Monday, March 4, 2013

Refreshing An Art Filled Home

I got a call to help get a home in shape for an upcoming wedding. The groom's parents would be hosting a lot of social events in their home. They had done substantial remodeling after Hurricane Katrina, but now wanted to update and refresh some furnishings. As with all of these type of jobs, many things the homeowner already has are used.

A cozy room at the front of the house near the kitchen had been used as a formal dining room. It was really never used much, and the dining table became a clutter collector catch-all. The furniture was passed along. The idea was proposed to turn the room into a morning sitting room.

The new sitting room now

A snap shot of the room then - I moved the sideboard to the other side of the room and got Mitchell Settoon paint it

Sitting room then - I moved the sideboard under the art installation already n the room - The leather chair was passed along, art work rearranged, and objects edited

The room in progress - The painted sideboard in its new spot, and the ottoman arrived, and the new chandelier was installed

Sideboard then

Sideboard now - Painted by Mitchell Settoon - Metallic cow hide chairs with embroidered fish are by the artist Ashley Longshore - she searches for vintage and antique frames to work her magic on

I had Mitchell Settoon paint the sideboard which had to remain. I moved it to the other side of the room, and purchased two husband approved slip covered club chairs from Pottery Barn. One of the conditions of the revamp, was that the husband had to be able to sit on any chair before it was purchased.

Two custom art chairs done by Ashley Longshore were brought in. The couple collects local artists, and loved the idea of these chairs becoming a part of their collection.

Other new pieces include a chandelier, a side table, a new lamp, an ottoman, a tray, a pet friendly pieced cow hide rug, and some toss pillows. I had plenty of  great art to move around from other rooms.

Here's another look at the "now"

I did many small things that added up to a big refreshed look in just about every room of the house. I had to keep and work with a beloved leather couch, a pair of French chairs, and other furnishings in the living room.

The living room then

Then - One of a pair of French chairs

Then - The stairs in the living room
The living room and stairs now

The changes in the living room: New white linen drapes; French chars reupholstered in pet friendly outdoor fabric with a linen look; pet friendly cow hide rug; pair of stone top tables; new lamp shade; large toss pillow in Robert Allen indoor/outdoor fabric (which I also used in the kitchen open to the living room for Roman shades to replace mini blinds); and leopard print carpet on the stairs.

Large pillows help update the leather couch


Some changes in one guest room - The couple bought the bed when they were first married, so it stays  - We added new nightstands and lamps, and curtains - I had Mitchell paint some other  brown French style chests in the room, - I simplified the bedding

A detail shot of the wonderful work of Mitchell Settoon

The guest bedroom then

The guest bedroom now


Respecting homeowners possessions while doing a revamp and an update is an exciting challenge. I love making them fall in love with their stuff all over again, while giving them the thrill of new ideas.

Other changes we did:
  • Resurface a dark concrete floor in a dining room to a lighter finish to match the Travertine tile floors on the lower level of the house
  • Custom build a wall of bookshelves and a place to put a 60" TV in the family room
  • New modern pretty recliners for the family room
  • Switch out rug in family room
  • Add a new small chest for a back entry hall
  • Install new white linen drapes in the front entry hall
  • Venetian plaster for a guest bathroom
  • Remodel an art glass light fixture for the guest bathroom
  • Re-purpose "new" art in guest bathroom
  • Add a new Chinoiserie chandelier for the upstairs hall (the couple travel to China and collect Chinese objects)
  • New chaise lounge for the master bedroom
  • And I did the wedding decor

Small changes make a big difference


Leave me a comment if you would like to know sources.

And tell us about how you work with what you have to make it fresh again.

PS All the "now" photos by Sara Essex Bradley

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16 comments:

  1. Beautiful and creative work. Love seeing how you incorporate sentimental pieces in an updated look. Would like to see pictures and your comments as to working tastefully with the family's large TV. Many of us are struggling with that issue in our own homes. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. I've always admired you for accepting the challenge of keeping some of the old stuff. After all the homeowners bought it because they liked it.Great job Vamp.

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  3. Oh...my! This turned out so beautiful...it certainly has the Visual Vamp touch. I love that front sitting room now. But you made all the rooms....so much better! Those goldfish chairs are to die for and of course I loved everything that got painted white. Loved the way you moved the art around too. Just fabulous.

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  4. HUGE improvement!

    Great job!

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  5. What a beautiful house! I love all the art and those goldfish chairs are spectacular!! I love everything you did, thanks so much for sharing.

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  6. The sitting room is absolutely gorgeous - especially those fish chairs. I would love to see more of this house and your changes - even the small ones. Lots of great lessons here. Thanks VV.

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  7. Wow, Valorie - the changes are dramatic and beautiful! I'd love to know where the capiz chandelier in the new morning room is from. Well done!

    www.chattafabulous.blogspot.com

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  8. All is beautiful....love working with decor already available and changing it for new look... The sitting room is exquisite and summer ready! Gorgeous . Linda

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  9. via FB

    I loved the painted sideboard especially.

    Sabina

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  10. The homeowners must surely be delighted. The changes really freshened the house up. 99.9% of us must incorporate older furnishings vs. starting from scratch and it's fun to see examples of it.

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  11. Valorie! What a gorgeous reVamp! Wonderful updates -- my favs are the new carpet on the stairs (grrr!) and how the use of coral in the LR make that artwork dance!

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  12. I don't understand the sofa.

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  13. I live in the New Orleans area and would be interested to know where you found the carpet for the stairs. Thanks

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  14. Wow, Valorie! What a day/night difference. Your design overhaul skills are off the chain. Looks fabulous and I am sure they are thrilled. xo

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  15. Great job editing and incorporating the owner's own furniture! Love the carpet on the stairway!

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