Client Sneak Peak.

Bet you didn't know this was a basement!  It's cozy, stylish, and fun.  Some simple changes -navy drenched walls, new carpet, and a few sophisticated furniture pieces most notably- breathed new life into this forgotten space.  Can't wait to share the before and afters!    

Malachite and Marble Floors Sneak Peak.

Those of you who follow me on Instagram (@atlsdesign) have seen the progress of the painted floors in my office.  Inspired by Kelly Wearstler and her mesmerizing take on patterned floors, I took to transforming old wood floors into a malachite and marble masterpiece.

After grossly underestimating the magnitude of said project, cuss words were flying along with a few threats of scrapping this project all together.  But a glimmer of hope remained and I pushed through the grueling process of taping and faux finishing row by row, "tile" after "tile".  Admittedly, some boxes are better than others, but over all I love the results.  It's spunky, yet classic.  Colorful, yet sophisticated.

Can't wait to share my entire studio after it's properly shot in a week or two.  And for those of you who stopped by from Little Green Notebook, thanks!  I'm glad to have you :)  You can find more on my malachite piano bench and green piano here.   And one more recent shot of the piano I just love.

Master Bedroom Revamp.

Months ago I worked with a young couple to decorate their living room- transforming the space from a forgotten white box to a sophisticated, cozy space.  

This same couple asked for some help making their bedroom feel just as fabulous. They already owned the major bedroom furniture pieces and wanted to keep their current bedding as well.  They just needed help "finishing" it - which let me tell you, is such a common problem I run into as a designer.    

Here is the room before: Dull and in major need of a little sparkle.   

And here is the after: 

The bed received three decorative pillows (all off the rack), a throw blanket at the foot of the bed, and some fresh styling - always fold the top of the cover back, don't pull it all the way to the headboard.  Much more inviting this way, no?

A tallboy armoire needed to be even taller.  These (free) branches add that extra height and draw the eye up.  I painted them silver with my client specifically in mind -   she'll take glamour over rustic any day of the week.

We added custom cut mirror to the tops of their nightstands.  Custom doesn't always mean expensive.  Both mirrors together cost about $40.  And look how pretty they are with mercury glass and classic silver accessories.  Total bang for their buck.

The mirrors help add a softness and femininity to all the harsh wood.  

They did add a TV and this mirrored piece below to the room.  I was worried the chest would stick out amongst their other furniture since everything else was part of a matching set, but we avoided this by adding the mirror tops to the nightstands.  And this piece really breaks up the monotony of a matchy-matchy set.  Big thumbs up for that in my book!

The soft gray wall color balances out all the warm beige and brown tones already happening in their space.  It really ties the room together.   

I can't stress the importance of having a beautiful bedroom.  So many people neglect this space for whatever reason, but this is one of the most important rooms in your home.  It nurtures you after a long day and is the first thing you're surrounded by upon waking each morning.  Give it a little love and it will love you back, promise!

Introducing Our Newest Design Assistant.

Please meet Oxford Chamoun,  Heidi Chamoun Interiors' brand new design assistant.  He admires the finer things in life, like blue Chinese pottery, brass hardware, and the occasional monkey squeak toy.  

He has an affinity for (chewing on) gorgeous rugs.

He works with stripes, buffalo checks, and the most stunning ikats.  

Often found asleep on the job, we keep him around because, well, he's just too darn cute to fire.  

You try letting go of an employee with paws like that.

For those of you still reading this, thanks for indulging me.  We're pretty excited about our new addition in these parts.  Back to regular posting tomorrow.   Happy Monday, from Heidi and Oxford!

And Off We Go...

We're headed to Columbus to pick up this little guy and we couldn't be happier.  

Driving the speed limit has never been so hard.  Please excuse me while I fill this crate.  

   

Garland and Lanterns and Candles, Oh My!

Such a pretty holiday set-up we pulled together at a client's house on the fly.  

And that Beni Ourain doesn't hurt either!  

P.S. Do you see that sofa fabric in the background? #Jealous #ClientsHouseIsCoolerThanMine

Our Christmas Tree.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We had a great one filled with tasty treats and the ones we love.  And we even squeezed in an early feast a few days before, in honor of husband's favorite holiday.

