Make An Entrance!

What does your front door say about you? Does it look forgotten and worn with only a 10 year old dusty wreath to welcome your guests? Think you can't afford to transform it? I bet I can prove you wrong!

So, take a look at this front entrance. Not bad. Not good. Just a bit dull and uninspired, no? 

With only a few inexpensive changes, I think you'd agree that they now have a really warm and inviting front entry that would wow even passersby. Here's all they did:

First they took off that unattractive storm door and replaced it with a retractable screen door that when not in use is practically invisible. It's housed on the side of the door frame but still is great when you want to feel the breeze on a nice day. This allowed them to paint their wood door a bold red which is a fabulous color for re-sale, by the way. By using frosting film on the windows customized with their house number, it really makes the door feel special. Vintage lighting, a new mat, mailbox and planters and they have a whole new look!

One visit to your local home store could provide you with all you need to recreate this look or come up with a look all your own. 

That's my brief tidbit for the day...hope it helps!

xoxo

When I grow up...

I want to give props to two of my dear friends for their work on House Beautiful's Kitchens of the Years for 2009 and 2010. I've been lucky enough to be invited into their homes more times than I can count and I just think the world of them. Now, of course, I'm sure they don't KNOW we're tight like that...and so what that I'm only one of millions that is invited into their worlds during their tv shows...in my world, we're besties. When I grow up, I want to be just like Ina Garten or Jeff Lewis. Actually, both. Each is sheer genius when it comes to their fields...house flipping/interior design and cooking/entertaining respectively. Actually, can you imagine being both?! A.) Jeff Lewis is HOT...smokin' hot...and funnier than most people on tv. His show Flipping Out is absolutely hilarious and the interiors...and exteriors...he creates are so clean and modern and perfect. B.) Ina is, well, Ina. Donning a crisp white shirt and a smile she can work her way through creating a five course French meal and serve it up for 20 guests without breaking a sweat all while being the most charming and delightful hostess you've ever seen. So, yeah, I'd like to be both when I grow up.

House Beautiful's 2010 Kitchen of the Year was just completed and opened to the public in Rockefeller Center and having been designed by Jeff Lewis, I knew it would be amazing. He did not disappoint, that's for sure. Last year, Ina created the kitchen with the help of a designer and while both are stunningly beautiful and inspirational, they are so very different in feel. So, I'm interested to know which style you're more attracted to? Is it the more creature comfort vibe of Ina's 2009 Kitchen or the chic and modern kitchen that Jeff created this year? What aspects do you love and what could you do without?

Ina's 2009 Kitchen of the Year

Luh-hu-uv so much about this kitchen. The huge island with storage on both sides, the dark counters...soapstone?...the hardwired table lamp on the island, the vintage stools and even the beautiful simplicity of the branches.

Does it get much better than this? A work area in your kitchen with a view?

Who wouldn't want to plop down here on a chilly Sunday autumn morning in front of the fire with a warm croissant and cafe au lait? 

This is the epitome of why I want to be her when I grow up. It all looks so effortless and lovely. 

Another view where you can see the placement of the fireplace sitting area and the desk near the french doors. Kinda perfect, I think. This is what my kitchen wants to be when it grows up...or when it's replaced by something not nearly as inefficient, tiny and frustratingly non-functional.

Jeff Lewis' 2010 Kitchen of the Year

I hate that these pics don't do this space justice. For a better look-see you can click on the link below and get a much better view of the space as Al Roker interviews Jeff Lewis in the kitchen. I am digging that wine storage piece separating the kitchen from the sitting area and that bright white island! 

Watch the Today Show Video of Jeff's Kitchen here!

I happen to think that that bar height table running perpendicular to the cabinets is brilliant. The legs on that table make my heart go all a-flutter and I think I like the way the cabinet doors open up and push in...I'd have to see those in person and play with them a bit to really get a feel for it. Kinda trendy...will it be dated in 10 years? I don't know. What do you think?

All right, all you mamas out there...I know you're visceral reaction is gonna be, "Oh, my God! That wine storage is a disaster waiting to happen!". And, if you have kids...that's very true. But for those of us that don't, this is incredible. At least, for me. I can even see backing that up to a huge large window so that from the kitchen you'd still get the light coming thru all that beautiful glass of the bottles. Obviously, really thick windows would be necessary so the wine wasn't warmed by the sun. 

Looks like copper on the tabletop, doesn't it? I would love to see the how the patina develops on that. And that light fixture is pretty great. Loving the back splash as well.

So, what do you think? Which feels more like your dream kitchen? Although, I really want to pretend I'm as modern and chic as Jeff's kitchen, alas, I'm not. Ina's is way more similar to my wanna-be Parisian aesthetic and while I would give anything to have either one...for me, Ina's is the winner. 

SWEET DREAMS

(masucco warner miller)

(house beautiful)

(inspired spaces)

(wish i knew)

(elle decor)

PROJECT WOW!

Some design jobs are just way more fun than others. The clients are open to new ideas, the house offers some interesting architectural elements to work with and the budget is large enough to make a dramatic difference while still being important enough that you have to be creative and think outside the box.

This job began in the dining room as shown. The newest additions were the espresso plantation shutters and the rug. The dining table was staying as well as the small chest, but everything else needed to be changed.

First things first, the stripes were painted over with a lovely ecru which immediately gave us a clean slate to work with. Knowing the client as I do, I knew she was still wanting some major drama and wow factor and wasn't seeking an "elegant" and sparse space. My eye kept going to the shape of the ceiling and I knew I wanted to play it up with some color. Deep red was my thought and so, after hours and hours of measuring and erasing pencil marks, even more hours of taping off and re taping, I managed to give her some definite oomph on that ceiling. We had our focal point!

Custom drapes were created with a great textured silk and trimmed out with an earthy acorn style fringe. New lighting in the form of a capiz shell chandelier, new floor lamp and sconces were added. The artwork was selected after much deliberation to accent the area rug and to pull the chocolate brown of the plantation shutters. Finally, we added a chic and inexpensive wall mounted fireplace that uses cans of gel fuel. The client was thrilled with the space and I really feel like I nailed her style and personality. That's the wonderful thing about design...if you're brave enough to step outside the box, you can stop worrying about what everyone else might think when everyday you come home to your space and it is perfectly reflective of who you are.