My real estate client, Anne, wanted to sell her floating home on Seattle's Portage Bay. After years of being a rental it needed a facelift. The quaint living room was overpowered by a big, black woodstove. The stove took up a quarter of the space, the stovepipe put a hole in the vaulted ceiling, and it was an eyesore as well. It had to go! The flooring broke up the space by having five different materials, so we unified the space with Bella by Shaw Flooring everywhere except the bath where we installed Sky Blue Marmoleum. The kitchen counters were stained, chipped marble tiles, mounted on top of a top-mounted sink to make it look like an under-mount! The counters were replaced with a quartz sheet and a true under-mount sink. The oil rubbed bronze wall-mounted faucet and recycled glass tiles from Bedrock Industries complete the new design. The bathroom was updated in the 1980's and was due for an update. The oak vanity, mirror and light fixture were painted and the vanity got a new counter to match the kitchen quartz and a new deep under-mounted porcelain sink. New faucet, door pulls and knobs, light bulbs and paint completed the lift. The back of the house was once used as a darkroom and sticky tape was left around the windows and door to mount black-out material. There were shelves and flooring that didn't fit the feeling we were after. All the sticky tape was removed, sanded, and painted, shelves removed and the floor replaced. With all that gone, the existing windows shine and let the light in to the now functional flex space. The washer/dryer and water heater were just "hanging out" in the laundry area and are now housed in their own enclosures. The bedroom got a new light fixture, and the whole house got new paint, minor repairs and the new flooring. Outside, the deck was cleaned, and trim and doors were painted. Designer and artist, Shannon Buckner of Bent Productions, selected the color palate, flooring, and staging, bringing an early 1900's house up to date for a modern lifestyle.

LIVING ROOM This week’s post features our Lake Forest Freshen Up: Living Room + Dining Room for the homeowners who relocated from California. The first thing we did was remove a large built-in along the longest wall and re-orient the television to a shorter wall. This allowed us to place the sofa which is the largest piece of furniture along the long wall and made the traffic flow from the Foyer to the Kitchen much easier. Now the beautiful stone fireplace is the focal point and the seating arrangement is cozy. We painted the walls Sherwin Williams’ Tony Taupe (SW7039). The mantle was originally white so we warmed it up with Sherwin Williams’ Gauntlet Gray (SW7019). We kept the upholstery neutral with warm gray tones and added pops of turquoise and silver. We tackled the large angled wall with an oversized print in vivid blues and greens. The extra tall contemporary lamps balance out the artwork. I love the end tables with the mixture of metal and wood, but my favorite piece is the leather ottoman with slide tray – it’s gorgeous and functional! The homeowner’s curio cabinet was the perfect scale for this wall and her art glass collection bring more color into the space. The large octagonal mirror was perfect for above the mantle. The homeowner wanted something unique to accessorize the mantle, and these “oil cans” fit the bill. A geometric fireplace screen completes the look. The hand hooked rug with its subtle pattern and touches of gray and turquoise ground the seating area and brings lots of warmth to the room. DINING ROOM There are only 2 walls in this Dining Room so we wanted to add a strong color with Sherwin Williams’ Cadet (SW9143). Utilizing the homeowners’ existing furniture, we added artwork that pops off the wall, a modern rug which adds interest and softness, and this stunning chandelier which adds a focal point and lots of bling! The Lake Forest Freshen Up: Living Room + Dining Room really reflects the homeowners’ transitional style, and the color palette is sophisticated and inviting. Enjoy!

