Client wanted a dramatic and dark master bedroom. They also loved an eclectic mix and pops of colors. We guided them in layout, colors, furniture selections, window treatments, lighting and art.

Our clients moved into a new home and needed ideas on how to layout all of the rooms, color ideas, and resources as to who to call for window treatments, and where to look for furnishings. We guided them with lighting selections and final selections on furniture. The client wanted the long dining room to function for dinners as well as a place to read. The large-scaled art leaning agains the wall not only adds color and drama but also helps divide the two functions of the space.

The owners of this small scale condo, needed this space to function for watching TV and also for entertaining. We came up with floor plans and helped them select new furniture. Challenged for space for extra seating, we proposed adding in bookshelves to display their art and books, but also designed to house 4 ottomans that can be pulled out for parties. The client loved the idea.

The owners of this small scale condo, needed this space to function for watching TV and also for entertaining. We came up with floor plans and helped them select new furniture. Challenged for space for extra seating, we proposed adding in bookshelves to display their art and books, but also designed to house 4 ottomans that can be pulled out for parties. The client loved the idea.

This was a fun and challenging consultation. The client wanted to show off her fun and eclectic collections of vintage and found pieces. The vintage blowing pin collection was wonderful, but hard to display and even harder to dust. We suggested suspending them over the French doors leading to the deck. This eliminated the need for more surface space in a small area and made dusting them so much easier. And we suggested using a round dining table for ease of traffic as the dining table was close to the French doors. This fun space was featured in two Magazine articles.

This large entry was spacious, but because of the sidelights and floor registers, there was no room right at the door for a place to sit and take your shoes off. We proposed a custom ottoman to follow the striking curve of the staircase. The large ottoman is 5 ft. wide and 3 ft deep. We suggested adding pillows and a rug and even a fun accent table. Its a striking entry that is also very functional.

This client wanted all new carpeting, new wall colors and all new furniture. As the space is tight, but open to the front entry, we suggested placing the furniture on an angle to add a bit of drama, but yet keep the traffic flow easy from entry to living room to dining room and then into the kitchen. We also suggested a round table in the dining space that had leaves giving the client ease to move around, yet the flexibility to add leaves for larger gatherings and extend the table into the living room by removing one of the white chairs. We also helped the client display artwork she already owned, but was never properly displayed to its full potential.

This mostly round room is great visually, but has its own set of design challenges. There was only one wall that would accommodate their sofa. The room is used for gaming so a TV was mounted on the opposite flat wall of the room. We helped the client with room layout, and suggested a round rug sized to the space so her son and his friends could gather around the rustic and very durable coffee table. Small frames were purchased to make a family photo wall. By keeping the frame smaller they could give the effect of wrapping with the wall. Larger art could never allow for that. The client loves this space now.

This client wanted to keep some of their antique pieces and existing art but incorporate them into a new contemporary space. Their needs were to entertain, but also to be able to read by the window. It needed to be cozy enough for conversation, yet open enough to work in the loft-like space. We proposed a couple of layouts, and they chose this one. We also guided them on all new furniture as well as a custom rug. And we helped them figure out how to keep their existing artwork, and meld it with the newer contemporary pieces they wanted.

This client used our services to help them finesse their space. They said it felt unfinished and needed more personality and more functionality as well. They had some existing pieces but needed to replace some and add in new pieces, and then pull it all together. We helped with furniture selection, and art and accessory placement, framing and lighting. This small table in the foyer serves a a landing areas as you walk in, and keeps clutter at a minimum with the use of the drawers. We suggested a custom ottoman to fit the space under the table, that can be pulled out for taking off shoes at the from door. And the ottoman can be pulled into the TV room and into the gaming room for additional seating. This ottoman has built in casters for ease of movement as their 7 year old moves it into his gaming area for extra seating for friends.

