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Inspired Room: Helen's Fresh Start

Jul 19, 2010

Here's a peek at one of my recent eDecor Plans, designed for a Traverse City condo near West Bay. Helen was ready for a complete change in her open kitchen/dining/living area, which is the first space one sees upon entering her home. A few "before" shots show a space that was designed with a nautical theme in the late 90s and later partially updated. Helen had a need for storage and entertaining space along with a strong desire for a fresh look with touches of her vibrant personality. She had already replaced some of her original furniture and was headed in a color direction based on a detailed rug and burgundy leather seating, but the rest of the space wasn't working with it. I needed to establish a color palette and plan solutions for updating the entire combo space on a fairly tight budget.

BEFORE: To the left of the entry, a small dining area lacked definition.

BEFORE: The living room was off to a good start with a beautiful rug and great light. The furniture was a bit overscaled for the space, and a matching set doesn't exhibit the charm and personality that Helen was craving.

BEFORE: Helen wanted to upgrade to a flat-screen, so this space becomes available for a semi-custom storage solution.

BEFORE: The kitchen was dark and dated, but Helen doesn't need to gut it to bring it up to date.

Here's a look at some of the design solutions shown in 3D illustrations, built on a foundation of warm colors and a transitional look with a rich mixture of finishes. (Click any image to enlarge.)

3D VIEW, AFTER: Here's the angle from the front door: a mixture of warm neutrals, coppery hues, and rich reds.

3D VIEW, AFTER: The kitchen gets a cosmetic update with paint, copper backsplash, new fixtures, and new countertops.

3D VIEW, AFTER: Wall colors, lighting placement, and furniture arrangement emphasize the different spaces while keeping the open feel.

3D VIEW, AFTER: A cut-away view of the whole space. Dwelement's 3D Views can show any angle of a space and even remove walls or ceilings for a better look at a smaller space.

The 3D Views from Helen's plan help her visualize the finished result. The rest of the eDecor Plan is a guide to every step and every piece and material required for her renovation. Here's a look at the extensive Inspiration Board, which shows how all of the pieces and materials work together. (This plan covers a combo space, so the Inspiration Board is four pages long. My standard single-room eDecor Plans have 2-page Inspiration Boards.) In the magazine-style PDF file that each client receives, the item descriptions link directly to the item's webpage for easy shopping. It's a visual shopping list. Or it's an inspiration for shopping secondhand and revamping existing pieces. Use it how it works for you! Try it yourself by downloading Helen's complete eDecor Plan at the bottom of this blog entry.

I included Helen's existing sofa leather, rug, and flooring on the Inspiration Board. They are the given elements of this design.

I designed a custom-looking storage unit with out-of-the-box bookshelves. And I found the most amazing deal on a beautiful MinkaAire ceiling fan for $62! (Sorry, it's gone now, but Helen grabbed one right away since I marked it with a "Buy It Fast" badge.)

I like to give options, especially when a significant investment is involved. Here I show two faucet options and two countertop options, a Zodiaq engineered quartz top and a simple but rich-looking laminate. Helen can choose which option works for her when she's ready to replace the counters. I also provide local sources whenever possible for items that are best purchased in person. Helen's existing barstools and tile flooring are the given elements on this page.

I design the space down to the small details— like china and flatware, in this case. I also provide real samples whenever possible. Helen received samples of the fabric, countertops, and extra-large paint swatches.

Download the plan and experience the efficiency of eDecor yourself

To get a real feel for how a Dwelement eDecor Plan works, download Helen's Refined Revamp magazine-style PDF:

A well orchestrated design plan makes the difference between a room that looks packaged or disjointed, and one that truly reflects your personality. I take the time to get to know you, whether you live down the street or around the world. Interested in what I can do for you? Just email me. There's never an obligation. —Diane

TAGS: traverse city interior designer decorator edecor edecorating e-decorating samples budget decor interior design plans on a budget sherwin williams ramie moroccan brown dry dock rice grain caviar zodiaq savory formica colorado slate frigo design quilted matte copper backsplash

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