Current Projects

Current Projects: Design Lines Studio Update Phase 1

If you have been around our office lately, I think you will notice some of the changes taking place. This is only the beginning! After 12 years of being in this space we collectively decided it was time for an update.  One of the areas we tackled first was the women’s bathroom. Before it was just a pale and silver dotted wallpaper, now we are ready for this pop of color with this large scale floral from Nina Campbell.

We didn’t stop with just the women’s bathroom – we decided our front entry needed a different look as well. While the traditional tiled cafe looking wallpaper suited us we wanted to clients to come in from the summer heat with a fresh and cool color called “Retreat” by Sherwin Williams.

 

Next up our conference room – it was in dire need of a technological update. In this room we added a flat screen television equipped with Internet capabilities, web conferencing and even remote access to log into our desktops. At our finger tips we are able to pull up drawings, look at client pdfs, make changes to any AutoCad file, head to a manufacturer’s website or even turn on the Michael Buble pandora channel as we work into the late evening.

Carolina Glass & Mirror made a new glass top to replace the outdated conference room surface.

(Above) Rob being sure the stand is securely tightened before we turn on the television and Brittany and Judy taking a few minutes out of their day to try on the 3D glasses. Watch out this might be the newest fashion trend. (just kidding.)

Last but not least the refinishing of our lunchroom table. Muddcreek Custom Cabinets  in Willow Springs re-stained and put a new finish on the table. 

Thanks everyone who was a part of our phase one studio updates, we really appreciate all the support in creating the very best studio space for our clients.

Stay tuned as Rob details what we will be doing for phase 2!!

images: DLL

Designer Inspiration/Trends, Paint

Spring Inspiration!

Spring is officially here! Break out those Spring colors, dust off the bookshelves, uncover those lounge chairs, and sit back as we bring some beach inspired colors.

Pops of color – especially blue can add dimension and depth to any bookcase. (Top left) These bookcases are perfectly accessorized. When accessorizing your bookcase remember to stack the books horizontally and then put a trinket on them, this gives the eye visual levels and fills up the space within the bookcases.

Need a beach themed iphone case? Be sure to check out these from ShorelyChic. They can be found on Liz’s esty store. (They are are so cute Liz!)

Tight on space this Spring, try hanging our herbs in a door shoe caddy.

Love shells, but do not know how to tastyfull use them throughout the house, accent your fireplace!  

 

LOVE absolutely love these paints.

 

 

Above, our very own color scheme of blues for a project Molly and Brittany are working on at Figure 8.

 

As designers we are constantly inspired by color. Kravet and Ann Sacks have perfect blue patterns.

Need more inspiration? Follow our beach inspired pictures on our Pinterest page where you will find our “Beach Inspired” board.

images: 1. HGTVvia Pinterest by Emily Henderson  2. ShorelyChic 3. Pinterest 4.  House of Turquoise via Pinterest 5. BHG  6. DLL  8. Ann Sacks  7. 9. 10. Kravet

Current Projects, Design Lines Communications, Entertaining

Cary Kitchen Remodel is Featured in Cary Magazine

 

 

Within this month’s pages of Cary Magazine, Brittany and our client Terri talk about the 1st floor renovation that transformed this once 1980’s builder grade home into a modern living oasis, suitable for casual entertaining.

Brittany also partnered with Robert Taylor of Taylor Build , who served as the General Contractor on the project. Robert knows first hand what it feels like to live in your space while a kitchen renovation is happening.

To read the complete Cary Magazine “Home Tour” article and see the “Before & After’s” click here.

 

 

images 1. DLL

Flowers, Holidays

Be Mine, Valentine!

 

At a Valentine’s party this weekend- I chatted with both Men & Women about the holiday of St. Valentine (for a brief history click here). The general consesus-was that gentlemen find the day stressful, while most ladies adored the holiday.  Whether you loathe or love it, don’t stress if you haven’t already made plans, here are some last minute  things you can do for your sweetheart:

1- How about a cool valentine with a hand-written note inside?

2- Breakfast in bed or meet your Valentine for lunch

3- No one’s too old for a mixtape- put together a playlist of your favorite songs and download it to their ipod or make a CD to play during the commute

4- Rather than ordering your Valentine flowers online- consider picking up a few bunches at your local grocer and arranging them yourself (demonstrating thoughtfulness in your selection)- or consider a flowering plant like ranunculus that they can plant in the ground when it gets a bit warmer outside.

5 For him? What about a car wash or a geeked out case for his phone?

Happy Valentine’s day! Remember that thoughtfulness is completely free!

