Feeling Blue

One of the best parts of doing design work is the people I get to work with. When this home addition was in it's framing stage, I was contacted by the homeowners for the interior design. As much as I loved the design work, it was the collaboration and getting to know the homeowners that was the best part! One thing that wasn't thought about when the blueprints were drawn was that there would be multiple focal points in the room. The homeowners wanted a large television and the space above the fireplace couldn't accomodate that. This was resolved by having the cabinet maker build a large frame for the television, and then set up a small visiting area around the fireplace. When needed, the furniture around the fireplace can easily be moved into the larger grouping.

I love the classic blue and white, white finish trim details, and then the contemporary drum shade light fixture. The hutch is made from black walnut to match the kitchen cabinetry and showcases the family's blue and white collection. Built in window seats were added to the family room and nook for the avid readers.

They are an amazing family with 6 young children and a very busy and active lifestyle. Betsy, the homeowner, had many wonderful built-in organization ideas and a desire to incorporate 'kid friendly' surfaces, while still achieving a classic sense of style. Travertine was combined with glazed procelain tile for the backsplash, and ultra durable Cambria in Jerusalem Sandstone was used for the countertops.

We met with the cabinet maker and custom designed beautiful cabinetry made from Black Walnut. Storage opportunites are abundant in the venthood with functioning storage cabinets. Pictured below is a built-in bake center with bin front drawers showcasing cold cereal (Betsy is known for always having an abundance of cold cereal selections). Behind the doors and drawers Betsy is able to keep all of her small appliances and baking needs concealed.

In the mud room we had the finish carpenter frame in a large piece of sheet metal that can be used as a magnet/message board for the family. The flooring is Tarkett vinyl to look like stained concrete. (Chloe is modeling in front of the message board.)

This is the main bath off of the kitchen where the Tarkett vinyl was used again, as well as a laminate counter that matches the Cambria in the kitchen. Betsy had pull-out step stools added to the toe kicks of the cabinetry, and handy storage drawers under the sink bases. We had the shower curtain sewn to match the towels.

Betsy loves blue and she loves wallpaper. We combined the two in her dining area.

She also loves classic, vintage things and found these great postcards that we framed in shadow box frames and hung at the top of the stairs.

Wanting something fun to transition from the public spaces to the bedrooms, we made these silhouettes of each of her 6 children. No, we didn't cut them out of paper as is traditionally done, we took it to the 2010 version and photographed the children's profiles, then my mother (a photoshop wiz) turned them into these blacked out versions on a linen background, they were then printed as photos and framed.

This is the laundry with blue cabinets, a backsplash of mixed up ceramic tiles accented with blue glass mosaic tile bands. The inspiration for the laundry room was the Tarkett vinyl flooring that Betsy fell in love with.

We had blue cubbies, coat hooks, lockers and shoe bins built into the mudroom off the garage. We had it painted a slate blue color, coordinating with the slate blue dots in the wallpaper.

The mudroom accomodating the backyard is one of my favorites. We used red brick wallpaper that matches the family room fireplace brick, added blue beadboard wainscot, and played up the red brick by painting the doors red. Don't you just love the vintage style sink Betsy found?

Always keeping storage in mind, the benches are hinged to accomodate gloves, scarves, etc.