{Simply White} Color of the Year

White? Really? It's the color of the year? My thoughts exactly until I saw some of the images below. You either absolutely adore this color and how it creates such contrast against everything in the space, or you despise it.

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I am actually a huge fan of white! I know I have young kids and they will probably draw all over the walls and create some pretty sticky hand prints, but I don't care. We painted the nursery, master bathroom and dining room Shoji White and I haven't regretted that decision one bit.

What do you all think? Are you a fan of white or do you try and stay away from it? What is your "go-to" color?

Client Project Update {The power of paint}

Hi All! Hope you are having a great week. I am so ready for Friday...how about you?

I have been working with a few clients both local and via e-design and wanted to share with you all about what I am doing on these projects. I have enjoyed working and creating spaces I know my clients are going to enjoy for a long time.

Today I am giving you just a little peek into one of my local client projects. Donna contacted me about a month ago for a paint consultation for both her front living room and large family room. She wanted to brighten up both spaces and create a more relax feel.{sorry for the quality of my phone pictures! That's all I had with me}

Family Room Before:

Living Room Before:

As you can see both rooms have fantastic features and pieces. They both just needed a little paint and some accessorizing. That's the fun part!

My clients really fell in love with Restoration Hardware's line of paint colors for the family room. I originally recommended either Glacier or Silver Sage. I thought both colors were great neutrals but would give a bit of a relaxed feel to the space and allow them to choose punches of color in accessories. I left my samples with the family to decide. They called and decided that they wanted more of an impact and to really make a statement on the walls.

They decided on Light Silver Sage. I am so glad they did. It really feels like a soothing room that you want to escape to. They have large windows that look out onto their hardscape and pool area. This blue/green/gray really reflects some of the colors just outside their windows. I also love how the color changes throughout the day. It really is gorgeous in person!

The color on the wall really pulls out the colors in the rug as well. This room is starting to come to life!

Now onto the front living room. I shared the picture below with my clients and they automatically fell in love with the idea of adding a pop of color to the built-ins rather than painting all of the walls.

The paint on the back of the shelves is Wythe Blue by Benjamin Moore. When I shared the sample with them, they thought it might be a bit too dark for the space. So they decided on the color above Wythe Blue called Chesapeake Blue.

Boy did that color make an impact in that small space!

Now we are on to finding some lamps, pillows, throws, artwork and of course tackling the built-ins with some stylish accessories. Stay Tuned! Can't wait to share more progress.

And I couldn't leave you without a couple Before & Progress Pictures...

{Completed} Flip/Investment Home #3

Finished and On the Market!! Yahoo! If you have been following along with this home here & here, you all know that we have only been working on it less than 2 months. It was a cutie that just needed some good lovin...

It is an adorable colonial style home just south of Raleigh. It is walking distance to the local community park and historic downtown area. If you remember the BEFORE pics, you are going to fall over when you see the afters. Be Prepared for a Picture Overload today...

Come On In!!!.....

I think it is quite an adorable place. Here's to hoping it sells quickly!

Check out some before & afters....My Favorite Part of my job!!

Pretty sweet I say!! It wasn't a major demo job, but the face lift did wonders....don't you think??

Exterior Paint Colors: Main Color- Sandy Hook by Benjamin Moore; Shutters & Side doors-Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore; Front Door- Real Red by Sherwin Williams

Interior Paint Colors: Kitchen, Livingroom, Hallways & Guest Bedrooms- Accessible Beige by Sherwin Williams; Master Bedroom- Balanced Beige by Sherwin Williams; Bathrooms- Aloof Gray by Sherwin Williams

Project Breakdown:

*New Roof

*New Deck

*New Railing on Front Porch

*New Exterior & Interior Paint and Trim

*New Appliances

*New Granite Counter top with under mount sink

*New Carpet on Stairway

*Paint Vanity in upstairs bath

*Caulk Tub surrounds

*Build New Fireplace mantel

*Pull out side tree and bushes & add new landscaping

*Replace Bay Window

Linked up to: Thrifty Decor March Before & After

Baby Girl Nursery Plan

A couple of weeks ago I spent some time with one of my dear friends, Lisa. She is expecting a little girl in March and is really trying to get everything ready for her baby girl's arrival. She was unsure of what route to take when it came to the nursery. All she knew is that she loved neutrals and wanted a room that was very soothing and classy. She loves soft grays and linen fabric.

