I win!  The Bachelorette finally bought those Barbara Cosgrove prints that we talked about a while ago. 

Here’s her breakfast nook before we did anything …

Of course, we repainted the walls as part of her remodel, and you’ll remember that we spray-painted the chairs and had new cushions made.  Now, with the art, I think the space looks finished … and fantastic! 

What do you think?

Wondering how to create a home that is both elegant and livable?  Call me at 704.953.6096 or send me an email at traci@tracizeller.com to discuss how I can help! 

Like this post?  Be sure to subscribe to my RSS Feeds!  Or, to view this blog through Facebook, click "Follow this Blog" in the NetworkedBlogs box.  You can also find me on Twitter, @tracizeller, and on Facebook, where my fan page is www.facebook.com/TraciZellerDesigns.  Thanks for reading!

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know I’ve been working with The Bachelorette on the post-flood remodeling of her small Myers Park home.  While I can’t quite call this post a “before” and “after,” I wanted to share the progress in The Bachelorette’s living room! 

Here’s what we have “before” –

Remember, The Bachelorette wasn’t planning to remodel - and definitely wasn’t planning to be flooded - so excuse the blurred faces in the “before” photos. There wasn’t an opportunity to take better shots, so I had to make do! Although The Bachelorette owned some lovely pieces of furniture, the room felt a little too traditional and heavy – especially with the faux finish on the walls – for such a fun young woman!  It’s also not a large room, and we both agreed that it could feel more spacious. 

And here’s the “in between!” 

We first improved the flow of the entire house by establishing a consistent color palette for the living room and the adjacent dining area and kitchen.  We also changed the orientation of the furniture, which made the room feel much larger and more open … and allows The Bachelorette to look out her front window. 

The Bachelorette purchased a new sofa, occasional chair and media console off the floor at Nest (as well as a sofa table not visible in the photo).  We kept the existing coffee table (which I love and thankfully escaped the flood undamaged) and recovered the club chair and ottoman.  (Here’s the chair before.)  The silk pillows were custom-made from fabric purchased at Robyn’s Fabric Warehouse.  The gorgeous lamps, which were purchased at B.D. Jeffries, frame the area above the media console.  With the rich chocolate shades, I think the lamps are the perfect exclamation points to the space!     

Then we layered in some of The Bachelorette’s existing artwork.  We didn’t reframe anything, but instead hung her pieces in different places to complement the new arrangement and style.    

Here, you can see that the speckled leather seat of the occasional chair is is reminiscent of a robin’s egg.  It is beyond fabulous.  I am seriously in love with this piece!! 

Notice, too, the green recycled glass bowl in the bottom shelf of the console – it’s from Target, baby!   It just adds another great pop of color … that also ties in with the green recycled glass bottles in the kitchen.    

The artwork over the fireplace is more appropriately sized than before, and the reclaimed wood on the mantel is from City Supply Co.  I love how the rough wood brings an organic feel to an otherwise very polished space. 

What’s left to do?  Well, the room needs a rug and new window treatments.  The Bachelorette may put her house on the market this summer, however, so I think we will hold off on any purchases that potentially won’t work in another house – meaning this might be as close as we get to an “after.”  That being said, I think her living room looks fantastic!  It is definitely a space that reflects her personality and in which she enjoys living, relaxing and entertaining.  And what more could you ask for? 

Interested in redoing a room in your house?  Call me at 704.953.6096 or send me an email at traci@tracizeller.com to discuss how I can help! 

Like this post?  Be sure to subscribe to my RSS Feeds!  Or, to view this blog through Facebook, click "Follow this Blog" in the NetworkedBlogs box.  You can also find me on Twitter, @tracizeller, and on Facebook, where my fan page is www.facebook.com/TraciZellerDesigns.  Thanks for reading!

As I mentioned in a previous post, The Bachelorette had not planned to renovate her home … but Mother Nature (that is, the flooding caused in Charlotte’s Myers Park by rain from Hurricane Faye) had other ideas.  While The Bachelorette still refuses to admit that she’s glad her house flooded – I think she’s just being stubborn - she will admit that she loves her new kitchen.  So let’s show everyone how it turned out!   