This kitchen took a tired, 90's builder kitchen and revamped it into a personalized gathering space for our wonderful Centennial family. The existing space was in good condition, but carried a visual weight and functionality that was overall displeasing for our clients. Our clients desired a central gathering island where their family of 5 can sit and dine together or events can be hosted outside of the formal dining room. The old oak cabinets weren't maximizing storage and were dated and orange. We removed a half wall that used to be a desk area inside of the kitchen to create a sprawling island easily capable of hosting 6 guests. We used Waypoint Living Spaces cabinets in Silk around the perimeter of the kitchen: stacking cabinets to create a tall, dramatic look around the space. On the south wall, we created a hutch-like stack that features seeded glass panels in the upper and lower cabinet doors. These allow china and colorful dishes to be displayed for a pop of fun color in an otherwise quietly neutral space. The island cabinets are a dramatic contrast in Ultracraft's Truffle paint with oversized island legs for a more furniture-like feel. The island countertop is Caesarstone Quartz in Frosty Carrina, and the perimeter is MSI Quartz in Lagos Azul. The handsome, structured cabinet hardware is from our friends at Amerock in a gorgeous oil rubbed bronze. The island chandelier is a gorgeous 7 light open frame bronze fixture from Hinkley Lighting. One of the most striking features in the space is the countertop-to-ceiling glass mosaic tile. This mosaic is a delicate hand-blown stained glass look. It captures a wide range of light and color tones, and looks different from every angle in the room. Our clients commented that, at night when the other lights are off, the backsplash feels like a distant city glittering beyond. We love the way this space turned out and are so happy that our clients now have such a warm and welcoming gathering space as the heart of their home!

LIVING ROOM This week’s post features our Lake Forest Freshen Up: Living Room + Dining Room for the homeowners who relocated from California. The first thing we did was remove a large built-in along the longest wall and re-orient the television to a shorter wall. This allowed us to place the sofa which is the largest piece of furniture along the long wall and made the traffic flow from the Foyer to the Kitchen much easier. Now the beautiful stone fireplace is the focal point and the seating arrangement is cozy. We painted the walls Sherwin Williams’ Tony Taupe (SW7039). The mantle was originally white so we warmed it up with Sherwin Williams’ Gauntlet Gray (SW7019). We kept the upholstery neutral with warm gray tones and added pops of turquoise and silver. We tackled the large angled wall with an oversized print in vivid blues and greens. The extra tall contemporary lamps balance out the artwork. I love the end tables with the mixture of metal and wood, but my favorite piece is the leather ottoman with slide tray – it’s gorgeous and functional! The homeowner’s curio cabinet was the perfect scale for this wall and her art glass collection bring more color into the space. The large octagonal mirror was perfect for above the mantle. The homeowner wanted something unique to accessorize the mantle, and these “oil cans” fit the bill. A geometric fireplace screen completes the look. The hand hooked rug with its subtle pattern and touches of gray and turquoise ground the seating area and brings lots of warmth to the room. DINING ROOM There are only 2 walls in this Dining Room so we wanted to add a strong color with Sherwin Williams’ Cadet (SW9143). Utilizing the homeowners’ existing furniture, we added artwork that pops off the wall, a modern rug which adds interest and softness, and this stunning chandelier which adds a focal point and lots of bling! The Lake Forest Freshen Up: Living Room + Dining Room really reflects the homeowners’ transitional style, and the color palette is sophisticated and inviting. Enjoy!

This kitchen took a tired, 90's builder kitchen and revamped it into a personalized gathering space for our wonderful Centennial family. The existing space was in good condition, but carried a visual weight and functionality that was overall displeasing for our clients. Our clients desired a central gathering island where their family of 5 can sit and dine together or events can be hosted outside of the formal dining room. The old oak cabinets weren't maximizing storage and were dated and orange. We removed a half wall that used to be a desk area inside of the kitchen to create a sprawling island easily capable of hosting 6 guests. We used Waypoint Living Spaces cabinets in Silk around the perimeter of the kitchen: stacking cabinets to create a tall, dramatic look around the space. On the south wall, we created a hutch-like stack that features seeded glass panels in the upper and lower cabinet doors. These allow china and colorful dishes to be displayed for a pop of fun color in an otherwise quietly neutral space. The island cabinets are a dramatic contrast in Ultracraft's Truffle paint with oversized island legs for a more furniture-like feel. The island countertop is Caesarstone Quartz in Frosty Carrina, and the perimeter is MSI Quartz in Lagos Azul. The handsome, structured cabinet hardware is from our friends at Amerock in a gorgeous oil rubbed bronze. The island chandelier is a gorgeous 7 light open frame bronze fixture from Hinkley Lighting. One of the most striking features in the space is the countertop-to-ceiling glass mosaic tile. This mosaic is a delicate hand-blown stained glass look. It captures a wide range of light and color tones, and looks different from every angle in the room. Our clients commented that, at night when the other lights are off, the backsplash feels like a distant city glittering beyond. We love the way this space turned out and are so happy that our clients now have such a warm and welcoming gathering space as the heart of their home!

