A Dining Room Refresh

I recently completed a design for a client's dining room who I have been very lucky to work with for a while now!  She wanted to update her dining room and wasn't sure where to start. We initially talked about just changing the paint color and well, one thing led to the next, and you know how that goes! :)

Here is a breakdown of how her space will get a new look:

1) The things that couldn't change were the aqua colored window treatments and her mahogany chippendale dining room set.  To start, I wanted to break-up the all the brown in the furniture and so my client boldly agreed to PAINT her dining room chairs a creamy off-white!  The dining room table and chairs pictured above in the design board are actually hers (after she painted the chairs)!!

2) My clients LOVES audubon artwork.  I suggested a large framed audubon print over her buffet table.  It's the perfect spot for something dramatic because you immediately see it in when you enter through the front door.  The audubon's colors are fantastic and determined the rest of the color palette for the space.  Below is a more detailed shot of what I was envisioning....

3) We decided to go bold and paint the walls a beautiful blue green teal.  

4) She also has a beautiful hutch I suggested that she re-paint in a chalky, plaster like off-white color with distressed edges.  The hutch will be flanked with two Ballard Designs Louis chairs upholstered in green velvet with some contrasting welt.  

5) I suggested the Brunschswig and Fils Les Touches fabric for the pillows on her Louis chairs and a warm peacock hue check for the seats of her dining room chairs.  

6) Lastly, we will be accessorizing with a lot of blue and white accessories and bamboo accents as a nod to the hollywood regency look!  

Helping a Client Select Fabrics

I recently helped a client decide which fabrics to use where in her soon to be baby's nursery.  She already had the fabrics selected, but needed help putting it all together.  We discussed what fabrics would look good as window panels, crib bedding, pillows and on upholstered furniture. She was particularly on the fence with whether to do solid fabric with trim or a fun print as the window panels.  I suggested the fun print as I think it can really make a fun statement!

If your budget is flexible, I think picking a fun print as window panels can make all the difference.

Above is NOT the design of my client, but rather an example I created using a fun print as panels.  I have always wanted to use Katie Leede's 'Thebes' fabric!

If you need help designing a room, please feel free to contact 'me'!

Design Project: My SIL's Great Room

My brother and sister-in-law recently relocated from Belgium to Annapolis this past summer and moved into their newly built home (of their dreams) over Christmas.  My SIL has asked me to help her with the design of her family room which is a literally a great room that sits right off of their kitchen.  They are a very active family (she used to be a NCAA runner) and have two young boys.   I am so happy for them, but selfishly wished they lived in KY! :)

My SIL loves the color gray and likes things a little monochromatic when it comes to color.  She is a bit more modern and rustic in her taste of furnishings.  She has asked for my help because she has enjoyed seeing the progress in my own home.

Here is the inspiration I drew up for them:

I picked a warm gray for the walls (SW Intellectual Gray) which will contrast nicely with the PB ivory velvet drapes.  What you don't see is a fireplace that'll be flanked with two white built-in bookcases that they are having custom made (hopefully)!

The RH Belgian Wingbacks in sand linen (two of them) will flank the fireplace, but will also serve double duty when they are entertaining as head chairs at the dining table.   Similar to below.

I already sourced the sofa from a local furniture store, and it will sit in front of the bank of windows.  She has ordered it in gray fabric blend that will stand the test of time!  The sofa in the design board is the exact sofa she purchased.

I chose a lighter top coffee table so it can contrast nicely with the sofa.  I found two options - one from Target and one from Crate and Barrel.   I love the side table in my design board, but it is pricey.  In all likelihood, she'll will probably end up with something like this or this (more realistic).  And, the rugs in the design board are from PB and Serena and Lilly.  I always think it is important to throw a bit of vintage or an antique in there to keep it from feeling too predictable.

I hope you enjoyed it and I'm excited for her to start decorating and to watch her progress!!

Chambray Sofa

When the right time came, I was always convinced I'd buy an english rolled arm white or flax slipcovered sofa.  These days I'm all about chambray.  Today, I'd buy a chambray sofa and wouldn't think twice about it.  I think it would work really well in our family room.  Above is my inspiration.   

Poking around pinterest, chambray sofas are more common than you think….

