Inspiration in the Studio

It’s time to reveal Part I of our Charlotte Charm project!  Take a look as we unveil more spaces in this warm, cheerful home we designed with New Old Custom Homes. Collaboration with talented architects, builders, trades, and clients is what makes our job rewarding!

This mudroom is the perfect landing pad as you walk in the door.  Custom cabinetry design by the talented New Old boasts lots of storage space to minimize clutter, and charcoal tile flooring will hide dirt that may get tracked inside.

This office space is formal without feeling too stiff.  Large windows let in lots of light, and the standout driftwood chandelier is a main focal point.

Another bathroom, another statement wallpaper!  This feather pattern is a charismatic addition to this guest bathroom.

A clean, modern master bedroom is an excellent place to rest and recharge. Sometimes less really is more!

Last but certainly not least – the master bathroom!  Luxurious brushed gold hardware, plumbing, mirrors, and sconce are a glamorous accent to the white shiplap walls.

And that perfect freestanding tub to soak away the stress of a long day.

Although this home is simple and fresh, it’s character still shines through in all the details.  This is what we do best – creating a haven for special families.

When favorite clients with incredible vision ask for our help with a major remodel of their 20+ year old home, we jump at the opportunity.  It’s not always a pretty process living through a remodel, but the end result is so worth the effort!  Follow along as we tour you through this “new” home .

The living room fireplace wall was completely re-designed and the wall to the adjoining kitchen was removed. The fresh color palette was created with performance fabric and carefully curated details.

The kitchen was completely demolished down to the studs and a peninsula wall was removed. The result was a bright, open space designed for large family gatherings with lots of young grandchildren to be spoiled and entertained. The cabinetry was stacked to the ceiling to maximize storage and create a clean aesthetic. The central island anchors the space and is topped with a stunning slab of quartzite.

The master bedroom is a calming retreat (even for the furriest members of the family).

The outdated garden tub and small shower were removed from the master bath. As we re-designed the space, we created an incredible steam shower and free-standing tub that could compete with the most luxurious spas.

We even gave the powder room a well-deserved makeover!  We especially love the wallcovering.

There is nothing quite like the joy of transforming a home for a special family.  This holiday season, we can’t wait to see photos of this space being shared and enjoyed!

We’ve been working hard lately (and clearly not keeping up with the blog).  Well, these photos of a recent project just had to be shared. When one of our favorite clients came to us with a vision for their master suite, the creative energy started to flow!

What makes this space so special?  

The beautiful natural stacked slate wall.

The engineered solid stone free-standing bathtub.

The reclaimed wood barn door.

The quarter sawn oak cabinets in a beautiful gray stain.

The LED lighting throughout the space.

The engineered stone sinks.

The quartz countertops.

The incredible charm of reclaimed wood floors and bookcases.

The luxurious linens and fabrics on the bed.

But, most of all, it’s the fantastic people who had the vision and allowed us to help them bring it to life!

Builder / Contractor :: Scott Daves Construction

Photography :: Tad Davis Photography

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. I think the saying is appropriate for this project. We were fortunate enough to work with some wonderful clients throughout the construction and furnishing of their beautiful home. Kudos to Alan Blankenship, an incredibly talented builder with Blankenship Custom Homes!

Love this keeping room….cozy and comfortable!  I actually stopped by recently and found myself lingering a bit too long in that swivel chair.

This is a dream kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances. Notice the beautiful finish on the hood!

The finishes in this dining room are stunning….the faux finish walls and exquisite window treatments.

Now this is an office! Not a bad place to spend the day.

And, the bathrooms…let’s just say details are key!

Thanks, John and Lauren for sharing your home!  When we first met many months ago, we knew we’d be spending a lot of time together. I have to say, we’re missing you these days. Enjoy it all!

Photography by Dustin Peck

Today, Martha and I took a break from work to join our fellow ASID members for a visit to the Lighting Experience Center at Cree in Durham.  Let’s just say, it was well worth our time! Goodbye to obsolete, energy-inefficient lighting. Hello LED!

Bob Henderson, Cree’s Manager of Lighting Education, managed to en”light”en us with an abundance of information on LED technology in our short visit.  As designers, it is assumed that we will make a space aesthetically beautiful. As educated designers (trust me, we’ve had a lot), we strive to improve the lives of our clients and stay on the cutting-edge of design with new technologies.

One of the demonstrations exemplified how different light sources can affect color on a variety of surfaces. How appropriate for us that it happened to be fabrics and tiles and wall surfaces that we work with every day!

LED lighting has come a long way (and Cree is the leader of the pack)!  A few fun facts:

LED lighting lasts 25 times longer than incandescents.

LED lighting has an 84% energy savings.

New technology has made LED affordable for consumers.

LED lighting can be used on dimmers (helpful tip: use Lutron).

Cree has just recently introduced LED lamps that can replace any incandescent in your home (table lamps, sconces, pendants, you get the picture). The $10 cost will pay for itself quickly and is well worth the investment (helpful tip: they are currently only available at Home Depot).

There are also LED lamps that can replace traditional recessed lighting without changing the housing.  Since we often work in new construction and remodel projects, it is easy (and getting more affordable) to specify LED throughout our projects. After today, I’m a true believer and it almost seems irresponsible NOT to use LED.

My favorite quote from Bob today…

We are in a Revolution!

Thanks for the education, Bob!  We look forward to our “improved visual environment using significantly less energy”!

For a more technical education on LED lighting, check out the Cree website.