SYI: 4020
SY: this is beautiful. Real leather. But very expensive, too. https://www.mgbwhome.com/keane-leather-side-chair/KEANE_LEATHER_SIDE_CHAIR.html?dwvar_KEANE__LEATHER__SIDE__CHAIR_fabric=MONT%20BLANC%20-%20WINTER%20PINE-SOP&cgid=Dining_Leather-Dining-Chairs. SD/DD: these were the favorite of all of the chairs. I love the ease of wiping down the seats with the open bar.
SY: this is another favorite maker, from Northern Indiana. If they could customize this (or others similar from their line) with a black base and make it shallower shallower, it could make a terrific foyer console. They have customized for us before. https://hedgehousefurniture.com/collections/shop-page/products/hayward-credenza?variant=31030114287702. SD/DD: Yes, agree and we like it.
SY: I got a bit distracted from the direction I set in the model by this beautiful bed. :) Could be gorgeous, and a lot more unexpected / interesting than the basic bed I dropped in the conceptual design. https://www.mcgeeandco.com/products/sutherland-bed. SD/DD: Like the character this has over the grey only. Dennis is not sure about the straps, but overall a good look.
SY: this is a (really affordable) cotton kilim rug I'm considering for the living room. We want something like this but bigger... I'd layer it over a thicker and larger underlayment of soft sisal or wool. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1096761440/blue-indigo-block-print-hand-woven?variation0=2294992758. SD/DD: love it
SY: not this upholstery, but we sat in this chair at High Point and loved it. See next image for terrific profile, which you need in the chairs by the fireplace, as you'll look at its side and back. https://www.robinbruce.com/products/detail/juliet-chair. SD/DD: Love the chair and the look. We both do like the idea of the swivel, but really like this chair better.
SY: if you really want the functionality of a swivel by the fireplace, we sat in this chair at High Point and really liked it. Most swivels have skirts to the ground. I like this wood base. (Not this fabric for your room.) https://www.robinbruce.com/products/detail/allie-swivel-chair. SD/DD: Like the base as you said. Not sure about the chair.
SY: this is the Boden sofa we sat on and loved at High Point. Better size than the Emmy but doesn't come in leather. We haven't discussed leather on your front room sofa. We might be able to do this in a warm coppery velvet or other fabric. What are your thoughts on fabric vs. leather for that piece?
SY: these are vintage. I'm thinking vintage for the pair of chairs in the mudroom ... saves the environment a little, keeps costs reasonable, adds interest and authenticity. I really like these (unnamed, affordable) pieces and even dig this upholstery, though it could be changed. Your thoughts? https://www.chairish.com/product/3414507/vintage-mid-century-spoonback-chairs-a-pair. SD/DD: Love these!!! Absolutely good for the mudroom and like the upholstery as is.
SY: Seems something like this might be really useful in the girls' bath? Unless you want a simple mirror like you have now that covers the area above the vanity? This is the 48" Furview Medicine Cabinet - Recess mount requires rough opening of: 47" L x 3-1/4" W (front to back) x 30-1/4" H (± 1/2"). SD/DD: Sounds good.
SY: just dropping this here to ask about dining chairs. Upholstered are more comfortable but obviously harder to keep clean. That can be made a little easier using leather, or upholstering only the seats and not the backs. Wood or some combination of wood and rattan/wicker/woven can be a nice combination of clean and comfort. Tell me your thinking? SD:DD - want to have something comfortable but also easy to clean. See our comments on the last 2 dining room images.
SY: wood (painted), no cushion/fabric
SY: leather bucket seats. SD:DD - Really like these chairs. Like the comfort and ability to clean the leather vs cloth.
SY: these look to me like cushions that can be removed. On the iconic Wishbone chair. And incidentally, this table can be purchased. Or similar made locally. SD:DD - Really like the table. Also like the chairs, but don't look quite as comfortable as the bucket chairs. Could you do a bucket style chair with this table? SY: sure,we can try that.
