2-Day Room Refresher

Do you have a room that could use a little re-design/re-fresh but you don’t want to spend a fortune? I can help you re-imagine it, using your existing furnishings. It could be as simple as styling and editing what you have and freshening it up with accessories and paint. I “shop your house” for needed additional pieces before resorting to new purchases. The result is a room that has either a new identity or just a re-fresh…all inside of a day or two.

This study is a perfect example of a 1-Day re-fresh. We removed everything then cleaned the space and edited the contents, removing what was no longer needed, and then reorganized and styled what was left. We added a few decorative items that we “shopped” from other areas of the house for a “put together” look. It breathed new light and life into the space and made all the visible and invisible closet storage more usable. Here are the “before” photos:

To schedule a consultation, contact me HERE.

Spiral Staircases

While spiral staircases are sometimes used in tight spaces or to achieve a specific aesthetic, there are real reasons to avoid them, particularly if they are in the center of a house.

According to the premises of Feng Shui, they are known to energetically produce a whirlpool effect, draining the qi from the house or sector they occupy. The corkscrew shape is harsh and pierces the energy of the sector that they occupy, negatively affecting that sector. If located in the center of the house, it literally ‘pierces the heart’ of the house. If located near the primary entrance, the entering qi is captured by the staircase and rapidly runs up and down the staircase then back out the entrance. Wherever there is curved architecture, the Qi cannot rest or be slowed to a comfortable pace. It just gathers speed, moving around and around creating yang energy that never settles.

Small-diameter spiral staircases characteristically have steeper risers with pie-shaped treads, which are narrower on one side. This makes navigating them more difficult and hazardous (particularly going down), for children and adults with mobility and balance issues due to diminished visibility and small tread surface on the inside curve. Because of the nature of the corkscrew, there’s diminished headroom so taller people tend to hit their heads on the stairs above them. Unless it’s in a corner, a free-standing/floating spiral staircase tends to chop up a space and it is an awkward barrier to navigate.

Moving bulky furnishings and boxes up or down a spiral staircase is often difficult, unsafe, or untenable due to the diminished width and angle of the steps.

Because some spiral staircases don’t meet code standards for stairs, they are not permitted for primary access and egress between floors, so the outside diameter of the staircase must be enlarged to meet code standards. This can require a larger footprint/square footage than a standard multi-level straight staircase. Of course, this can be done where there is ample overall square footage, but it’s awkward for smaller spaces.

There are ways to help mitigate the energetic flow of curved/spiral/circular staircases but I’ve had mixed results. Nonetheless, if you have a curved staircase, you can add up-lights along the outside of the treads that direct the Qi up. You could also try adding an earth element, such as crystals or earthenware pots on the inside curve of the stairs. Another way to slow the Qi flow would be to add art or sconces along the walls of the stairway.

If you are interested in a consultation please send me a message via the Contact form HERE.

Weekend Room Makeover

Do you have a room that needs a little tender, loving care but you don’t know where to begin? I would love to help you re-work that room using what you already have and maybe add some new things to update and style it.

In a single weekend, we can update the space while incorporating your personal style. Whether you want the space to have a fresh look or a new identiy, it’s possible to achieve the room of your dreams!

Here is an example of a basement media room, before and after. We used items they already had either in the room or somewhere else in the house. The only new item was a flat-screeen TV.

If you’re interested in a Weekend Room Makeover, contact me HERE. We will schedule a date for me to do a preliminary site visit and then a weekend for the makeover.

Designing a Baby's Nursery

This project was small but had a lot of details and moving parts. When designing a Nursery or a child’s room many people have a tendency to over-design, tipping into a “theme park” room that’s neither restful nor practical.

This room’s story (baby jungle animals) was originally inspired by a giraffe stuffy. We took that as a jumping-off point and we wanted to create a natural environment that would be a peaceful respite for bonding time between the parents and the baby. We opted for soft white walls and ceiling to keep the room grounded and calm. Too often people use large murals and bright colors that overstimulate the senses and then wonder why a child is restless and the parents are harried.

We decided that the inspiration and boldest design element would be the rug. I found the perfect RuggableJungle Safari rug as our anchor piece. This piece also provided a color palette for other soft goods and accessories. The Client had found baby animal prints and we opted for just 3 to use on one wall. All of the pieces in this space were selected according to the function of the space, keeping in mind how that will change as the child gets older. While it’s not likely that the child will occupy this room his whole life, it was also important to give thought to how adaptable the main pieces would be in another house. Often parents will purchase pieces that are only usable up to preschool, but these parents wanted to invest in heirloom pieces that the child could even take with him when he leaves home, should he desire to do so.

