Winner winner chicken dinner!
I’ve always wanted to say that at the beginning of a blog. This one just felt thematically appropriate. That’s right. It’s that time again! Our Room Redo Wanna Play winner for August has been chosen! Even if it is officially September 1st. Better late than never, right? {look for a few more this month, as I was skimming back to our revamps, and realized I never covered July! Whoops-where did the time go? I think I was sucked into my own time warp of room redos at our own casa. So expect about two more in the near future. Hurray!}
I came up with a few new ideas for a little revamp, and decided to share it here today.
Nancy writes: The answer to your room redo wanna play??? YEESSSSS!
I am a stay at home, work part time, volunteer part time mom in Southern California. I have 2 young daughters and two unruly dogs. Oh yeah, I have a great husband, too!
We live in a 1950’s ranch-style home, which used to have “lovely” gingerbread accents, smoky mirrors, outdoor carpet, the washer and dryer outside on the deck of the pool, a groovy wet bar and windows that didn’t open. In fact, we still have some of these windows. We did a little bit of a cosmetic face lift (paint, carpet and de-smoky-mirror the place); but other than that, everything is still the same.
When we moved into this house 4 years ago, we were in that red/gold/green/brown phase and I am so over it. I have been on “Operation Lighten the Look” recently. I love, love, love your light and bright look of your home and the Yellow House Project. The yellows, blues, greens and pops of orange/red. Yummy! I actually ordered the fabric you recommended for the living room of the Yellow House Project and I am making pillows this weekend. Thankyouverymuch.
My dining room/kitchen area is sad and green and boring and green. Did I mention that it was green? Did I mention that I have a clock that doesn’t tell the time?
Did I mention that my rug is a certifiable health hazard? That closet in the back… holds craft supplies, sewing machine, games. It is the only storage in the room.
If you can redo the dog included in the picture, too, that would be great. 🙂
There are a few pieces I love in this space. The hand-me-down Crate and Barrel ultra-long table and chairs and our craftsman style hutch.
Here is a glimpse of our small, x window. We do not get a lot of natural light in this room. The kitchen window and the living room windows are what bring in the light in this room. We have can lighting but are in dire need of a “totally radical “ light fixture. (That is some Southern California lingo for you!)
The wall to your right has 2 doorways that lead to the hallway. One door is a pocket door that is always open and the other you can see.
Storage is the name of the game in this house. Since it is 1950’s-ish, there is not a lot of storage.
We are in this space for everything from crafting to entertaining to eating to reading and it just needs some warmth and charm.
First of all, the space has great bones and a wonderful vibe. And that china cabinet…can I have it? Here’s a little something I was able to cook up for Nancy and her sweet family.
5. & 7. & 9. Ever so traditionally out of order: first things first…Nancy wasn’t happy with that green color on those walls. One of my favorite blues would look incredible in this space: Benjamin Moore’s Spring Rain. I’d love to see it on the side walls, paired with…
One of the elements that’s making this space feel off kilter, is the closet door. My solution: I’d love to see that back wall decked out in some great grass cloth, as a nice accent wall.
And paired with two doors that not only cover that off center door, but are broad enough to center the space, and camouflage that crazy area.
I love the shape of these doors, and they would be fairly basic and easy to build. In a grey color such as Benjamin Moore’s Inner Balance {perhaps distressed a little, with blue showing underneath} they would be the perfect solution for their dining room. Those doors would become instant structural art.
Basically a reverse of these, I envision a great rustic look for that back wall. The storage remains available with a stylish, and centered new look. And something large and in charge like these doors don’t get in the way of the space, because they slide. Check out examples of different types of hardware for these doors, here.
6. A gallery wall in this style, with eclectic pieces on the space where the frames are currently located, would really help liven up the room. Since the area is quite long and open, a floating ledge to save space between the two doorways, would help create the feeling of a more intimate area, when stacked with an interesting array of collected elements.
2. I’d love to see that table brought to life with this gorgeous fabric.
At 36 dollars a yard, it’s definitely an investment. But a little of this goes a long way, and it could be paired with this:
Whether it’s used as a runner, as linens, or as a window treatment, it could also be paired with a simple linen, like this:
In short, Nancy can make that expensive fabric go a long way with small touches, no matter how she chooses to use them. As far as that window is concerned:
A nice, tailored roman shade starting at the ceiling, and opening just above, would both maximize their much needed light, and give them the privacy they need. Bonus: it would also make that charming window look larger.