So, we are proposing trim and interior doors on the first floor painted a medium-light, warm neutral, with most walls going white. Upstairs, I see that the trim and doors are currently white in the hall, and, at least in the girls' bathroom, wood on the inside. What shall we do? :) I suggest at least painting the inside trim and door of the bathroom white to match the hall. Long term plan for cohesion would be to match upstairs trim and doors to downstairs. SD/DD: I think I want to change out the doors and hardware in the upstairs hallway, so that the walls and hallway trim match the main level. We would keep the white trim in the bedrooms for now. For the bathroom then, either white or like the rest of the main floor would work. Speaking of the hallway, I think we may also want to run whatever floor we have on the main level in the hallway up there. SY: ok!
SY: not necessarily this drawer layout or a surface mount sink as shown, but asking about your desire re: counter-to-sink ratio in the girls' bath. One longer centered sink with two faucets and a mirror/light arrangement like this is my preference for a 60" vanity that serves two people. Otherwise, two sinks in such a short space leave no counterspace. Alternatively, you could keep just one sink, centered or off centered, to maximize counterspace. Thoughts? Also here - I assume one big mirror is best for multiple users who really want to see themselves? SD/DD: Yes, really like the one big sink with 2 faucets. Great idea.
SY: Girls' shower curtain. I know you have said (until recently, at my urging) no shower curtain. And of course you could do glass of some sort if you really prefer it. But I like the curtain in kids' bath (only). I also know they said not pink, but this is pretty great/not girly with the reddish and blue too. It looks great with a wood vanity, which I kind of like the idea of because it's not in a permanent piece like a vanity, so the color could theoretically change as they get older. Your thoughts? Their thoughts? Ds: Yes, shower curtain is good. We had a late band night, but I'll have the girls look and we will then comment.
SY: Quiettownhome.com has great shower curtains. I've pinned a few more but feel free to take a look / have the girls take a look, and shoot me favorites. We don't want too much pattern on a curtain because of the patterned tile floor.
SY: sorry if you've answered this before: TV in your bedroom? If so what size? (Obv to watch HP movies and drink chocolatey/white russiany beverages together with your slippers on.). SD/DD: Yes, tv in the bedroom. Currently it's 60", but we can go smaller. It was an extra tv when we moved here. SY: ok got it
SY: using this light fixture to set the tone for the rest. SD/DD: we like it, but don’t feel limited based on this fixture. SY: got it. It isn't limiting. :)
SY: we could investigate doing two spice towers like this, rather than one with two sides.
SY: I'm thinking one of these for your spices! Actually very like this image - to the right of the range in a cabinet that goes to the countertop. We could do two, or one like this that has two sides...SD/DD: really like this one. Like the ability to push things back and not fall out the other side. Also everything stays visible and not layered. SY: got it!
SY: Do you have cookbooks that need a home? If so, how many or how many inches of shelf space? SD: Too many cookbooks, lol. Having about 24" would be great. SY: ok!
SY: The dogs! What might they need in the kitchen/ mud room (or elsewhere)? Crate? Food and water sitting out all the time? SD/DD: Yes, food and water out, love the built in option. Ideally in either mudroom or kitchen. Don't think we need a built in crate. SY: on it!
SY: we often recommend this kind of pivoting glass for a tub-shower. No track on the bottom, so no place for grime to build up where the glass/track meets the tub edge. However, of course, water will splash - it's pretty contained for standard adult shower, but that makes me reluctant to recommend it in a kids' bath. We would want to tile all the walls and floor around and outside it to make it less of an issue. My second hesitation about glass in a kids bath is just how dirty it will get. Glass streaks. Kids don't squeegy. Finally, for resale (I know this isn't your plan) and for small children and dogs, a curtain gives maximal access to the tub for a person kneeling outside and washing the small creature. If you don't like a shower curtain, you can always upgrade to glass later. SD: thanks! Let’s go with a shower curtain.
