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I have a client who had started a remodel project for her home but ran out of steam and did not really get around to furnishing the space. She was really happy with the updates, color scheme (gray and white) and her rug, but was ready to “finish” the room.
Before:
The main family room was a bit empty except for a rug and a side chair that my client liked. The room is long but narrow, which was a bit of a challenge from a space planning point of view.
After:
We removed a horribly dated ceiling fan (which you can’t see above) and added a lot of pretty, feminine elements. We have mirrored end tables, mother of pearl lamps, velvet tufted sofa and embroidered drapery panels.
Before:
The area near the stairwell was basically also unfurnished.
After:
We not only added more seating, but we finished off the stairwell by adding a pretty, marble topped chest, iron lamps and some art pieces.
The chairs have an elegant, flared arm and are covered in white Crypton fabric with a contrast welt in gray velvet.
Now the room is a very pretty, chic, tranquil space she and her daughter can enjoy. I hope you have enjoyed another ‘Before and After’. I think it is so much fun to see all the different elements that homeowners want to use personalize their space. Some enjoy a lot of color, some live a hectic life and want none. It makes my job more interesting to get to do so many different projects. If you would like some help creating the home you want, we would love to talk with you about your project!
I hope every one has a fabulous weekend. I am looking forward to heading to Round Top on Monday. It will be a busy, but fun, week. I will make sure to take a lot of pictures of all the popular trends!
I am gearing up for a trip to Round Top at the beginning of October. I have a long list of things I am on the look out for, especially since we are going to be decorating a home for the 2014 Parade of Homes!! Can not wait!
One booth I will definitely be looking for is the company ‘”reworks”. You may remember I used them to make some lamps for us last year in the Southern Living Showcase house. You can see them in this photo on the right side on top of the buffet:
I had purchased the corbels at Round Top and then had reworks covert them into lamps. They were really unique.
Artists Chotsie Gregson and Willem Sypesteyn create new products from old elements and their products are really special. They both have roots in New Orleans, so their products have an air of classic elegance and timelessness.
All photos below from reworks.
I am really excited to share with you an exclusive preview of some of their newly designed products for Round Top at the Blue Hills Show!
First up, this amazing sunburst headboard which is made from architectural remnants and distressed raw materials.
Similar to some of the pieces above is this new Tripod Table which has a steel base and a Calcutta marble top.
This next table is made from an antique plaster ceiling medallion. Notice the detail of the medallion in the second photo.
These last two photos are of reworks new French-Inspired console tables. This one has gray French mid-century architectural artifacts and a distressed wood base.
If you are in Texas late September/early October, you should definitely swing by Blue Hills at Round Top to see reworks. reworks pieces are so special, they are hard to pass up. You had better be prepared to part ways with some of your funds and plan on acquiring some truly original furniture pieces that are also works of art!
I always dreamed about living downtown in a loft style residence. That is why I was so excited when we were asked to do some upgrades to two apartment model units in downtown Houston.
Before:
The family room area in the 2 bedroom model was a bit drab. Also, the rug and sitting area looked really small, even though the space was huge for an apartment!
After:
The model had a nicely done master in shades of blue and gray, and a guest bedroom in a bright green, so we pulled both those colors into the family room to tie the space together.
We used a much larger rug and furniture to showcase how big the room really was. We also picked a larger piece for the TV area to better fill the space. The existing bookcases were then centered on the wall and re-accessorized to with elements of different height and color.
We also added some drapery panels on the opposite wall and in the breakfast nook in this fabric from Duralee:
For the one bedroom unit, the model had a lot going for it, except in the dining area. The existing table and chairs lacked panache and the art seemed to be just floating by itself on the wall.
Before:
After:
We used the existing color scheme from the rest of the apartment (green, blue, yellow and coral) to select our rug, art and accessories. We found a new table and chairs. The glass top keeps the space feeling open and the white chairs add to the light feeling.
The console from the 2 bedroom unit was moved into this space and a larger painting hung above it, along with large lamps for impact. We also added the fun glass bubbles to the area above the table as there was not any electrical at that spot.
