Room Review & Rescue – Not Oprah’s Bathroom

DESCRIPTION:

My small house only has one bathroom. Everything is literally falling apart and not working for my family of four. We will be attempting to remodel this ourselves and could use some guidance. We don’t need bulky storage for towels, etc. We need more storage for small everyday toiletries. The measurements are 92” long and 87” wide from wall to wall. We have a tiny budget and want to use the Color Purple.

1. Remove all the floor and wall tile throughout and demo the one wall that separates the shower and the bathtub.
2. To make the room feel more spacious, replace this shower wall with glass.
3. Retile using a simple white subway tile and a simple glass mosaic tile accent like the Jeffery Court Prussian Empire 1”x2” Brick from Home Depot.
4. For flooring, use the Classic Gray 16”x16” porcelain tile from Home Depot.
5. Paint the walls a sophisticated deep purple (Warm Embrace #730B-5 from Behr).
6. Replace the pedestal sink with the Seal Harbor 30” Wooden Vanity in Sharkey Gray with composite white vanity top with a white bowl from Home Depot. Use the coordinating mirror above the vanity (23”w x 29”h)
7. To add more storage, install a tall medicine cabinet on both sides of the vanity like the Croydex Nile Mirrored surface mount Cabinet (59”h x 12”w x 5”d) from Home Depot.
8. Replace the light above the mirror and vanity with the Martha Stewart Living 3-light Seal Harbor fixture in polished chrome from Home Depot. Replace all bath fixtures and hardware with a polished chrome finish to match.
9. Add a white shade over the window and a 30” x 60” rug underfoot.
10. White fluffy towels and a large piece of art above the tub (Cereja Canvas 40”w x 30”h from Cost Plus World Market) will provide the finishing touches.

Before Photos

Room Review & Rescue – Recipe for Design

In case you aren’t familiar, Room Review & Rescue is your chance to get complimentary design advice – similiar to a RECIPE FOR DESIGN prepared just for you. (click here for the Recipe for Design Soup)

I am LOOKING FOR SUBMISSIONS for a room that will be revealed here in a post next month and featured on the Lockwood Interiors Facebook Page.

DESCRIPTION:  All you have to do is email a photo or two and a brief description of your design dilemma. If you’re selected, I will send you a mood board to give you a vision of what your space could look like along with the top 10 design suggestions for implementing the design.

SEND YOUR ENTRY TO:  LockwoodInteriors@yahoo.com with “RRR” in the subject line.

See how well this DIY client followed their RECIPE FOR DESIGN by clicking here for the original post.

DESIGN SOUP

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a RECIPE for DESIGN with detailed “To-Do” and “How-To” instructions to follow? You could go to these recipes whether you’re looking to update just one room or the entire house.

I don’t know of many designers who enjoy working with DIY (Do It Yourself) clients like I do. One of the services I provide is creating Personalized Design Plans. These detailed plans help guide clients through the endless choices and decisions involved with remodeling so that it can be a success. However, when a client deviates from the overall goal of the design plan by altering the function, feel, or flow – it can be a recipe for disaster.

Although I do not consider myself a chef by any means, I’d like to use cooking as an example of how quickly a plan can go wrong. When following a recipe to make soup, let’s say I decide to substitute cinnamon for curry. My reasoning is they are both spices that start with the letter C and are similar in color. What could go wrong?

Because of my lack of knowledge and talent in the kitchen, I don’t even realize the soup is ruined until it is served. All the ingredients I followed correctly are overlooked and overshadowed by the mistake of one poorly chosen ingredient.

A Design Plan is much like a cooking recipe. It has many elements that work together to achieve the desired results in taste, texture and appearance. Yes, certain “ingredients” can be altered slightly and still come out pleasant and appetizing. But when there is a big change or too many small adjustments, there is a risk of being disappointed in the end. My advice for anyone receiving design guidance for a DIY project is to carefully consider how each change or substitution will affect the overall plan.

Because remodeling can be overwhelming, a Personalized Design Plan is a valuable tool and can be extremely helpful when used correctly. It can save you money, time and anguish. Success is achieved when a client trusts the process and proceeds with confidence while following the design recipe.

Learn more about Personalized Design Plans

Read more about Function, Feel & Flow

Room Review & Rescue – High Style for High School

DESCRIPTION: I am 13 years old and tired of having a little girl bedroom. I want to completely re-do everything (furniture, carpet, paint, bedding and lamps). I’m hoping for a sophisticated, relaxed and more grownup room where my friends and I can hang out. I like brown and blue or gray, purple and black. I need a closet organizer and a desk for homework. I love fashion and I want to display my special purses and shoes. My room is 11′x12′ and my closet is 6’2″ x 2’10″.

