From the living room, we proceeded onto the family room:

To reimagine this space we had 4 driving considerations:

1-  The Space Plan: We eliminated the arched niche above the fireplace (not shown in the before picture) and placed the tv above it.  Built-in niches are on my least favorite things list, and having two focuses- the TV and the fireplace- was confusing & distracting.

2- Function: We considered who would be using the space- the clients have one young child with baby no. 2 on the way.  Before there was no space to store toys or any floor space to play. Now a beautiful chest that looks like an antique holds dvds, books, and toys.  Wicker baskets with lids conceal a whole loot of toys and slide under the Parson style drink tables.  Easy to move leather ottomans (they’re always in a different spot each time I go over there) can pull up to any seat, can seat guests, or nest together so that play time on the rug can happen anytime.  For entertaining, the space can now seat 10 people as opposed to 5. 

3- Size & Scale: We worried about the large room with windows and archways and multiple traffic patterns swallowing up the furniture. We added more pieces of furniture in better sizes- a custom length long sofa and loveseat with smaller arms.  A modern wing chair takes the place of a bulky chair and a half and ottoman. Large format digital art helps ground the sofa on the wall. 

4. Light in this room before was a problem.  A mirrored top cocktail table and interesting lamps with white shades (rather than amber shades) helps the space immensely.  Art makes the walls appear brighter. 

also:  Schumacher’s Mandalay Tree  printed linen shown on the modern wing chair inspired the color palette for the whole space.

Still to come: the dining room, changing the nursery for baby no. 2, and the Master Bath

-Brittany

A young Cary family was looking to freshen up their entire house.  Judy and I surveyed the whole space and compiled a list of changes at the beginning of last year.  Over time the clients & I have made the changes and the whole house looks & feels very different. We began with changing paint colors throughout the house. Next:  The formal living room made the top of the list as it is the first thing you see when you walk in the front door. 

Before, the clients never spent time in the living room. Too many pieces & a confining space plan made the smallish room uninviting and artificial flowers looked stagnant.  

 We said farewell to the Golden Girls vibe and hello to a space where they could entertain, read a book, or play the piano. Original & interesting encaustic paintings hang in the space and the pretty curvalinear lines of the piano now invite a player to sit down to a sonata. 

Check back later in the week to see other parts of the house, reimagined. What room would you makeover if you had the chance?

-Brittany

This powder room renovation comes to you from Cary and sits downstairs from this guest bedroom.  With the assistance of Allen & Sons cabinet shop, Laura Grandlienard at Rock’interiors, a plumber, Fergusons, and my design, this space is nearly unrecognizable now.  Take a look!

The faux finished walls felt dark and heavy, while brass fixtures dated the space.  The pedestal sink offered no storage and hardly a place to put soap.  It all had to change! 

We went with a fresh and clean color pallette, which truly brightened up the space!  Our local drapery workroom created the shaped valance in Schumacher’s Conundrum fabric. 

 Here’s the drawing I did during the planning stages.  I wanted the vanity to feel like a piece of furniture, so we hid the toe kick behind arched feet. 

A close up of the wall-mounted faucet, Emperador Light marble, and Venetian mirror.

Because the room wasn’t deep enough for a standard cabinet, we needed to design a custom cabinet with scalloped corners to bend around the door frame.  We repeated the shape in the valance and backsplash.  A framed antique key provides interesting artwork.  I have to say I think a powder room is the perfect place to use a vessel sink.  It’s a unique design detail that your guests will be talking about.

Our client’s new puppy wanted to join in on the photoshoot, and I didn’t mind one bit!  Isn’t she cute? 

Hope you’ve enjoyed this transformation! 

Lauren

I love watching HGTV and seeing the reactions of the clients as they walk into their rooms for the first time.  Our process tends to work a little differently, as our clients are usually involved throughout the project.  The pieces may or may not come together all at once, depending on the timeline.

The process for this project was a little more like a television makeover.  Molly got the opportunity to work on a room for a fourteen-year-old girl named Sarah.  She worked with her to get everything selected, but Sarah went away to camp and her room was transformed while she was gone!  She came home to see this:

Don’t those beds look like the perfect place for slumber parties?  I worked with Molly on some of the details, including the vinyl quotes that adorn the walls.  Sarah gave us some of her favorite quotes, which we turned into wall art that will inspire her every day. 

We used some of her existing things, like the window panels, but added unique details to tie in to our green, gray, and black color scheme. 

We personalized the space by printing black and white photos of her friends and family to use throughout the room.