Taking all of this into account, I created a little mood board with some ideas.

Two wonderful gray paint colors are: Moonshine by Benjamin Moore or the above one Collonade Gray by Sherwin Williams. Both would be great options for a soothing neutral nursery. 

Sources: Glider- West Elm; Crib- Pottery Barn; Rug- Joss & Main; Dresser- Ikea; Chandelier- Shades of Light

Lisa recently sent me a picture of her fabrics. They are so beautiful! White eyelet, linen and cotton. Don't they just scream whisper classy? Her sister-in law is going to help her make her bedding as well as the window treatments.

I can't wait to see how she uses them in the space!


I was thinking that above the dresser/changing table should be a beautiful gallery wall with frames in different sizes and finishes. I love these ideas below:

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If she wanted to add some "pops" of color in the space she could do that with some artwork, rugs & pillows! 

What do you think so far? I can't wait to share some before and after pictures in a few weeks! Stay tuned..

Investment Home {Paint & Granite} Updates

A couple of weeks ago I introduced you to our new Flip/Investment Home. If you missed some of the before pictures you can go here.

We have been making some great progress and will hopefully be done with this little place sometime next week. If you remember our other investment property took us 6 months to finish!! This one has only taken us just about a month. It really needed just some good lovin.


Here is a little update with the new exterior paint colors:

I love how the new colors bring a little more richness to the place. We have also added new railings as the other ones were falling off of the front porch. We are hoping to get these painted next week.

The Exterior paint colors that were used:
Siding Color: Sandy Hook- Benjamin Moore
Shutters and side door Color: Kendall Charcoal-Benjamin Moore
Front Door Color: Real Red-Sherwin Williams

The back deck has been totally redone. There weren't any stairs coming off of the back deck, so you could only access the deck from the living room. Weird huh? Now the new owners can get to their back yard without having to walk around the side of the house.



Remember what the fireplace looked like before?

Well it is getting a little face lift right now....

I got the inspiration from this photo:

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I love the clean lines that it brings into the room as well as that craftsman style feel. We won't be taking the molding all the way to the ceiling, but isn't it divine!?

Oh and wait....you can't forget about the awesome kitchen:

It is getting a beauty makeover as well!

The granite is called: Giallo Ornamental

It really looks nice against the all white cabinets. We are going to be adding black appliances to this home to keep some of the costs down, but they are really nice and will look fantastic with this new counter top!

So what do you all think of the updates so far? We are very happy with how it is turning out. I should have some after pictures up hopefully next week, if all goes as planned (which never happens in this business)!

Ciao...for now!

{Flip Home} Outside paint color & Sneak peek

Last month I talked about some exterior paint choices for our current renovation project on our flip home.
I am happy to say that I am in love with our pick!

I stopped by to see how the progress was going the other day and snapped a couple of pics with my phone!

I love the contrast between Sandy Hook and Chelsea Gray. It has made such a difference for this home. 

Now we are in need of a colored front door and some shutters!

If you forgot what this place looked like before, check it out:

We are getting there! We are hoping to have this whole project done by October. We still have a long way to go, but it sure is fun!

Here is also a little sneak peek of the back deck. My brother and I decided to spice up the railings.

Aren't they just fabulous!?

The drywall is up inside the home and we are now picking cabinets, tile & colors! Stay tuned later this week to see some of our choices! We might need your votes!

What do you think so far?

If you missed any of our previous posts on this home visit here and here.

If you missed our other renovation that SOLD click here.