1. Paint the walls Mindful Gray (Sherman Williams SW7016) and the ceiling and the inside of the closet Ash Violet (Sherman Williams SW6549) leaving the moldings and the doors white.

2. Instead of wall-wall carpet, install the stylish Mod Zebra Flor Carpet (only $4.83 sf).

3. Purchase the Skyline Furniture Plain High Arch Headboard in Black (85XNB) and use the West Elm Stella Quilt in Gray Stone with two Fauna – Orchid standard shams from Zgallerie. If you still want to add a fluffy layer, purchase the Fauna – Orchid duvet cover and fold it at the end when making your bed.

4. For bedside tables, use the Hemnes white cupboard nightstand and the white round side table from Ikea. Use two matching lamps like the Vesper Mercury Table Lamp at Overstock.com.

5. To maximize storage, I suggest purchasing two Hemnes white glass door cabinets with drawers. These cabinets are not deep but the drawers will still offer space for light clothing (socks, underwear, pajamas, etc.). To add a custom touch, use the decorative black and white Julien Contact paper to line the back of the upper cabinets. This will really show off those special purses and shoes as well as, books, mementos and knick-knacks. Add the Canterbury Knob in black, white, and silver on just the upper glass doors. You can continue using these knobs on the top lid of the desk and the two drawers on the bench.

6. For a desk, use the Hemnes white secretary and the Skruvsta white swivel chair from Ikea. This chair is extremely comfortable for doing homework and can be used as guest seating when your friends are over.

7. The Henmes white TV unit can be used as a great storage bench and additional seating when topped with a custom upholstered seat cushion. Purchase two Mimosa Panels in Orchid from Zgallerie to make the upholstered bench cushion, a custom L-shaped window cornice box and the left-over fabric can be sewn into a small 12”x 18” pillow for the bed.

8. Across the wall and behind the bed, install the Birch Tree Wall Decal from Etsy. This nature-inspired mural offers a whimsical Zen touch and includes three 100”h trees and six birds in dark gray and white.

9. On the wall to the right of the door, hang a large piece of art to celebrate fashion like the Newspaper Dress Giclee Print from Ballard Designs.

10. Use the white Rubbermaid Closet Kit from Lowes and add flat and slanted shoe shelves to maximize storage.

Room Review & Rescue – Nursery Nest

DESCRIPTION: My husband and I are expecting our second little girl soon and need help with the new baby’s nursery. We like the idea of using a coral color in the room and some type of drapery for the window. Other than that, we are completely open to ideas. We want the finished room to have a clean, neat and simple-but-elegant design. We don’t like childish rooms and want a room that adults could enjoy. The room measures 11′ across and 9’9″ deep. Well, that’s kind of the basics. Now we can’t wait to see what you come up with!

The Answer: This Room Review & Rescue submission was too much fun! I got a little carried away and designed your nursery in four distinct styles; Global, French, Vintage and Modern.

Because of this, I will start with the basics that apply to all. When designing a nursery, careful thought should go into selecting pieces that will allow room to grow when the baby leaves the crib and goes to a “big” bed. Each plan shows a diagram of how to arrange the same nursery furniture to incorporate a larger bed. Toys equal clutter so make a plan to add an organizer with room to store toys in the closet.

Please Vote: A call to action for everyone to vote for the design plan you like best to help the expecting parents make a choice. You can do this by sending your answer in the feedback section below on this blog. Thank you and I look forward to seeing the results!

GLOBAL BABY

The use of the trendy Suzani crib bedding gives this design a sophisticated twist.
Painting the room a soft gray and leaving the ceiling white
will let the raspberry, pink, white, gray and black color pop.
Using two tall cabinets for both display and storage
along with a coordinating dresser will be quite functional.

FRENCH BABY

This is a timeless design filled with sumptuous, organic textures.
Painting the room a light jute color and the ceiling a darker taupe will add a touch of drama.
The combination of black, ivory, beige and gray are used throughout the room
with dressers, a storage console, and a trunk for toys.
The crib bedding is a luxurious washed linen accented with Paris-inspired pillows.

VINTAGE BABY

This playful design adds a bit of joy, fun and whimsy to all – regardless of age.
The bedding is a simple waffle-weave, which compliments the use of a colorful crib quilt.
Painting the walls a crisp off-white and the ceiling a deep yellow will give it a golden glow.
Too open bookshelves, a reclaimed wood dresser, a wicker storage trunk
and an amazing chair will top of this room with style.