This was a really fun project for us to work on. Doing a variety of design work gives us the opportunity to live vicariously through a multitude of lifestyles- suburban family, million dollar vacation, downtown loft living. It is the best of all worlds! We love different types of projects, so if you are considering hiring a design team to help with your project, we would love to hear about it. Just email us at: info@heatherscotthome.com.
As I mentioned last week, I have been spending some time in Montana this summer. It is so interesting to travel to different parts of the country and see the regional architectural and interior design differences.
I thought I would take some time this week to share some of the nearby homes for sale in Montana. If you are like me, you will appreciate the design details, even if it isn’t something you feel like you could do in your own home. Who knows, something in the photos might just inspire you to look at your home in a new light.
All photos are from real estate websites such as Zillow or Trulia.
Exteriors:
One thing I notice consistently is the amount of detail on higher end properties. Not only a mix of different stones and woods, but also a significant investment to exterior hardscaping. For an area that is under snow a good 6 months of the year I am impressed by the number of meandering walkways, bridges, ponds, etc.
And, views, especially of water, pop up everywhere. Some are man made, but well incorporated into nature.
The home below is on Flathead Lake, the largest fresh water lake west of the Mississippi. It looks more East Coast than Montana, but even here there is nothing as good as lakeside living!
We stopped at Flathead Lake for lunch on our way up to Glacier National Park and the views were amazing!
Outdoor sitting and dining areas also seem to be very popular:
From an interiors point of view, the majority of the homes are very dark or ‘heavy’. Rough stone, chiseled countertop edges and wood beams are the norm.
Here are a couple of kitchens I thought were unique…
Not much marble in the Montana mountains, but here is one homeowner that used marble as a slab backsplash in the kitchen, opposite wood countertops.
These cabinets were a pretty blueish/gray color:
I thought this kitchen was very elegant in its simplicity and liked how they incorporated just a bit of color in the island and one set of upper cabinets.
Many of the media rooms are exactly what you would expect, but I thought this one was interesting with the ‘bunks’ in the back of the room.
This bedroom could fit in many states in the country, but still has the rustic beams and dark wood trim.
This room could be seen as ‘country’ with the wood paneling, but the wall color adds a new dimension.
I always like to see unusual eating areas and this one appealed to me. The foldback doors opening to the patio are fabulous, but so is the leather settee with round table and chairs. I could drink my morning coffee here any day of the week!
Finally, just a couple of bathrooms with some different tile work.
First, this one has the tile taken to a higher level than many baths and has a unique arch design over the shower door.
This one, in the same home, has also invested a lot in tile work with runs up about 2/3rds of the wall. I also like the unusual light fixtures.
Copper sinks and oil rubbed bronze fixtures are the norm for this part of the country, but that doesn’t mean everything has to look the same. Here are two bathrooms with unique backsplash design.
I hope you’ve enjoyed a little regional look at homes for sale in Montana. Who knows, maybe it will get you thinking about how you could incorporate some of these unique elements in your home!
What do a downtown condo, a lake home and apartments have in common? We installed at least one of each this week! Needless to say, this job is never boring! We (Emily, Toni & I) were in downtown Austin on Monday to install an entire 3 bedroom condo. The client requested a gray, red and blue color scheme that was style appropriate to a condo, but not too contemporary. Here is a quick before & after:
BEFORE 
AFTER 
Tuesday we drove out to Lakeway for a lake view home we have been working on. It felt like we were at a vacation resort. Here is another brief before & after:
BEFORE 
AFTER (minus the custom rug which will not be in until December!) 
Wednesday, Scott, Emily and I drove up to Ft. Worth and then Frisco (near Dallas) for 2 apartment clubhouse remodels we have been working on. These projects have been a lot of fun, totally different from residential design. Here is a before and after of the Frisco lobby.
BEFORE
AFTER (we are still in process of changing out the mantle and mirror) 
We topped the night off attending the ASID Legacy of Design Awards ceremony at the Dallas Market Center. I won a First Place award for Best Residential Kitchen. And, an honorable mention for a home office with reclaimed wood wall. Design Guide magazine sponsored the award and will feature each winner in their magazine. 
