design plan: kitchen + breakfast room with touches of kelly green

well. HAPPY NEW year!

and, merry christmas. 

i know, i know. i did it again. i took a crazy long break from my blog. but sometimes i just need to disconnect. its good for me. and i don't every want this blog to be a place where i sell you stuff i don't care about, and post a bunch of pictures just to have a post up. 

it's not me.

want to know what IS me?

mixing super affordable stuff with just the right amount of more expensive stuff to get an eclectic, layered room that reflects the personality of whoever lives in the home.

i wanted to start the new year by sharing a few pages for a full room design that i worked on for a friend and client. as with many clients that i work with, my friend is on a budget, and wanted a plan that would allow her to work on the rooms in stages. 

one awesome thing about this client is that she is totally on board for a splurge on designer fabric, which, in my opinion, can quickly elevate a room from "nice" to "fabulous".

here is the plan i came up with for her kitchen and breakfast room:

the floor plan, showing the enlarged island and new cabinetry in the dining area.

i also drew up a very basic model for the new island, which will include a microwave, pull out trash can, seating, and pantry storage.

one of the biggest changes in this space will be the new built-in, which will house a cookbook library, a coffee station, a buffet serving area, and some pull out food trays for the couples beloved pugs.

thanks for hanging in there with me! i know i don't post a ton, but when i do, i hope you find the content meaningful and inspiring.
have a happy, happy monday!

the right (and wrong) way to hang ikea ritva panels

i am about to change your life.
ok, not really.
but seriously, this is good stuff.

i recently worked with an e-design client who needed some help pulling together a music/ sitting room. she opted for the full room design consultation, and emailed me about 5 hours after receiving the design plan to let me know that she had ordered everything on the plan.
yes, everything.
wow! now THAT is commitment. (LOVE it.)

 since we were sticking to a budget, we decided to go with some ikea ritva panels instead of custom made drapes or more expensive similar options from pottery barn. she has been sending me some updates as things have been arriving, and when she has had any questions.
a few days ago, she sent me a picture to show me the trim that she had added to her ikea ritva panels.

i immediately contacted her to let her know that we needed to make some *ahem....adjustments to her drapes. she agreed to take some pictures so that i could share the before and after with you!


wrong:

most people thread the rod through the pocket that is sewed at the top of the panels, which results in a gathered look, as seen above:
ALSO, the curtains are hanging IN the window, which blocks the light and makes the window look smaller. NO ES BUENO.

right:

i prefer to thread the rod through the loops on the back, which results in a pleated look. (these loops used to be solid fabric, but are now a series of "threads" that form about a 2" wide band.)


SO much prettier!

i also had her extend her rod out a little further from the edge of the window so that the panels hang to the side and don't block as much light.
it looks SO much better, don't you think?
sometimes those little tweaks can be the difference between a "WOW" room and a "MEH." room.

just a reminder:

you are SO welcome!
(*wink, wink!)