SY: you can kinda see the pivoting glass panel here better.
SY: The best full coverage glass on an alcove tub - pivoting door rather than bypass track - but I still worry about grime where the stationary panel meets the tub deck.
SY: curtain can look great :)
SY: neutral but fun pattern tile for the kids' bath floor upstairs.... with square white wall tiles. Wood or gray or white vanity to keep it neutral, right? We can do the pop of color on the vanity, but that's more permanent - can also do the color in the shower curtain. And of course in art and accessories. (I assume shower curtain in that bath, right?) What are the colors they like best / hate? SD: like the tile, and that sounds good. I’m still a bit hesitant on shower curtain, could we talk pros and cons. Working on colors, no pink or purple for sure. I’ll add more. SY: yes of course. SD: also no green. Blue greens are okay, but Ella requested no forest or lime green. SY: got it. SY: how about a great mustard yellow? Looks awesome with black and white. Though any color looks great with black and white. :) SD/DD: love the idea of mustard yellow
SY: let's talk about the three bathrooms we are working on. This highly contrasted elegant situation may be a good inspiration for the main bath on the first floor (opposite the basement door)? I know we don't want brass, and that DD is not into vessel sinks, but how about the feel / color scheme of this? DD: It's alright. Not moved one way or the other, but that is okay, I don't need to be moved by a bathroom. I'm fine with it. SD: I think we could do a vessel sink in this guest bath.
SY: can we add a high and/or frosted and leaded glass window to your main bath shower, to get a little natural light in there please? And will you keep tub here or make it just shower? SD:DD- Love the idea of a window. We are thinking shower only, unless there is any reason you would advise against it. SY: I think it's fine and easier, given that you have 2 tubs in the house elsewhere.
SY: simple white wall tile with a beautiful warm mosaic tile floor for main bath? (Obv not a pedestal sink.) SD:DD - like it
SY: main bath direction? SD:DD - Yes perfect for main bath direct. Like the mix of white tile, some darker color with the countertop and the wood.
SY: I wouldn't do a direct translation of this, but high contrast for the main bath? and/or your ensuite bath? SD:DD Referring to the picture previously, like the contrast in that bathroom.
SY: here's a possible direction for your ensuite bath (with the black soaking tub we looked at a while ago. Patterned white floor tile; oak vanity; black and chrome fixtures; some sort of warm rug. Thoughts? Might need heated floors in there because a rug like this belongs in front of the tub, with just the shower mat for the first sink. DD: Like the patterned tile floor, hardware, and cabinet color. SD: Maybe a little darker on the cabinet, but otherwise agree with Dennis.
SY: possible direction for the ensuite bath? SD: I like the general feel, particularly colors here with slightly darker cabinets, white walls, and black hardware. DD: Don't like the open shelves. Color palate okay. Like the clean feel, not the wood floor, want tile. Balance is good.
SY: ensuite bath feel? DD: tile floor good, there rest of it is bad. SD: Like the tile, otherwise, it feels a bit too modern.
SY: ensuite bath feel? DD: I don't like this at all. SD: Like the wall color, but that's it.
SY: luscious dark shower for ensuite? DD: Don't like this color, think I want a lighter tile for shower. But I'm not opposed to the idea and contrast, but depends on what the rest of the bathroom looks like. Also maybe if some dark, some light tile. SD: I like a dark shower tile, but will want to find something that works for both of us.
SY: and upstairs kids' bath. Tell me about the girls' style and colors and so forth! DD:SD: Thinking keeping more neutral colors, but using interesting fun tile patterns in shower and floor. Have the shower and floor play with each other and be the district feature of the bathroom. (DD: Not opposed to that general concept in the master bath)
SY: simple upstairs girls' bath direction? (vanity can be any color in this scheme). SD:DD - Yes. Bring some colors into the bathroom somewhere so that it's not just white.
