Category Archives: Current Projects

Current Projects, Kravet/Lee Jofa, Lee Industries

Current Projects: From Italy to North Carolina

Our clients recently relocated from Italy to a  home located in North Raleigh’s Bedford community.  It took six months for a hole in the ground to become a 3 story home , fully furnished and accessorized for an active family of four. A six hour time change and our client’s location an ocean away brought Judy and me (Brittany)  the opportunity to use technology like Sykpe and Basecamp, an online project management site, to communicate and present design concepts  to our clients.From selecting fixtures and finishes, to furniture presentation and procurement, to move-in, our client’s gave us  full creative license to design every detail of their new home in the United States.  The client’s international roots give the home a distinctive aesthetic, with a European sensibility and we’re excited to share with you the project photos!

Photo above: the Dining Room with aqua leather chairs, a sisal rug, and metallic silver wallpaper is a study of textures- both casual and formal.    Below: sun pours into the guest suite that accomodates family members who come to stay frequently.

 

 

Photo above: The eat in kitchen area with walls painted in Glidden’s Onionskin Tan. Below:  The Media Room- with it’s blackout roller shades serves as a hangout space for the two teenage boys who live in the home. 

 

Above: The swivel chairs  upholstered in a Rock & Roll black patent leather sit in the music room for all of the family to become musical.   Below: A teen boy’s bedroom

Check out some furnishings and fabrics used in the project and the final outcome of a teen boy’s bedroom, the Master Suite, and the patio (one of my favorite spaces) !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 -Brittany

Current Projects, DIY

How to Accessorize Bookshelves (A Lesson From the Chancellor’s House)

A large empty bookcase can be intimidating.  What combination of books and objects should you use to make it look its best?  The Chancellor’s house at NCState is a great case study in how to make your shelves look amazing.

 

 

In the Chancellor’s Study, we used a combination of books, small framed artwork, and decorative objects to create a sophisticated display worthy of a distinguished university.  The photographs of native plant species were taken from the University’s archive, and reference the Chancellor’s own background in botanical science.

 

Books in warm tans and browns were chosen to complement the masculine palette of the room.  We tried to make the bookcase look natural and organic, but without totally eschewing symmetry.  We also placed books in other places around the room for continuity and interest.

 

In the family room, we were looking for something more graphic, so we chose a different palette.  Bright red books and colorful glass art punctuate the white bookshelves.  In this room, the shelves are arranged in square cubbies, which are great for displaying individual works of art.


We took a different approach to the books in this room, stacking them both vertically and horizontally to add some interest.  In some cases, we even turned the books around, hiding their binding at the back, and giving a whole different look.

 

 

What’s your favorite trick for arranging bookcases?

-Robert

Images: 1 3 & 6. DLL    2 , 4 & 5 –  Photography by Dustin Peck Photography Images courtesy NC State University. All rights reserved.


Current Projects, Resources

Surface Doctors: Protecting Your Investment

I am in the process of finishing up my personal kitchen remodeling project and recently discovered Allan and Eric from Surface Doctors, who applied Granite Shield’s sealing process to my new Honed Carrera Marble countertops.  I was first introduced to them by Laura at Rock ‘interiors who fabricated the countertops.

Our before and after kitchen transformation, I have to say, is amazing!! Now, I am just waiting on the final component to be installed – the tile backsplash!

Countertops are a worthwhile investment to your home and for us; we wanted the marble to withstand life’s little accidents in the kitchen with acidic juices, red wine and vinegar.

(Above) Allen and Eric applying the sealer, and then buffing the surface with a cotton cloth to ensure the sealer is properly applied. Overall this is a 4 step process that takes about an hour and half.

Care and maintenance is another part to maintaining your investment. Allen and Eric were great in providing us with two natural stone cleaners recommended by Granite Shield.

Curious about natural stone on the surface areas of your home give us a call. Be sure to also check DLL’s previous blog post Lauren wrote about marble countertops.

I’ll keep you posted on the final result of our kitchen–so stay tuned!

Hilaire

Images: DLL

Current Projects, Designer Inspiration/Trends

Blogfest 2012: Benjamin Moore Color Trends for 2013

Continuing from John Turner’s presentation at Blogfest2012– Benjamin Moore’s Color Trends for 2013. Here is what we should expect to see in 2013 for color – we illustrated John’s key points with some of our own work, so enjoy!