This kitchen took a tired, 90's builder kitchen and revamped it into a personalized gathering space for our wonderful Centennial family. The existing space was in good condition, but carried a visual weight and functionality that was overall displeasing for our clients. Our clients desired a central gathering island where their family of 5 can sit and dine together or events can be hosted outside of the formal dining room. The old oak cabinets weren't maximizing storage and were dated and orange. We removed a half wall that used to be a desk area inside of the kitchen to create a sprawling island easily capable of hosting 6 guests. We used Waypoint Living Spaces cabinets in Silk around the perimeter of the kitchen: stacking cabinets to create a tall, dramatic look around the space. On the south wall, we created a hutch-like stack that features seeded glass panels in the upper and lower cabinet doors. These allow china and colorful dishes to be displayed for a pop of fun color in an otherwise quietly neutral space. The island cabinets are a dramatic contrast in Ultracraft's Truffle paint with oversized island legs for a more furniture-like feel. The island countertop is Caesarstone Quartz in Frosty Carrina, and the perimeter is MSI Quartz in Lagos Azul. The handsome, structured cabinet hardware is from our friends at Amerock in a gorgeous oil rubbed bronze. The island chandelier is a gorgeous 7 light open frame bronze fixture from Hinkley Lighting. One of the most striking features in the space is the countertop-to-ceiling glass mosaic tile. This mosaic is a delicate hand-blown stained glass look. It captures a wide range of light and color tones, and looks different from every angle in the room. Our clients commented that, at night when the other lights are off, the backsplash feels like a distant city glittering beyond. We love the way this space turned out and are so happy that our clients now have such a warm and welcoming gathering space as the heart of their home!

This kitchen took a tired, 90's builder kitchen and revamped it into a personalized gathering space for our wonderful Centennial family. The existing space was in good condition, but carried a visual weight and functionality that was overall displeasing for our clients. Our clients desired a central gathering island where their family of 5 can sit and dine together or events can be hosted outside of the formal dining room. The old oak cabinets weren't maximizing storage and were dated and orange. We removed a half wall that used to be a desk area inside of the kitchen to create a sprawling island easily capable of hosting 6 guests. We used Waypoint Living Spaces cabinets in Silk around the perimeter of the kitchen: stacking cabinets to create a tall, dramatic look around the space. On the south wall, we created a hutch-like stack that features seeded glass panels in the upper and lower cabinet doors. These allow china and colorful dishes to be displayed for a pop of fun color in an otherwise quietly neutral space. The island cabinets are a dramatic contrast in Ultracraft's Truffle paint with oversized island legs for a more furniture-like feel. The island countertop is Caesarstone Quartz in Frosty Carrina, and the perimeter is MSI Quartz in Lagos Azul. The handsome, structured cabinet hardware is from our friends at Amerock in a gorgeous oil rubbed bronze. The island chandelier is a gorgeous 7 light open frame bronze fixture from Hinkley Lighting. One of the most striking features in the space is the countertop-to-ceiling glass mosaic tile. This mosaic is a delicate hand-blown stained glass look. It captures a wide range of light and color tones, and looks different from every angle in the room. Our clients commented that, at night when the other lights are off, the backsplash feels like a distant city glittering beyond. We love the way this space turned out and are so happy that our clients now have such a warm and welcoming gathering space as the heart of their home!

