LIGHTENING UP WITH WHITE

We own a home in Naples, Florida, USA which we purchased 13 years ago before the real estate boom. We've done very little with this old 1970's stucco home which has extremely low ceilings.   For years it's been a short term vacation spot.... the inside decorated with second hand finds....very cottage style in French Country colors of mustard, greens and pine.  We actually still have the original olive green tiled bathroom.    


Eventually we're going to rent the home to other weekly vacationers leading up to selling it when the market is stronger. This compels us to face-lift creatively and economically - but unfortunately, every single room needs repair and updating.   What's tearing my hair out is how do I make each room look larger - the ceilings taller and - and accomplish a Seaside atmosphere -  on a very strict budget? 


The clean look of white was my answer.... so I'm collecting photos for inspiration. 

SOLUTION: Slipcovers!

I chose this because I have a cream brick fireplace with alcoves just like this on either side.  I need to build these bookcases.  

Love the look of the horizontal bead board.  It makes a room look wider - also creating an updated twist.   I may paint my own dining room set this way - leaving the top it's natural pine.  White and Pine are a great mix. 

Definitely seaside - but looking dated.

 The look of Restoration Hardware - kind of.... Swedish clean.  I have black leather wing back chairs and slipcovers would give them new life. 

Bringing the outdoor colors inside. 
More Swedish inpiration. 

 Very light blue walls - keeps it soft and feminine. It aslo allows you to introduce the blue and white (which I have tons of).  This in the master bedroom would be very calming. 

Covering books in white paper allows the wood on this beautiful old piece to stand out.  With the addition of seashells and the burlap lamp shade - voila- seaside atmosphere.  

Great look - but it's not seaside. BUT, this can be achieved in Hong Kong..  white Barcelona chair, Louis Chair, simple white slip covered sofa, sisal rug and silver metallic lamps.  Of course, there are plenty of crystal chandeliers in HK!

This is a little too contemporary for me.  Notice the punch of yellow.  FRESH IDEA:  Use the neutral white or cream in every room - then add a different color of punch.   Yellow in living room, apple green in the guest room, blue in the master, etc.......

See what I mean......

 I just saw tons of garden furniture at a 2nd hand store rusting away outside - never thought of it inside. Very cute - but only works with the wood floor.  I have that armoire - but already painted shabby cream years ago. 

My living room is an inside room - meaning there are no windows directly to the room.  I'm thinking of adding beams - it will make the ceiling feel lower - but cozy up the space.  I need to add mirrors creatively to help reflect light and add spots in the ceiling. 

See what I mean.  I would use something lighter and not as many.  

I have the same dog!  
Love the floors..........

This is my Toby with his hair growing out. 

Simple kitchen really.  Many elements working together.  The warmth of the wood and the coolness of the stainless steel.  Also the addition of shiny white subway tiles and the uniqueness of the wicker chandelier.  

How easy is this vanity.  OK- storage is not great, but in a guest  bathroom that's not as important.   Also like the wicker blinds - an earthy compliment to a neutral palette.  No glass shower door - which cuts down the cost. 

This one surprised me - the bookcases are not symmetrical and still work.  Think they could change out the painting. 

Drum lamp - It gives off a diffused light - not very bright -  keeping the lines clean....and the fussiness down.  

I will always love shabby.  You can't hurt it and you can always repaint it. 

I'm ready to get out my paint brush!

A PROJECT IN HAPPY VALLEY

The beginning of June I started a project in Happy Valley.  A young British businessman had just arrived in Hong Kong from Korea and fancied the look of Antique Chinese furniture. Because of this - we could put the flat together quickly.   After searching the Internet I came across this photo for inspiration.  Young, hip. contemporary but homey.  This started the color selection.  

The entire process took 3 weeks.  Everything was ordered before I left for my summer leave to the USA.  Delivery will take about 3-8 weeks depending on the pieces. He has a floor plan and knows where everything will be placed.  It should be done by the time I get back.  

FABRIC & COLOR SELECTION

 

 SOFA DESIGN. Originally he wanted a sectional.  But it gets in the way of the sliding doors to the patio.  A 90" sofa was designed - in 2 pieces (it will fit the elevator.)  The single cushion will hide the connection and actually function better. A soft caramel colored chenille was purchased in Shenzhen and sent to the factory. About 18 yards were needed.  We did a matching ottoman - instead of doing the sectional.  So another 4 yards were purchased. 

This easy chair design was selected to complement the sofa - and done in a black and tan tightly woven tweed. 

 I have about 5 factory direct sources for Antique Chinese. I remembered seeing this piece in the factory and transformed it by removing the center door and replacing it with frosted glass.  Handles are added to the bottom drawers.

Around the TV Wall I am suggesting a photo gallery.  Keep it simple and graphic.  Note all the photos are in gray tone.

This is the cabinet that started the design process, but it wasn't easy to find!  I played around with another 6 other cabinets (many of them already sold) until I landed the exact item I was searching for. It needs to be shortened 4 inches to fit the elevator - stripped and stained this beautiful pine color. 

To jazz up the space - this cool leather Ames chair is added next to the window and a black tripod floor lamp. 

I tried to add a contemporary coffee table but he likes items that are aged.  So we found this warm dark brown coffee table.  

RULE:  a room should only have 2 colors of wood.  Our 2 colors are the richness of dark chocolate and the inspiration of the pine. 

DINING ROOM

The dining room is part of the living room - we need to blend them - but give each their own identity. 

The marble Tulip table will add interest - soft lines and the coolness of the marble against all the wood and fabric. 

 This black sideboard was found in stock and not a thing has to be done with it.  We are housing it next to a socket - so we can add a lamp. 

I love this design for the dining chairs.  The arms make it comfortable for your guests and they can be pulled over the the living room for extra seating when needed.  Because the arms angle downwards we have to make sure they slide under the table. At the last minute I had to scramble - there was not enough fabric available for the dining room chairs (24 yards) - so we reversed the fabric being used on the side chair - to the dining room.   It all works.

ENTRY

When walking in the front door - we added this sideboard. Some of the shoes can be hidden away here.  A beautiful linen fabric mirror with nailhead design is going above it.  And this bright red bench placed opposite.  A punch of color for whimsy and the addition of a high gloss lacquer for shine. 

MASTER BEDROOM

    A sleigh bed was found at Indigo.  If you can find a bed - purchase it.  You're safer on something this intrigue - then trying to save money having it reproduced. 

I discovered these side cabinets for the bed and the customer loved them (he had liked something green in our initial consultation).  Unfortunately, they were sold - but that was a good thing - they were too large.  So we are having them reproduced in the size needed. 

Again, I introduced something contemporary and modern to achieve the youthfulness of the customer.  I'm suggesting to add white porcelain lamps to repeat the white of the leather.   Maybe make the shades in a fun green silk fabric.  A brown shaggy rug is added that the customer owns. 

ALAS and AGAIN, the item I was hoping for....was sold - but I found a body style that I can transform.  The above is the before and below will be the after. 

OFFICE / GUEST ROOM

We are adding a chaise sofa bed to the office.  It will JUST fit - but sometimes - you just have to do what you have to do. I suggested to cover it in green tweed to match the green side cabinets in the Master Bedroom.  When you move - items may not end up in the same room - blend your flat and think about the future possibilities. 

FINISHED!

Ames Chair and ottoman in the reading corner

Oval Marble table.

TV cabinet - OLD Antique Chinese 

Bedroom dresser

Extra large sofa made in 2 pieces to fit the elevator  - 90".  Added an small ottoman to use like a sectional when needed.