10 Years of Interior Design

It's hard for me to believe it's been 10 years since I took my first big step towards my career in interior design. Those 10 years have been nothing short of exciting and fulfilling in more ways than I could have possibly imagined.

"I always tell new designers that there is nothing like working for free to really love your work. Ten years ago I answered a Kitchen Designer challenge at a local teen center.

I'm guessing I had a little more time on my hands than the other designers as I had never had a client, but that didn't seem to bother them. And how grateful I was that they took a chance on me.

What an adventure! I worked with most talented, generous, and hardworking group of volunteers anyone could imagine. From utility closet to gourmet kitchen in a month and for some, the first time they had a kitchen of their own.

Through the years we have designed everything from 50's diners to family-centered kitchens; 10,000 sq foot clubhouses to cozy cottages; barns, romantic bedrooms, sexy bathrooms, and outdoor oasis'. The diversity would make Lewis Carroll proud!



10,000 sq. ft. clubhouse at Seaglass Village, ME



One of my favorite, sexy bathrooms...complete with an Ecosmart fireplace! Dreamy!

There's nothing like designing a stunning backyard oasis like this one!

One of the many cozy cottages I have designed over the years!
 

A spiral staircase from the 1850's barn renovation I designed. One of my all-time favorite projects!

And through it all the shining star has always been you.

You make everyday a "get to".  A passion, a love, and a pleasure.
 

I am eternally grateful to have the best clients on earth. And I look forward to many more decades of curious, thoughtful, and energetic designs, inspired by your wildest dreams."

Cheers!

Renee

Who doesn't like a good "BEFORE & AFTER"?

There is nothing more exciting for a designer than to see a room transform into something fresh, new and beautiful. Sometimes though, we are so entrenched in the details that we forget how far along a room has come!

Nothing speaks volumes like a good "Before & After" shot. It's like when you finally decide to color your hair a different shade, or go for that new style, and you walk out of the salon and everyone says "Wow, you look fabulous!" It's not that you didn't look great before, it's more likely that your new 'do freshens up your look and makes you look even better.

I highly recommend that before you embark on any interior design project you take lots of "before" pictures to show your friends just how far you've come! And of course, you'll need to take lots of "after" pictures too! 

Take a look at these BEFORE pictures of a bathroom remodel I recently completed. You will be shocked at how we transformed this bath into a stunning oasis.

BEFORE

Nice shower area, just needed a little updating.





Does this remind you of a bathroom in your house?

Now take a look at our AFTER pictures and you will wonder how my clients even get out of the house in the morning! With a  bathroom like that, I'd want to stay all day....turn the fireplace on, read a good book while luxuriating in the beautiful soaking tub...but I digress..!!

AFTER

It can sometimes be shocking what new paint and flooring can do for a room! But the addition of this tub and the fireplace really make this bath something special.

I love adding a piece of furniture to a bath. It's a bit unexpected, but looks lovely while offering additional storage for the homeowner.

So long fiberglass shower! Hello, gorgeous tile! A special thanks to G & N Flooring for showing us just how fun tile can be! I love the mix of styles and colors chosen here.

All photos of the newly renovated bath were taken by Nat Rea

Talk about storage! I was lucky enough to collaborate with my good friends at PK Surroundings to design these gorgeous cabinets. They are so functional yet so beautiful at the same time!

 When it comes to bathroom renovations, the possibilities are endless. Style and function CAN work together! 

Until next week,

Renee 







The big reveal...our bathroom renovation before and after!

Redesigning a room is a journey, often times with unexpected turns and twists. You think you are headed down one path, and then whoops! something happens and you have to veer off that path. Whatever it may be, a contractor behind schedule, or all of a sudden your sink can't go where you thought it could, an item on backorder, or maybe it's because you simply saw something you think might suit you better! Don't worry, you were smart enough to hire an interior designer, who will get you right back on track.

Several weeks ago I started a bathroom renovation journey with one of my clients. It comes as no surprise that our project has taken some twists and turns. However, the end result 100% worth it! We aren't completely done, but I couldn't resist the temptation to share some before and after pictures with you.



Before

 

After

 What an incredible difference! We added an +EcoSmart Fire  fireplace that uses environmentally friendly bioethanol. The real bonus with this design is that the homeowner can enjoy from both the bedroom and the bathroom for the ultimate experience. The tiling on the wall and the sleek soaking tub give an updated look to this master bath.  Here's a sneak peak into the bathroom from the master bedroom. So you can see how beautifully the fireplace fits in.


 

A view from the master bedroom into the new bath.

Vanities and lighting can really date a bathroom. I am sure many of you reading this post have or have had these types of lights above at least one of the vanities in your home. My clients were looking for a more sophisticated look, so we added a chandelier and custom cabinets.

 

 

Wow! What a difference!

 

And here's how the shower changed...a complete 180 degree turn! The result...STUNNING!