This kitchen took a tired, 90's builder kitchen and revamped it into a personalized gathering space for our wonderful Centennial family. The existing space was in good condition, but carried a visual weight and functionality that was overall displeasing for our clients. Our clients desired a central gathering island where their family of 5 can sit and dine together or events can be hosted outside of the formal dining room. The old oak cabinets weren't maximizing storage and were dated and orange. We removed a half wall that used to be a desk area inside of the kitchen to create a sprawling island easily capable of hosting 6 guests. We used Waypoint Living Spaces cabinets in Silk around the perimeter of the kitchen: stacking cabinets to create a tall, dramatic look around the space. On the south wall, we created a hutch-like stack that features seeded glass panels in the upper and lower cabinet doors. These allow china and colorful dishes to be displayed for a pop of fun color in an otherwise quietly neutral space. The island cabinets are a dramatic contrast in Ultracraft's Truffle paint with oversized island legs for a more furniture-like feel. The island countertop is Caesarstone Quartz in Frosty Carrina, and the perimeter is MSI Quartz in Lagos Azul. The handsome, structured cabinet hardware is from our friends at Amerock in a gorgeous oil rubbed bronze. The island chandelier is a gorgeous 7 light open frame bronze fixture from Hinkley Lighting. One of the most striking features in the space is the countertop-to-ceiling glass mosaic tile. This mosaic is a delicate hand-blown stained glass look. It captures a wide range of light and color tones, and looks different from every angle in the room. Our clients commented that, at night when the other lights are off, the backsplash feels like a distant city glittering beyond. We love the way this space turned out and are so happy that our clients now have such a warm and welcoming gathering space as the heart of their home!

This kitchen took a tired, 90's builder kitchen and revamped it into a personalized gathering space for our wonderful Centennial family. The existing space was in good condition, but carried a visual weight and functionality that was overall displeasing for our clients. Our clients desired a central gathering island where their family of 5 can sit and dine together or events can be hosted outside of the formal dining room. The old oak cabinets weren't maximizing storage and were dated and orange. We removed a half wall that used to be a desk area inside of the kitchen to create a sprawling island easily capable of hosting 6 guests. We used Waypoint Living Spaces cabinets in Silk around the perimeter of the kitchen: stacking cabinets to create a tall, dramatic look around the space. On the south wall, we created a hutch-like stack that features seeded glass panels in the upper and lower cabinet doors. These allow china and colorful dishes to be displayed for a pop of fun color in an otherwise quietly neutral space. The island cabinets are a dramatic contrast in Ultracraft's Truffle paint with oversized island legs for a more furniture-like feel. The island countertop is Caesarstone Quartz in Frosty Carrina, and the perimeter is MSI Quartz in Lagos Azul. The handsome, structured cabinet hardware is from our friends at Amerock in a gorgeous oil rubbed bronze. The island chandelier is a gorgeous 7 light open frame bronze fixture from Hinkley Lighting. One of the most striking features in the space is the countertop-to-ceiling glass mosaic tile. This mosaic is a delicate hand-blown stained glass look. It captures a wide range of light and color tones, and looks different from every angle in the room. Our clients commented that, at night when the other lights are off, the backsplash feels like a distant city glittering beyond. We love the way this space turned out and are so happy that our clients now have such a warm and welcoming gathering space as the heart of their home!

LIVING ROOM This week’s post features our Lake Forest Freshen Up: Living Room + Dining Room for the homeowners who relocated from California. The first thing we did was remove a large built-in along the longest wall and re-orient the television to a shorter wall. This allowed us to place the sofa which is the largest piece of furniture along the long wall and made the traffic flow from the Foyer to the Kitchen much easier. Now the beautiful stone fireplace is the focal point and the seating arrangement is cozy. We painted the walls Sherwin Williams’ Tony Taupe (SW7039). The mantle was originally white so we warmed it up with Sherwin Williams’ Gauntlet Gray (SW7019). We kept the upholstery neutral with warm gray tones and added pops of turquoise and silver. We tackled the large angled wall with an oversized print in vivid blues and greens. The extra tall contemporary lamps balance out the artwork. I love the end tables with the mixture of metal and wood, but my favorite piece is the leather ottoman with slide tray – it’s gorgeous and functional! The homeowner’s curio cabinet was the perfect scale for this wall and her art glass collection bring more color into the space. The large octagonal mirror was perfect for above the mantle. The homeowner wanted something unique to accessorize the mantle, and these “oil cans” fit the bill. A geometric fireplace screen completes the look. The hand hooked rug with its subtle pattern and touches of gray and turquoise ground the seating area and brings lots of warmth to the room. DINING ROOM There are only 2 walls in this Dining Room so we wanted to add a strong color with Sherwin Williams’ Cadet (SW9143). Utilizing the homeowners’ existing furniture, we added artwork that pops off the wall, a modern rug which adds interest and softness, and this stunning chandelier which adds a focal point and lots of bling! The Lake Forest Freshen Up: Living Room + Dining Room really reflects the homeowners’ transitional style, and the color palette is sophisticated and inviting. Enjoy!

