Client Project Kitchen & Family Room Plans

I often show 'before & afters' on the blog with explanations of why decisions were made, but I rarely show in-progress projects.  It's mostly because, as a reader, I myself love the instant gratification of a good 'before & after' and partly because work in progress never looks as good as it does when finished, and I don't want you to think I'm awful ;) 

BUT...  because my mind's often  always on my projects and because I used my blog as a bit of an inspiration board of sorts and a place to communicate with people, I often feel like I'm sort of keeping a main component of myself/ my creative process off of the blog.  SO...  I've decided to try to start sharing a few in-progess projects with you.  You'll have to forgive the COMPLETE lack of styling and completion in the projects but I do think you might enjoy seeing where it all starts. 

So, without further ado, I want to share some before pictures of a project I've been working on for a while.  My client's name is Ira and she has two beautiful little girls & a husband.  They entertain a lot with other families and want their family room (below) to seat more people, be stylish yet comfortable, and feel young and happy (like them!).  Here it is when I first visited, 'before':


It's a massive family-friendly space with a huge TV in a nook next to the fireplace.  They hang out in here every day.  Ira has an amazing sense of style & taste but felt her home was lacking something.  It was beautiful and a bit serious and wasn't as personal as she wanted it to be.  Ira tends to like primarly cool colors with a hit of warmth injected.  I'd describe her style as "sophistcated pretty..."  She likes an elegant mix of classic and modern with a youthful edge.  When she has something to show me that she likes, I know it's going to be beautiful. 



Part of what makes design so  rewarding is helping people figure out their own personal style and helping them translate it into their homes.  Everyone has her own unique style and I love looking at rooms and making decisions through my clients' eyes...  it's almost like putting on a pair of colored glasses because once you learn who your client is design-wise, you need to put on their "glasses" when designing.  Of course, it's still your eyes looking through the glasses so you never lose sight of your aesthetic and beliefs and knowledge, but you do see things differently than you would for yourself. 

Anyway, the family room is open to the kitchen.  Below is a photo of Ira's kitchen before:

{Before-- LOVE the fixture!}

Ira wanted to lighten it up & cool it down.  She chose a warm white/ cream and you can see the newly installed cabinetry:


{Mid-project/ Now}

We're going with a pale gray-blue on the walls in both the kitchen and family room.

{Mid Project/ Now}


We've chosen these beautiful glass mosaic tiles for the backsplash and are running them up the entire wall over the sink/ around the windows:


Here's the chandelier for over the table:




Here's a quick pic of some of the fabrics we're using in the family room:


I love them all!!  The warm kind of camel-golden fabric towards the top-left is an existing sofa Ira has in the basement that we're moving upstairs.  We're using Windsor's Smith's white & blue-gray linen on the curtains and this on the custom English arm sofa:


At the base of the sofa, we're having nailheads placed to outline the curvey design of the fabric.  We're also doing two tufted wingchairs in a blue-gray mohaire velvet (swoon!!!) and I found this cool vintage sunburst table for the coffee table: 



I love its distression and warmth.  It will be really beautiful with the gold tones of the existing sofa.


Here's the existing sofa fabric and the ottoman fabric:


Here'a c lose-up of the Windsor Smith fabric I'm in love with:



And one last photo of an embroidered linen for a pillow on the existing sofa:


There's so much more to share with you & I'll keep you updated along the way.  The hardwood floors have been installed and it's soon to be painted. 

xoxo, Lauren

53 comments:

Smitten Design said...

I love reading the thought process in the before/mid design phase. I can already tell it's going to be an awesome facelift!

courteneykay said...

I think it is going to look great!!! Love love the Windsor smith fabric!! What is going to happpen to that awesome chandelier she had above the table??????

Chrissa said...

Oh, Lauren! I love the colors, the fabrics and the patterns.

I can't wait to see all of the win in this room upon completion.

I was looking at the before photos, like, "Okay, that room isn't so bad", then we got to the kitchen...which I really didn't care for (colorwise) but now?

And of course the stove had to have those red knobs :)

Devon said...

I would like to steal all those fabric choices for my own living room. They are spectactular and fun. Beautiful work Lauren!

I love the kitchen remodel and think your client is one lucky gal. I'm curious about the lights over the island. Will you be keeping those or replacing?