Here’s the “before” photo – laminate “granite-a-like” countertops, inexpensive white cabinets, plain surface mount sink and faucet (with a plastic spray handle!), white tile backsplash and a black range.  Not only was the kitchen plain, it also wasn’t as functional as it could be.  Check out the random shallow shelving in the corner.  Can you say “wasted cabinet space?”  I wish I had a “before” photo of the other side of the exterior door, where the refrigerator is.   There, you could really see how much space wasn’t being efficiently utilized.   

And here’s the (unstaged) “after.”  Isn’t it so fresh, pretty and inviting?  Not to mention that it was done on a modest budget!  Remember, the renovation was unplanned … and homeowner’s insurance only covers restoring a damaged kitchen to its previous condition.  In this case, that would have meant replacing only the lower cabinets.  How terrible would that have looked?!?!     

As you can see, we kept the existing light fixtures – I actually love the galvanized steel pendants – but just about everything else changed.  The color really sets the tone of the room, so let’s start there.  The walls are now Sherwin-Williams Universal Khaki (SW 6150), the ceiling is Sherwin-Williams Wool Skein (SW 6148), and  the trim is Benjamin Moore Simply White (BM 2143-70, my favorite white!).  The cabinets – selected at Charlotte’s now-defunct Home Depot Design Center - are Thomasville Cabinetry’s Raleigh Maple in Amaretto Creme, and the stainless appliances are by Jenn-Air.  Adding features like a lazy susan to the cabinets substantially improved the amount of usable storage.  You can’t tell in the photos, but The Bachelorette saved a lot of room by moving the microwave from beside the refrigerator and instead going with a microwave-range hood combo.  And check out the double oven range!  That is an awesome improvement in functionality for The Bachelorette, who loves to cook and entertain.  New cabinets around the refrigerator also gave The Bachelorette some extra counter space, storage for small appliances and shallow pantry-style shelving.  The Bachelorette also loves the bookcase on the side of her enlarged peninsula.  Finally, the granite is Santa Cecilia from Harkey Tile & Stone, and the backsplash is a tumbled travertine subway tile, also from Harkey.  Because both of those materials are stocked by Harkey, the price was substantially lower than any special-order selections.   

What an incredible difference!  You always hear that “the kitchen is the heart of the home,” and now The Bachelorette has a beautiful and budget-friendly kitchen that she and her guests can really enjoy.

Like this post?  Be sure to subscribe to my RSS Feeds!  Or, to view this blog through Facebook, click "Follow this Blog" in the NetworkedBlogs box.  You can also find me on Twitter, @tracizeller, and on Facebook, where my fan page is www.facebook.com/TraciZellerDesigns.  Thanks for reading!

Hanging pictures can be a total pain!  I can definitely do it, but it’s far from my favorite task.  If I have a lot to hang, or am working on a complicated arrangement, I will often call Eric Olson.  Eric is an artist in his own right (who happens to be represented by my favorite gallery in Charlotte) but also a professional picture hanger.  It makes my life easier, and – because he is so good at what he does - it’s cost-effective as well.  He just hung some pictures for The Bachelorette (finally!), and it made a world of difference in the rooms.  Measure this, measure that, tap the nail, check to make sure it’s level … and it’s perfect every time.  Three cheers for Eric!

If paying a professional picture hanger is not in the budget, however, let me share an amazing DIY option for creating a photo gallery - The Picturewall Company and its signature product, the Perfectpicturewall.  With the Perfectpicturewall, you get 10 picture frames – in either one or two inch widths, with your choice of finish – and corresponding archival mats, hanging hardware, and fabulous templates for hanging the frames in a large rectangle (your choice of four different positions) or up a staircase (your choice of two directions).  To create larger arrangements, just add another set … or two … or three.  The easy guidelines will show you how to combine the templates.

Don’t have enough photos to fill the frames?  No worries!  The Picturewall Company also gives you access to their image gallery, so you can choose images that fit your style.  Replace them later … or maybe not if you like them that much!  I think they’ve got some really cool choices.  Wouldn’t this set be perfect in a modern nursery or playroom?   