This kitchen took a tired, 90's builder kitchen and revamped it into a personalized gathering space for our wonderful Centennial family. The existing space was in good condition, but carried a visual weight and functionality that was overall displeasing for our clients. Our clients desired a central gathering island where their family of 5 can sit and dine together or events can be hosted outside of the formal dining room. The old oak cabinets weren't maximizing storage and were dated and orange. We removed a half wall that used to be a desk area inside of the kitchen to create a sprawling island easily capable of hosting 6 guests. We used Waypoint Living Spaces cabinets in Silk around the perimeter of the kitchen: stacking cabinets to create a tall, dramatic look around the space. On the south wall, we created a hutch-like stack that features seeded glass panels in the upper and lower cabinet doors. These allow china and colorful dishes to be displayed for a pop of fun color in an otherwise quietly neutral space. The island cabinets are a dramatic contrast in Ultracraft's Truffle paint with oversized island legs for a more furniture-like feel. The island countertop is Caesarstone Quartz in Frosty Carrina, and the perimeter is MSI Quartz in Lagos Azul. The handsome, structured cabinet hardware is from our friends at Amerock in a gorgeous oil rubbed bronze. The island chandelier is a gorgeous 7 light open frame bronze fixture from Hinkley Lighting. One of the most striking features in the space is the countertop-to-ceiling glass mosaic tile. This mosaic is a delicate hand-blown stained glass look. It captures a wide range of light and color tones, and looks different from every angle in the room. Our clients commented that, at night when the other lights are off, the backsplash feels like a distant city glittering beyond. We love the way this space turned out and are so happy that our clients now have such a warm and welcoming gathering space as the heart of their home!

This kitchen took a tired, 90's builder kitchen and revamped it into a personalized gathering space for our wonderful Centennial family. The existing space was in good condition, but carried a visual weight and functionality that was overall displeasing for our clients. Our clients desired a central gathering island where their family of 5 can sit and dine together or events can be hosted outside of the formal dining room. The old oak cabinets weren't maximizing storage and were dated and orange. We removed a half wall that used to be a desk area inside of the kitchen to create a sprawling island easily capable of hosting 6 guests. We used Waypoint Living Spaces cabinets in Silk around the perimeter of the kitchen: stacking cabinets to create a tall, dramatic look around the space. On the south wall, we created a hutch-like stack that features seeded glass panels in the upper and lower cabinet doors. These allow china and colorful dishes to be displayed for a pop of fun color in an otherwise quietly neutral space. The island cabinets are a dramatic contrast in Ultracraft's Truffle paint with oversized island legs for a more furniture-like feel. The island countertop is Caesarstone Quartz in Frosty Carrina, and the perimeter is MSI Quartz in Lagos Azul. The handsome, structured cabinet hardware is from our friends at Amerock in a gorgeous oil rubbed bronze. The island chandelier is a gorgeous 7 light open frame bronze fixture from Hinkley Lighting. One of the most striking features in the space is the countertop-to-ceiling glass mosaic tile. This mosaic is a delicate hand-blown stained glass look. It captures a wide range of light and color tones, and looks different from every angle in the room. Our clients commented that, at night when the other lights are off, the backsplash feels like a distant city glittering beyond. We love the way this space turned out and are so happy that our clients now have such a warm and welcoming gathering space as the heart of their home!