She had an oversized lounge chair in one corner before, but it was switched out for a clean lined sofa that is more condusive to hanging out with friends.  The door on the left leads into the bathroom, now painted a fun tangerine!

Green and white accessories pop, while the water closet was painted the same color as the bedroom.  What a fun space!

Lauren

Remember a few weeks ago when I posted about these fabulous knobs from Anthropologie?  We had a local artist, the talented Jamie Goffman, paint our client’s existing furniture-from an ordinary stained maple bed and nightstands to a fun red bed with cream nightstands- to make quite the cute transformation. This makeover has inspired me to consider painting other pieces of furniture.  

Stay tuned to see more of this whole room transformation!

-Brittany

Time for an update! Back in November of 2008 Ashley started this olde farmhouse project. The overall concept was to use all the existing material from the original house which dates back to the 1800’s. There are only two new additions to the house; the hardwood floors in the master bedroom and the two exterior dutch doors that were built by the contractor.

The front door view above shows a large stone step which was part of the original foundation of the house. We still are missing shutters, a swing, a few good rocking chairs, and the screens for the back porch. I can totally see myself moving in tomorrow!

Exterior hardware is also not shown yet.

The interior kitchen area is still under construction, we are missing the doors to the cabinets. The overall aesthetic feel of the farmhouse style is best shown through the Rohl faucet, Rohls cast iron farmhouse sink, Venetian Calcutta marble from Rockin’teriors, and the Walker Zanger hand-glazed tiles.

 The master bath, will take on an old rustic feel with the original fireplace, mirror, and walls.

Above are some of the details of this olde farmhouse; the latch on the dutch doors, horizontal wood panels in the master bedroom, and the ceiling detail in the living room. This reclaimed farmhouse has come a long way and has a little bit longer to go. But look for more the 1st week of September after our furniture install, completion of cabinets and final touches are complete. To see previous updates from the project click on the dates, July 9th 2009 and August 20, 2009.

We are thrilled to announce the completion of phase one to renovate the N.C. State University Club in collaboration with Winstead Wilkinson Architects![pullquote]“Molly and the Design Lines team did an excellent job of listening and responding to the client,” said Carl Winstead, Principal of Winstead Wilkinson Architects. “They created a final look that complements the architecture and defines a new level of subtle sophistication that did not exist prior to this renovation project.”[/pullquote]

To give some background to the project, the University Club is a members-only amenity club founded in 1965 for N.C. State contributors including faculty, staff, and alumni. In 2004, their Long Range Planning Committee envisioned additions to the existing club space and a much needed face lift. Winstead Wilkinson Architects was hired for the project and in turn asked our own Molly Simmons to come on-board. Since 2007, we have worked closely to implement a sustainable renovation that would better serve both the membership and public while adhering to budget constraints.

[pullquote]“We want to maintain an unpretentious atmosphere but raise the experiences and comfort of the users,” said Carl. [/pullquote]

We worked closely with the House Committe and talked with many members during the planning stages of this process.  Our role included selection of interior materials and finishes such as fabrics, carpet, lighitng, paint color and countertop and tile finishes. We also produced computer-aided (CAD) drawings for the lighting plan and the design of window treatments.  The architects managed strategic and master planning, extensive building code research, and physical design of the renovation, additions, and site plan.

I think the before and after images speak for themselves – the space has truly been transformed!  Above, the lobby had a large planter box and dark furniture originally.  Now, it is bright and airy, with red upholstery, elegant patterns, a new reception desk, and fresh carpet and lighting.

The ballroom is updated with simple window treatments, a neutral color scheme, coffered ceiling, and new chandeliers.   What a great space for meetings, banquets, and receptions!

The folding screen that once separated the Ballroom from the Dining Room is now a series of french doors that can be opened for large events.  More of the dining room is shown below.

On both sides of the collaboration, there is a personal connection with the University Club. Molly Simmons, Carl Winstead, and Erich Wilkinson are all members of the club which allowed the team to be personally invest in the project’s success. The space serves as a center for the Wolfpack family to engage in hospitality, recreation, and social functions. ” I personally would like to see the University Club become a place that its members are proud to belong to and support the events that make a successful family club,” said Molly. “it is great to be a part of the wonderful changes.”

Each niche recieved the same pendant fixture throughout the building for consistency both inside and out.  In the meeting rooms, they also recieved upholstered benches like the one shown above.  The dining room is shown to the right.

The bathrooms got a major facelift.  The family bath and pool bath that lead to the recreational areas show off bold red. 

To see previous posts on this project, additional before & after photos were featured on May 14th 2010, groundbreaking photos on May 21st, 2009,and project boards & concepts on Feburary 26, 2009.

