...Design Tips - Slipcovers

You don't have to be "creatively" inclined or have a monthly decorating budget to have a beautiful home that reflects a sense of style, a sense of who you are. I have expensive taste but don't feel it is a must to spend a ton of money on material items. We have families. We have lots of expenses. We have other priorities. This coming from someone who loves to spend her time perusing home decor stores, websites and magazines. I have a good sense of how to make a space feel expensive and truly get the most bang for your buck. I am willing to guarantee that this is a common thread that all of my clients would have to say about me. With that being said, here is one of my favorite ways that can completely change a space and doesn't break the bank.  

Slipcovers became popular when Rachel Ashwell started the shabby chic boom. Now they are a huge design trend that can truly fit any style. I for one, am obsessed!! I love the look, the way they can completely change a piece, how easy they are to wash(key with our busy lives, kids, dogs) and slipcovers relinquish that reuse/repurpose void that I oddly love to fill. I am lucky to have access to a very talented lady who makes fabulous slipcovers. I will use her anytime I can for a client project when its appropriate. Slipcovers can be for any piece of furniture. This post is targeting my current obsession with wingback chairs. For most of us wingbacks usually remind us of our parents or grandparents house. They feel too formal, too outdated. However, the right fabric and a slipcover completely changes that perception. Where to find them??? Online auctions, estate sales. furniture consignment stores, parents house... and they are usually ridiculously inexpensive. 

This first wingback was used in a family room project I worked on. It was from my clients parents house and I believe it was being used as the "timeout" chair. We gave it a whole new look.

                                         Before

                  

                                             After

Inspiration via Pinterest

                                    

...Sharing A Little Bit Of My Story

I usually keep my family affairs pretty separate from my business. Today, I feel the need to change that. I spent so many years using a talent as a pastime. Never really knowing or believing that building a business could be a reality. Never really knowing it could fill my soul the way that it has. This thing started small, with very casual expectation but it quickly challenged me to dig deep. I have always struggled with how to take care of my family while taking care of me. I know this is a common thread among Mommies absolutely everywhere. ESD has allowed me to realize that I could do both. I feel so fortunate!! I am constantly learning, being challenged and doing something I love. I have the BEST clients that I absolutely adore!! However, today I sat in mass with my family and realized how much has changed over the past few months and when I wear my "business owner" hat I have been trying to pretend that it hasn't. 

So, here is my family and here is a little bit of our story.

                  

On April 6th of this year my family walked into church. My oldest son was leading and he wanted to sit in the front row. We usually sit in the same area and its more towards the back of the chapel, never in the front. We went along with it and didn't think much of it. As mass went on and the sermon was in full force I realized it was no-coincidence that we were front and center. The Priest was giving a sermon about a Cincinnati woman that had just lost her battle to Leukemia. He talked about all the wonderful things she did for our community and how her family had said she truly started living after her diagnosis. He went into more detail to express the importance of enjoying the now. How giving, not receiving is what makes you feel more alive. There was no irony in the fact that my husband had a 3:00pm appointment with an oncologist the very next day to find out if he was being diagnosed with Leukemia or not. I think we both knew as we sat there in mass... this is how God needed to tell us. I don't remember those next few weeks. I walked around numb, feeling like I couldn't breath. My big strong husband who always takes care of everyone was shaking constantly from fear. I didn't know how to help him. In the blink of an eye everything looked different. There were many emotions that came with this diagnosis and many things that have become our new normal. Our friends and family have wrapped their arms around us and carried us when we needed them too. We are figuring it out. We are standing tall. We are praying for the best. We are living for the now. 

My reason for sharing this with all of you: While I helped my husband and my family figure out how to move forward, I reverted back to not knowing how to help me. Just for a little bit. My business has been successful because my clients feel my enthusiasm, my integrity, know how important they are to me. Those qualities have not been shining thru as much over the past few months. I can't apologize because it had to be this way but I feel bad it did. The good news is, I have found my groove again. It looks a little bit different. Maybe even a little bit better...

...Before and After - Hutch

Wow, I have really been missing in action this year on my blog... Hello!!!  I apologize and vow to post more from this point on.  I have worked on so many fun projects this year.  Here I go: short, sweet and to the point.  

                       

This was a traditional style, dark cherry hutch.  It is huge!  My client loved the piece when she purchased it 10 plus years ago but grew tired of the dark cherry finish.  She wanted something fun, unique and she wanted to lighten up the space.  

I used Annie Sloan chalk paint in the colors Old Ochre and Scandinavian Pink.  I distressed it all over and that really brought out the details that used to be overlooked.  I replaced the old hardware with some very cool antique brass pulls.  Your eye is immediately drawn to this piece when you walk in this dining room.  It is truly awesome!!  

  

Have a great day!  Thank you!

