alison giese Interiors: Too Good Not To Post

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Curb Appeal

Switching gears for a bit to discuss the exterior of our house. For the last two years, we've spent the majority of our time and funds working on the inside of our house. We did quite a bit of landscaping last year, and earlier this Summer, but, for the most part, the exterior of the house sat idle.
Not that I didn't have big plans for it, we just try to find balance of time and budget for our projects. I've always felt our house had a big case of the blahs - not an eyesore by any means, but not a lot of curb appeal, either, and that killed me. I strive to take a house to its best potential, and that has been the driving force in me with this house - the unmet potential it has.

The style of our home is traditional - a standard colonial built with brick and metal siding. The siding was faded, and needed to be cleaned, but otherwise, it was in good condition (i.e. no hailstorm dents, etc) I can't even tell you how many door-to-door salespeople we've had trying to sell us vinyl siding! Replacement just didn't seem necessary, and the control freak in me didn't want to be limited in my color selection when it came time to update the exterior.

This is the house as it looked when we bought it

So, we hired a local company that specializes in painting siding. We discussed general color options, noting the benefits of going with a higher-contrast color combo, like medium-to-dark siding, with a darker color for shutters, and true white for the trim. I knew I wanted to stay out of the true beige arena, but the brick on our house tended to pull me in that direction until I decided to ignore the brick altogether, and go with what I liked!

We ended up choosing Sherwin Williams colors: Functional Gray (as it turns out, a perfect "greige") for the siding, Peppercorn for the shutters and garage door, and Extra White for the trim.

...and here's how it turned out

I can't get over the change. I keep driving up wondering if it's my house!

Now, to be fair, we replaced the doors last year, which has made a huge difference in our front entrance. We also added a crossbeam above the pilasters to bring some architectural interest, added fresh house numbers, and replaced the sconces. Still, the power of paint!

I no longer feel like our house has the blahs, but instead is one of the happiest houses on the block!

Master Bath Transformation - Before and After

It's been a long stretch since I stopped in here for an update, so I figured I'd bring you up to speed on our bathroom redo. When we moved into our house, I had a long list of "I'd like to change that." Our master bathroom, however, fell more under the S.O.S. category. Still, I think there's benefit to living with a space, no matter how discouraging, for a while to really get a sense of what works, what doesn't, and why. About six months ago, we decided to lift the quarantine.
Before I jar you with the "before" images, let's cleanse the palate and see what I envisioned for the renovation.

Now, brace yourselves for the "before"

(image from the MLS listing when we bought the house)

I like to call it: the Mid 70s Builder-grade special. With a splash of hospital.

Original mauve tile, with walls painted to match. Original vanity, which was curiously squat - even for a short stack like me. Needless to say, there wasn't anything worth salvaging.

I use the word "master" bath loosely because, although it is ensuite, it is tiny. Yes, it would be lovely to have dual sinks, but we actually don't overlap too much in terms of use. We also didn't have much option to expand the space without creating a weird jut into our bedroom, or taking up valuable closet space. So, the footprint had to stay.
The good news was that having a small footprint meant I could go a little more luxe in terms of finishes. More than anything, I wanted to brighten it up, and try to expand the space visually.
I believe we accomplished that.

The design plan was pretty straight forward - I wanted marble subway tile to the ceiling in the shower, then to wrap around the other walls at a half-wall height. The floor tile needed to have a higher grout-to-tile ratio to prevent slipping, so I opted for a small marble herringbone mosaic. I carried the same tile from the vanity area into the shower to continue the visual line - another trick to make the space seem larger. We designed a small vertical panel of the mosaic in the facing wall, because, hey, I couldn't get enough of it. We were able to keep the lines all nice and clean by tucking two shampoo niches into the back wall. So again, not an inch larger, but it feels soooo much more open!

P.S. - Artwork by my daughter and I (yay for freebies!)

I went with brass fixtures to warm up the color scheme, but mixed in polished nickel for the towel bar and tp holder to keep it from feeling too Liberace.

The other major component to visually enlarging the space was to mirror that baby up! It was tricky, but I had plate mirrors cut for the dimensions of a mirrored medicine cabinet. It's a nice, layered finish, and bounces tons of light.

The vanity base ended up giving me a bad case of the willies. I envisioned converting an antique cabinet into a vanity, and searched for something with the perfect dimensions (we had no wiggle room), that would still function like a true vanity - to no avail. Having a custom vanity built was out of budget, so I had to go with a standard vanity base. Little disclaimer: Unless you can't tell the difference, I'm not a fan of using Big Box store items for renovations, and I really felt like I was selling out, design-wise to use one, but I held my nose and did it. By topping it with a custom volakas marble top, though, I think I'm at least somewhat redeemed. ;) It also meant there was room to splurge on the radiant floor heat, which. is. a. game changer. Toasty toes instead of frozen-stuck-to-the-marble feet is a huge luxury in my boat!

I think it's fair to say the space was completely transformed. Before, it was painful to see. Now, it's a pleasure to use.

