Today I’m so excited to be sharing a personal project! With baby #2 due any day now (well, TODAY actually), I finally realized I needed to get serious about designing a space for our 3-year-old, Jack. He still sleeps pretty happily in his crib, but we’re evicting him so we can have access to the changing table, rocker and all of the other baby nursery creature comforts that are in his current room. His new room (aka our old office *cry*) used to be an incredibly awkward guest room / den / office when we purchased our home last year. It had a large angled wall with double doors opening up to the foyer/living area. Not only do I have a strong distaste for … Read More
ARLINGTON KITCHEN REMODEL – PART 2: REFINING THE DETAILS + FINAL REVEAL
I know everyone’s been on the edge of their seats waiting for part 2 of this blog post, and it’s finally happening! In Part 1 of this blog post, 4 rough layout options were presented to the client. After discussing the logistics with a contractor, they agreed it would be a worthwhile investment to open up the floor plan and demolish the wall between the living room and existing kitchen to create the open concept layout! This required adding a support beam, but was totally worth it. This was easily the best option because it gave our clients everything on their wish list—the island, more seating, unrestricted sightlines for supervising the kids, and just a very functional, modern layout that would also … Read More
Let’s talk openly about shelving
So here’s a kitchen “trend” that’s not going anywhere– open shelving! This is an element that’s steadily become a staple in kitchen design and I really don’t think there’s any going back! Some people love it, some hate it, some like the concept but are scared to try it. I think anything this polarizing is worth talking about. Aesthetically, I personally love the way it helps open concept kitchens blend with the adjacent living areas. Functionally, I have struggled a bit over the years with the very legitimate concerns raised by clients. Like with any design dilemma, there are significant pros and cons. If you’re currently remodeling or THINKING of remodeling, this seemingly small detail will have a HUGE visual … Read More
Arlington kitchen remodel – part 1: nailing the layout
Because I think many of you can relate to this one, I wanted to share the process behind a kitchen remodel I worked on over the course of TWO YEARS (not kidding!) for some dear friends in DC. These clients were questioning how long they wanted to stay in their current home and as a result, were unsure about investing in a kitchen renovation or remodel of any kind. Here are the before pics. Aside from the obvious finish and lighting updates that were needed, this was probably one of the worst kitchen layouts I’ve ever laid eyes on. I’m not even mad, I’m just impressed. I honestly don’t know how my clients were able to put up with it … Read More
10 affordable resources to UP your art game
I think it goes without saying that adding personality and character to your home is so important. A lot of people fall into the trap of buying a bunch of generic filler pieces to quickly style their bookshelves and walls and the result is often underwhelming – not to mention you’re more likely to grow tired of these pieces. The answer is to collect and curate art and accessories over time that reflect your style and personality. I know, easier said than done — but you have to start somewhere! Swap out those generic pieces as you collect more meaningful ones. Since the options can be a bit daunting, I’m sharing some of my favorites with you today, favorites that … Read More