We discussed lighting in detail. It was important to have mostly low-key ambient lighting. The fiddle leaf fig tree was wrapped in twinkle lights to provide a “night light” and the table lamp was the only other lighting that was deemed important at this time. These mild lighting options, along with the blackout curtains, will create a serene and cozy space for mom/dad and baby for his first year. Although once he is crawling we will modify some things to make the space safer for a toddler.

The parents opted for mid-tone wood finishes for the main pieces from Pottery Barn. They weren’t all from the same collection, but they opted for the same finish. That way, it doesn’t look so much like a furniture store display as a curated set with different textures. While the bulk of the furnishings were new purchases we did reuse a bamboo bookcase that had been in another room to store the child’s books and a few toys. We included other finishes and textures to give the room more interest and three-dimensionality. The bed is a 4-in-1 that will later convert to a junior bed and then to a double bed. The oversized dresser has a changing table topper that will be removed when they no longer need it. We also purchased a bedside table to use later since they loved the style. So this room will go from newborn to middle school and beyond by simply converting the main pieces and updating age-appropriate art/accessories.

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If you need help with your design project, whether large or small, please contact me HERE. I am happy to answer any questions you have or explain the process and options for your project. I do both residential and commercial design.

Tenant Improvement Case Study: Part 2

It’s been a month of seemingly baby steps. Flooring was ordered and while we waited for that, the walls and doors were painted.

Once the flooring arrived, the installers prepped the floors and laid the new commercial-grade vinyl plank. However, there were issues with the adhesive that had to be remedied, so they returned to tear out and reinstall several areas. Thankfully, we had 3+ extra boxes of flooring to use for that re-installation. Since they used up all the extra for the repairs, I’ve requested that they replace them with more of the same LOT# in case of needed repairs in the future. This is an important lesson when you’re doing flooring of any kind. Flooring of any kind can be slightly different with each LOT# so even if you order the same color of tile, wood, carpet, etc. in the future unless it’s the same LOT# it could be slightly different.

Here are some photos of the finished shell, which is now ready for installation of mirrors, decor, furnishings, lighting, and equipment. Delivery of the equipment is anticipated around mid-April. In the meantime, I had some of the wall receptacles removed where the mirror and equipment will be mounted, and signage is in the works, along with orders for furnishings, window treatments, and other decor.

Next, will be adding frosting and decals to the glass walls between the private studios and the main studio. Some furnishings have begun to arrive and others are being ordered, along with decorative elements, lighting, and other decor. The goal is to have all the decorative elements and furnishings installed so that when the equipment arrives we can focus on that installation, along with moving everything from the downstairs studio to the new upstairs spaces.

Here’s hoping that by next month’s update, I’ll be able to show you photos of the completed project!

Here are a couple of photos of the finished shell, one taken in the main studio and the other from one of the private studios. These were taken prior to replacement of all the wall plates to white:

Tenant Improvement Case Study: Part 1

Point Pilates (pointpilatessd.com) prepared to open its intimate 4-reformer studio at its current 500sf location in 2020 on the very day the US shut down due to the COVID pandemic. In spite of the delay, they have thrived and are taking the next step by moving into 1500sf that was offered to them in the same building.

Their 4-reformer classes will be expanded to 8 and there will be two additional private studios that can be used simultaneously with classes in the main studio. This will be a huge upgrade, giving them a lot of latitude and flexibility in scheduling, which isn’t possible in their current studio. Additionally, there will be a student lounge & nutritional consultation room, a staff lounge, and a large storage closet. After operating in a single room for three years, this will feel palatial to them!

I am going to take you along on this journey over the next couple of months of this tenant improvement. As you might expect, there are a lot of moving parts and a great deal of planning regarding how each room will function in minute detail. Obviously, the selection of all the finishes, furnishings, equipment, and decor is part of that process. There are documents tracking timelines, purchases, “to-do” lists, and the budget. Because if you don’t plan for it, and track it, there is every likelihood it will come back to bite you. And yet, there will still be surprises. It’s the nature of the business because there are a lot of variables and only so much one has direct control of. Supply chain interruptions can create delays and for that reason, we are using as many local vendors as possible.

If you are going to be doing a project of your own, my best advice is to plan, plan, plan! Start with a budget and use a spreadsheet to track your purchases against the line items of your budget. Keep a schedule/timeline of the trades to avoid having them on top of one another. Also, schedule your purchases so you have everything on-site when you need it. That means you must make those design decisions as part of the planning phase. Don’t leave anything out…right down to the hardware. You don’t want your project to be held up waiting on something that you failed to order at the appropriate time. I tell my clients and mentees that it’s like cooking a meal and getting it on the table at the same time and at the appropriate temperature.

