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Get out of your comfort zone.  There are so many home furnishing choices out there so step out of the mainstream and create a unique home for yourself and your family that represents you, not a cookie-cutter catalog room. I work with many people that are afraid of color and cautious of change. There is no reason to be fearful of either. Here are a few examples of spaces where I nudged my clients away from the ordinary. It may not seem like big wow factor, but it was something that the client would not have done on their own.

In this example, my client purchased this home and the style was not to her liking. But she did like the red colors because they were safe.


Using her rug and pillow as a starting point, I chose to pull out the limey green color because it was a fresh change for her.


My client was worried at first when she saw the hutch painted and nothing else in the room. Tip: If you don't like the looks of the first elements of the space start to take shape, don't freak out.


The space after. Once everything was in place the the elements together makes sense. That hutch is now my client's favorite element in that space.



For another client, I wanted to bring in a bit of visual texture to the powder room. I know it is nothing new to select a bold wallpaper for a powder room. But my client wasn't really thinking about wallpaper. I presented a few bold choices, they embraced one and love it. Tip: for a powder room, choose colors work with the overall theme of the decor of your home so that it doesn't seem completely out of place.




Now to totally inspire you, I bring out an older project which I've shown you before. For this colorful client, this before and after was not out of her comfort zone. It doesn't even faze her husband. What can you learn from this daring move? Color can add so much to a space and make you happy if they are colors you love. It's just paint after all!




Be bold, add a some spice to your home. Get an understanding of colors basics from Benjamin Moore.

 

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Before & After
A brick fireplace surrounded by a wood mantel can be a classic trend. If not, it just looks outdated. Most people want stone these days. Here is a fireplace that was brick then faced with real stone veneer.

Brick fireplace before with built-ins and raised hearth.


The raised hearth was demolished and a flush granite slab put in it's place. A salved barn timber is now the mantle. It is a more pleasing visual to have the built-ins gone. (Don't worry, the cabinets were salvaged and reused in another person's home.)


You can see the transformation taking place.



Tips from this before and after

• Brick fireplaces are outdated. Reface with real stone veneer.
• A raised hearth can be a trip hazard. Consider a flush hearth.
• Less is always more. The built-ins created a lot of visual clutter.
• If you don't have lots of "stuff" you don't need lots of built-in storage. If you have the built-ins and no "stuff" you'll have to buy stuff to fill them up. So think carefully about built-ins.
• In tight spaces, a built-in may be beneficial if you need storage, but if you don't, they may be taking up valuable space.

Resources:
Stone veneer: Boston Blend through Corriveau Routhier
Stone Mason: Jim Huston, Moultonboro (603) 253-7680
Stone hearth: Swenson Granite

Our trusted alliance partners:
Wood flooring from Heckman's Flooring, Wolfeboro (603-569-6391
Construction by Cormack Construction Management
Glass Fireplace Doors: Carroll County Glass



This is an example of how working with me to help you work out important details in your home design, and gain access to my wide network of resources. I can work with you to redesign one room or a whole house. Call or email me to learn more about the benefits of working with me to make your home the best it can be and avoid costly mistakes.
 

Need help with your room makeover? I can assist you with selecting painting colors, or help you design a whole house makeover. Click here to see options for Design Service Packages. To see more interior makeovers click here.


 

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SHOWROOM NEWS

Upholstery Work
Improving a furniture piece with fabric and upholstery will allow you to have a unique item for your home. Here is a glider makeover we did for a client's porch. My client was insistent on having a glider for her screened porch. We scoured internet catalogs, Craigslist, eBay, and local shops to find one. After a couple of weeks, one was found on eBay. It came from the Midwest.


We wanted to dress it up so I roughly sketched out the skirting idea.


A subtle outdoor fabric was chosen and everything but the frame is new.  My client is so happy to have glider on her porch and this piece is customized for her decor.



To see other upholstery work designed, fabricated, and installed by Julie Fergus American Home. Click here. If you are in need of custom window treatments, valances, drapery, or upholstery work, give us a call. We will gladly discuss ideas and help you complete your vision. Our fabric resource, professional installers and workrooms can make it happen for you.





Design Ideas Videos
I have uploaded several video blogs for design ideas. 


 

Showroom Hours
Since so much of what we do is out of the showroom, our showroom hours to by appointment. However, we will will try to be in the showrooms on Tuesday and Thursdays from 10-2 through the summer. We suggest that you call ahead before you coming. Visit the showroom page on our website for vendor links and product offerings.