SY: more decorative tile floor for upstairs girls' bath? SD:DD - Yes, not this one, but completely agree.
SY: Dennis, you like the color balance in several of the images I've pinned, but you dislike the particular elements that are giving those images color, whether it is paint on the walls, or upholstery or sometimes, painted cabinetry or tile. I think the only place you haven't ruled it out is perhaps the rug or art. Which is valid, we can concentrate color in those two things. But could you respond with some thoughts about your feelings on color please? I tend to take clients' general feelings about level of color and translate it to elements around the room as needed, but it seems you feel strongly about certain elements not having color? DD: It's not that I want to eliminate color on walls, upholstery or other, I'm okay with any of those brining color, but I need some neutral anchor in the room. There are some things in some of these rooms are color just to add color, for example some of the art is just a slab of red. I would rather it be a functional part of the room. In come cases some of the color looks like confetti and looks disorganized when too many different colors are used. Makes me feel the room is chaotic. In this image the balance is close, I don't mind the red chairs ...
SD:DD: Love everything here. SD: I really like this locker design. SY: Great!
floor, contrast trim, feel. heidi caillier. SD/DD: a little hard to see, so just general impressions. Trims feels a little too dark, but otherwise, general feel is good. SY: agreed! I've been playing with trim and am landing a bit lighter than this.
SY: color palette? with that awesome contrast trim too. SD: great color palette. DD: like the amount of color, not sure about the teal in the chairs.
hmmmmm SD:DD: not sure what to comment on, lol, but here are our thoughts. Overall look is good. Don’t like the bar stools. SD: Interesting having the wood in the glass cabinets, I like the sublet mixing of the wood and white SY: That's useful! There were just elements of your design here and I was interested in your reactions.
SY: how about this beauty for a new exterior scheme? We love love love it. You'd still have the cross trim (which would go black). This would dictate that the inside fireplace is red brick, as it must connect to the outside fireplace... (yes, it must) but we can totally pull off a beautiful natural brick fireplace. Yes to all of this? (This is a leading question, if you were wondering. I'm hoping for a particular answer. lol. Same is true of the next few images which represent exactly where I want to go with your house! :) ) SD/DD: we love it too!
SY: so, if we keep your red brick outside, it wants to go inside on the fireplace too. My inclination is to cut it off at a mantle height, and probably build out something above it in casework/drywall that mimics your awesome hood in the kitchen. I love the look of this image (your brick would not be painted though). Thoughts? SD/DD: Great idea. Overall we like the shape of the 2 you posted, prominent mantle, and 2 tone. Maybe a more beam like mantle.
SY: Brick below; mantle; build out above reminiscent of the hood in the kitchen; tie to crown. (your brick would be natural red brick). Pretty lovely clean take on Tudor, no? SD/DD: like this one a bit more than the last for shape and the mantle spanning more than the width of the fireplace. Again bream standing out would be good.
SY: front door inspo! Yes? And we'd do something like it for the side entry. SD/DD: yes, really like this door.
SY: stair rail thoughts. I love this! Classic and clean and contrasted, and the rail/spindles tie perfectly to the windows and front door. (Not this front door, though.). SD/DD: agree completely
SY: stair rail thoughts. I love this too! And it's unexpected so we will all get points for awesomeness if we go this route. And you can meet Josh of Clutch Fabrication who does beautiful metal work. Stair makeovers are not inexpensive work. This sort of custom rail adds a $. But you can see why. SD/DD: Fantastic. Would want to explore and consider it within the budget. DD: like the table too
SY: this is from one of our favorite casegoods makers, Gat Creek, out of West Virginia. Could be customized to a dark gray -- this beauty could sit between 2 extra dining chairs in the nook in the dining room instead of the built in. https://www.gatcreek.com/dining/storage/monaco-server-cpb SD/DD: Good look and I do like the idea of being able to easily keep extra chairs on hand.
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