MODERN BABY

This is what I call “soft-modern” – leaning towards elegance and high style
but designed with comfort in mind. Painting the walls a clean white
and the ceiling a coral color will allow the white furniture to blend (not pop) into the walls.
Purchase ready-made white curtains on rings. Sew horizontal bands of stripes using a fabric that will pull together varying shades of coral and pink used in the room with the
paint, bedding and pillows. The roomy and comfy chaise is perfect for story-time
when there will be two little ones fighting to be onto your lap.
Under the window is a low console with an open shelf for a place for favorite books.
A matching dresser and two coral lamps complete the room.

CAN A HOUSE GO ON A DIET?

Because January is the time to set goals, take action and make improvement to one’s life, I am choosing to start with a plan for my surroundings. A house can’t make a resolution, but I can! And that’s exactly what I intend to do. My New Years resolution will be to take the New Year, New You, New Home Design Psychology Challenge that I posted on my blog last January.

Much like my diet, it was easy to let a few projects around the house slide with the distractions of the holidays. I can choose to neglect and procrastinate until I am overwhelmed or I can choose to respect my home by giving it the attention it deserves. My resolution this year is to clean, organize, repair and design – one area at a time.

The secret to dieting is simple: eat healthy, eat less and move more. Why can’t this concept be applied to a home? Live healthy by fixing what is broken. Live with less by cleaning, sorting and organizing. And just like “every pound counts” when dieting – keep moving towards the finish line by doing a little bit at a time.

When I re-read the plan outlined in New Year, New You, New Home, I realized I fell into the category of  ”do as I say & not as I do” and could benefit from taking my own advice. If anyone looked closely at my home, they would see: an overstuffed hall closet, clutter in the garage, scuff marks on the baseboards in the hallway, tupperware overflowing in the kitchen drawer, lack of cord management in the office, a full “junk” drawer, tired bedding, and grout needing sealing in the guest bathroom just to name a few. You get the picture.

Over the next year I will tackle making improvements in 10 zones of my house. The plan is broken down to manageable tasks to follow one month at a time. In November, it may be time to bring in trades-people to help with the projects beyond my DIY skills. In December, I will celebrate my accomplishments by throwing a party to show off my new & improved home.

January:  Exterior & Entrance

February:  Main Living Area

March:  Office/Work/Tech Space/Files

April:  Kitchen & Dining

May:  Master Bedroom

June:  Other Bedrooms

July:  Hallways/Transition Areas

August:  Guest Rooms

September:  Other – Bathrooms, Den, Media, Etc.

October:  Garage

November:  Bring in the Professionals

December:  Holidays

Click here to read the full description in the post dated January 2011.

For those brave enough to join me by taking this 12-month challenge in your own home; make a commitment by posting your intentions in the reply section of Can a House go on a diet?

Now let’s get to work!

Room Review and Rescue – All Washed Up

DESCRIPTION:           

My small, cramped laundry room is neither functional nor pretty.

I don’t have a place to hang clothes, sort laundry or store empty hangers making the chore of doing laundry more difficult than it needs to be. I’m ready for a drastic change.

I plan on removing the wall (currently behind the machines) to gain square footage by eliminating the adjacent storage closet. The new room will measure 5½ feet x 10 feet.

I want an inspiring, clean and modern look without breaking the bank.

1. When the wall comes down, you will need to repair or replace the flooring.

If you don’t have extra tiles, you might want to replace the floor with a vinyl that looks like wood planks (6”x36” Limed Wood Resilient Floor Wood Plank from Lowes). This would compliment your existing birch color cabinets.

2. Paint the walls a deep taupe color (Sherman Williams Tree Branch SW7525)

and the ceiling white (Dunn Edwards – Bone China is my favorite white).

3.  Move the washer and dryer to the wall across from the door.

4. Add a tall cabinet for additional storage to the right and finish to match your existing cabinets (Kitchen Classics 18” Oak Door Base Cabinet from Lowes).

5.  Hang a pole (from wall to cabinet) for hanging laundry and empty hangers above the machines.

6. Move your existing wall cabinets to the far right wall. Use the space under these cabinets for laundry sorting with two rolling laundry carts and one round hamper (Honey-Can-Do Heavy Duty Sorter in chrome and OIA Jumbo Laundry Basket from Walmart).

7. Behind the door, hang two chrome garment hooks (side by side) to hang dry longer items like dresses (Brainerd Polished Chrome Garment Hook from Lowes).

8. Use a colorful rug runner (Lourdes Sanchez Bulls Eye Rug from West Elm).

9.  For an additional modern touch, frame a poster of your choice in a birch frame to compliment the cabinetry (Bild Poster and Ribba Frame from Ikea).

10. Hang a large mirror horizontally under the rod and above the washer and dryer (Stave Mirror in Birch 27.5”x63” from Ikea).