Hey, friends! This post is a bit different from my usual blog content, but I just HAD to share my excitement about participating in the Designer Virtual Home Tour powered by Mydoma! As a design professional and someone who creates renderings as a way to relax, I thought "why not?!" and threw my name in the hat! I am always looking for more ways to stretch my legs in the creative world, and boy did this contest deliver! Having never participated in a contest like this before, I didn't really know what to expect. Spoiler alert: IT. WAS. AWESOME. It was not easy by any means, but it was so much more fun than I thought it would be!
Here's how it works:
First participants are given a home with designated rooms that we can design. I had the option to choose one or all of them. I started out thinking I'd do one and see how it went... Well, once I got started, I couldn't stop! So, all of them it was!
Next, we are given a brief description of 2 families and asked to choose one. This is the family we are designing for as we pull this project together. I chose the young family with two kiddos because, well, that's who I work with and relate to most - MOMS!
After that, it's all up to the designer to create a space (or spaces) they think their clients will enjoy.
And so, it began...
|| The Open Concept Living Space ||
I designed this space with a few key things in mind. My clients have small children, they like to entertain friends and family, and they longed for a stylish and well-organized home. As a mom, I know the importance of finding ways to keep those toys (why do they have so many?!) tucked away but also want to have an environment that fosters family time. So, the first thing on my agenda was built-in storage, comfortable seating, and a cozy fireplace to welcome them to their favorite family space in the house. A fun sectional with brick-colored custom fabric by Kravet and a set of fun chairs (also by Kravet) to offset the blues in the room and pull from the fabulous rug by Jaipur Living that I saw and just could not get over. Speaking of blues, when I designed the white brick fireplace and natural wood built-in cabinets and shelving, I knew this wall needed a little flair. This deep navy wallpaper by Tempaper was up for the task. With a round coffee table, a statement side table, and a few throw pillows to pull it all together - mission accomplished.
The other important thing to consider in this space was a great place to gather 'round for my catering-business-owning client to invite friends and family to try out her latest culinary creations. And so, a dining area, oversized island, and extra storage in the kitchen were a must! Then, I chose a couple of fun pendant lights for the island and some cool sputnik-esque light fixtures for the living room and dining area to complete the look!
|| The Patio ||
Families with young children, especially those who like to entertain, need a great outdoor space. I designed this imagining birthday parties, cookouts, and groups of friends sharing stories and laughter on a Saturday afternoon and this little family snuggled up on a lazy Sunday morning watching the sun greet them. I wanted it to be a relaxing oasis where they could entertain, but also escape from the hustle and bustle and just "be". A beamed ceiling and some fans to keep that lovely breeze going on hot summer days were all I needed to give the structural look I knew they would love. To furnish it, I knew I needed a place for outdoor dining and a few cozy places to relax. I knew I'd have no trouble incorporating a cozy outdoor sectional and coffee table by Seasonal Living here and it was the perfect fit.
|| The Home Office ||
Working from home, as many of you know, can be challenging if you don't have a dedicated space that is organized, calm, and quiet. This busy mom and graphic designer needed a place to create and that's just what she got! With big windows and lots of natural light, I knew this room could handle something a bit more dramatic. This gorgeous green wallpaper by Tempaper was just what this space needed. Because of the deep wall color, I wanted to keep the rest of the room light and simple. It can be hard to concentrate when you're surrounded by the "noise" of too much stuff. So when I created this space I wanted to pack a punch but keep it simple. Voila!
|| The Bonus Space ||
We were given a bonus space on the second floor to design anything we wanted that we thought our clients would need or enjoy. I chose to create a home yoga studio because I knew that these ladies enjoyed yoga and I thought it would be a great space to unwind or do yoga as a family. I swapped the standard windows for some larger ones to get as much natural light as possible, added a textured ceiling, some fun wallpaper, and a calming green to the walls. When it was time to furnish it, I knew I wanted to keep it as open and clean feeling as possible. Simple cabinet storage for towels, drinks, and equipment, a wall rack to keep the weights out of little hands, and a bench to catch your breath after an intense practice was all this space needed.
|| The Master Bedroom + Closet ||
These 2 ladies are running businesses and raising children so it was important to me to make sure they had a relaxing space of their own to recover from the business of life. I also thought they needed a fabulous closet to wake up to and get that girl boss vibe on to get out there and crush it each morning. Tempaper strikes again with more stunning wallpapers and these delicious Jonathan Charles nightstands were a must when I saw them. Since I went with a bold pattern for the wall, I wanted to keep the bedding, art, and other elements (like those cutie ottomans) simple and clean for a balanced look.
The closet, well... honestly, I think I designed this for every girl. Bright and airy, well-organized, and all girl. Need I say more?!
And there you have it, folks. A virtual home for a virtual client - PCI style. I had an absolute blast designing this space and I hope you've enjoyed getting a glimpse of it, too! Stay tuned for information on how to vote for me in the coming weeks!
Special thanks to Mydoma and all the sponsors for hosting this contest! I can't wait to see what everyone has done with these spaces and who will win the grand prize!
Like what you see and what to work with me? Let's talk!
Until next time, friends!
