The results are in....

Update and "after" photo from Niki here. 

And the winner is.....

This gorgeous and airy Brooke Giannetti room:

I am so excited to get started on this project and recreate this look in my space!  Thanks so much to everyone who voted!  Keep checking back for the "after" photos! 

Rustic Traditional Kitchen

Renee has a lovely new home with one sore spot. She writes: "I almost didn't buy my new home because of the kitchen. I don't like the blond maple cabinets or the black granite. Everything is so bland."  She describes her style as traditional with a rustic flare, and would like her kitchen to reflect that.

 

Things that she'd like to change out: 

• the backsplash
• the barstools
• window treatments

Things have to stay but could use some change:

• The cabinets.  They have to stay, but she'd like to paint them white or cream (or maybe glaze them?) and paint the island a different color.  
• The counter tops.  They are polished black granite, but Renee would love to give them a honed look.  Does anyone know if this could be accomplished after they are already installed?  (I'd love to know since I want to do the same in my kitchen!)  

Things that Renee is open to changing:

• The built-ins in the adjoining rooms.  She wonders if she should paint them to match her cabinets???

• The wall color.  She's open to changing it, but the kitchen is open to other rooms so the new color would have to work well with the existing one, since she's not up for painting the whole area.  She gravitates towards greens, blues, creams, tans and browns.   

 Things she likes:

• The hardware.  Sadly, this is the only item she loves in the kitchen!  They are bronze and work well with the style she'd like to see in the room.

Please help Renee find some inspiration for the kitchen of her dreams.  Post a photo, leave a suggestion or advice, or even put together a design board for her!  And as always, we can't wait to see the "after" photos!

A Designer Bedroom

I have really enjoyed helping readers out with design dilemmas, but now I am in need of help!  My sister and brother-in-law recently moved in with us while they're trying to sell their house.  The room they're staying in was hastily thrown together so they would have a place to sleep, but it is seriously lacking in prettiness.  This is a photo of the room before we moved in:

I love the windows and the angles of the roof, but the color is orangey-peach and I am itching to change out the builder basic light fixture.  After searching around for inspiration I decided that it would be a blast to do a designer knock-off.  My sister and I have narrowed our choices down to four, but now we need your help to pick one. 

1. Brooke Giannetti designed this gorgeous room. I love the capiz shell chandelier, the light airy colors, and the modern lines. 

2. One of my favorite designers, Phoebe Howard, put this room together.  It's absolutely gorgeous & so girly!  (Sorry, Allen.)  

3.  I just discovered Laura S. Mitchell, a designer from Texas, and fell in love with this warm, soothing bedroom from her portfolio.

 

4. I clipped this photo from a magazine a LONG time ago.  I don't know who the designer is, but I love the cheery raspberry color, the patterns & textures.

We'll open it up for votes and whichever room gets the most votes by next Tuesday will be the inspiration for our makeover.  We'll get to work DIYing and show you the results when we're finished.  (And check out my other blog to get the details on all the projects we finish along the way!)  

Choose our inspiration room!

1. The Brooke Giannetti beachy modern bedroom

2. The Phoebe Howard fanciful & girly bedroom

3. The Laura S. Mitchell cozy and warm bedroom

4. The cheerful neutral and raspberry bedroom

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In Search of Serenity

Whitney has a beautiful home filled with bright colors, but when it comes to her master bath she is looking for a more serene feeling.  Her master bedroom is Sherwin Williams "Upwards", but she feels like it may be too much to carry the color into the bathroom.  What wall color would you suggest? 

She also might like help choosing a paint color for her cabinets: "I love the doors.  They are knotty alder and throughout the house.  My favorite feature.  But whoever put them in also put in oak cabinets, which I don't like.  :)  I am planning on painting them antique white, but could easily have my mind changed regarding the color."

 

She'd also like to replace the light fixtures and maybe add some window treatments above the tub.

 

How would you make over Whitney's master bath?