DC Design House Room Before

{My DC Design House Room, Before}

Yesterday was a long crazy day in the city (I'm pretty much a total suburban girl) and I have before photos to show you of our room!  My assistant, Meghan Short, has been invaluable.  (Meghan graduated last Spring with an interior design degree from JMU- go dukes!- and I'm very lucky to have her.  She's seriously talented and just "gets" it.)  To give you an idea of what our mornings are like when we head to the Design House...  Mine starts around 6:30 laying in bed pretending I don't really need to get up... oh wait, that's not what you wanted to know??   sorry :)  ....Meghan arrives at our house at 8 and helps me get the boys out the door to daycare by 8:30 or so... which has been a lifesaver.  (Any of you with kids know that getting out the door with 2 under 3 is no small task.)  From there we head straight into the city and arrive by 10.  

When we got there yesterday, there was an introductory meeting with the members of the Committee and all of the designers.  We got the rundown on the house, dos & don'ts, cans & can'ts etc.  It was fun seeing so many faces I'd only seen in photos!!  (And some familiar ones too!)  

Ok, and now what you really want to see... more of our room "before:"

{The right wall when you walk in}

It's approx 12x16.5 feet and I love its proportions.  It's currently wallpapered.  There are funky angled walls & a cozy bay window nook. I'm crazy about it!!

{The left wall.  We do have to work around the air conditioning unit in the window...  And it actually needs to be running during the Showhouse.}

Here's the view looking at the entry door.  The door on the right is a little closet:


We met with insanely talented artist John Matthew Moore who is creating something I can barely sleep over for our space, lighting designer Rick Singleton wose work I loooove, the BEST carpet guy around -Tolvin Griffin- who owns Carpet Customizer (he is cutting, binding & installing a Stark rug for us), and our new go-to builder- Mike Carr with CarrMichael Construction -who is doing the brunt of the work.  They are all generously donating their talents and this room would not be possible if it weren't for them.}

We are planning something for the bay window but need to work around the radiator.  Here's a pic Meghan snapped of Mike & I figuring out the best way to make it work:


And here's a pic Meghan snapped of what it {sadly} looks like when I'm working:


We typically spend much of the palette-planning stages on the floor in my office, so I was pretty at-home with the lack of a table in our empty room. 


And one last shot of the room "before:"


I absolutely love this house & wish I could move my family right on in.  It's a 1920s tudor with beautifully proportioned rooms - both dark & moody and sunny & light like ours- and a million little nooks & crannies.  It's the type of house you wish you could be a kid in & just run around exploring & playing hide-and-seek.   In the master bedroom closet, you can open up a wardrobe door and there is another set of doors that opens onto a balcony overlooking the massive formal living room.  I can just picture it filled with people at a glamorous party, Sound-of-Music-Style.


 


(yeah, I totally thought it was "Avida say goodnight" until I googled it.)

xoxo, Lauren

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37 comments:

Sarah Greenman said...

I love your "working" photo. I can't wait to see the finished result!

Kristie at The Decorologist.com said...

i thought it was avida say goodnight, too! thanks for clearing that up :) look forward to seeing the "after"

Unknown said...

You are so cute! (Avida say goodnight!) I cannot wait to see what you do with the room (and the air conditioning unit - yikes!). I don't feel so bad about the way I work now (same exact way- stuff everywhere - always losing my tape measure...).

Carol@6WilsonBlog.com said...

You are so real, I think that's why I love your blog and get so excited when I see you doing big things! I'm dying to see how this turns out. Isn't it amazing how the before look was once over the moon gorgeous, and now, well, we can see what it looks like... Your style will be incredible in this space. Good luck!!

Pine Tree Home said...

Wow, I have lots of images running through my head what you are going to do. How fun! Oh, I also like it when I see other people are messy planners...I always have "stuff" everywhere during a project.

Kathysue said...

lauren I am sooo excited for you and I am looking forward to following along with your progress. This is so fun11 Kathysue

Jeannine | The Small and Chic Home said...