Now this DIY is just my speed – the work has already been done for you!  Thanks to one of my favorite bloggers, Maria with Colour me Happy, for cluing me in on this product! 

Photo from The Picturewall Company

Like this post?  Be sure to subscribe to my RSS Feeds!  Or, to view this blog through Facebook, click "Follow this Blog" in the NetworkedBlogs box.  You can also find me on Twitter, @tracizeller, and on Facebook, where my fan page is www.facebook.com/TraciZellerDesigns.  Thanks for reading!  

First of all, let me say that I am just not a do-it-yourselfer.  I would soooo much rather hire a trained craftsperson.  It's just that I'm really picky, and I want it done perfectly.  Yes, this does create a bit of strife when my beloved decides that he wants to "fix" something.  And, although I would like to think I can do all things perfectly, especially if given sufficient time, the unfortunate truth is that very often I either don't have the time or the skill to measure up to the standard that I set for myself.  Yes, I can admit it.  As much as I would like it, I'll never be Jenny at Little Green Notebook.  But, on certain occasions, I am willing to experiment with some DIY.  So here's a fun (and super easy) project courtesy of The Bachelorette's new look for her home!   

As background, The Bachelorette had a very attractive table and four chairs that she had been given by her parents.  In fact, The Bachelorette had eaten on that very table while growing up ... which I think makes for a super story!  The table still looks great – it almost has a tortoiseshell-like finish, which I love – but I thought the chairs could look a little fresher. 

I love contrast, and the chairs were just a bit blah.  They blended too much with the table – not making any kind of statement – and the cushions were dated.  Mindful of the fact that we were on a B-U-D-G-E-T, and hence wanted a lot of bang for The Bachelorette's buck (!), my idea was to simply spray-paint the chairs a glossy dark brown and replace the cushions with something a little more fun and modern – in other words, something that would go with the new design in the rest of the house!   So off we went to the now-closed Home Depot Design Center (may you rest in peace) in the Metropolitan development right outside downtown Charlotte and procured several cans of Rustoleum All Surface Paint in Gloss Espresso Brown. 

Then, one partly sunny afternoon, we put a tarp down in the Bachelorette’s yard and just started spraying!  Because the chairs were older and already a bit rough, we didn’t even bother to sand them.  The Bachelorette and I just went in circles, spraying chair after chair.  Hilariously (or not), it started sprinkling … not long after we had finished our last coat.  So she and I frantically started carrying – as delicately as possible – not-completely-dry chairs to her front porch.  Fortunately, all’s well that ends well, and the chairs looked fantastic! 

Now it was time to replace the chair cushions.  I found this awesome blue leopard fabric - you know I love my animal prints - at Robyn’s Fabric Warehouse.  Just for you, my beloved blog readers, I found it online here. 

I then took the fabric to be made into cushions by a small upholstery company in Mount Holly that I knew to be budget-friendly.  Sooooo, drum roll, please!  Here’s one of the finished chairs. 

Doesn’t it look super?  It's even better in person ... and the DIY part was totally painless!  The total cost was under $400 – approximately $40 for six cans of spray paint, $100 for fabric and $250 in labor.  If you know how to sew, it would be practically nothing!  I'll share more photos of The Bachelorette's pad soon, so you'll get to see the chairs with the table.  I always know a project is a success when I am so in love with it that I wish I had it in my own home.  But as another designer said to me at High Point Market, at least I know where those pretty things now live and I can go visit them if I need to!    

Have any fun before and afters?  I'd love to share them!  Wondering what I'd do in your space?  I'd love to get your questions.  Email me at traci@tracizeller.com or tweet me at @tracizeller, and maybe I'll feature your question in an upcoming blog entry!  

Like this post?  Be sure to subscribe to my RSS Feeds!  Or, to view this blog through Facebook, click "Follow this Blog" in the NetworkedBlogs box.  You can also find me on Twitter, @tracizeller, and on Facebook, where my fan page is www.facebook.com/TraciZellerDesigns.  Thanks for reading!     