Sources:
Marble Subway Tile ~ Marble pencil trim ~ Herringbone mosaic tile (similar to) ~ Shower fixture (similar to) ~ Basin fixture (similar to) ~ Vanity base (similar to, but think ours was more, and is nicer) ~ Vanity top ~ Mirrored Medicine Cabinet

Inspired Spaces: White walls + Old Leather + rich wood = Luxe

Have ya'll seen the space put together by Will Kopelman (aka Mr. Drew Barrymore) in the latest AD? It's the most anti-man cave, beautiful man-space I've ever seen. In fact, I don't see any reason to designate it a "man space," as I'd move in in a heartbeat.

I'm generally a color gal, but throw in a neutral palette with some roughed up leather, and you'll get me every time. Besides, the home office has enough suggestion of color with the enormous John Singer Sargent reproduction (Will's an art adviser - nice work if you can get it) What I really love is the not-in-your-face luxe of it all. From the rich polished wood paired with the contemporary pieces to the men's suiting fabric that makes the window treatments - all against the perfectly-white background. As Ferris Bueller once said, "It is so choice."

Moving on to the bath and dressing room portion of the program, Will turns the tables and goes dark and rich. The dressing room in black lacquer with hits of wood and brass still serves to scratch my itch for dark, high gloss rooms.

It also serves to remind me that rooms with drastically different feels can exist beautifully as neighbors - they key is the streamlined palette, and shared materials.

The bathroom is just - wow. It's a lot, and I'm not sure I could deal with this much going on on a daily basis, but I LOVE that he went for it. Like all-out, gentleman's glam. I admire a man who knows his style and rocks it to the last detail. Drew says she cried when she first saw the space - because it made her bathroom look downright granny.

I've had this white walls, rich wood, worn leather, mix of modern soup in my brain so much, I decided to use it to put together a design scheme for a class project. My assignment is to design a Living/Dining room space. I put more of a feminine twist on my interpretation, and the items I sourced would be filed under a budget known as...uh, dreamy, but here ya go.

In this room, every hour would feel like martini hour. {sly grin}

Looking at 40

I turn 40 this year. It's getting easier to say that, btw. For some time, I've been dreaming about the ultimate getaway trip to celebrate this milestone. You know, how you picture yourself somewhere fabulous, doing fabulous things you otherwise never get to to do? I don't know, like sleeping in late, or lounging near a beautiful pool without wondering if your kids are drowning. Casually browsing mesmerizing shopfronts, or lingering over dinner with your Significant. You get the idea.

I've alway dreamed of Morocco as an incredible destination. Can you imagine? The sights, the aromas (spice heaven!), the shopping (I might as well book an export crate for the rugs, baskets, etc). Over the past, oh, five years or so, Morocco has blossomed as a legit and luxurious destination for Americans, but, over the past, oh, year or so, there's also been a lot of scary shiznit happening that might make you think twice about your personal security in that locale.

So, let's just say I've had a rethinking. Somewhere a little closer, a little less likely to see you captured and beheaded for your beliefs, but by all accounts (and we've done some Intel), incredible.

Panama. I'm lookin' at you. Specifically, the American Trade Hotel in Casco Viejo. It's uh-maze. A design junkie's end all.

Check it.

The Lobby bar, and a guest suite. I'm all about a contrasting black trim; we've done some in our own house, and I love the crisp-ness it adds to a room. I love it even more the way it's paired with the amazing wood floors.

They have me at hello with that perfect Trad/Colonial facade tricked out with contemporary iron-framed glass on the main floor, and yeah, you might convince me to soak in that tub. #bathdesignporn

Just stop already with the badass tile situations, 'K. If our newly-finished study had a Central American sister, this space would be it.

Your choice of cocktail-serving spaces. (There's a pool, too. Case you were wonderin'}

Yeeeah. I think it might work. For what we'll save in time and airfare, we could stay an extra day to take in more cool stuff.
Forty's not looking' so bad, ya'll.
ag

*images by Rue and American Trade Hotel - An Ace Hotel

Surfacing

The first few weeks with a newborn always feel like I'm functioning under water. So, I'm surfacing for air before things get really nuts.
It's almost surreal how quickly time is passing. Skylar turned three weeks old yesterday, and the movers begin packing us out on Monday. We're simultaneously trying to soak up as much of Rio as we can, while mentally preparing for life back in the States. Send us some good vibes, will ya?

Lots of good things are on the horizon, and I can't wait for them to unfold, but I'm trying to be patient. NOT one of my strong points.

Speaking of good things...
I commissioned some paintings from the (soon-to-be-way, WAY famous) Jenny of MFAMB. I asked her to interpret my daughters Avery and Isla with paintings. They were a Mother's Day gift to myself - instead of a Mother's ring or jewelry, I envision a Mother's Wall with a grouping of her fantastic work that each girl can have one day. When the baby is a little older, I'll get her to do another one, and somewhere in the mix, I'll pick out something just for moi!
First, though, get a load of the Isla and Avery.