My real estate client, Anne, wanted to sell her floating home on Seattle's Portage Bay. After years of being a rental it needed a facelift. The quaint living room was overpowered by a big, black woodstove. The stove took up a quarter of the space, the stovepipe put a hole in the vaulted ceiling, and it was an eyesore as well. It had to go! The flooring broke up the space by having five different materials, so we unified the space with Bella by Shaw Flooring everywhere except the bath where we installed Sky Blue Marmoleum. The kitchen counters were stained, chipped marble tiles, mounted on top of a top-mounted sink to make it look like an under-mount! The counters were replaced with a quartz sheet and a true under-mount sink. The oil rubbed bronze wall-mounted faucet and recycled glass tiles from Bedrock Industries complete the new design. The bathroom was updated in the 1980's and was due for an update. The oak vanity, mirror and light fixture were painted and the vanity got a new counter to match the kitchen quartz and a new deep under-mounted porcelain sink. New faucet, door pulls and knobs, light bulbs and paint completed the lift. The back of the house was once used as a darkroom and sticky tape was left around the windows and door to mount black-out material. There were shelves and flooring that didn't fit the feeling we were after. All the sticky tape was removed, sanded, and painted, shelves removed and the floor replaced. With all that gone, the existing windows shine and let the light in to the now functional flex space. The washer/dryer and water heater were just "hanging out" in the laundry area and are now housed in their own enclosures. The bedroom got a new light fixture, and the whole house got new paint, minor repairs and the new flooring. Outside, the deck was cleaned, and trim and doors were painted. Designer and artist, Shannon Buckner of Bent Productions, selected the color palate, flooring, and staging, bringing an early 1900's house up to date for a modern lifestyle.

My real estate client, Anne, wanted to sell her floating home on Seattle's Portage Bay. After years of being a rental it needed a facelift. The quaint living room was overpowered by a big, black woodstove. The stove took up a quarter of the space, the stovepipe put a hole in the vaulted ceiling, and it was an eyesore as well. It had to go! The flooring broke up the space by having five different materials, so we unified the space with Bella by Shaw Flooring everywhere except the bath where we installed Sky Blue Marmoleum. The kitchen counters were stained, chipped marble tiles, mounted on top of a top-mounted sink to make it look like an under-mount! The counters were replaced with a quartz sheet and a true under-mount sink. The oil rubbed bronze wall-mounted faucet and recycled glass tiles from Bedrock Industries complete the new design. The bathroom was updated in the 1980's and was due for an update. The oak vanity, mirror and light fixture were painted and the vanity got a new counter to match the kitchen quartz and a new deep under-mounted porcelain sink. New faucet, door pulls and knobs, light bulbs and paint completed the lift. The back of the house was once used as a darkroom and sticky tape was left around the windows and door to mount black-out material. There were shelves and flooring that didn't fit the feeling we were after. All the sticky tape was removed, sanded, and painted, shelves removed and the floor replaced. With all that gone, the existing windows shine and let the light in to the now functional flex space. The washer/dryer and water heater were just "hanging out" in the laundry area and are now housed in their own enclosures. The bedroom got a new light fixture, and the whole house got new paint, minor repairs and the new flooring. Outside, the deck was cleaned, and trim and doors were painted. Designer and artist, Shannon Buckner of Bent Productions, selected the color palate, flooring, and staging, bringing an early 1900's house up to date for a modern lifestyle.

