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!

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!

March Madness 1 / Family Room Before & After

I've been working on such an exciting project this past year. We've literally been going room by room and decorating from scratch. All new furniture, accessories, paint, art, etc.

Here's the before:



A little background on this room:

The previous owners used it as a dining room-bringing their count up to two dining areas, yet left them with no informal family room except the basement. This room is off the kitchen, the perfect spot for TV and relaxing since that's where everyone naturally congregates.

And another angle:



And now for the after:



Here's how it all went down:
First the homeowner and I found a fabric we really loved. Based on the architecture of the room, we knew we would do long panels capping every window pane. The windows are gorgeous but we had to warm up all the glass. We also added matchstick blinds for sunlight control. Based on the size of the windows, we had to go custom. Definitely worth every penny both from a visual standpoint as well as a functional standpoint.

Next up: wall color. We considered everything from the lightest wisp of blue to deep saturated shades. We were going with a very light blue gray for the kitchen with all white cabinetry, so we went bold in this space. Definitely the right decision. My client was nervous, but once it was up she was so happy I pushed her out of her comfort zone. Crisp white woodwork looks gorgeous against the deep inky blue.

Some pretties up close:

I like to call this room the jewel box of the house. The airy quality of the kitchen is punctuated by this bonus space! Such a beauty.

For ATLS Design services in your home, send an email to heidi.atlsdesign@gmail.com

Powder Room Mural Sneak Peak.

I spent all weekend painting away in the powder room at the house. Leaf after leaf after..well, you guessed it. Leaf. But it's almost done and the mural-induced happy dances that ensue after I catch a glimpse of it from the kitchen make the long hours so worth it.

The fixtures are being installed tomorrow, and trim today hopefully, so I'm doing everything in my power to have this baby styled and mural completed to share with you soon! Get excited!

My inspiration for the mural is the beautiful (and insanely expensive) Gracie paper.

via Pinterest

Oh how I would love to have the real deal plastered to these walls, or any walls for that matter, but for now the closest I can get to said perfection is a hand painted mural done by moi. Think Gracie a la Heidi. And the more I stare at the completed walls (seriously every time I close my eyes I see white on green branches as this motif is temporarily burned into my retinas) I feel it's a mix between the beloved Gracie and this playful HB half bath:

via Pinterest

So what are your thoughts?

Ever done a large scale mural like this before?

Or are you one of the lucky ones with the real Gracie covering your walls?

Ever used it for a client project? Also a dream of mine!

A Sneak Peak.

Here are a few iphone photos I couldn't wait to share!

I'm busy wrapping up an exciting project and absolutely love the way things are coming together. Lots of bright white to keep it crisp and clean, but enough color to add some excitement and warmth. I pushed my client to step out of her comfort zone and she's really loving the results!

Just today she told me her only regret is painting the bedroom beige....

Told ya so!!!! :)

But honestly, it's beautiful and just the peaceful retreat you want at night after a long day.

Portfolio pictures coming soon so you can see all the great details (trust me, there are tons!!) and the space in full. Just a teaser until then.

Cozy, yet peaceful. I could move right in. What about you?

So Weird.

via Coastal Living

A few minutes ago, I decided to peruse some old archives on the Coastal Living website, specifically with inspiration for my mom in mind. She and my stepdad just moved into a new-to-them house and I'm working with them to decorate almost every room.

We've been making lead way in the main living spaces especially (kitchen and family room), and already have paint and fabrics chosen for these spaces. Imagine my surprise when the very first image on the CL website included an almost identical curtain fabric we're using for the family room and shares a very similar color palette!

For my mom's space, we decided to take a different route with wall color and picked up the deep blue of the fabric, juxtaposed by light furniture. Both looks are great in my book. Pretty hard to go wrong with a classic blue and white combo.

I love how designer Frank Randolph, like any good designer, mixes endless shades of blues and beiges into the space. Everything isn't perfectly matchy-matchy. A hallmark of good design, it adds more interest and has a softer effect on the eye and mind.

via Coastal Living

Vanity Before and After.

A sweet friend of mine mentioned a few weeks ago that she would love a vintage or antique vanity for her bedroom. An expensive set wasn't practical on a law student's budget, and my friend was also interested in putting her own mark on the piece. I suggested she create her own vanity combo, and Craigslist was the easy answer. When I found this vanity, I was so excited to send Lindsay the link.

At $30, she was excited too! While it had great girlie lines, it also came with a tacky faux French Provincial veneer that had to go. We chose a dark bluish gray to compliment her existing black furniture and powder blue duvet. Lindsay wanted to add some gold detail as well, and we both decided she definitely should when we pulled a drawer out and a tiny bottle of gold paint (it had to be 25 years old-I think it cost 49 cents!) was sitting inside.

We decided to paint this bench gold as well. And Lindsay scored the perfect fabric in the remnant section (50% off!!) to pick up on the gold details as well as her zebra rug. I was impressed!

And now the best part. Here's the finished piece styled in her bedroom.

The gold mirror is from Home Goods. To the bottom left, "book" boxes house a cluster of ugly cords. Brilliant!

Who knew this cozy and stylish bedroom get even better?! But the "new" vanity did the trick

Since the vanity itself is more ornate, clean and modern pieces on top keep the look chic as opposed to gaudy

Gorgeous gold paper lines the drawers and compliments the zebra seat cushion

The gold dipped "feet" might be my favorite detail of the piece

Glamorous yet fun, Lindsay's vanity is now the perfect place to get ready!

For anyone out there interested in putting together a similar look, do it! Lindsay and I had so much fun completing this project over the course of two days, a few hours each day. It ended up being far cheaper than any new set she could've purchased, and it is personalized to fit her space perfectly. Looks great!

For help putting together a similar look in your space, contact me at heidi.atlsdesign@gmail.com for details!

I'm blushing.

I'm over here today. Come visit and read my tips on budget decorating.

A big thank you to Alice in Designland for having me!

Before and After(ish): Dressing Room.

Here is a before and after I've been working on as of late. Although it's not completely done, it's come so very far and is already enjoyed on a daily basis by my client. So I thought I'd share.

Pretty good, right? I kind of wish it was mine!

Happy weekend readers! Anything fun planned?