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

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.

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

]]> http://interiordesignpsychologyblog.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/design-soup/feed/ 0 interiordesignpsychologyblog http://interiordesignpsychologyblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/room-review-rescue-high-style-for-high-school/ http://interiordesignpsychologyblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/room-review-rescue-high-style-for-high-school/#comments Sun, 15 Jan 2012 08:00:54 +0000 interiordesignpsychologyblog http://interiordesignpsychologyblog.wordpress.com/?p=383 Continue reading →]]> 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.

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!

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

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!

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).

I edited my 12 boxes of decorations down to 4 boxes (saving only my favorites). I found a clever way to display the photos of my family on the mantle with new wine bottle candles that I simply adore (and represent my love of red wine). I decorated the tree in white and gold and even got a little “crafty” and made the tree topper myself (thankfully, without the use of a glue gun).

The results were worth the effort! I’m finally able to enjoy my home during the month of December. I am happy, content and full of the Christmas Spirit. As requested, here are some photos to share my personalized Ho Ho Home.

Thank you & Merry Christmas Everyone!

I know the motivation of this tradition is to evoke (or force in my case) the warm and fuzzy feelings that go hand-in-hand with the season. I’ve tried over the years but my heart has never been into it and the results have always fallen short. I accept that my creative talents are better suited to interior design rather than holiday design.

Before you judge me harshly on my admission. I should add that I admire others who can pull-together the “magic” of the holiday spirit with decor. I enjoy spending time in homes that are layered beautifully with holiday sights and smells. I love being in stores and restaurants filled with music, twinkle lights, trees, poinsettias and bells. So it is clear I have spirit. I just don’t have a “connection” between how I feel about the season and my surroundings.

Here are some of the hurdles standing in the way. My home is just the way I like it – without the clutter of Hallmark décor. The abundance of knick-knacks in red and green are a disruption to my year-round peace and serenity. I’m not “crafty” and wouldn’t be caught with a glue-gun under any circumstance. I am overwhelmed with pressure from the commercial force behind Christmas to dictate the design of my house.

After encouraging all of you to explore Design Psychology in this Blog, I thought it was time to turn the tables. The challenge is to leave my comfort zone and say goodbye to my Bah-Humbug ways. I plan to tackle decorating my home this December using the basic principles of Design Psychology.

First, I am going to edit my current decorations gathered over the years. I will toss and donate most. I will keep only the ones that have a good memory or make me feel good. I am going to shop for unique, handmade items within a broad theme of white and gold. I may even include some that sparkle (they don’t call me Decorating Diva for nothing). I will gather pictures of my family members taken at various ages during Christmas time to create a holiday time-line of memories with black and white photos. How to display them may require me to become “crafty” but I’m willing to give it a try.

The goal is to decorate my home this season with a new and personalized design style that will bridge the gap between how I feel about Christmas and my environment. By accepting this Design Psychology Holliday Challenge, I will create the most spectacular Ho Ho Home for me.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

May your home be filled with love and good cheer, to last throughout the year!

It’s time to “splurge” on a complete makeover for our master bedroom.  My husband and I would like the design to include shades of greens and blues to compliment our existing traditional, mahogany bedroom set. We want a casual and relaxed space to retreat to at the end of the day. The room is 18½ ft long and 15 ft wide and we have $7500.00 to work with. How can we stretch our budget to accomplish all of our goals?

1.  Invest in new flooring by replacing the carpet with a distressed dark wood to compliment your bedroom furniture. Paint the walls a creamy tan (Sherman Williams Sand Beach SW7529) and the ceiling a deeper tan (Sherman Williams Studio Taupe SW7549). Be sure to factor in labor costs (unless you are handy and want to tackle the work yourselves).

2.  Balance the room by rearranging the furniture with the bed on the far left wall and moving the TV to go above your tall dresser on the wall to the right of the door. The large dresser and mirror will go on the wall across from the door.

3.  Purchase a modest bedding set and splurge on the highest quality sheets the budget allows. (Madison Park Eastridge 7pc Pintuck Comforter Set from Kohls)

4. Use ready-made curtains on a wood rod and rings and use an extra panel to sew a custom 14”x36” pillow to match for the bed. (7 panels of the Tamara Curtain and the Nobel Drapery Rods from Cost Plus)

5.  Replace the table lamps and hang three small round mirrors above the bed. (Zeugma Import White Pottery Lamp from Bellacor and the Maritime Mirrors from Crate & Barrel)  

6.  Put a small round shell table between two armless chairs at the foot of the bed. (Bone Side Table from West Elm and Atlantic Blue Ravenna Chair from Cost Plus). Add a burst of color with chair pillows (Green Ruffle Bolster from Pier One)

7.  Hang one piece of art on the right of the slider and two across from the slider. Make sure they are large and that they compliment the colors of the room. (Still Life XII and Oaks in the Mist I & III from Cost Plus)

8.  On the wall to the left of the bathroom entry, hang a whimsical birdcage wall frame as a clever way to display photos and handwritten love notes. (Large Alaina Bird Cage from Cost Plus)

9. Anchor the room with a large area rug. (Sakura Rug in Ivory from West Elm)

10.  Invest in an extraordinary ceiling fan that will make a stylish statement. (Minka Aire Vintage Gyro Oil Rubbed Bronze Ceiling Fan from Lamps Plus)