In a previous email, I let you know that changes were coming to the showroom. The change is that the brick house is now a vacation rental. I'll be able to use it for client meetings when it is not occupied by vacationers.The brick house is a showroom of my design ideas and all of the products offered by Julie Fergus American Home. More details and photos are included below.
This past winter was extremely busy with bathroom makeovers. There were challenges and delays on all of them. I share before and afters of them with a few highlights of the process.
Recipes this edition is for the best chocolate cake. It is really the best chocolate cake. I have made this cake three times and on all three occasions, the cake was a huge success.
Thanks so much for your time and interest, Have a wonderful summer! ~Julie
My husband Tom and I.
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Brick House
In case you didn't see my last e-newsletter: The brick house is a beautiful building that has evolved over the years to change with retail trends and to complement the products and services I offer. The past five years have changed quite a bit, altering the way I work with clients. Smart phones have become such a major role in client communications that I don't need to have as much face to face meetings with clients. When we do meet, I mainly go to my client's homes, or we meet at the Design Center, local showrooms for tile, stone, and furniture. This means that I need no longer need my own showroom
Therefore, we've decided to transform the brick house into a vacation rental which will also double as a working showroom and showhouse of Julie Fergus American Home. All of my philosophies and products will on display.
Long gone is the retail shop that once occupied the building. If you want to work with me to create and design your home call me and we'll devise a plan.
Here are photos of the finished spaces. Some spaces were not public spaces so they may be unfamiliar. The whole house is now one consistent design style. Kitchen / Dining
Kitchen / Dining
Kitchen / Dining
Second Dining Area
Upper Screened Porch
Upper Screened Porch (this is where the front sales desk was located)
This makeover took a lot of my time since I did all of the interior painting and physical decorating. Thankfully I like to paint. Audio books entertained me as I spent countless hours painting. Thank you to my clients for their patience as I juggled this whole house makeover along with their projects.
Resources:
Paint: Benjamin Moore from Johnson Paint
Building Materials: Winnipesaukee Lumber
Carpentry and outside Painting: Donald Shure Home Detailing
Custom Kitchen Cabinets: Kahle's Kitchens
Granite Counters for Kitchen: Rumford Stone
Kitchen Sinks: Kraus
Vessel Sinks: Kraus
Kitchen Faucets: Pfister
Furnishings: antique shops, second -hand shops, my own collection, and Craigslist
Rugs, Lighting, and Accents: my own collection, Wayfair and HomeGoods
Projects Bathrooms (and kitchens) are so important to the enjoyment, and yes for the value of your home. If you don't have a timeless style these spaces can become dated and if so, they will decrease the value of your home. Here are three makeovers that change bathrooms into current style for today's lifestyles.
Bathroom One
In the first example, the bathroom walls could not be moved so the fixtures and finishes were upgrading using the same layout. The transformation is amazing.
Highlights:
Shower wall tile to the ceiling makes the space more interesting and visually increases the height
The sink was changes to a pedestal.
Toilet location was moved toward the doorway so that the shower depth could be increased to 36".
The door into the bathroom was changed to a pocket door so that more space could be captured on left wall.
This bathroom was designed with aging in place features such as grab bars. Ever bar (towel and toilet paper holder) are grab / safety bars.
Bathroom Two
This is a large bathroom, but there was an abundance of space that was underutilized.The shower was ridiculously small given the large space.
The entire project was done via long distance. My client left for Florida in October. I selected tile and sent her photos via Text from tile showrooms, and then sent physical samples for final approval. When she came back to NH just before Memorial Day she saw the finished project and loved it!
Highlights:
Shower was made larger by building a custom shape
The narrow space for the toilet was increased
Tile choices were made to complement the existing wallpaper.
Challenge: the first tile installer did a horrible job in the shower and it had to be ripped out. Fortunately it was not grouted so that made it just a tad bit easier. I was happy that my client did not have to see and experience it first hand,
Bathroom Three
This was a master bathroom that had a doorway into the living room. There was no need to share this bathroom with the main living space since there is a powder room. The two room layout was altered to create one more roomy bathroom.
Design and planning of remodeling projects takes effort and a commitment to being organized. Decisions need to be made in a timely manner and ahead of contractor's schedule. Working with me to design and plan your remodeling project will help you focus and get your vision documented so that you can obtain bids and pricing.
Product News
Focus on Decorative Elements
To prepare for a whole house decorative scheme I took a trip to the Boston Design Center. After visiting several showrooms I gathered up a lovely assortment of fabrics to present to my client for discussion.
I like to start with a large collection of fabrics so that my clients have many to choose from so they are making the final choices to personalize their spaces.
Food & Recipes
Chocolate Cake
When I saw the headline of the recipe, The Best Chocolate Cake {EVER}, I had to try it. After making this cake three times I and confidently say, it is the best homemade chocolate cake!
Instead of inserting the recipe here I thought it best to give you the link so you can bookmark as you like.Click here for the recipe.
I hoped you enjoyed this newsletter. Please keep in touch with me. I'm active on Facebook and Instagram. If you'd like to connect, please connect with me and I'll reciprocate.
Me and my dogs J and Homer.
Thank you all for your continued business and interest in my design ideas and tips. I'd appreciate it if you referred me to a friend or two by forwarding this email and suggest that they sign-up for my e-newsletters. I truly thank you.
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Julie Fergus, ASID Creating beautiful functional homes for your everyday living with one-stop shopping.
Are you a busy homeowner with not enough time to devote to your home design, decorating, and remodeling projects? Are you and your spouse at odds over design style? Are you overwhelmed with the multitude of choices for home design products?
Julie Fergus American Home designs and remodels kitchens, bathrooms, and any other part of your home using a highly skilled team of professionals. You can achieve and complete all of your home design projects with one-stop shopping because we have access to everything for your home.
To get you started on creating your dream home or interior, call 603.569.8989 or email us to schedule a complimentary "get acquainted" meeting to discuss your project and to learn about Julie's 7 Steps to Design for Everyday Living.
Visit my website for blog links and more information about my services.
