For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted nothing more than to create. From my childhood dreams of becoming a children’s book illustrator (I’ve mocked up more books than I have fingers), to my college degree hopes of becoming the next Annie Leibovitz, I’ve learned that as long as my mind is stretched when it comes to what meets the eye, I’d die a happy lady. Heck, give me a fat marker and a clean sheet of paper, and I’m set. This could explain why the stationary aisle at Target is like my Disneyland.
Ever since the hubs and I moved into our very first together-owned chunk of real estate in Chicago land, we’ve treated each inch of our precious real estate with love. And with that, my sights were set on a new type of creative feat: turning raw, interior guts into places to call home. Consider me lucky; the hubs has been on deck since we bought our first can of paint.
Below is our mini collection of the before and afters under our belt, because really, isn’t the after effect what it’s all about? With more jobs in the works, we’re excited to keep this page growing and evolving. May this only be the beginning, with many more afters to come.
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First up is Renee’s living room redo. Here’s what it looked like before we rolled up our sleeves:
And here’s the after, which brought in fresh shades of gray to amp up the sophistication she was looking for. Layered curtains add interest and drama, wall shelves boast her personal treasures, and a FLOR rug brought it all together. Between refinishing her existing coffee table and tossing some plush throws and cushy pillows on her drool-worthy vintage chairs, we got a look that was playful, chic, and still fit for a business woman like herself. You can catch the whole rundown (as well as a meet and greet with her kitty) here, here, here, and here.
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After polishing off Renee’s living room, she asked us back for help in her bedroom. And don’t you know that we eagerly welcomed the challenge with open arms. But first things first; let’s take a look at where we started:
We took that cream-colored-box and splashed a dose of blushing pink on the walls and fresh white on the trim. Blue and white layered curtains play off of the barely there pink, and mis-matched dressers add an unexpected pop. Top it off with simple glass lamps, a vase of fresh flowers, and a newly organized closet, and you’ve got one heckuva restful retreat. Read up on how it went down here, here, here, and here.
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Next up is Margarita’s staging job. With her house on the market, we had one afternoon to whip her home into a place that buyers would want to snatch up. The catch? Use only the existing furniture and decor, and a little of our own elbow grease. Here’s the too-busy before:
And here’s the much less cluttered after. By eliminating one chair (and setting it up in a perfect niche in the second bedroom), we were able to create a more conversational environment. The end tables were used to beautifully flank the couch, and we spruced the place up with her existing collection of books, nondescript treasures and art. Ah, just what the buyer asked for. Find the complete breakdown here.
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Then there’s Penina and Greg’s bedroom overhaul. As some of our closest friends, we constantly email, chat, and text each other our home decor finds on an almost daily basis, so we were more than flattered when Miss P asked for the hands-on treatment. Here’s the bare bones before:
And the oh-so-luxurious after. Gorgeous glass lamps, matching end tables, and a pretty spiffy dresser furnish the room with solid bones and a pretty, chic feel. Poppy prints, bright white sheets, and sleek art result in a perfectly sophisticated black and white palette and an all around good feeling. For more details, get the whole story here.
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Interested in some friendly advice? Want to share a few tips, tricks, or ideas of your own? We’d love to help, and our ears (and eyes) are always open. Contact us using the “Get In Touch” form on the menu bar, or email us directly.
by Kim
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