Shopping In the Box

Being an interior designer, you would think that I would be totally against shopping for my clients at one of those "big box" stores (Home Depot, Target, Lowe's, etc.).  Honestly, I did have reservations as I've heard every horror story in the book.  Now, I'm not saying run out and let them design a new kitchen for you, but if you are wanting to update a few simple things and you have a tight budget - and you are willing to take the chance of not ever have anyone to help you - then these stores might be a good fit.

I recently took a trip to my local Home Depot with a client.  She's building a new house and has been great at really stretching her budget.  She had found some tile for her master bathroom and wanted me to look at it.  I was blown away!  We sat there, in the aisle, and designed her entire master shower using stock tile.

Yes!  This is marble.  We are doing a herringbone pattern using the 3x6 tile along the top of the shower walls, then adding this great railing and filling in with large tiles the rest of the way.  The black dot mosaic is for the shower floor.  This will tie in great if she decides to go with the black honed granite on her vanity counters (fingers crossed).

Lighting is another way you can update a room and I've found some great options that I would totally specify for a project.  A new light over your breakfast table or pendants over your island would really breathe new life into your space!  Not to mention, some personality.  Lighting is a place to take a chance as it's easy to change if you get tired of it in a few years.

This chandelier from Lowe's is great alternative to the one from Restoration Hardware that is almost $1000.

This glass pendant, from Lowe's, looks like a custom piece and it's under $40!

This Jeffrey Court tile from Home Depot is right on trend and is less than $15 per square foot.  This would be great as a powder bath floor.

Got a leaky faucet?  Then update your old one with this bridge faucet from Home Depot.  It's a splurge, but what a piece of art this is!

I consider this a perfect chairside table and what's even more perfect is the price.  Target has done it, once again!

 

I've had my eye on this campaign table since they put it on the shelves at my local Target, but I have no place for it.  I'm almost talked myself into just buying it and designing around it.  Oh, did I also mention it comes in red and gray?

Maybe take this Labor Day Weekend to visit your local big box stores and see what you can do to spruce up a space in your house!

Thanks for reading,
Jennifer

Summer is Almost Over

I can't believe school starts in a week!  Where did the summer go?  For personal reasons, I'm glad to see this one go.  For professional reasons, I'm tired of all this heat!  I've got three construction projects going on now and doing site checks is brutal.  I've become an expert at planning them so I don't have to show up at another client meeting looking like a wilted flower.  I've also discovered that deodorant melts in a hot car!  Gross!

Here's are some photos from those three construction projects...

This is the tile I've recently selected for a client's new master bathroom.  It's just for the shower walls as the client is putting wood on the floor!  This will be the first time I've had someone do this and I'm excited to see how it will turn out.

The hexagon tile (in the first photo) is going inside this recessed niche.  It's huge and I can't wait to see it installed.  I have a feeling this will be one of my favorite things. 

This tile combo is a major contender for a kitchen splash.  The client wants a very neutral kitchen with white cabinets.  The marble will be the main field tile and I need to come up with some amazing design, using the accent tile, for behind the cook top. 

My client did a little wood floor shopping and left these samples for me to look at.  It's super helpful when clients can narrow down the choices of what they like, then rely on me to guide them on the final choice.  We're going with the one on the right (the smaller, darker one).  

Finally, an exterior shot of the cutest house I'm working on.  Can't wait for you to see what we have in store for the front door! 

If you need some help with a construction or remodeling project, or just want to get your house freshened up for the holidays, give me a call!

Thanks for reading,
Jennifer
 

Chez Sois {take three}

Things are moving fast now at Chez Sois and I'm excited to report that we have started with selections.  Plumbing was this week and we also started looking at some beautiful lighting options

This little beauty will be in the master bath.

This is the sink we're using in the powder bath.

Here are few photos from my site visit this morning.  All the old has been taken away and now we are creating the new.  The contractor is doing a great job.

This is the view into the new master bath.  We took two small bathrooms and created one larger one.

View from Family Room into New Dining and Kitchen...This is where the biggest transformation is going to take place with trim and cabinetry.

Cabinets are on the agenda for next week as well as tile. We're also deciding on wood flooring and weighing the choices.  I promise to keep you posted on the progress!

Thanks for reading,
Jennifer