Got them back from the framers yesterday, and am so loving the natural wood.

They're even prettier in person, and I think everyone (and any room) could benefit from some of Jenny's talent. She offers originals via her Etsy store, and now, via Furbish, you can purchase prints. There's no excuse - go get yo'self some!

I also managed to have Skylar's birth announcement designed. As much as I love a nice paper card, I know the truth is most people toss them (how dare they!), so I sent a digital announcement this go-round. #thirdchild

design by River & Bridge

Lastly, I ordered these Paige denim skinnies about three weeks before my Due Date to act as Post Partum motivation.

I've been giving them the side-eye since they arrived...

...but succumbed to their promise of fabulous-ass-ness yesterday, and started Tracy Anderson's post partum workouts. Her Pregnancy Project dvds served me well for nine months, so I have faith the post partum one will, too. We'll see....

Let's talk about House of Cards

Our holiday weekend was non-eventful. Ben had to work some, and the girls had school on Monday, so ours wasn't your traditional Memorial Weekend, kicking off the American Summer.

I do feel like we participated in a little bit of National Past-time-ness, though. Ben and I got some serious TV time in, watching the entire series of House of Cards.

We've been in Brazil five years, and as far as I'm concerned, blissfully ignorant of most TV pop culture. I've never seen an episode of Downtown, Mad Men, or Breaking Bad.

It seems a little ironic, then, that shortly before we move back Stateside (to the DC area, no less), we find ourselves completely addicted to this show that elicits the worst you can imagine about the inner workings in the Nation's Capital.

In the most twisted-delicious way.

Kevin Spacey at his finest/darkest. If you, (like me) loved him in the Usual Suspects, American Beauty, or Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, you're going to piss your pants over HoC.

Robin Wright is brilliant, beautiful, and so on-the-mark as the ultimate Washington Power Wife. (Aside: Have you SEEN her bod? Isn't she 50-something? Amazing.)

Previously unknown to me - Kate Mara - with her piercing doe eyes - makes me fearful of my daughters growing up.

I apologize if this is old news. I tend to be late to the scene like that. If I'm not, then - go. Subscribe to Netflix, and try not to binge on the whole season in one sitting.

Put the kids to bed first.

*P.S. - Come back tomorrow. I got to interview the woman who's brought us photos like this.

via Rue

It's insightful, and just overall badass. See you then.

We interrupt this blogcation...

For a little glimpse...

I know, the chairs are lame, but we kinda blew our wallet out with the table purchase. Hopefully, a chair upgrade will happen some time later.

Still.

I'm enamored.

I also feel pretty much like an ass, posting about something as trivial as a table, when there are families who, because of some mindless freak in Colorado, will never again sit down for a meal with their mother/father/sister/child.

A movie.

Going to see a freakin' MOVIE!

Seems safe enough.

No longer.

That's no longer where we are.

Don't think I need to remind you to hug yours an extra time or two, but I will anyway.

Have your Hide

Following-up on yesterday's post which featured this room, and its out-of-this-world awesome, Moorish-patterned hide rug...

Source: flickr.com via Alison on Pinterest

A little bird (thanks, Anita!) clued me into the work of Kyle Bunting. Based out of Austin, Texas (which, by default makes him rockin' to me), this designer takes hides, laser-cuts them to perfection, and voila - turns out show-stopping takes on the traditional hide rug. Can you say quatrefoil, greek key, and chevron in hide? Yeah, I know.
By the time I went through all the patterns, there was a puddle of drool on my keyboard. I think the genius is quite obvious.
I'm partial to the nuances of color and texture in the neutral styles....

...but imagine I could be easily persuaded to work a bolder pattern into my own home.

Do we even want to know the price points? Probs not...but I've got an inquiry placed anyway. ;)

First thoughts on Tyler's Kitchen of the Year for HB?

I don't know about you, but I would certainly, most definitely want a cook to design my dream kitchen. If it happened to be one of my Chef crushes, as is the case with Tyler Florence, then it would be the proverbial icing on the cake.
Just caught these first glimpses of the Kitchen of the Year he designed with House Beautiful, and so far, so goooood!

I can totally feel the unpretentious-yet-serious foodie-ness that Florence captures with his recipes.

I'm pullin' up a chair!

Pin-Therapy

Please don't tell me you're not Pinning yet. "Pinning?" As in Pinterest - the interwebs' most delicious collection of all things imagery, and notorious vacuum of precious time? I could (and do) spend hours pouring over images - from delicious design I may have otherwise missed, to clever quotes and phrases - selecting my personal favorites to add to my Pin Boards.

To say it's addictive is entirely cliché, BUT after reviewing my collection of pins, I've come to the conclusion that pins just might be a window to the soul. OK, well it may not be a spiritual experience, but it certainly provides a clue as to what charms you, what defines your style.

Through the lens of my pins, I'm clearly not over yellow. I don't know what that says about my soul, but it sure does soothe me (in an energizing kind of way).