ArchitectDesign™ said...

omg - gorgeous, Lauren! Love what you are doing with the kitchen (that light fixture is bananas -good!). I love the fabrics you're using in the family room and that awesome coffee table! A big space like that really needs this pattern to make it human scale. Can't wait to see the reveal!

Melissa at HOUSEography said...

First, just found your blog and LOVE it. I love your choices! Also curious what you are doing with the old fixture over the table which is swoon-worthy? I like the new choice though - more classic yet modern. I look forward to reading more!

Melissa
www.houseography.net

Melissa at HOUSEography said...

First, just found your blog and LOVE it. I love your choices! Also curious what you are doing with the old fixture over the table which is swoon-worthy? I like the new choice though - more classic yet modern. I look forward to reading more!

Melissa
www.houseography.net

alison giese Interiors said...

CRAZY about that coffee table - what a find! Kitchen looks great, but have to ask: why the new cabinetry? Was painting the existing cabinets not an option? Can't believe she's also giving up that light fixture - wish I could buy it!

Acquired Objects said...

That family room looks massive but needs some fun injected into it for the whole family, you’re right it looks to serious. I’m so glad to see you’re revamping the kitchen and may I say I LOVE THOSE TILES!!!!! I love all your color choices and fabrics. I’m so glad you shared the "during" photos with us now I can’t wait to see the finished results!

Anonymous said...

Love the color palette! That coffee table is amazing... I can't wait to see it finished! I know it will be gorgeous!

Jennifer
http://alittleluxe040708.blogspot.com/

LindsB said...

Woah, those kitchen cabinets make a HUGE difference already- what a beautiful home! And those fabrics, I love them together!

I cant wait to see more! xoxox

A House and Home said...

When I first started visiting blogs, I used to come to yours all of the time, but then getting lost in blogland, somehow I lost you! I'm so glad I found your site again, as I really enjoy. I'm becoming a follower so I don't lose you again!

Jade @ Flip Flops + Pearls Design said...

It is going to be beautiful! Love all the cool blues!

Ms. Bright said...

Hi! Just saw your comment over on MFAMB. I want to be friends.

Also wanted you to know that I LURVE that Windsor Smith fabric!! Bought some last weekend.

I think your blog is RAD!

Haha...seriously, I really like where this space is going. And I tried to get a client to use the "old" fixture over the table. Love that.
They didn't!
xo, Ms. Bright

Velvet and Linen said...

Personally, I'm thrilled that you didn't wait until this project was complete.It's such a treat getting a glimpse into your design process!
The new kitchen color made an incredible difference.
Looking forward to seeing what's next!

xo
Brooke

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

I love where you are going with this.....I love the glass tiles and the new kitchen cabinets. The fabrics look lovely. I, too, wonder where the current lighting fixture will go. I actually blogged about that fixture last week, funny! So glad you carried the wood into the family room....it is all going to look spectacular, no doubt!

Unknown said...

Love it- Love-Love it! Great work missy :)

La Petite Gallery said...

What a difference with a bright kitchen. The fabrics are beautivul. Those arched windows in the study are like the old Miami homes..
yvonne

Lisascraftiques said...

Thanks for a peek at your creative process. I love the fabrics and color scheme you chose f or the family room. Can't wait to see the finished results!

Unknown said...

Ughhhhhhhh! I am swooning!!! LOVE the cabinets . . and the fabric is so wonderful. What an eye you have. I am a new blogger and am so inspired by you. Just posted my own before and after kitchen today
but suddenly want to be transported into that one!!! keep up the amazing work.

http://thoughtfuldesigns.blogspot.com/2010/09/our-kitchen-makeover-is-complete.html

courtney

Suzanne Anas Jurich said...

Beautiful!! I can't wait to see that finished product!!

I'll email you my address so you can mail me her old light fixture!! ;)

Katie said...

It's nice to see a project in the middle, sometimes I think we think it just magically happens over night :) But I am super excited to see the final product!

Carol@6WilsonBlog.com said...

Lauren, it's great to be in on your process. I think HGTV gives the impression that everything happens overnight! The end result is going to be gorgeous and will definitely be because of your hard work.

Unknown said...

I love what you've done to this house! Your work really shows just how talented you are, all the spaces you design have a different look to them. The fact that you are able to create beautiful spaces that reflect the individual homeowner, show what a truly amazing designer you are. Looking forward to seeing photos of this completed project.