The Bachelorette hosted a large group of girls last week for their monthly "wine club" gathering.  What fun!  She was thrilled by the rave reviews that her new interior design garnered.  And the girls didn't even see the finished product ... pillows, rugs, etc. still to come!  Anyway, as much fun as she had with her friends, she was not very happy to see that some light, unintentional bumps to the wall left her with not-so-attractive black scuff marks on the paint.  At chair height and behind where the dining table usually sits, the scuffs were quite noticeable.  Annoying, of course, but you remember this post, right?  With as new as her paint is, I was confident we'd be able to touch it up easily. 

All The Bachelorette had to do was whip out the appropriate Qwikie Paint Touch-up Tool.  I'm sure a variety of methods would work just fine, but here's what I recommend - gently shake/stir the touch-up container to ensure that the paint is thoroughly mixed.  Use the attached brush to lightly paint over the scuffed areas.  Use a small trim or touch-up roller to smooth any brush strokes and feather the wet paint outward (in an effort to blend).  Girls, this really isn't all that different from applying concealer!  Once the paint dries, it should be good as new.   We ended up giving The Bachelorette two coats - I applied it so lightly the first time that you could still see some lingering scuff "shadows" - and now her walls are back to perfect.  

I am left with one query - would her walls have scuffed as badly if the painters would have used Benjamin Moore's Aura ... or Sherwin-Williams' Duration Home?  My gut says no.  The painters did not use a premium product (by either Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams, for that matter), but instead "color-matched" the Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams colors that we chose to their preferred brand of paint.  Unfortunately, I've not been super impressed with the product they chose.  I think they use it mainly because the price is good.  But the wall still looks great ... so all's well that ends well, I suppose!        

Let me share my latest little peeve.  My hubby and I have a king-sized bed.  Our Kingsdown mattress is certainly deep, but not exceptionally so.  I'm only 5' 3" and it certainly doesn't feel like I have to hurdle to get into bed.  So here's the rub; I have never been able to find bedding that fits correctly.  I'm fine with the sheets.  I've written before about my affinity for the Land's End 400-count No Iron Supima (Cotton) Sateen Sheets.  (Preferably in white, and don't forget to add a monogram.)  Their fitted sheet is more than deep enough to accommodate my mattress.  I'm even OK with down comforters or blankets, thanks to The Company Store's supersized versions. 

The problem comes when I look for a coverlet (my preference), duvet cover or decorative comforter.  Everything that I like is too small, mainly in the width!  Just as an example:  A king-sized mattress is approximately 76" wide by 86" long.  A "standard" king-sized comforter is approximately 100" wide by 90" long.  That leaves 24 inches total for the "drop," or 12 inches on each side of the bed.  No way is that sufficient!  Today, the average mattress width - without a mattress pad - is 14 inches, which means you are at least 2 inches short on each side.  Lovely! 

Of course, it is true that certain styles are longer than others (e.g., coverlets longer than comforters) ... and also that certain brands (like The Company Store) offer products that are wider and/or longer than the standard size.  Unfortunately, I have yet to find one that I consider satisfactory both in style and in size.  So I've stuck with my perennial favorite diamond matelasse coverlet, and I always make the bed up so that the coverlet is sufficiently long on the side of the bed that faces the bedroom door ... which means the coverlet is even more absurdly short on the opposite side of the bed.  I'm feeling especially perturbed about this today because I just retrieved my newly cleaned bedding from the dry cleaner.  Of course, the bedding shrunk, making the problem even more egregious.  The dry cleaner is, by far, the best in Charlotte, so I'm certain it's not their fault.  Instead, an already too short coverlet became even shorter.  Tell me this isn't the most ridiculous thing you've ever seen.            

I know I'm not the only one with this problem.  The Bachelorette's absolutely beautiful Italian embroidered duvet cover also falls short on her totally normal-sized mattress.  Why can't bedding manufacturers offer more choices in larger sizes to accommodate today's mattresses?  I simply don't understand.  If money were no object, I'd have Leontine Linens custom-make my bedding (available in any size you fancy!).  Which do you think I should choose - the Addison monogram or the Baxter applique (a la Aerin Lauder)?  Too many choices!  Unfortunately, that won't be happening any time soon ... so just don't look at the wrong side of my bed.  

