family wanted to use it.

We started by opening the room up and placing the sofa against the large picture window. The window needed something large enough to anchor it and the sofa did the trick. Because this family room, like most family rooms, has an entrance from two directions it makes traffic patterns and furniture placement challenging. We solved this by finding chairs that look fantastic from every direction. We used one of our very favorites, the spool chair, because  the openness of the frame on this chair doesn’t take up a lot of visual space.

We framed their large window with panels that were double the width of the windows. Making sure the window panels are nice and full really helps to elevate and bring the eye up in the space. There were a few clear story windows in the space that we treated with Roman shades. To create visual interest on the very tall stone fireplace, we layered a large mirror with a piece of art. This mirror not only opened up the space visually, but also reflected back the amazing views from the picture window. Finally, we wanted to bring a bit of the family’s love of the outdoors into the space. We put a large living tree in the corner between the windows, the branches reaching up to the full height of their 18 foot ceilings.

Overall we pulled off a young, exciting, fresh space that they can now call their favorite. Stay tuned for before and after pictures!

Natalie

Private Residence - Family Room

You can only imagine my excitement when a kindred spirit (named Peggy) brought this in and asked if we could transform their family room with this as our springboard.

I get to reinterpret one of my favorite printed spaces?!? WHAT? YES! THANK YOU!!

The specific things our client loved was the temperature coming from the rug and the effortless aesthetic.

She has some existing spool chairs that needed a hug and a tickle but other than that, we had free reign to select each piece!!!

Below you can see the different layouts we played with. Placing the furniture grouping on an angle is always quirky and unexpected but there is a strong balance when centered on the grand fireplace...

After we present a space, our client can let us know what they do and don't love. In this case, she only had 2 revisions... a different coffee table and a place to rock her grandbabies. We made a couple of adjustments but stayed true to our spirited client's heartsong!

- Suzanne

The Appetizer

An entry is the first impression your guests receive when entering your home. This space becomes the appetizer of what is to come. So why not treat this space a little differently and let your guests wonder and salivate - what's behind door number two?!

Typically an entry becomes a hallway to another room.  However, there is no reason an entry can’t be functional – and gorgeous (of course!).  We began with the soloist of the space – the console.  This classic French demilune is elongated with clean, smooth lines and tapered legs.  Each door is designed with oval brass rings and grill overlays.  I have truly never seen anything like it!  Both my client and I feel in love!  This console becomes a perfect resting spot for a tray full of keys, a candle, or even a fresh bouquet of flowers just plucked from your garden.

We flanked the console with two Farm Wing Chairs and slipped them into a hand designed Hable fabric. The size and scale of these chairs alone will leave anyone with a lasting impression! Above each Farm Wing Chair we stacked a few pieces of art- this gives the entry a colorful and personal touch. In addition to just being a beautiful, the chairs can also be easily moved into her family room for additional seating when entertaining.

No entry is complete without a mirror. A mirrored surface is not only useful, it's also beautiful. Silver has a liquid quality that's incredibly calming and serene - despite its hard veneer. This will become a great little spot to touch up your lipstick or fix those loose hairs before you welcome your friends and family in for a little appetizer of the senses.

- Christy

P.S. Keep posted for installation photos!

Private Residence: Porch Spaces

Now is the perfect time of year to start thinking about your porches. The weather is warming up, flowers are blossoming, color is showing up everywhere; your porch is the perfect place to blend indoor comfort with the beauty of the season! We recently worked on a new color scheme for the front and back porch of a client’s Highland, Utah home. She already had her main furniture pieces but the cushions and pillows were calling for a breath of fresh life. Fortunately, we have a great selection of indoor/outdoor fabrics that will spice up any space in a jiffy!

For the back porch sofa cushions, we chose a smaller, “New England” style of pin stripe instead of the typical larger stripe usually seen in outdoor furniture. We brought in blues and greens with our accent pillows, and added a pop with some bright blue cushions on the chaise. Our goal was to create a space where the eye can move freely, without any hard stopping points.

We also chose to add some eclectic side tables, a trunk, and a sisal rug. A neutral rug gave us a great base to work with and we added faux bois tables to give the space a collected and eclectic feel. We love the idea of trunks in outdoor spaces; they are fun and great for storing pillows and extra blankets for a chilly spring night.