I'm so excited to see that you're working with John Matthew Moore! I saw a piece he did for a Marjory Segal room in the 2009 Design House and wound up working with him to get a print made for my place. David, the guy who frames most of his work, is amazing, too!

I can't wait to see the next update!

elisabeth (bovagoods) said...

i love it that you thought it was "avita say good night". that is hilarious and had me laughing out loud!!!

this design house looks like it's going to be so much fun! i can not wait to see you work your magic!

The Starr Family said...

Simply cannot wait to see how your work this sunny room! So many fun angles!

Velvet and Linen said...

This is a challenge that only Lauren Leiss can tackle :)
Wow.
I know it will be beautiful. Can't wait to see the "after" photos.
xo
Brooke

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

Congratulations on the project! I know you will not only have fun doing it, but it will be wonderful!
Janell

Windlost said...

Oh Lauren, this looks soooooo exciting!! I know you will transform it into something beautiful and magical and very you..!
P.S. I love the "in progress" pictures because it lets us in on the process, so please keep sharing when you can!

xo Terri

Unknown said...

Oooo, sure you don't want to keep that lovely peach canopy???? kidding. What a fun project. I'm sure it will be fabulous!

Gretchen O. said...

Soooooo exciting!!!! That Bay window IS gorgeous...I am sure it was a magically creative day....I have my version of "Alvida say goodnight" too...it certainly was NOT the "Right" version:) Happy Designing:)

A Perfect Gray said...

When my little cousin sang 'The First Noel,' he used to say, "no help, no help!"

looking forward to the wonderful 'after' shots! best wishes! donna

Shaina said...

Love that dresser! Was it already there? Are you going to keep it and work with it?

Loretta Fontaine (EcoHappy Blog) said...

Lauren- What a gorgeous room - love those ceiling lines, but please tell her the prom was in 1998.

This will be a before and after for the record books! Can't wait to see what your magic and amazing fabrics will do!

Loretta

p.s. two giveaways on my blog - come visit!

An Urban Cottage said...

I would paint it in a second but I'm crazy about that dresser!

Layne & Everett said...

So much potential in this room! Can't wait to see what you do with it. It'll be amazing whatever you do, I'm sure. I'm looking forward to seeing the after in person...my sister lives just outside of DC. Think I'll be planning a spring visit to see her ;)

Libby said...

What a beautiful room to work in. Can't wait to see what you do with it! I know it will look amazing!

Anonymous said...

so exciting...
can't wait to see your designs in this room...
maureen

Lauren said...

(in the tone of the dad from a christmas story)-- that looks like a peach nightmare!

Acquired Objects said...

OK, needs some major freshening up but in your hands Lauren I know it won't be a problem. I can't wait to see the end results!

Tammy@InStitches said...

I'm having some serious flashbacks to the 80's ! I can't wait to see what you do with the room, I know it will be beautiful.

The 5 Bickies said...

This will be a very fun project to follow. Lot of challenges with bay windows, sloped ceilings, radiators, and window units...oh my! Good luck!

LiveLikeYou said...

Go team Lauren!!

Rashon Carraway said...

I remember you posting about submitting a proposal. I am very eager to see what you have planned for this space.

Mr. Goodwill Hunting

Valerie Wills Interiors said...

Lauren, HOW exciting. I cannot wait to see what you do with the room. All the vest best. So proud of you. Val

Valerie Wills Interiors said...

Oops - typo - should have said "very" best xxx

onestorybuilding said...

I look forward to DC Design House each year. I'm really looking forward to your space!

Holly Irwin Fine Art said...

You crack me up, Lauren, can't wait to see the "AFTER" shots. Good luck!

LuLu said...

very exciting can't wait to see what you do!
xo,
LuLu

alison giese Interiors said...

This is going to be incredible! *Squeal*

kayce hughes said...

I can't wait to see what you do!

Lauren@BaylorSays... said...

Well I'm just too excited for you!!! Judging by the befores, we ALL know the afters will be smashing. :-)

Congrats and have so much fun with the experience.

LindsB said...

What an amazing project to be working on!! I can hardly wait to see the afters!!

Alena: Oh, Its Just Perfect! said...

Can't wait to see what you do with the space!