Kimberly's Before and After

Hi Christine,

 

Here are the AFTER photos I promised.....I included one of the downstairs powder room to show you that I wallpapered in your honor! LOL

We kept everything neutral because I like to re-accessorize 4 times a year with the seasons....my red shell chandelier (which I fell in love with and purchased against the advice of my decorator) goes with all the seasons except spring :( 

 

Wondering if you have any suggestions for the decor on the buffet in the dining room....I tried to do some repeats, some symmetry, overlap, but I still feel its not exactly right. Maybe its just too busy??

 

Thanks

 

Kim

Kim,

What a terrific job you have done!  I feel a little like a proud parent.  ;-)  I especially like how you wallpapered "in my honor".  I fear that I have gotten to the point where it actually irritates me a little when clients tell me they don't want to wallpaper.  I am so sick of that lazy attitude.  It's always about the"work".  Do you really think you can get a beautiful home without a little work? (or paying someone else to do a little work...) I sound bitter don't I?  I love your wallpaper- it is wonderful! Every house needs a little wallpaper!

Let me tell you what's up with your dining room sideboard.  There is much that is great about it, but you are right, it is not perfect.  You were right when you wondered if it was "too busy".  More specifically it is too much in the way of sprigs and spray.  Keep in mind, I love the use of greenery and think it should be found all over your home.  Having the vase in the center is great, but then also the vase on the right with more branches, and the addition of the purple and off white flowers in the center vase is all a little congested.  Remember: a little goes a long way.  ;-)  Thanks again for "after photos".   You really did a terrific job!

It's not too late to sign up for this week's webinar- Color in Interior Design.  It is this coming Thursday, 6pm Pacific Time.

Thanks,

Christine

Jen's Before and After

Hi Christine!

You helped me redo my sunroom back in January (sent you a video).  Just got my new rug (different from what you suggested but I love it!) and took pics for you.  Did the paint you recommended, Ramie, and also did the curtains.  Can I just say how much I LOVE it in there now!  Spent the whole day in there on Sunday!  Still need to find a coffee table but it's coming along nicely and my husband didn't complain (too much anyways) about doing all the work for me since I'm due to give birth any day now.  =))

Thank you so much!

- Jen

Thanks for sending after pic's Jen!

Becca's Before and After

Hi Christine,

You probably don't remember, but I emailed you back in February of 2009 for advice on my living room  (here. and here and here and here and here)  I thought it was so fun to get on your blog and see my pictures and get some advice from you.  Great advice, by the way.  Well, I never sent you "after" pictures because I didn't exactly follow your advice.  I've had some serious guilt issues about that.  How rude of me not to respond with my finished room.  Well, I wanted to send you some after pictures because I've been following your blog/new site and although I didn't follow your exact advice for my room, I have tried to apply the principles you talk about and I'm pretty happy with the end result.  Thought you might like to see it.  Thanks for all you do.  I love to hear what you have to say!

Rebecca

ps - I'm so embarrassed when I look back at the before pictures.  How did I have any friends???

pps - big chunky crown molding makes the biggest difference in a room.  So worth it.

 

Hi Rebecca,

You really did a beautiful job!  It's a good thing that good friends don't care about how well we decorate.  :)   They do make great before and after photos!  I LOVE the lighter paint.  I love how you took care of your TV.  Your use of scale on your wall decor is infinitely improved!  Good Job!

Do you want to take it to the next level?  Consider a lighting plan.  Check out the advice I gave Cara on her dining room.  A rectangular shape on your light would be so much nicer.  While I was replacing the light, I would move it.  (Even if you just use a chain and hook)  Move the table 90 degrees to face the other direction.  Center the table with your new fabulous wall decor, as well as the window-  then hang the light above the new location.  I see that you have a vent near where that location might be, but you can make it work. It might require shifting your set of nine perfectly hung pictures.  But- the most important thing is that we get it right, right? ;) Then I would put a nice large plant in the corner with an uplight.  Consider also adding an eyeball light accenting your art, and a sconce between the window and door.  Look at the advice I gave Kim on her lighting plan.  Use the advice in both of your rooms. 

The last bit of advice I have is to finish it off with a rug.  (You might use this table every day and have small children and prefer the hard floor for practical purposes)- but I will tell you that from a design standpoint, the space would benefit greatly from the softness of a rug. 

Be sure that the rug blends nicely with the rug in the family room.

I found the rug above on homedecorator.com.  Rebecca, I can't thank you enough for sending in after photos.  It makes me happy even if you didn't do every thing exactly- you did a fantastic job.  There are many good ways to decorate a room- and you did very well! 

Thanks again,

Christine

After Photo

Rachel Re-hung her photos!  (from this post)  Thanks for the after picture!  It would be fun to recieve a lot more of those!

Before and After- Rob's House

I love it when readers do two things:

1. Follow my advice exactly.
2. Send me a photo.

These are some after photos of this post and this post

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What do you think?