Keri 

...Top 10 Favorite For 2013

The end of yet another year... and what a great year it has been!!  ESD is coming up on 3 years as an "official" business.  This journey has been above and beyond what I ever could have imagined.  I seriously love my clients and I mean seriously!  I have had the privilege to work with 63 clients in 2013.  These people invite me into their homes and trust in me to do something that I love to do.  What else could a girl ask for??!  The smiles and gracious words I receive just make it that much better!  I chose some of my favorite projects for the year. It was hard to pick only 10 but I did. 

I love the end result of this federal style chest.  It is not the "typical" nightstand but what a seriously awesome idea.  Done in fun colors to add some punch to the room and extra storage.

I was hired to design this bathroom renovation.  The mix of charcoal tiles laid herringbone style, lots of white subway tile, carrera marble, double pedestal sinks, shiny chrome and reclaimed wood makes this bathroom a place you don't ever want to leave!!!  

 

These pillows were 3 of the fabrics used for a living room design.  I love the mix of texture and color to give it a modern but eclectic feel.

Love the red when it is used on curvy pieces.  In this case for a pop of color in the space.

 

This dresser was done with a bed for a little girls room.  I love the soft pink with the dirty white and I never tire of crystal knobs.

This was a living room I decorated.  We started with an empty room.  Lots of texture, gray and neutral tones with fun pops of coral and blue.  A perfect mix of modern and rustic.

These chairs were done for the above living room.  They were originally from my clients parents house and she remembers them growing up.  They were dated and looked like they were still in 1974 but I loved the lines and knew they would look perfect!  The wood was painted a charcoal gray and a linen fabric was used.  LOVE!!!

 

This antique wardrobe, done in a royal/navy blue turned out amazing!!

 

This was a kitchen remodel in a 20ish year old house.  The space was fabulous and large but stuck in the 90's.  The cabinets, floors and counter tops stayed.  We changed hardware, all the lighting, new paint, furniture, accessorized but my favorite is the gray subway tile!

My client purchased this at a antique flea market with ESD in mind for the refinishing.  It was drab and now its totally, fabulously chic!

 

Thanks to all of my readers and clients for making 2013 even better than imagined! 

 

Happy New Year!!!

 

Best,

Keri

...Shabby Chic Makeover

These two lovely pieces were finished for a client.  They belonged to her husbands Grandmother.  She was given the pieces 12 years ago and never new exactly what to do with them ~ enters ESD.  This senerio is commen of my clients and I never get bored of it.  I LOVE transforming pieces to stay in the family!! 

 

These pieces have so much detail and character! They were painted using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Pure White.  The inside of the armoire was painted Paris Grey.  They were distressed and the existing hardware was replaced with crystal knobs.

  

Then they were perfectly ready for her little girls room!

...Scooter Media - In Time For The Holidays

 

 

The owner of Scooter Media, Shannan Boyer contacted me to help her decorate their new, larger office space.  Scooter Media is a Covington based - full service public relations and social media agency, www.scootermediaco.com .  Shannan was absolutely wonderful to work with!!  The new space is located on W. 6th Street in Covington, KY.  It is a really cool space with lots of charm and history.  Shannan wanted to be surrounded by the things she loved and have in reflect her business and her clientele.  I think we nailed it and just in time for the holiday open house...

 

 

We started off with a new wall color.  We used Benjamin Moore, Pewter.  The space was originally an old pharmacy and is long and narrow.  To create an entry when you walk in we used 3 antique doors that were attached by their hinges to define the space.  Shannan is a fan of East Street Design painted furniture so we found an antique sideboard and side table.  They were custom painted using Annie Sloan's, Pure White.    

 

 

Candle sconces were painted in Annie Sloan's, Provence for a pop of color on the walls. 

 

 

Most of the accessories were found at Homegoods.

 

 

Fresh greenery for the holidays found at Trader Joe's. 

 

 

The diamond print rug in the front entry and chevron rug in the conference room were purchased at Ballard Designs, www.ballarddesigns.com .

 

 

 

 

Custom subway art done by an artist on Etsy, www.etsy.com .

 

 

The scooter art was purchased by a friend of Shannan's in Italy.  The vintage maps of Southern Ohio, and Northern Kentucky were also purchased from Etsy to represent Scooter Media's client base.

 

 

In addition you will find many other pieces of framed art around the office that has been given to Scooter Media by clients and local artist. 

 

 

 

Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday Season!!

 

Keri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.   

...Summer Recovery

Hi All!! My kids started school 3 weeks ago and I have been in Summer recovery.  The beauty of being my own boss is that I was able to slow down on my work for the Summer.  I completely enjoyed the pool, vacations, baseball games, my kids and all that comes with it.  Being back into our school and work routine feels really good though and like a breath of fresh air after a few crazy months.  I usually book my custom furniture work 4-6 weeks in advance.  By the time I was into June I decided to wait until Summer was over to schedule for Fall.  I felt bad to make people wait for me.  I am a people pleaser and being able to say, "I can't right now" is a challenge for me.  I was amazed at the response of my clients!  The consensus was that I was worth the wait.  And that makes a girl feel good!!  Here are some of the pieces I worked on this Summer.

 

 

 

 

Cheers to Fall my friends!!