Portfolio - New Construction and Renovations

Yesterday I was shopping in a department store in the Linens Department, when I overheard a gentleman speaking to a woman, whom I presumed was his mother. I wasn't deliberately eavesdropping, but as an Interior Designer, my ears perk up when I hear words such as "pick out colors" wafting through the air. I didn't want to pounce on them, but did see them again at the front of the store. I couldn't help myself; I introduced myself and asked if he was planning on doing some decorating. We spoke for a bit, and I gave him my card. He gave me his email address, and I promised to send him some information and visuals of my work.

I don't have a web site (working on that) so, I am putting part of my portfolio here....I will direct the gentleman to this site, and hope that he and his wife will take the time to puruse......
That was his mother ,by the way, and I shook her hand...sadly, she'd just had shoulder surgery..so sorry...I hope I didn't injure it further (and I hope ya'll enjoyed the movie).

So....I do it all - Renovations, new construction, Parade Homes, color consultations, window treatments, bedding, staging....you name it...

This mansion dated back to the very early 1800's...it is in a small town (Washington, LA), and my clients (who live in Wisconsin) bought it, renovated it, and sold it.... I flew down to Louisianna with the client's wife, and we had a great time...measuring, drawing floorplans, planning colors, for the interior and the exterior...We got there during Mardi Gras, and experienced our "mini Mardi Gras... This is the house now....such a difference...such a wonderful home. I am so pleased when these old "beauties" are rescued from the ashes, to rise up like the Phoenix...A little over three years ago, my husband and I left the frozen tundra of Wisconsin, and have settled in the drought-stricken, triple-digits temps of Texas...we love it...but, we are ready for some rain, thankyou very much.

In Wisconsin, I specialized in new construction; wherein premier builders would purchase blocks of my time, and give it to thier clients....I would help them by guiding them through the building process, which can be quite daunting - from the ground up...every exterior surface, along with every interior surface, lighting, space planning, colors, and keeping them within budget, and on the builder's timeline....I loved it...

I also did 12 Parade homes, which I liken to bearing 12 children....designing a home from the ground up, and then decorating it, utilizing furniture vendors, rug vendors, window treatments, (I did those myself), accessories, art, floral arrangements...everything - within a three- month period..then, sadly tearing it all out. That said, many of the homes were pre-purchased, and I worked with the owners, who often kept pretty much everything in the homes...which was great for everyone concerned.

I have done many bath renovations, and this one is one that was done on a shoestring budget...I am always budget concious, no matter what. Beadboard is our friend...it covers a myriad of sins, and is fresh and stylish in just about any style of home.

Okay, here are the afters...the befores follow...still working on my posting photos skills.

There wasn't room in the budget for a new toilet or tub...I am not a fan of blue toilets, but we made it work....The floor is laminate tiles, laid over very outdated ceramic tile...By putting a pretty, white shower curtain up...the blue tub and shower disappear.

Lighting was replaced, beadboard put up, a Home Depot inexpesive vanity and sick, along with pretty, fresh chrome fixtures, brought this horribly gone wrong, out-of-date bathroom back to life.

I do faux finishes and specialty painting...This was a powder room in a Parade Home; which was pre-sold...The owners loved bold statements, and this was a hit...

I love powder rooms that look like little jewel boxes...chandeliers, sparkle, and sophistication...

I like to use vanitys that either look like antique furniture or pieces of furniture that can be retrofitted.....

Once again, I apologize for my posting photo skills...still learning this stuff...This bedroom was for a Parade client, who wanted a "Barbara Barry" sleek look...I love the furniture, and in order to tie the master bedroom into the master bath, I painted this pearlized glaze stripe, that ran from the bedroom into the bath...the photo of which is not the one below, but the one after..sorry....sheesh.

This is the bathroom photo that goes with the master bedroom...very sleek, ...This bathroom was another Parade home, purchased by gentleman, who wanted strong colors.

I "floated" the vanity, to make the already spacious room appear even more so...The incredible shower is reflected in the mirrorConversely, this bathroom was designed by me for a beautiful blonde woman...Very soothing, very "Grace Kelly"...

This Parade (I am noticing that most of my Parades were pre-purchased) was purchased by a woman, who was moving her family to accomodate her hit the ground running career change/challenge...she pretty much bought everything...window treatments, art, furniture, rugs...we loved her.

This little girl wanted a pink bedroom (what little girl doesn't) well, my grandaughter wanted red..but that's another story...

This bedroom renovation is one of my Texas jobs...the room was emptied, a wonderful "Candice Olsen" tufted headboard brought in...Selected the colors, fabrics, made the window treatments,

and the pillows... I like to use swing arm lamps for those who read in bed..very stylish, and functional.

This Parade was not pre sold, but when it opened to the public, it was snapped up, as is, the first day...I wanted the oval, tray ceiliing to feel like the inside of a seashell..it did.... I made the window treatments - I like to do "banding"..combining color, texture, expensive fabrics, combined with inexpensive....always thinking about budgets...

This home was not a Parade home, but I did do it from the ground up..designed the fireplace, the window treatments, and even did the glazing on the walls (those days of glazing 1000 square feet of walls are over)...

In fact, the home was featured in Madison Magazine...It was a centerfold piece. Told my husband I had always wanted to be a "centerfold" model, but didn't dream it would be as a house!

I may have the pages out- of -order....just click on the image to enlarge the text

Okay, you are probably tiring by now...so, I will spare you the explainations from here out...more kitchens, more everything, some repeated, but detailed.....Just keep in mind that everything was designed and selected by moi...and moi alone!!!

Believe it or not, this is just a portion of my portfolio...we are all too tired to look at it all at once..I am going to go take a nap now....