fastest remodel of 2009

this is a cute little beach cottage rental home that we fixed up in 10 days!

it was definitely a whirlwind, but i think it came a LONG way in a SHORT amount of time.

the kitchen before

and the kitchen after...

we kept the flooring & countertops - no time to replace

we kept the stools - they reminded me of my childhood

we kept the appliances - it is a rental house

we painted the cabinets green, added some trim work to the cabinet doors and changed the hardware

we added the light fixture, the bamboo blinds, and the fake tin backsplash!

i loved this striped rug!

the living room before... this was the first thing you saw upon entering!

the living room after...

we painted the walls, trim & doors, and added chair rail to make the bottom look like beadboard and got new furniture

the bathroom before

the bathroom after...

we got a larger (& taller) vanity with two sinks,

we custom framed two mirrors above the vanity,

we painted the wall tile and wall above the tile,

installed new plumbing and lighting fixtures!

the guest room before

the guest room after...

we kept the furniture in this room

we painted the walls & trim (i love this green!)

and replaced the bedding added a few pictures

those 10 days came and went very fast but i think it turned out pretty cute!

excitement!

earlier this week i met with clients about starting a new project.

i love the excitment of seeing the space for the first time!

and having lots of possibilities and ideas running through my head!

i cannot wait to get started!!

this particular project is going to be different because it is a lease to buy home...

we will be selecting new furniture and accessories for the entire home right now but not changing any paint, flooring or light fixtures at this time.

however, those changes are in the future so i will be finding things that work with the existing finishes and can easily move to updated fixtures & finishes later!

i love a great challenge!

whimsical.

wouldn't it be great to wake up to this every morning??

little cork tables

found here

i'm loving these little side cork tables - in three different shapes! 

perfect to fill a small space.

inspiring...

As my design business is a work in progress, I truly find this quote inspiring...

“The purpose of life, after all, is to live it,

 to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly

and without fear for newer and richer experiences.”

-Eleanor Roosevelt

my favorite simple change.

before

after. 

see the little change?

close up.  i love decorative knobs on furniture!

more decorative knobs i have switched out. 

these were brass knobs before.

all knobs from anthropologie :)

it's no secret...

that i love the beach

these are a few inspiring pictures from Coastal Living of Christmas by the sea...

i love this white tree with the starfish on top

this one is cozy and perfect for spending time with the family at Christmas

love this touch of pink & the pineapple!

classic.

i love these little wreaths in the windows - might have to do this next year at my house!

i love to see all the different ways that Christmas decorating is done... it is so personal!

a winter wonderland

instead of a Christmas table this year, i did a winter wonderland

i used family china that has a green and gold pattern

i used blue, green, silver and brown and used little clay houses

i made in a pottery class i took last year

table setting (bad lighting, sorry)

this wreath is close by the table and matches the piece on the table,

i found them at home goods for a great deal!

seeing red

i love little pops of red in a room

love this wallpaper too!

found here

it's beginning to look a lot like...

Christmas!

I'm joining the Nester's Christmas Tour of Homes...

welcome to our home

this is the view as you enter

i love this snowman and sparkly tree!

i made these last year

"tidings"

a stocking from before i was married

the view of the tree as you walk downstairs

this little elf was my great grandmothers - so cute!!

a glass ornament from an art gallery when ed and i went to georgia last year

and a cute drummer

ornament from our cruise this summer :)

one of the few plants i can keep alive!

i love these angels wings - they are tin!

and the reason for the season...

our nativity

thanks for touring :)

check back tomorrow for my winter table setting!

gingerbread & dark walls.

this week over at bryn alexandra's there has been talk of dark walls. 

i remembered seeing a kitchen i really liked awhile ago with dark walls...

i love how real this kitchen is.

my favorite things are the turquoise door and butcher block counter top.

the fish prints on the far wall are very interesting too...

last, i like that they painted both the walls and ceiling black!

* * * * * * *

for holiday cheer today, i really want to make a gingerbread house...

check back to see progress

simplicity

i am usually drawn to color, however i came across this picture in Coastal Living

and really enjoyed the simplicity of colors and christmas decorations. 

all of the natural elements make a beautiful arrangement.

the starfish placed throughout are my favorite!

december etsy love!

a few cute things I found while shopping around etsy...

eco friendly stockings!

found here

juniper berry wreath

found here

sparkly owl ornament

found here

i also saw this winter wonderland

and it reminded me of one of my own creations...

mine has a few little houses i made in a pottery class last year!

have a great weekend!