Dining Room Transformation Revealed

I’ve been so excited to show you my clients’ dining room…it’s finally finished! When Kerri and Tim asked me to help them with the makeover, they literally had a blank slate and just a table to start with. Below is a before shot of the room and the mood board we worked from.

 

Drumroll Please…..

I absolutely love this room and wish it were my own! A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into the making of it, but the end result was well worth it.

I think I’m the proudest of the fact that all of the furniture is second hand cast-offs I found while thrifting.

The dining table was a thrift find that Kerri and Tim purchased before hiring me to design the room. After refinishing it in a driftwood style, this solid wood table looks like a piece from Restoration Hardware.

 

I have to say my favorite element in the room would have to be these chairs. This is by far one of the most satisfying transformations I’ve done. Check out the before pic of these rickety little cane back chairs that were headed for the dumpster at my local thrift store.

 

After a good scrubbing and some heavy duty wood glue, these ugly ducklings got a muddled metallic finish. Then they got a major upholstery job and nail head trim to give them a high-end, modern edge. I knew they had star potential!

 

 

The china hutch was a must for Kerri as she wanted to display sentimental family heirlooms. Another thrift find, I knew the clean lines of this hutch would work perfectly with our design plan.

 

I refinished it in bright white, and Kerri and Tim added a modern gray fabric backboard to give it an even more custom feel.

 

Custom drapery and a gorgeous crystal chandelier really gave the room its finishing touches.

 

It was such a pleasure working with Kerri and Tim. Its so exciting to see a room come to life with second hand furniture transformed.

Happy Summer!!!

Chinoiserie Chic

Lately I’m a push over for anything Chinoiserie. I’ve been searching for a faux bamboo chair for my desk for years and still haven’t come across a vintage one at a reasonable price.

via Décor Pad

I love these glass top bamboo nesting tables!

via Décor Pad

Or better yet, mirrored round top!

via Madison Ave Gifts

After years of searching, I did manage to find a faux bamboo wooden chair while out thrifting. I hate when I forget to take a “Before” picture! It was in a dark wood finish with dingy upholstery. After a new finish and upholstery job….Voila!

AFTER

I decided to do a metallic finish to make her a little more modern.

Unfortunately she doesn’t fit well under my desk, but I’m still smitten with her and may end up using her in my new living room.

Hope you have an inspired week!

If you’re searching for a specific piece, give me a shout at FarmStyleStudio@gmail.com

Living Room Redo

Sorry I’m just now getting back to blogging. It’s been a rough couple of weeks for me personally with the passing of my grandfather, almost a year after my father passed. I also found out that I have some medical issues going on that I’m sad to say will have to slow my work schedule down for the time being. Nothing too serious thankfully, but with that said, its been nice to take it easy and relax more often. 


I get so excited about design work that I tend to ignore what my body’s trying to tell me. So, with the time off from work projects, I’ve been able to put a little energy into my own home for a little updating.


We’ve been in our house for over 7 years now, and things have definitely gotten a little outdated. I guess I took this picture around Easter a couple of years back judging from the cluttered mantel!


Before



The room is no where near completion, but I have made some headway on a few accent pieces. First off, remember this little castaway I found while out thrifting?


Before



After



She is definitely brought back to life in a fun ikat-style gray linen fabric.




The area rug is actually an indoor/outdoor rug that I snagged for a steal...$120 at Homegoods! I love that it’s a rich navy blue instead of black.


This cigarette table is a reproduction of the classic Maison Jansen design.




My newest thrift score is this Asian-inspired console table. It was originally in a beat-up light golden oak stain with a wooden carved top. I popped out the carving and had mirrored glass cut after refinishing it in Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy. A large ottoman that I added caster wheels to, rolls out when more seating is necessary.







The glass coffee table was another thrift find for $10! It was brass but after a refinish job, it looks much more modern.




 


Virtually all of my accessories are also, yep, you guessed it, thrift store finds for dirt cheap. My son loves this little wooden elephant that came as a set of two. He may be moving to his room as a bookend eventually.




 

This silver swan bowl is all tarnished but I’m starting to like the look of it this way. I’m thinking it’ll be a great vase for bright watermelon colored peonies or carnations.





It’s definitely not finished, but I do feel like my living room is much more interesting and inviting now. I’ll try to post more pictures as I add more layers to it.


Hope you’re a little inspired to go out hunting for some character-building finds this week too!

The Orb Chandelier…How I Love Thee!

If you know me well, you know that I love great design and anything that makes a “statement” in a room. Well the Orb Chandelier certainly does just that!

They look beautiful enveloping a crystal or an iron chandelier.

Restoration Hardware

They work in a living room…

By Spinnaker Development

They work in a bedroom…

By Atlanta Homes Magazine

They work in a kitchen nook…

By Shirley Meisels

I need one to work for me. What doesn’t work for me however, is the $400-$2,000 and up price tag of this spherical design gem.

So, being the cheap skate that I am (and proud of it!)…I have decided to take on yet another design project.

Stay tuned as I plan to attempt my version of the “Mystical Orb Chandelier” for under $100! (I sure hope I can actually accomplish it!)

Have a Beautiful & Balanced Week!

Kristen

Take Me Home Please…

Well since my chair obsession of 2012, I’ve acquired quite a few “potential” beauties that are just waiting to have forever homes. Check out my inventory before they fly outta here…

Brace yourselves….this one is BY FAR one of the rarest finds I’ve ever come across. I literally sprinted across a parking lot, stumbling over furniture under foot to sit in her and claim my prize. Yes, I DO get THAT excited over furniture, people.

Can’t you just see her brought into the 21st century with some bold graphic florals and a new paint job? Possibly, if not exactly like below?

       What I am now….                     My Hidden Potential….

 

via Etsy

What about this one? I know she looks like a horrible 1970’s motel chair now….but take a look at the big plans in store for her transformation….

Sad little thrift chair now…         Wow Factor Waiting to Happen…

                

                                                                                                                    via Angelo Home

 

I don’t have to tell you how much I LOVE an oversized, sink-down-and-get-comfy wing back chair. But just in case you’ve forgotten…I have this little gal waiting for a modern makeover.

Country Gone Wrong…                   Dallas Done Right….                            

   

                                                                                                                via Décor Pad

Just in case you STILL don’t believe me…check out my newest addition to my bedroom makeover.

                    Before                                  After

     

I wanted to get that “pop” of color the room was craving in a fun purple damask. The back of the chair is covered in a minky gray velvet. Now I just need a fun accent pillow and voila…bedroom complete!

 

Take your pic from the chairs above and we’ll come up with a plan for the refinish and reupholster to make it a one-of-a-kind knock-out! Email me at FarmStyleStudio@gmail.com