Here are a few “before” photos of the existing space: 1 & 2) main studio with existing walls (will be removed), and private studios glass walls; 3) hallway, which will be eliminated with the removal of the two walls; 4) student lounge; 5) employee lounge

Here’s a photo of the main space with the two walls removed and the ceiling repairs:

I hope you enjoy this journey. As of this writing, the painters have started the prep and painting of the space. You can see a sample of the new color on the far white(ish) wall, which is specified throughout the space (Behr: Night Blooming Jasmine).

Next month I will share the final space plan and photos of the updated space with fresh paint and new LVP flooring. Since I also do their Feng Shui (they call me their secret weapon), I’ll be sharing a little about that aspect as well. I hope you will enjoy taking this journey with me!

Organization: Form Follows Function

Your home is an extension of your energy field. This is why practices like cleaning your home, rearranging furniture, organizing or closet, and getting rid of objects that are cluttering your space can have a profound impact on your own mind, body, and spirit.

I recently worked with a client to transform a small spare bedroom that she had been using as a “dressing room.” There were multiple things to take into consideration:

• A new built-in wardrobe to replace the current open hanging rack & small closet

• A new chest of drawers that would function better than the current one

• A place for jewelry

• A rework of the closet for additional storage

• A dressing table for hair and makeup to avoid the frustration of sharing a single small bathroom.

The original space plan included a desk but she decided to relegate that to another room. There was also an option for a stool next to the chest, but we opted for a more versatile slipper chair. The space where the desk had been, became available for a jewelry armoire and a full-length mirror.

I worked out a space plan and sent her a Pinterest board with recommended furnishings and accessories. She then began the process of sorting through her clothing, shoes, etc., and removed the excess. She did a great job on her own, but I also spent a few hours as her “support” while she went through hanging clothes that had been removed so the wardrobes could be installed. It’s always easier to stay motivated when you have a buddy. She found homes for the furnishings that she was discarding, so nothing went into the landfill. Some of her friends took some clothes and shoes, and the rest were donated to local charities. Again, this was a sustainable approach for us both. I selected furnishings from IKEA because of their durability, availability, and the fact that it is an eco-friendly company.

The photo at the top of this article is the “before” shot of one wall. She didn’t take any other photos of the rest of the room or closet, but they looked equally as chaotic. She was in over her head, and as the busy owner of a Pilates boutique studio, she felt like she never had time to do anything except wash and stack clothes in piles around the room. Clothes were crammed into drawers, stacked in piles, and hung over doors and furniture. She was at her wit’s end because it took forever to find something to wear.

Three PAX wardrobes were the perfect fit for one wall. These three wardrobes easily held all her hanging clothes, handbags, boots, athletic shoes, and hats…with room to spare. Two KALLAX shelf units created cubbies in the closet to organize folded bulky clothes like jeans, sweaters, sweatshirts, scarves, shoes, and other bulk storage.

A MALM 4-drawer chest provided ample storage for her remaining lingerie, and activewear, with room for makeup/hair bins in the top drawer. All drawers were organized with soft bins to make access to the clothing instant…and she learned to fold everything so she could see everything at a glance (which she has found easy to maintain). A wall-mounted lighted vanity mirror above the chest provides the vanity to do her hair and makeup, and the top of the chest is easy to clean and the finish is stain-resistant.

We also added a jewelry armoire, a slipper chair, a full-length dressing mirror, and an adorable macrame wall hangar for her wide-brimmed hats, which doubles as wall art. She had an antique wedding picture of her grandparents in an inexpensive frame, which we had properly matted and framed. It now occupies pride of place in the room, above the jewelry armoire.

This process took several weeks since she and her husband preferred to do the work themselves. While it would have been quicker and easier to hire the work done, they have the satisfaction of having a lot of skin in the process. It was all part of an enlightening journey that has continued since, as they have taken on organizing other areas of their home. All they needed was a little help to get started. She claims she can now get ready in minutes instead of hours, and while the process was somewhat traumatic, it was a teaching moment. Below are some photos of the completed project.

118” Built-in IKEA PAX Wardrobes

Wardrobe Interiors

Jewelry Armoire and Antique Wedding Photo

IKEA MALM Chest, Vanity Mirror, Slipper Chair, Dressing Mirror, and Jewelry Armoire

IKEA KALLAX Shelves Closet Organizers