...Christmas Presents, Just In Time

I was excited to finish two Christmas presents for clients this Holiday Season!  They both happened to be for a child's room which I think is even more fun!  Everything has been delivered and we are packing the family truckster(with the dog of course).  We are heading to Grandma and Papa's for a white Christmas!

 

 

This is the before.  This is a 3rd generation secretary that the family is excited to keep and reuse.  Its an Ethan Allen piece of furniture and was solid and in good condition.  It just didn't fit the style for a 4 year old girls room.

 

 

It was painted in Paris Grey, trimmed in Emile with a pop of fun inside.  The old hardware was replaced with glass pulls.  Making it sweet, feminine and fun!

 

 

 

The 2nd piece is also being passed down to the next generation.  This time from Mommy to son.  It is a vintage R-Way nightstand.  It was very girly with the french curvy hardware that we are used to seeing on these kind of pieces.  Painting it red and changing the hardware completely changed the look.  Ready for a boy now!

 

 

 

 

 

 

East Street Design wishes you all a very Happy Holiday Season!  I hope its filled with lots of family, friends and laughter!  See you all next year!!

 

Merry-Merry,

Keri

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

...Motherhood - Girl Power

This post is totally out of my norm.  I am not telling you about my latest project.  But I just felt the need to go there.

 

 Today I had lunch with a group of local women entrepreneur's.  There was some pretty awesome "Girl Power" around the lunch table.  One of many things we talked about was how as Mothers we put so much pressure on ourselves to be like this.

 

 

or like this

 

 

Most of our spouses don't care if the house is clean or if dinner is made from scratch.  They could care less if we have the latest fashion in clothes or hair(nor would they notice).  Yet for some reason we measure ourselves against each other.  Convince ourselves that we are not doing this thing called Motherhood the right way.  We just can't juggle every thing all the time BUT everyone else can!!  I am the first to admit - I do it too.  We ALL do!

 

Sooo, lets just make the choice right now to stop.  Stop feeling like we always have to be anything less than perfect.  Working Moms and stay-at-home Moms all the same.  Lets make it the norm to admit to ourselves and each other that our days as a Mother are filled with highs and lows.  And some days can just suck... but it doesn't mean we do!  Our nation is filled with heartache right now.  We have been reminded that life is precious and there are many things we can't control.  But we can control what really matters.  We can make sure our children know without a doubt that we love them with all our heart!!  This is all that truly matters.

 

So surround yourself with your own lunch table of "Girl Power".  The kind that make you a better Mother, a better person.  The kind that allows you to admit your not alone and we all face our own kind of struggles and joy.  You'll be amazed how good it feels to say it out loud.  To tell the dirty little secret out loud.  Psst... we are NOT all perfect.  And that some days are just like this.

 

 

Or this

 

 

 

Maybe now more than ever, we need to join together.  We need to support each other, accept each other, love each other.  But.  Most.  Of.  All.  Hug our kids - tell them we love them.  Over and over again.

 

My heart aches for all the people that have been personally effected from the tradgedy at Sandy Hook Elementary.  I pray for peace and healing.

 

xoxo Keri      

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures via Pinterest

...Gray Is The Color But Grey Is The Colour

 

 

  Gone are the days that grey is associated with drear and dull in the design world.  It has quickly gained popularity as the new neutral.  I love the fact you can go cool or warm with your grey to achieve the look and mood you want for the room.

 

Use grey as an accent or to totally redesign the space.  Grey represents intellect, knowledge and wisdom.  Modern, farmhouse chic and every style in between takes on grey to turn your home into something fabulous!

 

Lucky for me, I am in LOVE with grey these days too.  My paint brush has been dipping into grey for the past few weeks.  My clients have good taste if I must say so myself!  

All of these pieces were done using The Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in either French Linen - described on Annie's website as, "a cool neutral khaki grey" or Paris Grey - described as, "a soft and slightly bluish grey mostly associated with French painted furniture" or Graphite - described as, "a soft black that becomes a beautiful black like slate". 

 

This piece is a vintage Lane writing desk.  Painted with Old White on top and French Linen on the bottom.  Giving it a true shabby, french country feel.

 

 

 

This was done in Paris Grey and heavily distressed to bring out all the imperfections this piece acquired over time.  It has a rustic farmhouse feel but the glass knobs add a touch of feminine for the girls room it was bought for. 

 

 

 

Large federal style sideboard done in French Linen.  The original hardware was painted and the piece distressed to perfection.

 

 

 

 

 

This was done in Graphite.  A very old, very adorable little side table given new life.

 

 

This was a federal style bedroom set that consisted of a dresser, vanity, mirror, bench and nightstand.  It was done in Paris Grey.  We salvaged the original hardware on the dresser but replaced the vanity with those glass knobs from Anthropologie that we all love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed!  Have a fabulous week!

 

Keri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

...Historic Office Gets A Modern Twist

This was such a fun project to work on!  I was called in for my Interior Design Services . My client had recently moved into a new office and needed my help decorating the entire space.  They asked for "modernish" in this historic two story house.  It is marked as a historic landmark in Old Montgomery and was converted into an office.  My style tends to be rustic, chic, vintage, eclectic... everything but modern.  This was my chance to jump outside my comfort zone.  I was up for the challenge!