Am I missing something?  Have you found a better option (without going custom)?  If so, please clue me in!  I think I need to get back on the search.  

Charlotte is really lucky to be home to some fabulous high-end showrooms - Walker Zanger, Stark Carpet, Karen Saks, Brunschwig & Fils, and so on.  With the exception of Walker Zanger, however, all of these showrooms are "to the trade only" - meaning that you have to be with a designer in order to shop.  But here's something you might not know about the Stark Carpet showroom.  It also has a fantastic outlet, where you can find broadloom (wall to wall) carpet and area rugs ... and the outlet is open to the public!   Susan, my very knowledgeable sales associate at Stark, emailed me today to let me know that they are having a sale on everything in the outlet.  I'm hoping I might find something for The Bachelorette's living room.  Maybe then you'll get some "after" photos! 

Stark is conveniently located off I-77.  The address is 11415 Granite Street, Suite A - don't worry; you can't miss it - and they are open Monday through Friday from 9 to 6 and Saturday from 10 to 6.   So head over there and check it out ... and don't forget to ask for Susan.  Let me know what you find!  

Photo from Stark Carpet

How many of you want to touch up those scrapes or smudges on your wall paint ... but you'd have to actually find the old paint in the garage or basement, dig out the right can (if you can remember), stir it up, get a brush or roller, etc.?  And that just seems like too much work.  Hey, I'm right there with you!   With the long list of things that we all have to do, sometimes that just doesn't rise to the top of the list.  Well, I think I have solved that problem!  Enter the Qwikie Paint Touch-up Tool.  This product is absolutely genius.  Think of an extra-large bottle of nail polish.  As the Qwikie website explains, the heavy duty plastic container holds 13 ounces of paint,  which is more than enough for a small touch-up job.  I'm all about quick and easy, so I love that you can gently shake up the container itself instead of having to mix the paint up with a separate mixing stick.  The cap has a brush with high quality acrylic bristles built into it, so there's no need to hunt for a brush or roller.  A built-in wiper at the top of the container lets you easily remove any excess paint from the brush.  Label the container with the paint color and the room(s) in which it is used, and you are all set!  I ordered mine online at GrandinRoad, but of course, they are out of stock.  You can also check out the Qwikie website, which has an online store (albeit temporarily closed for maintenance).   

If you can't find the Qwikie Paint Touch-up Tool, there's a similar product called the Rubbermaid Paint Buddy that I've seen in local Lowe's and Home Depot stores.  It is smaller than the Qwikie Paint Touch-up Tool, so don't expect to use it for larger touch-ups, but it does come with a built-in roller that can be removed for cleaning or replaced.  I like the simplicity of the Qwikie Paint Touch-up Tool, but - considering that I'll probably use a roller over what I paint using the Qwikie brush - I see the appeal of the Rubbermaid version.  Regardless, the point is that both of these products make it easy for you to do touch-ups in a jif.  

Check out what I left The Bachelorette with after the painting was done in her home. 

So ... no more excuses!

Photos from Qwikie and Rubbermaid

Back to The Bachelorette ... You haven't gotten an update for a while!  As I mentioned earlier, we've been on hold ... but hopefully we'll be back in the swing of things soon.  The to-do list includes cushions for the dining chairs, pillows for the sofa and chair, a chaise for the office/second bedroom, and rugs.  We already have the fabric for the cushions and pillows, but I've been keeping an eye out for the other things.  The Bachelorette wants the chaise to serve as a restful place to read or meditate, but it needs to fit the space (obviously enough) and also be easy to clean (as her dachshund is likely to be fond of the chaise as well).  Well, a Ballard Designs catalog arrived in the mail over the weekend, and I think I found the perfect piece.  I need to check the measurements, but the size looks about right and the style is perfect.  The price is good, too - Ballard Designs offers a trade discount, and every bit helps.  I love the piping on the slipcover; it really gives the slipcover a much more custom look.  Either the khaki or the chocolate will look great.  The walls are painted Restoration Hardware's Atmosphere Blue, the trim is Benjamin Moore's Simply White, and the ceiling is Restoration Hardware's Seafoam.  What a comfortable little space this is going to be!     

Photo from Ballard Designs