We made it home around 11pm and I was back at the office around 7:30am as Emily, Toni and I headed to San Antonio measure a current client’s new build home, to finish the install of a clubhouse and then measure the space for our next clubhouse project. Here is a photo of the clubhouse project we just finished:
BEFORE
AFTER
So, today is Friday and needless to say, I am exhausted, as is the rest of the team. That said, we are so grateful for the business and truly enjoy the diversity of all the projects we have the opportunity to work on. Now, I need to go back to work to get ready for next week!
Hi there! It is Amanda, here. I am guest blogging for Heather today. We were having a conversation and I was telling her about all the people that ask about what fabric to choose for ottomans and then, what accessories, because the ottomans take up such a large visual space in the room. We both thought it would be a great idea to cover this topic.
We all love the idea of an ottoman in the center of our living spaces! They are extremely functional because they can provide a soft surface for both the little ones and comfort for our feet. The question frequently comes up, if I were to get one what would I put on it?
This space is all about pattern and texture! The ottoman in the center allows for yet another pattern and by adding the tray on top there is even more texture! This is such an interesting space so by accessorizing with 3 simple objects, it doesn’t take away from everything else throughout the room.
This zebra print ottoman was intended to add drama and make a statement! The tray was planned to bring in a sleek look and tie in the side tables in the space. Here they have incorporated minimal accessories to keep a simple design but still used a natural element in a glass vase to liven up the starkness. This room is overall very minimalistic, but adds a lot of excitement at the same time. It’s amazing what difference a great print can make!
By adding the ottoman here they were able to bring in a much needed pop of color to offset such light furniture. I love that the fabric color reflects the coral wall behind the sofa. The style of this space is more collective so they have included several floral and china pieces that coordinate with the rest of the space and draw your eye to the center of the room.
This is a wonderful example of a rectangular ottoman and how to accessorize it. I love that the ottoman is tufted to add some sophistication to the design. When accessorizing a rectangular shape, it is best to be more symmetrical. Notice how they placed stacks of books/magazines on either side and added a vertical element in the middle.
I love how the colors are mindful in this space. By incorporating pops of blue throughout the blue ottoman was a must! It pulls your eye to the center and is beautifully done in rich blue tufted velvet totally making the room! They have put the ottoman tray at a casual angle making it look like an effortless design element. The round boxwood is a great shape here and simple stack of books with some fresh flowers really livens up the area.
This room is such a large space with great vertical availability. By placing the ottoman tray on the ottoman they are able to add even more height with apothecary jars and coral structures.
This room is a little more eclectic and has several fabrics throughout the space. By selecting a light gray ottoman to offset all the surrounding beige they really centered the space. Notice here how it looks as though they have used a mirror rather than a tray, which is a creative way to incorporate a reflective appearance with the candleholders. A lot of times, the rule is to group in threes! This is a prime example of that. See how they have placed 3 items in the center all at different heights?
Come check out our ottomans we have immediatley available in our showroom! We would love to help you pick which one fits your space! If these aren’t the perfect fit for your room we can help you customize your own ottoman! Don’t forget to bring in some pictures of your room so we can help select what works best!
Leather Storage Ottoman
Dimensions: 35.5L x 35.5W x 18H inches
$759.99
Telescope Ottoman
Dimensions: 32”W x 45L” x 21”H
$1,205.00
Round Chocolate Velvet Ottoman
Diameter 30” Diameter x 19”H, $910.80
We look forward to seeing you soon at the store!
I am excited to tell you Heather Scott Home & Design is now carrying Voluspa candles!
We have several popular scents from the Maison Noir and Maison Blanc collections.
You will not be surprised to know my favorite scent is “Laguna”! I love fresh, light scents, but everyone’s taste is different, that is why they have so many options!
The candles sell for only $27.50. We also have the candle tins in stock. These are decorative tins that sell for only $16.50- what a pretty hostess gift!
These candles are really great. And, if you think all candles are the same, dreamt up by some faceless company in a nameless factory, you have it all wrong!
I encourage you to read all about Traci Arntsen, the founder of Voluspa, in a recent Wall Street Journal article which you can access by clicking on this link:
Scott and I are happy to be supporting the success of another “Made in America” company and we hope you will do the same!
I like real plants inside a home. But, I have a total black thumb and just can not keep them alive. I read many times about how easy Meyer Lemon Trees were to grow, and inspired by catalog photos like these…
I was delighted to receive one as a gift from my mother-in-law about 5 years ago. I thought my home might look something like this one day:
The little lemon tree looked cute inside for a little while, but quickly outgrew the pot and needed to be transplanted outside.