BTW, you might've noticed a new look and feel here at Green Street.  It's not 100% yet, but slowly getting there.  Bear with me as I clean things up and get things organized.  

See what I am loving...

Happy Friday!!  

While this week was a short week, it was a very productive week on the home front.  I felt like things were just clicking with my decorating choices.  Does that ever happen to you?  Where it just works and it feels like an 'A-ha' moment.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 - I love this color scheme for a master bedroom.  It's a departure from the predictable blue, but I think it still reads serene and relaxing.  I would paint the walls a creamy white and then use the green on the trim.  This artwork has the perfect colors and the green pagoda lantern is my new favorite light which would complement the green on the trim.  The sister parish fabric would look adorable as a bolster on the bed and as window treatments.  I would used the PB oversized gilt frames as frames to add some gold touches.  I have used these frames before and I love them.   

6 - Would love a wicker umbrella basket for our entry way.  

7 - I need new flatware STAT and currently like this style.  Do you have flatware that you love?  Please share!  

Next week I will post the design board for our entry and show you pictures of our entry walls finally painted in the new color!  

Patio Inspiration

With summer slowly coming to an end (boo), I have my dream set on purchasing a new patio set with the intent of taking advantage of the 'end of summer' sales!  I am eyeing the Galante sofa and lounge chair(s) from Ballard Designs.

Even on sale, I'd have to save a pretty penny or two.  But, oh, how I love a rattan look.

I created a design board using the Galante loveseat and some of my favorite fabrics from Peter Dunham.  I'd order the loveseat cushions in 'spa' and would use Dunham's following fabrics for cushions: Fig-leaf, Udaipur (indigo) and Rajmata (indigo).

His fabrics are so inviting and would really make a patio area so warm and comfortable.  Of course, our current wooden deck would have to go and instead, I would install bluestone pavers.

I'd say this would be the perfect spot for an evening outdoors and a glass of wine (or two)! ;)

My Dining Room Inspiration

With the help of an interior designer, the colors have been selected for my dining room makeover.  My inspiration was this dining room by Palmer Weiss.

"Delicate grays accented with fresh citrine, bright white borders, burnished gold and light wood tones."

As I mentioned before, I wanted this makeover to be (hopefully) quick and inexpensive.  The creamy White Down color will be painted on the walls which will create a sense of space and calm that puts the room in the best light.  It also blends very well with the existing Revere Pewter that is in our living room right adjacent to the dining room.  Both these colors compliment the accent color citrine.  

The walls have been painted and my rug from Overstock has been purchased.  The next couple of weeks will be spent giving my existing furniture pieces a paint makeover (dining room table, chairs, sideboard and chandelier).  I also am in the process of selecting the fabric for my roman shades.  Once, I select the fabric, I'll post my mood board.  In the meantime, a lot to do......stay tuned!

Progress is being made...

Remember, one of my 2011 resolutions is to get my office into shape?  Shelves and canvas photos have been hung, de-cluttering has begun and major organization of my magazines, fabric samples and files has been taking place.  My inspiration board is a work in progress but this is how it looks at the moment.

Inspiration boards take time - you can't force these things.  Funny, lots of pink on my board.  I hardly have any pink in my house.  Maybe this a gentle nudge trying to push me in that direction??  Hmm...Remember, the before?  Blank slate.  

Renovating our bathroom

Thought I'd share an idea board I created for our bathroom we're currently renovating.  This is the first time I have ever used polyvore and it took me a while to figure it out.  Is it me, or is polyvore not intuitive?  

Upstairs Bathroom by greenstreetblog on Polyvore.com

We had limited choices for the vanities due to our small bathroom and our budget! :) I'm not in love with the vanity, but it works because the vanity is only 13" deep. Anything deeper, would have blocked the entry way into the bathroom.  My husband will be doing all the manual labor! And, I mean all! (more details to follow in future posts).

I will be going with a lighter/paler blue paint then the one shown in the idea board. I am not sold on the rug (rephrase: I love this rug, but I'm not sure how it works here)? 
So, what do you think of the idea board? I would love your feedback. In your opinion, what works well and what doesn't? I'm open to other ideas or suggestions if you have them!!