 

 

 

 

While all of the "big" decisions have been made, there are still some details that I tell my clients to never overlook when designing a bathroom, especially the master bath. It's the little things that can often make a huge difference. Things like including music and candles to create a spa-like experience right in your own home. What better way to unplug?

 

Don't forget that you can add a lot of "pop" with the right shower curtain and towels. Bring in some orange or a vibrant red. A little bit of color can make you feel a little more glamorous and maybe even more energized.

 

Come back soon to see our final photos of this lovely bathroom. I hope it's given you some inspiration.

 

Best,

Renee

A Reno by Any Other Name?

I have to admit, I do love those reno blogs like +Young House Love and have toyed with the idea of documenting one of our own projects from start to finish, but I am always dogged by the same few details that no doubt lead to my demise, namely progress photos and time. It’s kind of like the lack of photos of my third child (I have four, but the last is a girl, so well you get the idea)…I was too busy participating to actually document.

But, patience is nothing if not patient, so I am committed to the idea (and my tireless assistant is committed to keeping me committed, if not in fact committing me) and we are excited to bring you along on our latest master bath renovation.

Baths are probably some of my absolute favorite projects. They combine romance and practicality. They are space challenged yet have high expectations for that space and beg for the occupants to linger when most want nothing more than to get on with their day.  I love when I can transform a utilitarian space into one of the most desired places in the home.

 

 

 

For this client, as with many, organization was a top priority. There is just so much “stuff” in a bathroom that it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Before we start I always like my clients to do a cleanse. Get rid of everything in that is not associated with the room.

Do you put on your makeup in the bathroom?
Do your kids take baths in the master?
Do you really need 14 towels in that closet?

Prioritize. That way we are designing for what you need, not what you don’t.

Next we review the list of “Must Haves”.

More cabinet space?
A place to do make up?

A soaking tub?
A shower built for two?

For this project I was so excited that we all had the same thing on our “Must Haves”… A fireplace. A two-way fireplace that peeked from the master bath into the master bedroom. What made this a challenge, and a joy, was that we could not build a fireplace or direct vent a gas fireplace. We need something that could be built right into the Sheetrock, was self contained and environmentally friendly.

We landed on a stunning two-way bio ethanol Eco-smart fireplace with a ribbon flame. These are easy to install (professional installation is recommended) and even easier to maintain and clean. Ours will have a niche for the TV on one side and niche for candles and treasures on the other. Simply perfect.

 

From here we will add a new tiled walk in shower with an alcove so we can avoid sometimes costly glass shower doors, ample storage and a variety of lighting that will be both functional (a hardwired makeup mirror will cantilever out from a cabinet) and beautiful.


This exquisite chandelier from Curry and Company will stand at attention in between the double sinks and reflect light back into the room using the plate mirror behind.

 

Other practical perks such as hidden electrical plugs in cabinets and drawers allow us to free up valuable counter space and keep clutter at bay.

So, what do you need to know before you start down this renovation path?

Next week let’s chat about the “B” word....BUDGET, plus what to expect from your team and what makes the difference between a “Dream Renovation” and “Nightmare” and why it’s so important to pay attention to your insides!

Also, feel free to share your bathroom renovation stories with me (not too many nightmares please, they keep me up at night!) and I’ll try to feature them as well.

Best,

Renee

Add some splash to your bath!

We've all heard the advice by now, updated kitchens and baths are a great investment for your home. And it's true! No one wants a dated kitchen and you certainly don't want to start your day in an ugly bathroom!

 

I love to recreate bathrooms because you can really have some fun in this (usually) smaller space. I'm not afraid to mix old and new, or to utilize some spunky colors. Take this 1850's Farmhouse bathroom I designed. The last update this bathroom had seen was in the 50's. We pulled the old Formica counter and base and replaced it with one of the homeowners cabinets. We topped it with a remnant piece of black honed granite and then placed a wonderfully hefty marble vessel sink atop. The real splurge was a  chrome faucet from +Brizo Faucet to help bring a bit of contemporary to the space.

 

 

Photos by Jared Saulnier

The walls were in bad enough shape that it gave us license to throw a splash of wallpaper up to liven up the space. Classic dot tile round out the room and keep it feeling period.

 

 

Here again I mixed the old with the new in another bathroom in this family's farmhouse. It's likely that this bathroom started out as a large closet or perhaps a birthing room. We had several hutches that seemed the perfect solution for vanities. We plated the back of the upper hutch with mirror and replaced the old wood top with a honed absolute black granite remnant.

 

The splurge was on the +Brizo Faucet fixtures and was worth every penny. Combining modern with old, two mini pendants drop from the ceiling to add extra light. Classic subway tile fit perfectly with the river rock floor and zebra stripe accent. A wall niche offers extra storage place and keeps things tidy.

 

Photos by Jared Saulnier

For anyone looking to update their bath, the possibilities are endless. Consider the style of your house and the feeling you want to evoke as you start and end your day.

It doesn't have to be boring. Go ahead, make a splash!

Renee