Who is my client you ask?  Well, the name of the company is Rasor Marketing Communications www.rasormarketing.com .  They offer research, marketing, production and public relations.  They call themselves "A relentless crew of overachievers".  A complete group of professionals that are experts at what they do!  Even if you don't have a need for these kind of services you still want to check out the website for the amazing articles on the insight page.

I will try not to get too wordy in my descriptions.  I did help with most of the entire two story space but it would be impossible to show you everything.  I shopped for accessories, chose furniture, picked fabric, and even painted a few pieces.  The goal was to make this space vibrant and fun - with an edge.  Just like the people that work in it everyday.

This French Provincial sideboard became the inspiration for the space.  This was an existing piece that the owner had and I thought it was the perfect way to bring a modern pop of color into the conference room.  It was painted using Annie Sloan Chalk paint in Barcelona orange.  I chose 3 fabrics that were used for pillows, roman shades and window panels. 

I called on Marcy Williams from Adornments For Your Home to work on the window treatments.  I have gone to Marcy every time I have had a need for window treatments.  Her work is absolutely beautiful!  And because we were on a deadline to get everything done before an open house, I went to Leslie from Sassy Ginger.  Her area of expertise is everyday baby accessories.  She pulled thru for me(as a favor) once again and took care of the 6 pillows for the lounge.  Please click on the links and pop on over to follow these talented women on Facebook.

As I said, this house is a historic landmark and filled with the kind of charm this girl loves!  It has chunky baseboards, transom windows over many doorways, tall interior windows and even taller ceilings.  I wanted to put panel curtains around some of the windows to warm it up.  However, custom panels for the length we needed would have been over budget.  My solution - I chose these curtains from Pottery Barn and had fabric added to the top of each panel.  This is a great way to save money without compromising a custom look. 

I used these sisal rugs from Crate And Barrel in multiple rooms thruout the office space.  Using a natural fiber rug or an indoor/outdoor rug is a great way to add texture to the space.  They usually wear better and are always less expensive.  In this case we chose a darker color so they would not show dirt as easily with so many people coming in and out. 

I chose a dark wood trestle table to use in the conference room and paired leather tufted parson chairs in teal.  This is no traditional office.  Wouldn't you much rather have a meeting at this table?! 

I finished this piece for the comfy lounge that is used as extra space to hold meetings.  It was originally purchased from me last Spring and we found the perfect spot for it.

I paired two large crackle glass lamps on the sideboard.  To bring vintage and modern together.

    

I painted this small chest to use as an unconvential printer stand to make the office spaces a little more fun!

To personalize the space.  Rasor employees got together and chose their favorite quotes.  We put them on the wall in the form of subway art.  Love this!!

This unique artwork was found on Etsy.  The frame was painted the same orange to add color to the fireplace mantle and make the artwork have more of a custom feel.

Logic will get you from A-Z

Imagination will get you everywhere

-Einstein

   

     

 

  

   

...Desk, Secretary, Chest... Transformed

I spent last Saturday at The City Flea in Northside.  What a great event!  I met lots of new faces and love that I have heard from so many already.  However, I do have some pieces to get rid of.  Watch for a SALE on pieces that I have.  Will be posting in the next few days.  I am in need of cleaning out my studio!

These 3 pieces were custom orders that have gone out in the past 2 weeks.  I always enjoy a good before and after picture.  These are definately worthy!! 

 

 

Before



 

After

 

This piece was painted white and the drawers were painted a grey-green.  One of my favorite things about this piece is the square glass knobs.

 

 

Before

 

Someone got to this beautiful antique secretary years ago.  It was in need of a serious makeover!

 

After

 

 

 

First thing I did was loose the top shelf.  It was too fragile and made the piece look too fancy.  I painted it Graphite and added all new hardware.

 

Before

 

This is a Pottery Barn piece that had been stenciled on for a little girls bedroom.  Very sweet but it needed to go in the living room now. 

 

After

 

First painted with a coral color underneath to delicately come thru with a muted olive green.

 

 

I am just finishing up an Interior Design Project with  Rasor Marketing Communications.  Lots of bright colors and fun fabric - can't wait to share details with you!! 

 

 

Have a fabulous weekend!

 

Keri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...Interior Design Services

  Last Spring I started offering Interior Design Services.  I decided to take a few months and only do it on a referral basis.  I wanted to work out all the kinks before I made it official.  Since then I have had the pleasure of working with a handful of clients and I am truly enjoying myself!  Excited to make the announcement...check out the details Interior Design Services.

This dining room makeover was one of my first projects last Spring.  We were able to use the existing dining room set but everything else went.  The furniture had been passed on in the family.  It was in great condition just not my clients style.

Before

Things are starting to pull together with new paint on the walls and a new rug.  We decided to stay light and bring out the color with the fabric and accessories.

And the after

This room took on a whole new look!!  One of the easiest changes we made was to get rid of the top of the china cabinet.  I only refinished the bottom half in Grapite and changed the hardware.  These two things instantly updated the piece.  It was a fraction of the cost compared to buying a new sideboard.  And my client was able to customize it.

The dining table and chairs were painted in Paris Grey and distressed.  The chairs were recovered in a new modern style fabric and contrasting pillows were made to sit on the backs of the chairs.  One of my favorites is the fabric for the table runner that showcases the fun eclectic table top.  A natural fiber rug was used and white linen panels on the windows to add texture to the space. 

This was a fun room to work on!  The homeowner must have been happy with the results because she has called me back and we are now working on another space of hers.  Thank you Jane!!