The Center of Attention!

After having rented in Arlington for several years, I managed to collect a motley crue of living room furniture. I'm sure all of you renters out there can relate - I didn't want to buy anything too nice with multiple roommates and knowing I was going to move around - a lot... 

Since my new condo is smaller than my previous 2BR apartment and I wanted to get some new furniture anyways, I knew a massive clean out was in order. The only piece in my living room that managed to survive the massive moving dump was my vintage federal-style buffet sideboard cabinet. My mom (PID) found it years ago at a flea market and I knew I wanted it to be the focal point of my new living room! 

This is an example of what a federal-style buffet sideboard cabinet looks like before it's refinished. 

The inspiration for my living room - I'm using it as an entertainment center (keep scrolling to see it in all it's entertainment glory!).

When my mom purchased the buffet cabinet, she noticed the potential in the piece but it had several flaws in the original mahogany. To give it some interest, she decided to leave the top as the original mahogany and refinish the body with a 1-step chalk paint. This type of paint does not require stripping, sanding or priming of the original wood. 

How easy is that!? Sign me up!

I'm kind of loving it! I know I know - I have to hide the cable wires but I was too excited not to share it. Definitely on the 'to-do list'.

She also sanded the edges to bring out more of the original mahogany from under the paint. 

 OFFICIALLY DISTRESSED!

(Original hardware)

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you... Yes, that's baby blue...

My partner in crime or maybe I should start calling mom my Partner In Design - PID - was the perfect second opinion in painting choices. My parents have lived in and painted a few houses over the years, due to my Dad's first career in the Army. Her knowledge and reassurance helped ease my mind about making the right paint decisions... I'm all about second opinions. My mantra: Ask twice, paint once!

Here is the transformation of my bedroom and the floors. 

We start off with a charming-everything-baby-blue color - yikes! I'm not diggin' this monochromatic...

As you can see, the walls and the carpet are both baby blue. This was too icy cold and was not going to work with my color scheme. 

In this picture, the blue carpeting is still hanging on but the walls have been painted. Since the bedroom isn't very big, we didn't want to do anything too dark. I would have loved to paint it Mega Greige like the kitchen, it's just such a warm and welcoming color! But we went 2 shades lighter in the same family with Agreeable Gray. I think it turned out wonderfully - not too dark but still has that same warm feeling. 

And now for the big transformation - new floors.

Before - shiny and faded - too much of the light tan/brownish color.

TA DA!

Living Room - Shell White walls with Brown Bear floors.

Bedroom - Agreeable Gray walls with Brown Bear floors.

We went with a white oak - color Brown Bear - engineered flat surface 5” wide plank and 48” random length. I love this floor - it just adds so much richness to the space.

And the work begins...

*** Gotta give a shout out to my homegirl, Corinne for initially recommending Mega Greige!***

I honestly find moving to be the biggest inconvenience ever! Something just always seems to go wrong, in my case - loading dock times got mixed up, movers showed up without promised boxes, my cell phone died the night prior (what timing!) to list only some of my grievances. But at the end of my moving day, everything aligned - my new couch was delivered and the cable guy showed up even without them being able to get in touch with me (no phone, remember!)! 

After we had most of my stuff moved in and put away, I picked up takeout for my parents and I. Over our dinner from Boulevard Woodgrill and much needed drinks, my Dad looks at me and says "Well that all worked out really well!". I had no words - are you serious?!? Now looking back at that day - it sure was insanely stressful but like my Dad said (do they always have to be right!?), it did all work out.

Thanks for all of your help - Mom and Dad - could not have done it without you!

Just a quick before and after - more to come...

 The place needed a paint change - bye bye brown and green, this isn't a forest. 

My Mom and I decided to go with Mega Greige in the kitchen and I am obsessed with it! I also chose to paint the living room area Shell White in order to make the smaller space look larger. When you have less than 700 sqft, ya gotta work with what you've got! 

Up next - say goodbye to the caramel colored wood floors and the baby blue carpet in my bedroom (wait till you see it). And hello new wood floors throughout!

Survived purchasing my first home!

My Mom has always been my partner-in-crime (PIC) especially when it comes to shopping. So when I bought my own place in late 2013, a loft-style condo, it gave us plenty of opportunities to do what we love - SHOP! These shopping trips helped to rekindle our love for interior design and creating one-of-a-kind pieces. 

Elizabeth (my Mom and PIC) is an interior decorator with lots of experience designing rooms and restoring furniture. On this blog I plan to post pictures and tips on how we create the looks and pieces. Please check in and follow us on our new journey!

My little buddy - Sid (my parent's Yorkie) was also very helpful during my move. 

He loved my beautiful new couch!