Also, the only fruit we ever saw on it was a lemon that arrived in the box on a ‘broken off’ stem (Scott insists the company threw it in the box just so we would think it would fruit). We thought the outdoors might make it happier.
Little did I know that when you transplant the tree, it might take up to 3 years for it to fruit. Are people telling me this because they just feel sorry for me and want to make it sound like my tree’s delayed fruiting is normal?
Well, we are on year 2 1/2 of the Meyer Lemon Tree being outside. Low and behold I have one (yes, count that one) lemon that has formed and is still on the tree.
Now, somehow other people get so many they have to give them away. Maybe next year. If I have one, I have hope, right?
In celebration, I wanted to share some photos of Meyer Lemon Trees used in decorating. Believe it or not, I could not really find any (expect the one above) of interiors. But, aren’t these outdoor photos lovely? Maybe my tree will look like this in a couple of years.
Maybe in the next year, or next five, my lemon tree will make my landscaping look this fabulous. But really I would be glad just to get enough lemons to make something with them! If you have any growing tips, feel free to leave me a comment. I hope you all have better luck with interior plants than I do. I really believe they can improve the design, not to mention air quality, of your home, but it does take some patience, effort, and a bit of a gift!
It amazes me how fast time flies. I think it is even more noticeable as you watch children move from one grade up to the next. This client’s room had been the ‘playroom’ at one point in time. Now the girls are in junior high and high school and the family was looking for a space to do family movie night and hang out.
The “New” Media Room:
The goal for the room was for everyone to be able to pile onto the sofa and have a ‘good seat’ to watch a movie. The homeowners wanted the room to be comfortable and cushy. They also asked for the space to flow with the existing, traditional style of the rest of the home, but to have a little more punch and modernity.
Before:
After:
Our jumping off point was a new family photo which featured the colors blue, white, fuchsia and gray. I love it when a homeowner jumps out with a color like hot pink as an option. We just had to keep it toned down so the man of the family felt at home.
We did that by basing the design off of a more masculine-hued rug and sofa. The rug is a super soft grey with silky accents of steel blue. The sectional is a cozy steel blue velvet which is really plush. We just piled it up with accent pillows in pink, white, grey and blue.
Notice the detailed, box nailhead trim at the ends of the sofa. I think it adds a lot of style to the sectional.
One particularly fun piece is the swivel corner chair which we did in a basic beige linen, but trimmed with hot pink velvet cord. So fun!
The ottoman is both functional and stylish. We went larger and made it more like a bumper so everyone could easily put feet up and would not have to fight over the chaise.
The windows before had white, wood blinds which were inside mounted. We added some panache to the interior architecture by outside mounting new natural shades and hanging drapery panels between each window.
When Emily and I installed the room we couldn’t stop ourselves from ‘testing’ out the couch, it was just so inviting!
I hope you like this space as much as the family, and I, did. I am really pleased the parents wanted to invest in a space where the whole family could all spend more time together even as the kids become teenagers. I have nothing against separate spaces for the kids, but it was heartwarming to be able to create a space for this family to enjoy fun times together!
If you would like help creating a room or home for your family to spend better quality time together, we would love to help. Contact us at: info@heatherscotthome.com
I love flipping through the pages of a big, coffee table book with large pictures of beautiful homes. As much as I like looking at homes on Pinterest and Designers/Architects/Builders websites, nothing will ever take the place of hard copy books and magazines.
I wanted to take a moment to share some recent book releases in the Interior Design field. I’ve provided a link on each book’s title that takes you to their website to check out the author’s work and material. You can purchase all these books at B&N or Amazon, or order from your local bookstore!
1) Michael S. Smith: Building Beauty
2) Stephanie Stokes: Elegant Rooms That Work
3) Rhonda Rice Carmen: Designs At Home
4) Susan Sully: Houses with Charm
5) Jane Schwab & Cindy Smith: The Welcoming Home
So, just a few to get you started for the weekend- and maybe next weekend!
Grab a cup of coffee, a cushy chair and sit down, relax and enjoy the beauty!
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