patio and pool deck makeover

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My parents just recently gave away their old patio furniture and are looking for something new.

Not terrible, but not great either.  My mom said she wanted something that is easy to clean but also looks nice, not cheap.  They also didn't want the table to take up a lot of space.

Here's my initial idea.

sources // 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

So I really love this table for a couple reasons.  The warm wood is so pretty and inviting, plus it's easy to clean and would actually be low maintenance.  IKEA recommends resealing it once a year to help it last longer and I think that would totally be worth having a beautiful wood table over something metal or plastic.  The chair cushions add comfort and make the chairs even more inviting for long visits.  The globe lights would be great hanging from the ceiling (it's a covered patio) to add some warm light in the evenings.  Since my parents live in Orlando, it's warm most of the year, so they could enjoy outdoor get-togethers with their friends when the days are shorter.  I love the look of that plant, plus plants add warmth and life to whatever space they're in.  This particular plant would do well on their patio as it prefers to be in softer light, away from direct sunlight and can survive up to 32 degree weather.  It can get pretty chilly in Orlando in December and January, so on the nights when it's extra cold, they could just move the plant right inside and then back out the next morning.  My parents already have pool loungers, but I love these chaise loungers because they match the table and chairs, which would create a cohesive style to the patio and pool deck.  And of course, that striped pillow is calling out to me.  I love the gray and yellow together and it would make laying out on the chaise so comfy, you might even be tempted to take a nap.

My parents have a more traditional style, but the darker wood really speaks to that.  This would also be within their budget.  As we discuss other options more, we'll see what they eventually decide to go with.  And bonus, this a project they're actually taking on, so I'll have after pictures for this as well!

eDesign - Family Room Makeover and Kitchen Remodel

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I've been wanting to gain experience in edesign and my mom was happy to help me out by being my first "client."  Even though she and my dad aren't currently looking to do any home updates, they do want to eventually make some changes to their home.  I had her fill out my questionnaire and then I was able to get started.

Here's what she said she wanted for her home.

"We currently have tile and I want to change that to hardwood flooring.  We'd like to upgrade to a flat screen TV with a nice entertainment console instead of an entertainment center.  A new sofa and some chairs, maybe recliners, would be good, but we don't want a sectional.  I like the wall color and my wall decor, so those will stay.  I'd also like a nicer rug for the family room too.  For the kitchen, I want to refinish/repaint the cabinets, maybe a new back splash and counter top, and new bar stools."

She described her design style as traditional, so she likes things that are more ornate, classic, and elegant.  Colors she likes are warm tones (reds, oranges, golds and browns) and neutrals and whites, but the colors she wanted left out are pastels.  And she said that the furniture stores she likes to shop at are Haverty's and Broyhill.  With all of that information, I got to work.

This was a really good experience for me because my mom's style is very different from my own, so doing this forced me outside of my design comfort zone and made me think in terms of what she would like instead of what I like.


Here is what their home currently looks like.

The style is very traditional and very much on trend for when the house was built in 2005, but it's very dark and a little dated, so a refresh would be great for this space.  So here's what I came up with using the information she gave me.

sources // sofa / rug / media console // recliners // side table // ottoman

For the family room, I went with a softer color pallet to give the room a more relaxed feel.  I mixed modern and traditional items together to help keep the room a little more clean and simple while still maintaining the more classic look that my mom loves so much.

sources // bar stool // faucet 1 / faucet 2 / sink / black blue paint / pigeon paint / counter top / hardwood floor / fabric / subway tile / roman shades

I did the same thing in the kitchen, mixing modern and traditional.  Subway tile is very classic and clean, but I love the brass faucets and how they make the space feel much more modern and on trend.  Installing a white sink also helps to brighten up the space and, in my opinion, white porcelain always looks cleaner than a metal sink.  Replacing the valances with roman shades also updates the look and feel of the room and mounting the shades above the windows makes them appear taller, as you can see with how the valances currently hang.  The counter tops are currently granite, which is so durable and beautiful, but their granite is really dark, so I thought a white quarts would look really great, especially with the paint colors we've chosen for the cabinets.  Quarts is great because it gives the appearance of marble with the same durability as granite.  My mom wants to update the dark green tile flooring they have to hardwood flooring; they have tile in their entryway, the main hallway, and in their kitchen.  I love wide plank hardwood because of its rustic look and feel and I especially love woods with lots of grain and knots in them.  The Jasper prefinished oak is gorgeous and would look great in their home, plus it's $2.59 per square foot, so a really great price as well, especially for hardwood floors.

I really wish that my parents could do this to their home now because it would be amazing to be able to see this all come together in reality, but unfortunately this is a project that will have to wait.

Currently, I'm looking to offer design services in exchange for experience.  If you're interested in working with me (for free!), then you can fill out my questionnaire form here and I'll be get in contact with you so we can begin the process.  So what do you think about my parents' space?  What changes would you make?

Design Experience

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Something I've been wanting to do for awhile now is e-design work from home.  It would enable me to still be home with my kids while doing something I love and earning a little extra income for our family at the same time.  Win, win, win.  The only problem is that the only experience I have is for and with myself.  I love design mood boards and I love to make them (I know, I'm a nerd), but I rarely share them and I've only ever made them for me and a couple times for my sister.  So really, I doubt that anyone would want to hire me to do it.

Enter: Fiverr.  Fiverr is a site where people offer services starting at $5 and I decided that this could be a great place for me to advertise e-designs and gain experience so that one day I could do it on my own through this site.  You can see my gig here.  For $5 I will create a design board for you, complete with shopping list, for one room.  A steal, right!?  Usually e-designs cost hundreds, if not more and for good reason.  It takes time to create a great looking room, plus you're doing it without actually having seen the space in person, which can be challenging.  I figured this would be a great way to gain experience without it having to be totally free but the clients really won't be losing out on much.  If you're serious about getting outside help for your interior design project, but are a little apprehensive about the cost, then this could work great for you.  At best, you love my work and I gain a positive experience.  At worst, you hate it, but you're only out $5 and I gain an experience that I can totally learn from.  I'm also offering a one time edit per order, so it's not like you would have to take it or leave it on the first shot. 

So here's how the whole process will work.  After payment is received, I'll send you a questionnaire form that you fill out and email back to me along with measurements of the rooms dimensions, a few photos so I can see wall placement, any moldings or details, etc, and if you have a Pinterest account where you've pinned inspiration photos, a link to that, or some inspiration photos, if you have any, of what you would like the room to look or feel like.  Then I'll take all of the information I've gathered and come up with a room design within your budget (that you'll tell me on the questionnaire) along with a shopping list of where you can get everything pictured.  I would also love to do some remodel designs as well, like this bathroom pictured below (which I totally want now!).

So what do you think?  Would you take a chance and help me gain some experience?  I'd love to work with you!

*all images are my own design boards*