My real estate client, Anne, wanted to sell her floating home on Seattle's Portage Bay. After years of being a rental it needed a facelift. The quaint living room was overpowered by a big, black woodstove. The stove took up a quarter of the space, the stovepipe put a hole in the vaulted ceiling, and it was an eyesore as well. It had to go! The flooring broke up the space by having five different materials, so we unified the space with Bella by Shaw Flooring everywhere except the bath where we installed Sky Blue Marmoleum. The kitchen counters were stained, chipped marble tiles, mounted on top of a top-mounted sink to make it look like an under-mount! The counters were replaced with a quartz sheet and a true under-mount sink. The oil rubbed bronze wall-mounted faucet and recycled glass tiles from Bedrock Industries complete the new design. The bathroom was updated in the 1980's and was due for an update. The oak vanity, mirror and light fixture were painted and the vanity got a new counter to match the kitchen quartz and a new deep under-mounted porcelain sink. New faucet, door pulls and knobs, light bulbs and paint completed the lift. The back of the house was once used as a darkroom and sticky tape was left around the windows and door to mount black-out material. There were shelves and flooring that didn't fit the feeling we were after. All the sticky tape was removed, sanded, and painted, shelves removed and the floor replaced. With all that gone, the existing windows shine and let the light in to the now functional flex space. The washer/dryer and water heater were just "hanging out" in the laundry area and are now housed in their own enclosures. The bedroom got a new light fixture, and the whole house got new paint, minor repairs and the new flooring. Outside, the deck was cleaned, and trim and doors were painted. Designer and artist, Shannon Buckner of Bent Productions, selected the color palate, flooring, and staging, bringing an early 1900's house up to date for a modern lifestyle.

This kitchen took a tired, 90's builder kitchen and revamped it into a personalized gathering space for our wonderful Centennial family. The existing space was in good condition, but carried a visual weight and functionality that was overall displeasing for our clients. Our clients desired a central gathering island where their family of 5 can sit and dine together or events can be hosted outside of the formal dining room. The old oak cabinets weren't maximizing storage and were dated and orange. We removed a half wall that used to be a desk area inside of the kitchen to create a sprawling island easily capable of hosting 6 guests. We used Waypoint Living Spaces cabinets in Silk around the perimeter of the kitchen: stacking cabinets to create a tall, dramatic look around the space. On the south wall, we created a hutch-like stack that features seeded glass panels in the upper and lower cabinet doors. These allow china and colorful dishes to be displayed for a pop of fun color in an otherwise quietly neutral space. The island cabinets are a dramatic contrast in Ultracraft's Truffle paint with oversized island legs for a more furniture-like feel. The island countertop is Caesarstone Quartz in Frosty Carrina, and the perimeter is MSI Quartz in Lagos Azul. The handsome, structured cabinet hardware is from our friends at Amerock in a gorgeous oil rubbed bronze. The island chandelier is a gorgeous 7 light open frame bronze fixture from Hinkley Lighting. One of the most striking features in the space is the countertop-to-ceiling glass mosaic tile. This mosaic is a delicate hand-blown stained glass look. It captures a wide range of light and color tones, and looks different from every angle in the room. Our clients commented that, at night when the other lights are off, the backsplash feels like a distant city glittering beyond. We love the way this space turned out and are so happy that our clients now have such a warm and welcoming gathering space as the heart of their home!

Our client’s intension was to make this bathroom suite a very specialized spa retreat. She envisioned exquisite, highly crafted components and loved the colors gold and purple. We were challenged to mix contemporary, traditional and rustic features. Also on the wish-list were a sizeable wardrobe room and a meditative loft-like retreat. Hydronic heated flooring was installed throughout. The numerous features in this project required replacement of the home’s plumbing and electrical systems. The cedar ceiling and other places in the room replicate what is found in the rest of the home. The project encompassed 400 sq. feet. Features found at one end of the suite are new stained glass windows – designed to match to existing, a Giallo Rio slab granite platform and a Carlton clawfoot tub. The platform is banded at the floor by a mosaic of 1″ x 1″ glass tile. Near the tub platform area is a large walnut stained vanity with Contemporary slab door fronts and shaker drawers. This is the larger of two separate vanities. Each are enhanced with hand blown artisan pendant lighting. A custom fireplace is centrally placed as a dominant design feature. The hammered copper that surrounds the fireplace and vent pipe were crafted by a talented local tradesman. It is topped with a Café Imperial marble. A lavishly appointed shower is the centerpiece of the bathroom suite. The many slabs of granite used on this project were chosen for the beautiful veins of quartz, purple and gold that our client adores. Two distinct spaces flank a small vanity; the wardrobe and the loft-like Magic Room. Both precisely fulfill their intended practical and meditative purposes. A floor to ceiling wardrobe and oversized built-in dresser keep clothing, shoes and accessories organized. The dresser is topped with the same marble used atop the fireplace and inset into the wardrobe flooring. The Magic Room is a space for resting, reading or just gazing out on the serene setting. The reading lights are Oil Rubbed Bronze. A drawer within the step up to the loft keeps reading and writing materials neatly tucked away. Within the highly customized space, marble, granite, copper and art glass come together in a harmonious design that is organized for maximum rejuvenation that pleases our client to not end!