 

RED – is coming in FULL force. Anywhere from deep reds and their shadows, plus more coral tones from fashion rose pink – it is feminine, all the way!

GREEN AND BLUE -are the new neutrals. More Kelly greens or darker not always apple green.  The blues are becoming watery like logo brands of  Facebook and twitter. Above are three different color schemes we are currently working with on client projects.

ORANGE is everywhere and will continue to be a strong trend this year. Color blocking can be found in orange and black. Above three fun spaces we designed last year that had fun pops of orange.

PURPLE – is showing up in dusty shades particularly on fabric and paint colors. Jewel tones are less popular indoors, but fresh pops of purple are being seen more outdoors. Above a bedroom shot of a current project.

(Above: NC State Chancellor House VIP Guest Room)

Neutrals are being combined with other materials, pops of jewel tones, and wood tones. Bright colors are setting off the neutrals soft gray and raw metal. Above and below several current projects illustrating the neutrals trends with combinations of raw materials.  

What we can expect to fade this season:

Metallic

The black and white color schemes

photography credits: 

Group 1- Dustin Peck Photography & DLL

Group 2-  Design Lines

Group 3- Jeff Weatherspoon & Design Lines

Group 4-Jeff Weatherspoon

Group 5: Dustin Peck Photography

Group 6: (Left Clockwise) DLL, Jeff Weatherspoon,

Jonathan Fredin for Cary Magazine, Everest Agency

Group 7: Everest Agency

Text: John Turner – Benjamin Moore

Current Projects

Current Projects: Details Are Everything at this Home in Apex

Details are everything at this spacious home in Apex.  Situated on a private wooded lot on the shores of a lake, this spacious retreat reflects our client’s bold sense of style.

My favorite detail is the family room fireplace.  It features a modern curved surround covered in glass tile.

The Master Bath is generously-proportioned and bathed in light.  A sculptural tub sits under a huge picture window next to a shower with glass tile accents.

belvedere and stair leading to it in house in apex

A spiral staircase leads to the home’s most unique feature: a room at rooftop level with a panoramic view of the surrounding treetops.

At ground level, there is a fully-equipped glass studio for the home’s creative inhabitants.

Even the bathrooms and mudroom receive a special touch with custom cabinetry.

 

-Robert

 

 

Branded Spaces, Current Projects

Current Projects: Employee Lounge Makeover

Did you see our post about the recent updates to our office?  We’ve already re-done the conference room, ladies’ room, and entry.  Now, we have some big plans for our employee lounge!

Our square table already got a makeover thanks to the guys at Muddcreek Custom Cabinets in Willow Springs.  Now, we’re finalizing a design for a sleek new kitchen.  We want to incorporate both stained and painted finishes in the design —  because a two finish kitchen looks so fresh!

Pinned Image

In our design, we incorporated the dual finish look by surrounding painted cabinet towers with a thick stained wood frame.  We also incorporated some special features that are popular with our clients – including pocketing doors to hide small appliances, glass–front cabinets, and deep storage drawers with dividers.  Here’s a concept sketch:

As a place where we conduct lots of meetings, the kitchen needs to be able to hide our appliances, food, and other mess!  But it also has to be functional and easy to use.  Integrated appliances with paneled fronts keep things looking clean & professional.

We’ll update you as the work continues!

-Rob

image 1: pinterest

image 2: Design Lines

 

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

Current Projects

Hot off the Press: Cary Master Bath Remodel is Featured in Triangle Home Improvement Magazine

 

Molly’s Cary master bath remodel was selected as Triangle Home Improvement Magazine’s “Makeover of the Month.” This remodel was quite the transformation, thanks to Rufty Homes! What do you think?!

To read the complete article, click here!

 

Love the warm Carmel tones.

 

Marble counter-tops, pebbled flooring and 12”x12” Jerusalem tiles, bring earth elements indoors.

 

The free standing tub is adorned with a modern Hans Grohe chrome tub filler. Water freely flows out of the opening just like a natural waterfall.

images taken by Brian Mullins Photography

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