Before and After

As an interior designer, before and after images are often requests I receive from website visitors and new clients.  When I started with these clients they had lived in a houseboat on Lake Union near downtown Seattle.  Then a fabulous property on Lake Union became available. This townhome features amazing views of mountains, skyline and the water  plus also offers a cozy family room.  But it sorely needed new furnishings except for the big screen TV.

Take a look at what we did.

Family Room-Home Theater Before

Family Room-Home Theater After

A new arrangement is both conversational and perfect for watching sports and movies. All the furnishings are from my favorite company, Hickory Chair. The addition of a game table affords another conversational area. The owner loved to sail and I used black and white photos to emphasize and support that interest. More memorabilia is on the open shelf unit too.

Furniture from Hickory Chair: Marshall chair; Cate side table; Gunnison leather chair and others.

The outcome of the design concept introduces paint and color finishes in the wood side table and etagere.  A sheer texture drapery fabric over wood blinds combines to add a sense of coziness, warmth and intimacy. 

What do you think? Would you like to settle in to enjoy a game or movie  in this room? Subscribe to my weekly newsletter for more ideas.

Tags: Before and After, cozy family room, Faith Sheridan designer, home theater, redesigned family room, Seattle and Lake Union
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The article last Thursday in the NYTimes, Renovating an Industry, is getting lots of attention and discussion from designers and other industries too. Certainly I read it a few times and enjoyed all the comments too.  As a Seattle interior designer practicing for many years I have seen many changes to the industry.  The internet makes so much available and accessible.  I began to think about offering online quick, expert, direct solutions to those who are  DIYers.  My name for this service, Fast Solutions for Interior Dilemmas. $50 for a fast solution is email only.  You send your design dilemma along with 3 photos of your room and relevant information like measurements. Within 48 hours you receive a professional solution with links to products.

Before and After

See this example of a dining room with simple changes like paint, new rug, chairs and moving existing art to the newly painted wall.

So I say, “Let’s do this!”  Try a  new approach and benefit like other customers who are finding design more accessible and less expensive. Take advantage of color consultation, art hanging and personal shopping from a second pair of eyes and a  short term relationship with a professional designer.

Tags: direct solutions, expert, fast design solutions, online quick
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In the project shown in the before and after sequence, my challenge was to stay within the footprint of the existing  master bathroom.  Also, the soaking tub was a favorite place for relaxing so it too remained. 

The other challenge was a very tall male… who loved the the idea of a ceiling showerhead which he often used  in hotels while traveling.  So now you know the general parameters and can see the transformation.

before vanity

before shower

before soaking tub

Now for the transformation

Vanity, natural cherry with dual sinks

Shower and solartube

Soaking Tub

Solutions  to this master bathroom remodel:

• a single vanity with customized storage for him and her
• balanced lighting from sconces and overhead fixture
• 36″ counter height suits both
• glass wall between tub and shower enlarges room
• Solartube adds lighting  with less expense (original plan included skylight)
• hotel towel shelf stores extra towels
• mosaic border adds horizontal element
• travertine throughout is easy to maintain

Tags: interior design, master bathroom, remodel, Seattle
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Annoyed by the faux candle drippings on the candle sleeve of your lamps or chandeliers.  Well now you have delightful, colorful options to dress up your lighting and add some personality.

Before

After

Close Up

You can see more examples and shop online at Kaarskoker.com. What a treat!

Always eager to hear your comments so please send them, Faith.

Tags: candle sleeve, Lighting, redecorate
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There is a saying that first impression lasts. The foyer is the setting that beckons the depth of your home to your guests. Treat it as the signal of what lies ahead for your eager visitors with a good visual and emotional display that arouses their senses and leaves an enduring memory of time well spent in your home. 

Here is a before and after example.  In this multi-level home, the entrance affords a water and mountain view immediately. With that drama, the goal was to complement but not compete and provide a gracious, elegant accent.

A console table in your foyer can serve as a staging ground for your accessories, like photos, lamps, vases, and small art work.  Whether you use table lamps, sconces, or natural forms of lighting, the impact of lighting adds and enhances the appeal of the senses coordinating with the rest of the furnishings to produce a tasteful and gratifying response towards a greater appreciation of the focal points of the room. Focus your lighting to add soft warmth, to highlight a beautiful painting or artwork or use lighting to create an impact.

Use wall art to make it more interesting. You can either have a single framed wall art or multiple frames. Decorate your table or console with accessories  Whatever you do, decorate sparing to avoid overcrowding the design. Keep your design clean and interesting so that each piece can be visible.

Tags: Accessories, artwork, Before and After, entry foyer
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