This large living room is deceptive as the very large scale furniture makes it appear smaller than actually is. The existing large sofa is 12 ft wide. The client bought the existing furniture with the home, and they were all custom built. But she had no idea how to arrange the room and how to update the existing grey and mauve color scheme from the early 1980's. We suggested to keep the grey, but add in green and aqua based on our discussions of what colors she liked. We arranged the space into two separate seating areas and helped her select new art and accessories. We suggested she reinvent the french side chair in a blue and green color scheme with a greek key accent. And we helped our client select new fabric for the vintage acrylic chairs. The new look feels fresh and eclectic and fun. We also guided the client to the right upholsterer and seamstress and framing shop. Our client was thrilled.

This client used our services to help them finesse their space. They said it felt unfinished and needed more of their personality. They had some existing pieces but needed to replace some and add in new pieces, and then pull it all together. We helped with furniture selection, and art and accessory placement, framing and lighting. They loved the sectional we helped them design, but they really wanted to keep the area in front of the sofa open as their little boy loved to play there. We suggested a custom ottoman to slide into the existing bookcase to give them an option for a place to put their feet up, to place a tray on, or for extra seating for guests. We also suggested the nesting tables for additional flexible surfaces. The client owned the two rugs, and the vintage chair, so we helped them figure out how to work the existing pieces in their new home and what else to bring in. We also helped them accessorize and display the art. We suggested the wallpaper in the back of the existing bookcases to add in more texture and warmth to the space.

This client used our services to help them finesse their space. They said it felt unfinished and needed more of their personality. They had some existing pieces but needed to replace some and add in new pieces, and then pull it all together. We helped with furniture selection, and art and accessory placement, framing and lighting. They loved the sectional we helped them design, but they really wanted to keep the area in front of the sofa open as their little boy loved to play there. We suggested a custom ottoman to slide into the existing bookcase to give them an option for a place to put their feet up, to place a tray on, or for extra seating for guests. We also suggested the nesting tables for additional flexible surfaces. The client owned the two rugs, and the vintage chair, so we helped them figure out how to work the existing pieces in their new home and what else to bring in. We also helped them accessorize and display the art. We suggested the wallpaper in the back of the existing bookcases to add in more texture and warmth to the space.

This client was living in an outdated house and was ready for some major updates. The before pic on the previous page shows the small kitchen was challenging, and we suggested losing the pantry closet of the existing space and to move the walls to accommodate a u-shaped kitchen with a larger island. As well as seating for 3 at the island. And then opening up the wall to the dining room for more of an open floor plan. Plus losing the outdated soffits increased storage as well as giving the appearance that the ceiling seemed taller. This AFTER pic shows the dramatic transformation.

This client had a really outdated kitchen that had to be gutted. She wanted a farmhouse style in light colors and loved the idea of a blue kitchen. She wanted to keep her antique dining room table but also needed a little more counter to work on, and an island would not fit in the space so we suggested this peninsula. We suggested wrapping the refrigerator in an angled cabinet to keep the entry into the space more open, but yet take advantage of any storage space to be had. We suggested adding the window over the sink, to open up the view to the backyard. The client also used us for all finish selections as well as resources and contractors.

This client wanted a traditional kitchen in an old warehouse setting. The windows were large, but made a challenging obstacle. The kitchen layout takes advantage of the view from the work side, while giving quests room to maneuver on the other side of the island. We also guided the client to use glass in the upper cabinets so the space felt airy and played off the natural light from the large windows. The quest side of the island makes it possible for party guests to help themselves to glasses and wine while the owners who loved to cook, could do just that.

This project won in the 2013 Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award for Best Urban Renewal Renovation Project. The glass bowl was made in the glass studio owned by the owner which is adjacent to the residence. The mirror is a repurposed window. The door is repurposed from a boarding house. George Mendel

SEALIGHT STUDIOS KAUAI
Inspiration for a tropical backyard landscaping in Hawaii.

the bamboo is a clumping variety called Bambusa eutuldoides viridi-vittata , Asian lemon bamboo. This variety is a clumper and you do not need to contain it, however, do allow an 8'by 10' area for its ultimate growth. Bamboo does require constant maintenance and you will need to do some research for the specific variety you choose. Once planted, it will become a beautiful focal point and add a stunning tropical accent. Photo Credit: Sherwood Cox