I came into this project when the clients were about halfway through the construction process on their new home by Morning Star Homes.  If you’ve built a home or experienced remodeling, you know how many decisions must be made and how overwhelming they can sometimes be.  They wanted our help with the finishing touches – paint colors, tile selection, finishes, window treatments, space planning, and furniture.  The style of the house is Arts & Crafts, but we wanted to be sure the home still felt perfect for them, so there are a few places where we varied the look. 

Beautiful matte glass tiles in earth tones create a stunning backsplash.  They really pulls out the color tones in the Ubba Tuba granite countertops.  The thin subway style tiles are transitional and blend nicely with the shaker cabinets.  (Kitchen built by 1st Choice Cabinets.)

We inserted a beaded copper tile to bring in the warm tones found in the cabinets and floors. 

While selecting tile for the fireplace surround, I was drawn to a new line by Architerra at Best Tile.  The handpainted tiles have a natural feel, with organic details that blend wonderfully with the Arts & Crafts style.  We were able to select the perfect tones to blend with the paint color – Sherwin Williams’ Grassland.

Here’s the final result.  Detailed leaf motifs blend into simple scalloped shaped tiles along the top.

And here’s a close up.

Here’s another unique detail we incorporated – geometric inlaid wood borders for all the rooms on the first floor. 

I hope you enjoy seeing this project.  I’ve really enjoyed working with the architecture of their home and helping the details to mesh beautifully!

Lauren

One of the exciting projects we’ve been working on this year is the chancellor’s residence at North Carolina State Univerity, my alma mater.  Judy and I can’t wait to see the end result, and we’re excited to share updates along the way!  Working with Weinstein-Friedlein Architects, Marvin Malecha who is the Dean of NC State’s College of Design, Rufty Homes, and an entire team of people at NC State has been a unique and enjoyable process.  Construction on ‘The Point’ began a few months ago on Centennial Campus.  The house is tucked in the woods, with Lake Raleigh in its back yard. 

 This water color rendering shows the view as you approach the residence from the main drive.  The architectural style is inspired the work of Hugh Newell Jacobsen who drew from the vernacular architecture of the American homestead.  The design is modern, but it is executed with traditional materials for a humble and inviting balance.  And being on NC State’s campus, it was destined for a brick exterior.

 This architectural model sits in the Park Alumni Center on Centennial Campus. 

Here is a view of the garage side of the house, where the chancellor will pull in everyday.  The detail shown on such a small scale is amazing.  A laser cutter burned the window and roof details into the wood.

The back of the house, with the land slanting down toward Lake Raleigh.  The outdoor living spaces will be just as amazing as the interior!  Wonderful porches and decks on the front and back of the house offer a great place for entertaining with our mild North Carolina climate.  The 8,500 square feet features private living space upstairs, with open spaces for university guests, dinner parties, banquets, and fundraisers.  It is as much a chancellor’s residence as it is the university’s residence. 

Check back later in the week for construction pictures .  Click here for more information about the project, including a photo of the current chancellor’s residence.

Lauren

I’m excited to share photos of a kitchen remodel that Judy and I completed recently.  Take a look below!

Our clients wanted to take advantage of as much storage space as possible.  Analyzing their previous laylout, we looked at how they utilized every inch to determine the most efficient changes.  We worked with Eddie Casanave at Distinctive Remodeling and Horizon Cabinetry who did a wonderful job - the end result is stunning!  The granite countertops were fabricated by Rock’interiors, and we selected the tile backsplash at Triangle Tile & Stone.

This was the kitchen before, with the original builder cabinets, white appliances, and Corian countertops.  It was time for an update!  We removed the cook top from the island and installed a range along the back wall.

The left side of the kitchen previously felt a bit crowded and bulky.  We simplified the design and opened up additional counter space.  Diamond shaped leaded glass doors hang above an additional sink.  A convection microwave and warming drawer replaced the built in oven.  Because they don’t have a pantry closet, these tall cabinets house their dry food storage. 

Making the island all one level really opened up the space!

Design details include a lift for their Kitchen Aid mixer that hides behind one of the doors in the island.  The drawers near the sink and dishwasher feature dowels that hold plates and bowls in place. 

The panels in the hood aren’t just a decorative detail; we used push-latch doors to provide access to storage.  Spice pull-outs flank the Wolf range. 

Isn’t the stone backsplash gorgeous? 

We’re currently finishing up some of the other spaces in the home including the breakfast area, dining room, living room, family room, and powder room.  Look for those to be featured on the blog soon!

Lauren