Danielle Oakey Interiors said...

it will definitely brighten up the space, can't wait to see the end results.

Socially Savvy said...

Excellent work - Wow!

Socially Savvy said...

Excellent work - Wow!

Socially Savvy said...

Excellent work - Wow!

debra @ 5th and state said...

oh lauren this is soooo much more fun for us to watch your ideas form.
and.......OMG the choices laid next to each other are stunning
\xp
debra

JOE. D said...

Lauren - I haven't visit in a week or so .. and now I pop back and find a whole heap of fantastic posts. Thanks - love the cubby house, love the new client kitchen, love everything. Truly (-:

Gretchen O. said...

Looks like it is going to be georgeous, and definitely "sophisticated pretty", can't wait to see the reveal...I do love in-progress, b/c it does show that all of those pretty pictures, DO have to go thru a process to get there. --Gretchen O.

MFAMB said...

pretty pretty. that living room is grand and i want to see it at christmas. or snowy outside.

Robyn said...

Love reading your process! Can't wait to see the final product. I've gotten a lot of inspiration here today for my master bedroom.

Karen said...

Lauren,

Love all of the fabrics and the colors are so amazing. I also love the view from the family room---what a great room! Can't wait to see the finished rooms.

Anonymous said...

Love the coffee table and fabrics....I have to agree on some other comments: where's the pendant light going??! It's very cool!

Linda in AZ * said...

* Sweet Lauren,

I LOVVVE where you're going, and KNOW it will be F*A*N*T*A*B*U*L*O*U*S when you "finish"~~~~ letting us "tag along while you create was/is a GREAT idea... sooo fun to see it in this light!!!

One of many fun/most delightful blogs today!!!...

Warmest,
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net

Julia R. Dominguez Lawrence said...

Beautiful, can't wait to see the end results. I've been looking for some inspiration and ideas lately for myself, planning on re-decorating my dining room and powder room before the holidays. Ummm, I might start next week....

diane@onlinefabricstore said...

Beautiful color palette that will go so nicely with that gorgeous view. And I love the backsplash tiles, just did something similar in a clients master bedroom fireplace. Looking forward to the finished product.

Karen said...

Her room was really pretty to begin with, but the proposed changes are going to be fabulous and work well for a young family.

Ruthie {Look Learn Love} said...

I love seeing your design process and the 'in the middle' photos. It's so much more inspirational then a dramatic before/after. Thanks for sharing :)
The tall windows in the family room are stunning!!

Aimee@ the Functional Space said...

Thanks for sharing a bit of your process. I love seeing work in progress so that you know where you've been and understand where you're going.

kayce hughes said...

So fun to see. It looks beautiful. I am in love with that table. Keep that one in mind when you start designing furniture.

kayce hughes said...

So fun to see. It looks beautiful. I am in love with that table. Keep that one in mind when you start designing furniture.

JenV said...

This project has completely captured me!! I can't wait to see more pix.

JenV said...

This project has completely captured me!! I can't wait to see more pix.

SHERRY HART said...

Lauren that is a very soothing and classic color palate, and one that she can live with for years. The new cabinets lighten up that space SO much, I am sure we all await the finished project!

Unknown said...

so cool to see the process. What is the brand/color of the paint?

Jen of MadeByGirl said...

BEAUTIFUL job so far...love white kitchens...and I bet it will look even better with the hardwoods.... :))))))

Anonymous said...

Love the new rooms! Where did you find the new chandelier. Love it!

Unknown said...

Lauren,
I have been reading your blog for over a year and I start my day by reading it. I am an older reader and I find your zest for life contagious. I have been looking for a chandelier to use over my dining table for two years. Could you please tell me where you found the one you are using in this remodel and how I can purchase it.
Someday, maybe I'll find the time to tell you how much your blog means to me.
I hope you can help me with my lighting dilema. Thank you.

Lauren said...

Hi Paint!

I couldn't find your email anywhere so if you see this, please send me an email @ lauren@thepurestyle.com so I can help.

Thanks so much & I so appreciate your reading!!
xoxo,
lauren

mccallsfloormart@yahoo.com said...

Just came across your blog, you spark alot of ideas and creativity in your posts. I have to say Fabric is becoming a Sin with me. If everything is supposed to be in moderation then Fabric is off the diet.

marta said...

J'adore !