Worth the Wait :)

Sometimes you run into situations where you just can't control anything..... like lead times on furniture.  These clients so patiently waited for their new items that seemed to take forever,  But the outcome was wonderful!

Custom chairs in the back from Sherrill Furniture in the background and a beautifully, locally handmade walnut table in the foreground!  The U-shaped furniture arrangement creates a great conversational seating area or the perfect place for lots of people to watch TV.

With the incredibly tall ceilings, the long draperies help make the space feel cozier and warmer. Small details add color to the space, the large artwork coordinates with the trim fabric on the draperies as well as the accent pillows on the sofa. 

Photo shoot - Behind the Scenes

Photo shoots are always so much fun... and usually have at least one awkward situation.  Have you ever looked at an amazing picture and wondered 'how did the photographer do that?!'  Tight spaces like bathrooms (especially powder bathrooms) often require some acrobatic talent and superhuman balance.  And sometimes the photographer winds up some pretty tight spaces themselves, like  crouching in a bath tub, praying the water doesn't get turned on!

Here are some delightfully funny pictures of Erin from our last photo shoot.

Erin, crouching in the tub to get the perfect shot of the vanity. 

Crouching down to avoid being seen in the mirrors.

Hiding behind a small wall to avoid those pesky bathroom mirrors!

Caught ya!

The girliest bedroom I will ever have!

So, when I was younger, I was totally a tomboy!  You couldn't buy me a pair of shoes from the girls' department, I loved sweatshirts and short hair, and the only jewelry I wore were pins I collected from trips.  Luckily, I have since grown out of that phase.

When I moved into an apartment two years ago, I decided I was going to have as girly room as I could stand.  Well, I think I did a pretty good job!  I loved this room and all of the fun details in it!

While visiting a friend in Washington, D.C., I came across the quilt at an antique store!  At one point in time, I thought I was going to teach myself to sew and when that didn't pan out, I had lots of leftover scraps of beautiful fabric which I made the cool hanging guy above my bed. 

The furniture has been around since I was just a baby! And it has survived more moves than I can count on my hands!

The art is a set of three mini paintings I picked up in Nice, France and had framed in the chunkiest frames I could find :)

I have since moved out of this awesomely feminine room..... and looking for inspiration for my new room!  Hopefully it won't take two years to complete :)

Beach Resort Bathroom - Reveal

I love a good challenge!  A few months ago, a new client came to me wanting to update their master bathroom which had never been updated in over 20 years!  The room had blue carpet, floral and striped wall paper, cultured marble, and a shower door in bad need of replacing.  

After creating several designs and not quite getting it right, we had an 'aha!' moment!  This fun and energetic couple love to travel and they'll head to any beach that an airplane or cruise ship will take them.  This bathroom was going to be their Beach Resort.... away from a beach resort. 

Enjoy!

Master Bathroom Vanity

The old vanity, mirrors, light fixtures, and carpeting were ripped out and replaced with beautiful custom cabinetry painted in a brisk white, marble countertops, and a tile floor to look like handscraped wood.  Although the room is quite large, it is also quite narrow; by installing the mirrors floor to ceiling, the entire space looks larger and brighter. 

Shower and Tub

A must in this bathroom was a claw-foot tub, however the space for the tub was quite small. With a lot of research and some clever plumbing, we were able to install the cutest slipper tub I've ever seen and use the shower wall to house the plumbing fixtures. 

Free Standing Bath Tub

Resting on the window ledge is a vial filled with sand from the beach vacations the clients have taken! The accent tile mosaic, a blend of glass and stone, is present throughout the entire space: as the back splash on the counters, behind the tub, and also framed as an accent in the shower. 

Master Bathroom Vanity

Stay tuned to see before and after comparison pictures!! :)  (I have to find the befores.... just need some time to dig through my computer :)

Special thanks to.....

Keechi Creek - as always, wonderful work!
Bath and Kitchen Showplace for the beautiful plumbing selections
Thorntree Slate, MCA Systems, and La Nova for the amazing tile to choose from!

Cute Things You Can Buy :)

By Design Interiors has access to hundreds of vendors and manufacturers and it is always so fun to see the different items coming and going through our doors.  The firm is able to purchase all of the typical things you think about like chairs and lamps.  However, there are so many cool other thing we have as well.... like door stops, faux trees, custom paintings done on wood panels, mermaid sculptures, grass baskets handwoven in Africa, etc.... etc... etc.....

Here are a few little things available if you're in need of a unique gift.... leave a comment and I'll get back to you with more info :)

Once a month, I'll highlight awesome things you can purchase at BDI!

Wall Hooks
Well.... this cute little guy might end up in my home!

Cast Iron Angel Candle Holder

Large Copper Bowl

Large Brown and White Vase

Burlap Chandelier Cord Covers

These are wonderful for those ugly yellow lamp cords that might not be completely hidden by a table or night stand!

Happy Shopping! :)

I'm Back.... and totally ready for 2014!

I'm Back!

Was I the only one who noticed that there was one less week between Thanksgiving and Christmas in 2013?!?!? I hope not!  That missing week sent me in a fury to pick out gifts, organize travel, and wrap up any jobs before the Christmas holiday.  So.... I took a blogging break to focus on some priorities. And well, relax for a change.

But, it's already February of 2014.... time to get back to it!  I have this feeling that 2014 is going to be a fabulous year full of fun, challenges, new adventures, and lots of laughs!

Something new I've started this year is an Instagram account; it's a fun way to share photos of some of my recent work, random happenings, or great memories with family and friends. You can click here to check out my Instagram account Decrospective and also enjoy some of my favorite photos below.....

Bathroom detail of a recent remodel project. 

Evan and I at Casino night at Interceramic

Kitchen finished just in time for Christmas

My adorable niece and I!

Custom floor screen.... done!

Such a fun floral arrangement for a breakfast room

Midnight floral arrangements!

Muddy boots at a muddy jobsite 

Roomie Love!

Space planning - making sure everything is going to fit before we order :)

Master bathroom heaven!