In other news, it's official.  The day after Thanksgiving might just be the best one of the whole year.  And forever more we get to celebrate it as not only the first official day of the Christmas season (yay!!), but also the anniversary of our engagement.

Here's how we spent our Black Friday this year.  Only one purchase, but a very special one!

DIY Chalkboard Makeover.

A $7 estate sale investment got the royal chalk paint treatment 

(frame and all).  

Added bonus: the frame acts as a tray for favorite photos and chalk- 

helping us stay organized and pretty.   

Happy weekend everyone!  Hope it's warm and cozy.   

Our Painted Piano and DIY Malachite Bench.

If our piano growing up was peach or lemon yellow I bet I would have practiced a lot more.

Before, a sad empty living room corner.  

And the movers bringing in what they lovingly referred to as "the heaviest piano ever."  I joke. 

I found this beauty on Craigslist for next to nothing.  She was worse for wear when I found her, but nothing some green paint couldn't fix. 

Even though there was no doubt I'd be painting the piano, this decision was solidified once we got her in the space.  This finish just didn't do her justice.  #lifeistooshortforabrownpiano   

As for the bench, it sat in its original state for quite some time.  I finally decided a monochrome, green-on-green look would be fun and decided to make things interesting with this faux malachite technique I'd been dying to try.  It was so easy and instantly gratifying!  Such a fun way to inject some pattern to the otherwise solid piano.  I would definitely recommend this DIY.

I think this is really a lesson in living with what you love.  By no means am I a technical player, so for us painting the piano wasn't terrible from a sound / quality standpoint (I'm sure some of you serious musicians out there cringe at the sight of our painted instrument).  But we really love it.  This little corner of our house brings me such joy now, whether the piano is being played or just sitting silent.  And I'm such a proponent for a happy home!  So I say if you want to paint you piano (or do malachite walls or paint your ceiling blue or layer a rug on a rug on a rug) do it!  You won't regret it, I promise.  

I Know You've Done It, Too.

That's right.  Bought something for a client.  And then seriously considered keeping it for yourself.

It happens to me alot, which I like to look at as a good thing.  Must means I only put pieces in clients' homes that I'd put in mine as well, right?

Cue yesterday: I stumbled upon an estate sale (those things find me, I swear) and I found these amazing old brown jugs.  Very weird, because the day before I was thinking about styling a clients fireplace with these same things, only I didn't have them yet and wasn't quite sure where I'd find them.  Then BAM!  Into my lap they fell (which, Design Gods, I'm all for, incase you're listening - Keep the goodies coming!!).  But then I got them home, added candle sticks and realized they looked happily at home right where they sat.

Let's be real.  I have enough accessories floating around this little house to style out at least three other residences.  So to the client they shall go.  But it won't be easy.

Before you go, do tell....

Do you ever keep things you initially picked up for a client?  Have you at least thought about it long and hard maybe once or twice?  Don't lie.  We're all friends here.

Client Work: Fresh Elegance.

This living room is sharp and pulled together, yet fun- just like the young couple who lives here.  An undeniably sophisticated space as perfect for entertaining as it is for watching Real Housewives marathons (thanks to the super comfy Crate & Barrel sofa with chaise lounge).  

  

Can't wait to get started on the next room in this beautiful home!

Sneak A Peak Color.

I'm all about creating a happy home, for myself and clients.  Nothing new there.

Elle DECOR

So why not paint the inside of a cabinet in a hue that feels "so you"?!  It will make you smile every time you reach for that chipped ramekin all the way in the back.  I promise.  I'm off to find the perfect tomato red for a similar little project I'm conjuring up over here as we speak.

Happy weekend friends!  Glad to be back!

We Tied The Knot!

And we spent the rest of the day doing this.  More photos to follow as soon as we get them from our photographer, the wonderful Alicia Boch.  You should see the Polaroids she snapped.  Complete stunners.  Cannot wait to share!

Speaking of Countdowns...

Oh, you know.  Just your average chalkboard-door-wedding-countdown.



Only as of today that baby reads "22".  Twenty-two days until we are married.  Hitched.  Tie the knot.  Say "I do."  Yikes! (In a good way.  A really good way.)