That china cabinet kind of rocks my face off. I’d LOVE to see it backed in some of the yellow fabric, for an unexpected, subtle pop.
9. And of course, arranged in a subtle collection of ecclectic white plates, like this.
1. A centerpiece in a nice vintage bucket {found at any local flea market} like this one, would make a nice, hefty statement piece in the room, and help anchor the space.
of course, filled with hydrangeas makes it even better.
4. A nice, classic jute rug would blend nicely with the blues, grasscloth, and fabric. And I’m not sure how long that fabulous table is, but for more of a seamless, custom look, Nancy could add two.
3. Last but not least, for a touch of classic elegance, and a great contrast with the textured backdrop, a great beautiful chandy would add some definite swag and personality to the space. A hint of sparkle is always a great addition to a room. If possible, a vintage find would be a wonderful touch. Totally radical, if I do say so myself. 🙂
So there we have it. Some simple, easy solutions that Nancy and her family can make, to bring that challenging space to life. I hope this helps Nancy, and I’d love to see these ideas implemented! Thanks for playing!
What’s your favorite element?
Wanna Play? Submit your photos to be chosen randomly…here!
Jennifer says
BEAUTY-FUL, as always!
Nancy says
Shut the door! What a “radical” surprise at 5:30 am! Woohoo. Thanks so much for helping me. I love, love, love every.single idea. Fabulous. I can’t wait to show my husband that I now have some serious design recommendations. for real! I think I drooled on my keyboard when I saw the fabric and the chandy. Yumm. Again, thank you for making my day and I will keep you posted on my update. You are amazing. xoxo Nancy
ashley @ the handmade home says
Nancy! so glad you like it! glad it was a surprise! haha. LOVE that room and can’t wait to see what you do with it!
jessica says
Hi Ashley! This is one of my most favorite posts I’ve seen since I started blogging 4 weeks ago! 🙂 I just spent an hour trying to figure out “pinterest”, pinning, saving, tweeting (so disorganized…I have idea what I am doing with this computer stuff) I just love everything you did on your idea board for this room! Not sure if I’m suppose to be “giving you credit” on Pinterest so sorry if I didn’t…don’t know how! Thanks for sharing ~ love the BM color scheme 🙂
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Jessica! You are fine! I’m still trying to figure it all out myself! ha! thanks so much for the sweet comments!
Jonel says
I seriously waver between a light beachy look or all white but I seriously love all the mood boards you put out…I want to incorporate 99% of everything…this actually inspires me, colors on walls intimidates me but I think I am getting it =) Thank you for this
Faith says
Lovely lovely. I found myself drooling over her cabinet and that charming little window myself. So glad you chose to accent the back but not change the bones of that FANTASTIC piece. Love all your suggestions. High five.
Leen says
oh I love it! It’s absolutely perfect! I kept saying “oh I love that!” “oh that would work here in our house” “oh I gotta get one of those” etc, etc 🙂
Paulie says
I love your posts and all your transformations! Congratulations to Nancy! I can’t wait to see the results. You have a beautiful space which is going to be even more fantastic once our girl is finished with it. I’m drooling already lol. I also love your eclectic pieces the table and cabinet.
Dorothy says
Oh, you are GOOOOOD! I knew you were itching to get grasscloth in somewhere. 🙂 Next time you have too much heat down there, come on up to Minnesota and we can get into some serious trouble together. The redo room has such great potential; I can’t wait to see what changes they make. And those blinds you chose? I just want to rip them right off the interwebs and slap them on my family room windows. Love love love it all.
Dorothy says
That should be roman shade!
{hooked on hickory} says
just lovely! those doors are fabulous and the colors choices are wonderful!
ashley
Jennifer Talley says
Love the fabrics you have chosen. Can you tell me the source for the bird print? Didn’t see it linked to Fabric.com
kristy says
i am so playing. i love what you did for nancy!!! it is lovely, warm and inviting. i can’t wait to see what she does 🙂
Janna says
I’m so glad you picked Nancy. You couldn’t have lavished your design talents upon a more worthy and appreciative recipient. She turned me on to your blog, and she is always asking “did you see that handmade home post when…”
I can’t wait to see her implement some of your gorgeous ideas, and since we live in the same hood and I’m residing in a similar 1950ish home, I may just steal some of those ideas too 🙂 Have a great day!
Jennifer Talley says
Nevermind, I found the fabric! I’m a little slow sometimes!
Melissa says
I’ve been dreaming of this design board since I first saw it a few weeks ago! Such a beautiful job, now I’m going to have to dream up a place to use that paint color in my own home!