On the front porch we continued with the bright pops of green we were seeing on the back and mixed it up by adding in a splash of red.  Red can be a very dominating color, so we decided to use “red’s younger sister” in this palate.

We had a fun time updating the existing pillows and cushions, adding a few new pieces of furniture, and creating a fresh, colorful new look just in time for Spring!

- Natalie

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Private Residence - Living Room

Jessica and I have been so excited to share this before and after project with you! It truly shows you how an existing space can have a dramatically different look and feel with a little finesse. When we first walked into this established estate, impressed as we were, it did not exactly reflect our client's free-spirited personality! She and her husband travel often and have the most extensive art collection! Each object has an adventure associated with it and we felt so privileged to be welcomed in and asked to reinvent the space!

The initial request was to open things up and lighten things up! A common request nowadays but for this particular client we knew it had to be spirited, traveled and have integrity with the very European exterior.

To begin, we took everything out of the space and stared at the shell of the room. It was beautiful and grand and didn't require much improvement aside from new carpet. After the carpet was installed we rearranged the furniture to create a more open space plan. The second you enter a room, you should know exactly where you are, what the purpose the room is and what the personality is going to be! This was a music room for concerts, a living room for visiting, and a study.

Our clients existing rug was a silk hand-knotted rug from India. We fell in love the moment we laid eyes on each other and were so excited to try and give it a fresh breath of life. It wasn't nearly large enough to use by itself but when layered with a striped sisal, was absolutely perfect! We relocated the piano so we could nest and ottoman for additional seating and changed the orientation of the sofa to open the space and allow the eye to travel up and admire the fireplace and amazing painting that crowns the room. One of our favorite features in the space is the high coffee table used as a study table! We layered their books and albums atop so that they and their guests can stop and take a gander at some of the places they've been and love. Sitting up to the table is Suzanne Kasler's iconic quatrefoil chair in a blue and gold faux bois as well as two caramel colored leather ottomans. We can just imagine a game being played here with grandchildren or an evolving puzzle that you can return to again and again! I could go on and on, but I will let you look and discover and find where your favorite seat would be in this little living room!

- Suzanne

Show n' Tell - Private Residence - Glamorous but Multi-Functional Dining Room

  One of our favorite clients returned to us with the delightful task of designing her Dining Room. We enthusiastically said, "Yes!" She wanted this space to be multifunctional, where she and her family could entertain, play games, and even tackle homework. "Of course," we thought, "Why shouldn't a dining room be multi-functional?"

As we always do, we began with the rug. Not just any rug - a Thomas O'Brien hand-knotted rug! Its smokey blue color is not only the perfect backdrop for our palette but will also disguise any spills or mishaps that are inevitable with young kids. We also loved the idea of a round table in her space; easy for gathering, playing games, and the shape keeps a loose and casual flow throughout the room.

The thought of mixing a more contemporary table with a traditional chair is never a bad idea! mixing styles and textures will continue to keep the room interesting and alive. .We upholstered this side chair in (my opinion) one of the most breathtaking fabrics I have ever seen! It almost feels like and original Monet - stunning! We then paired these chairs with a duet banquette (It's just fun to say!). This keeps the room grounded and doubles as a soon-to-be favorite spot for the kids.

Along the far back wall we are going to install a smoked mirror from floor to ceiling - our client's brilliant idea! Again, to play with juxtaposition of styles, we wanted to place a more modern piece of art along this smoked mirror. Paule Marrot's, "Lavender," was the absolute compliment.

To give our client storage for her favorite dishes or a spot to store games, we placed an antique grey bar stand in the room. There is no reason a bar stand couldn't double as additional storage. Below this, we nestled the Duvall Ottoman - upholstered in navy velvet and trimmed with antique brass nail heads - you're welcome! Not only is this look stylish and lush, it doubles as an additional seat for your guests. To top off this bar stand,w e positioned a tiny alabaster lamp. Its size is great for a higher surface and adds light to any dim corner. We then layered and organic flow of pearl white carnation platters along this wall to loosen up all those hard lines and adda a bit of whimsy.

This will forever be a space where our client can comfortably entertain, play games, or even do homework with her kids. There is no reason a dining room - or any other room for that matter - shouldn't be multifunctional. Don't be afraid to use your home how you live - you will always receive big rewards in return!

- Christy

P.S. Look for "after" photos to come...