My real estate client, Anne, wanted to sell her floating home on Seattle's Portage Bay. After years of being a rental it needed a facelift. The quaint living room was overpowered by a big, black woodstove. The stove took up a quarter of the space, the stovepipe put a hole in the vaulted ceiling, and it was an eyesore as well. It had to go! The flooring broke up the space by having five different materials, so we unified the space with Bella by Shaw Flooring everywhere except the bath where we installed Sky Blue Marmoleum. The kitchen counters were stained, chipped marble tiles, mounted on top of a top-mounted sink to make it look like an under-mount! The counters were replaced with a quartz sheet and a true under-mount sink. The oil rubbed bronze wall-mounted faucet and recycled glass tiles from Bedrock Industries complete the new design. The bathroom was updated in the 1980's and was due for an update. The oak vanity, mirror and light fixture were painted and the vanity got a new counter to match the kitchen quartz and a new deep under-mounted porcelain sink. New faucet, door pulls and knobs, light bulbs and paint completed the lift. The back of the house was once used as a darkroom and sticky tape was left around the windows and door to mount black-out material. There were shelves and flooring that didn't fit the feeling we were after. All the sticky tape was removed, sanded, and painted, shelves removed and the floor replaced. With all that gone, the existing windows shine and let the light in to the now functional flex space. The washer/dryer and water heater were just "hanging out" in the laundry area and are now housed in their own enclosures. The bedroom got a new light fixture, and the whole house got new paint, minor repairs and the new flooring. Outside, the deck was cleaned, and trim and doors were painted. Designer and artist, Shannon Buckner of Bent Productions, selected the color palate, flooring, and staging, bringing an early 1900's house up to date for a modern lifestyle.

LIVING ROOM This week’s post features our Lake Forest Freshen Up: Living Room + Dining Room for the homeowners who relocated from California. The first thing we did was remove a large built-in along the longest wall and re-orient the television to a shorter wall. This allowed us to place the sofa which is the largest piece of furniture along the long wall and made the traffic flow from the Foyer to the Kitchen much easier. Now the beautiful stone fireplace is the focal point and the seating arrangement is cozy. We painted the walls Sherwin Williams’ Tony Taupe (SW7039). The mantle was originally white so we warmed it up with Sherwin Williams’ Gauntlet Gray (SW7019). We kept the upholstery neutral with warm gray tones and added pops of turquoise and silver. We tackled the large angled wall with an oversized print in vivid blues and greens. The extra tall contemporary lamps balance out the artwork. I love the end tables with the mixture of metal and wood, but my favorite piece is the leather ottoman with slide tray – it’s gorgeous and functional! The homeowner’s curio cabinet was the perfect scale for this wall and her art glass collection bring more color into the space. The large octagonal mirror was perfect for above the mantle. The homeowner wanted something unique to accessorize the mantle, and these “oil cans” fit the bill. A geometric fireplace screen completes the look. The hand hooked rug with its subtle pattern and touches of gray and turquoise ground the seating area and brings lots of warmth to the room. DINING ROOM There are only 2 walls in this Dining Room so we wanted to add a strong color with Sherwin Williams’ Cadet (SW9143). Utilizing the homeowners’ existing furniture, we added artwork that pops off the wall, a modern rug which adds interest and softness, and this stunning chandelier which adds a focal point and lots of bling! The Lake Forest Freshen Up: Living Room + Dining Room really reflects the homeowners’ transitional style, and the color palette is sophisticated and inviting. Enjoy!