XOXO,

Brittany

12 Days of Christmas, Holidays

12 Days of Christmas: Gift Wrapping

Today marks the first day of Christmas. By now, you’ve managed to find gifts for almost all on your list, now you just have to wrap those treasures to delight the ones you love. I remember wrapping gifts as a girl, sitting on the floor in my parents bedroom, er um Santa’s headquarters with some invisible scotch tape and some store bought To: and From: tags with snowmen on them.  A Lot has changed since then- but I still take joy in the finishing touches. I’ve given my advice on wrapping for the past two years- below: this year’s gift wrapping round up-

1. Gift Tags 2. Silver Ornaments, consider tying them on! 3. Design Sponge4. DLL Pinterest 6. Faux Bois Wrapping Paper 7. Wool Ribbon  8. Baker’s Twine

 

1. Thoroughly Modern Tree 2. Glittered Wrapping Paper in Violet 3. Snowglobe gift tags 4. Vintage Ornaments from Local Furbish Studio 5.Bourgeouis Bow Tags 6. Tinsel & Candy Cane Wrapping Paper

1. Upcycled Gift Wrap 2A.  Handmade Snow Globe  2B. Typewritten gift tags  3. Mitten Gift Tags 4. Doily Cookie Containers

 

What’s the best gift you’ve ever recieved? Do you still remember the wrapping? How will you wrap the presents you give this year? Check out previous posts on the topic: here & here.

-Brittany

Current Projects, Uncategorized

Current Projects: Johnny’s Atomic Ranch {Part 3}

For the third and final chapter of Johnny’s house transformation, we proceed to the dining nook in the kitchen and the foyer/stairwell.

 

The only thing that changed in his space was the light fixture.  In making your style mark on a space- nothing is as easy as switching out that builder basic lighting which can often date the house.  We chose this pendant from Arteriors- and it’s egg yolk yellow interior casts a beautiful warm glow when it’s illuminated. We re-purposed Johnny’s existing leaning bookshelf from the living room and put it in the nook.

 

In the foyer- another lighting surprise! This simple lantern looks like an updated version of a classic colonial fixture- but makes a dramatic impact when you arrive.

Last but not least- something you can try too! Paint that oak stair rail black (with an oil-based paint) and it modernizes the stairs instantly.

Thanks to  Johnny for sharing his home on the blog!

-Brittany

Photography for this series taken by Lauren McKay

Current Projects

Current Projects: Johnny’s Atomic Ranch {Part 2}

 

From the Living Room, we continue on to the adjacent room-formerly known as the formal dining room…

     Johnny knew from the onset that his rarely used Dining Room would become a DJ Den/Listening Lounge and I loved the idea. Why are we paying for rooms in our house that don’t serve a purpose?

 

 The key to starting the transformation was changing out the lighting- as the Tuscan and drippy chandelier was not grooving with his wishes for a Mid Century Modern aesthetic.  We selected the chandelier from designer George Kovaks– and had it installed right after the walls were painted.  I like how the ceiling medallion is traditional and goes with the bones of Johnny’s house- almost highlighting the juxtaposition of styles.  

 

 

Walls are Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter- the perfect art gallery like hue as it receives other colors very well.  The plush felt-like carpet tiles we installed easily were budget friendly-the custom color mix was inspired by Johnny’s artwork from American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (shown in the image above, at left). We kept his Ikea wall storage because they are a perfect storage solution, but we had a local Stainless Steel fabricator create the DJ table which features a removable cord management trough.

So for the occasional dinner party- equipment could be moved for bar-height dining. Or everyone could just gather round for buffet style dining.  I can easily picture a Superbowl party- the perfect place for a spread of Hot Wings and Man food.  Or even better- a Mid Century House party with “shaken, not stirred” drinks and Johnny at the turntables.    

 

 Check back tomorrow for part three/the finale of Johnny’s Atomic Ranch!

-Brittany

and P.S. Window Treatments in a dude’s space?  Yes! They provide the perfect finishing treatment in this room and modern hardware keeps it sleek…

Also: Johnny’s art collection is eclectic- check out some artists used in his home here & here

Current Projects

Current Projects: Johnny’s Atomic Ranch {Part One}

 

In his initial inquiry for some design help, our client, Johnny admitted the following: “I currently have several pieces of camping chairs I use as living room furniture.”  Johnny had moved from a 500 square feet apartment in NYC to a 3 bedroom house in North Raleigh.  And the space was beckoning to be infused with his personality!

  I asked him to do his homework and bring a few inspiration images to our meeting.  When he arrived, he placed this book (pictured above) on our conference table, saying “this is what I want!” We perused the images together and I was a little hesitant knowing that Johnny did not own a mid century modern ranch- but rather a more traditional Colonial home built in 2004. Below: the dramatic fruits of our efforts- it’s amazing what a bold paint color can do, don’t you think? 

 

     We utilized a primary color palette and used mid century modern finishes- like chrome, lacquer and walnut. The symmetry of a pair of bachelor’s chests in red lend strength and balance to the fireplace wall.

  
 
Stay tuned as the transformation continues tomorrow in the dining room…

 

 -Brittany

 

Current Projects

Current Projects: Inside the Beltline Kitchen Remodel

 

Another current project to inspire all those remodelers out there. Brittany partnered with Robert Taylor of Taylor Build to design this kitchen. Special features include hand made terracotta tiles from Portugal and a custom pantry cabinet painted black with cream leather hardware from Spinneybeck Leather.

 

 

 

Have you ever thought about black cabinets in the kitchen?

 

all images: by Everest Agency