Move-In Ready!

                                                    Tuesday May 22   12:57 P.M.

                                                  Friday May 25       5:43 P.M.

Moving in and needed to be up and running right away. Walls were painted, boxes unpacked, and art hung. We swung into action and the home was ready in 3 days for a graduation party. Congratulations!

The Power of Paint!

We're always talking about using what you have, but we realize that sometimes what you have just isn't working for your look. When that happens, you can always change it with a coat of paint (we're always doing this for clients). Recently we needed to convert a traditional display case into a contemporary TV cabinet/bookshelf. A coat of black paint did the trick. And while we were at it, we thought we'd add some interest by covering the back with pages from old books.  Here's how it looked BEFORE:

And AFTER:

We love the result; what do you think?!!

More Makeover Magic

Here's a living space we redesigned  in a little jewel of a house in Mill Valley.  We made some small but very effective changes to create more energy and style.

                                                                                    BEFORE:

                                                                                   

AFTER:

We angled the sofas and brought the ottomans into the room to create more of a cozy conversation area. 

Then we made the antique cabinet in the alcove more of a focal point by making these changes:

-moving the audio components down to the bottom shelf where they weren't as distracting 

-reorganizing the photos and mixing in some accessories for more impact

-adding height and interest to the top and side of the cabinet by styling it large natural accessories, which coordinated beautifully with the oversize wood chandelier

Small changes, big difference, and as always, use what you have!

Sonoma Charm

One of our Marin clients asked us to "work our magic" on their weekend home in the wine country. We arrived to find a beautiful house on several acres of lush vineyard and gardens, filled with fun furnishings and accessories for us to work with. After a few strokes of our wand, the house became even more warm and welcoming!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

                                                                                 

Sausalito: A Room With A View

Often in a living room with a spectacular view, such as that of the SF bay seen here, furniture arrangement can be a challenge. While you want to take maximum advantage of the panoramic vista, it shouldn't take over the room. It's important to create a beautiful and cohesive space that incorporates the view while functioning for relaxing and entertaining.

BEFORE:

The homeowners tried to frame the view with the sofa, adding a club chair and a leather chair on one side, and a leather arm chair way over in the opposite corner of the room. 

What this arrangement did was to have all the seating, except that leather armchair,  face AWAY from the view and into the room.  Why did they do that? Maybe because of those steps leading down into the room- if they had placed the sofa in front of those steps in order to capture the view, they would have created a "wall" upon entering the room that would have blocked the flow.

We created  another solution-

AFTER:

The first thing we did was pull the sofa away from the window wall and float it opposite the fireplace. 

That brought the view right into the room. We then angled that club chair opposite the sofa, and upon scouring other rooms, found it's mate. We brought that in (we love pairs!) and also angled it opposite the sofa to create some eye pleasing symmetry.

We created a cozy conversation area that works on it's own and also takes full advantage of that stunning view, which you can appreciate anywhere you choose to sit.

We then  reworked the accessories on the shelves flanking the fireplace to create more visual impact.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

               Filling the shelves with books, accessories and paintings created more drama and interest.

                                  This room can now hold it's own with that amazing view anyday!

Happy Halloween!

                       

Staging A Sausalito Cottage For Sale

 This well lived in cottage with lovingly tended gardens was filled with personal mementos and souvenirs from travels to exotic locales. Potential buyers have to be able to envision themselves living in a space, so de-cluttering and de-personalizing was the first order of the day. This was followed by  incorporating some contemporary furnishings, and rearranging the homeowner's accessories. 

                                                                   
                                                                    BEFORE:
                                                           Living/Dining Room

                                                                   AFTER:

                                                                 
                                                                   BEFORE:

                                                                          AFTER:

Then on to repurposing some rooms...

 BEFORE:

Back bedroom

                                                                    
                                                                        AFTER:
                                      We turned this into a guest room with a beach theme

                                  

BEFORE:

This room was being used as an office

AFTER:

It became the main bedroom

BEFORE:

And this room (in the midst of de-cluttering) was being used as a bedroom...

                                              
                                                                     AFTER:
                                                which was turned into the office

                                                              BEFORE:

AFTER:

Small changes...

 BEFORE:

Kitchen

AFTER:

                                                                             

                                                                        


                                                                         BEFORE:

                                                                                
                                        

AFTER:

                                                                  
                                                                   And grace notes...