...Vintage R-Way Makeover - Out The Door!

This piece was just delivered.  This project started when my client sent me a few inspiration pictures and some measurement requirements and I started looking.  I call this "custom shopping".  This has become pretty popular with East Street clients!  Makes perfect sense - you see something you love, you call me to find it and you customize the details. 

 

This is a vintage piece of R-Way furniture.  R-Way Furniture Company made pieces from the late 1800's until they stopped production in the early 1990's.  I scored this from a sweet older woman off Craigslist.  The finish on the outside was dated but the inside looked almost brand new and this piece is VERY solid.

 

 

 

I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in the color French Linen.  This color has been very popular.  Its a warm grey with a touch of brown.

 

 

My client had some beetle knobs she had purchased from Anthropologie that she was hoping to use.  This piece was going into a room that her 2 young boys share.  We searched for hardware that we liked that went with the beetles and found nothing.  The hardware length was longer than most so we didn't have a ton of choices.

 

 

So I decided to spray paint the drawer pulls and the beetles.  I used Rust-Oleum in Antique Bronze.  It is so easy to spray paint hardware.  The hammered finish comes out perfect.  You can not tell its spray paint!!

 

 

And the finished product.

 

 

 

Best,

Keri

 

 

 

 



...Super Easy - How To Make An Inspiration Board

I always love when I come across an inspiration board.  You see them on Pinterest a ton for fashion.  Pulling together the outfit - with the shoes, hand bag and accessories.  Since fashion is not my thing, I am often surprised at how much I love outfits that I would never think to pull together.  And this is why inspiration boards are going to be a huge help for me.  My typical client is looking for my advice because decorating is usually not their thing.  Whether, I am called in to paint a piece of furniture or re-design a whole space, I always need to get my vision across to my client.  And now things just got a whole lot easier!  I posted how excited I was to learn this new task on ESD's facebook page.  Many of you contacted me with "how to" questions.  I am hoping this will help.

 

 

 

I looked into figuring this out over a year ago and everything I found pointed me in the direction of photoshop.  I am not well versed in photoshop.  So, I turned my nose up and moved on.  I use Picasa to edit my photo's and download them onto my blog.  Picasa is a free photo editing tool by Google.  It is super easy to use!  You can download it here very easily if you don't already have it.

 

~The first thing you want to do is save any image you want on your board to your hard drive. 

 

~Next, you want to open your Picasa account and save the images onto Picasa.  When you <left click> on the image from your hard drive it will enlarge it.  Then you <right click> and it will give you the option to <Edit in Picasa>.

 

~After clicking <Edit in Picasa> it will automatically load the image into Picasa.  When images come from your hard drive they default into a folder. 

 

~Please note, you can have multiple folders if you use Picasa to load from your camera as well.  However, to put together a board they must all be in the same folder.  You can't pull images from multiple folders at one time. 

 

~ Now that the images are saved into Picasa - you are ready to make your board.  I call it an inspiration board but Picasa calls it a collage.

 

~Select the folder with the images you want to use.  It will then pull all the images up at one time.

 

~You then hold down your <Ctrl> key while you click on each image you want to use.

 

~Now that you have selected the images, click on the < create photo collage> icon at the top or bottom of the picture.

 

~It will put them all together onto the a board.  You can then move them around, layer them, turn them, enlarge or make smaller.  When you have it just as you want you will click on the <Create Collage> and it will save it and take the board to the editing tool. 

 

~The last step is to do any editing using the Picasa editing tools.  You can crop it, add text on the board along with mulitple other tools.  After you are done with that it should automatically be saved onto your Collage folder. 

 

~And your done....YAY!!!  You can email it out or into your drop box to go onto a blog. 

 

It really is super easy!!  Can't believe it was right in front of me all this time. 

 

 

 

The above board was used to help a client determine which kind of slipcover she liked for her dining room chairs.  The existing seats are fabric covered and I suggested white slip covers that could be easily removed and bleached(kid friendly).

 

The below board was used to help choose fabric and accessories for a master bedroom.

 



 

    

 

              Have fun using this new found tool!  And enjoy your weekend!

 

Thanks!
Keri

 

 

 

 

 



...I'm having a SALE!

 

My business has evolved and I am rolling with it, so to speak.  My original vision of ESD was somewhat different than it has turned out to be(and for that I am grateful).  I thought most of my business would be selling pieces that I had hunted as I pretended to be on my own version of American Pickers.  Then I would finish the piece on my own to sell to all of you.  It started off like that - but quickly I started seeing the need and want for what I call, custom work.  So many of you have pieces sitting around that have been passed down in your family or you found at a flea market and just don't know what to do with it.  That is where I come in.  And thanks to lots of happy clients who like to refer my services, I am busy.  I tend to book out at least a month in advance.  I have got mighty good at my scheduling.  Don't think I can't fit you in.  Just know its not a quick process.  But worth the wait!

 

    

I will do "Custom" work.

 

I will have pieces for sale on "Pick Your Paint" to customize.

 

I will "Shop" for you and find you a specific piece to customize.

 

I will offer "Interior Design Services"

 

 

Just no more of my own finished pieces.  So... I'm having a Sale!  I need to make room for larger pieces coming in.  This will be the last time you will find a piece of furniture of this quality for this low of a price at East Street Design. 

 

 

 

 

 

This piece is painted in a beautiful french blue and trimmed in white.  The drawers have been lined and clear crystal knobs replace the original.  The drawers are dovetail and the legs are gorgeous. 

update- this piece has sold

 

 

 

 

 

This piece has been painted in Paris Grey.  The original hardware was kept because the patina is to die for.  The drawers are of course dovetail.  The piece has amazing carved detail that was brought to life when it was distressed. 

Update - this piece has sold

 

These are quality, solid pieces that you would pay a fortune for in today's market.  You can go to Target or Ikea and pay more for something that has to be put together and doesn't even come close to the character that you will find here.

 

I need these pieces out of my inventory.  My loss is your gain.  Take advantage!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

...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