Recently I had the fantastic opportunity to do a little pro-bono design work, helping to transform the new offices of the McKenzie River Gathering Foundation.  MRG, as they are commonly known, is a great foundation working at the grassroots level to fund social change here in Oregon.

From their website: "MRG funding supports the most strategic work unfolding at the local level to address globalization, poverty, war, racism and environmental destruction. We currently provide well over half a million dollars in funding to progressive organizations a year." 

Despite having a teeny budget, we were able to create a really fun, creative, and colorful space!

And the "before" shots:

 

 

I still haven't mastered the art of Photoshop, or even taking decent pictures to start with.  But I have mastered our bedroom.  And,  while there are still a few things on my wishlist (a beautiful antique dresser, a larger closet, a cleaning lady....), I can honestly say that I really love where it is at!

The faux-fur leopard headboard is super cozy, and has just the right amount of sass. I still love the wall color (which is reading super lilac in this picture) and my mid-century desk/sidetable. 

My roman shade is finally up as well, and I am so enamored with the pattern.  I love seeing it layered under my curtains! 

I also finally blew up one of my favorite horse pictures.  I spent less than $20 on getting it printed through iPhoto/Apple becuase it was easy, and I didn't have to run around searching for affordable printers.  The quality is decent but they did crop a little off of the top of the photo.  And then the matting took of another 1/8 inch or so, and I ended up losing the eye.  It was one of my favorite parts of the picture and so I do think I need to figure out how to reprint without this loss! 

I think Eek loves it too!

 

I am so excited to reveal a mini mood-board I recently created for a client who is pregnant with twins! 

The momma-to-be loves color, definitely walks on the modern side, and wanted a nursery that would easily transition into toddler-hood.  She requested that we re-use her existing crib and changing table/dresser, and that we find a lounger large enough to snuggle with both babies at once.  And finally, it had to be a space that could accommodate babies of either gender!

Its no secret that I love how well gray and yellow play together, and I love how modern yet playful the right shades of both can be. So I started with the warm gray wall color as a soft neutral cocoon which not only allows us to have a lot of fun with the art and accents, but will also temper all of the colorful toys that eventually will find their way into the space!  All of my clients trim, including the built-in window seat is bright white so I knew that the wall color could be a bit more daring than if she had stained wood (which would feel too heavy and dark when paired with a moody paint like this!).

Next I started pulling modern geometric fabrics in my favorite shades of citron.  The trick to keeping at tight color palette like this from being too "matchy-matchy" is varying the tints of our main color.  The roman shade and window seat fabrics have more yellow in them while the rug and pillow fabrics have more green.  Together they are creating layers of color which add depth and interest. 

And finally, I turned to etsy for some art inspiration.  Shop twoems has been a longtime favorite of mine and I knew her bold and colorful prints would bring the perfect amount of whimsy and color to the space while another favorite shop amberalexander provides a more sophisticated note.

More bedroom evolution.
 
(please excuse another quick iPhone shot!  I keep saying I'm going to learn how to take better photos - and yet Instagram is just so easy - and hides a lot of flaws! You can follow me at MrsR)

We lived with the red walls for exactly one year, and then we repainted with a custom blend that started with BM's Pebble Creek, but had the lavender toned down and the grey pumped up.  I have loved it every day for the last year and a half!  Its constantly changing depending on the light - from smokey and moody to soft and pretty.

The little mid-century desk I found at Goodwill for only $25!  I'm still waiting to come across the perfect chair to accompany it.

The curtains are simple (and inexpensive) Ikea panels.  I added the lovely crewel trim to the leading edges and now I think they look so much more expensive!  I have a fabric roman shade arriving from my seamstress in the next few days and I'm excited to get that window all layered and feeling even more luxe. 

I can't take full credit for the art - the inspiration came from here but now I really want to get a large print of my horse photography for that space.  I'm thinking like 3'x3' or something equally dramatic! (I'm thinking either the fifth or sixth ones down - the "nose shots")  Thoughts?

My headboard got a little makeover today...

 Hope your 4th was equally exciting!

Life lately according to my iPhone

 

 

 

I'm on Instagram @MrsR

Here is to an amazing 2012!

Question: If a blogger throws a party but forgets to take pictures, did it ever really happen?
Answer:  Who cares, we were too busy having fun!! 

Last weekend was our annual holiday party and it for sure did not disappoint. Our tiny house was bursting at the seams - from people to food, we had an abundance of goodness!

I did manage to grab this Instagram of a lovely little terrarium one of our guests brought as a hostess gift, (I know... talk about a great guest!) which ended up being the perfect home for my vintage little ceramic seagull.  Doesn't he look happy??

And here is the Moo Kitty enjoying the tree and all of its twinkle lights.

And finally, there has been a ton of great gift-wrapping inspiration making the blog rounds lately, so I thought I would throw my hat into the ring and show you what I came up with this year.

Everything was from my stash - the patterned paper came from Target last year (although I thought I saw it, or something very similar, again this year!, the solid red was from Ikea last year (it was in a two-pack with some super cute gnomes!) The gray ribbon is a handle from an Anthropologie shopping bag, and the other ribbons I stock up on during the Craft Warehouse summer sales.  But most importantly, the amazing birds I found here.  Do yourself a favor and go ahead and print some of these out for yourself.  They are so beautifully done, with amazing detail and texture.  Seriously - I want to frame some of them!

I love tile.

I am one of those weird designers who is constantly stroking (fondling?) tile samples in showrooms.  I love it all. From your basic ceramic, to custom metal and glass, a good tile installation has the ability to make me swoon!  So as you can imagine, I have been eagerly awaiting the installation of this kitchen's back splash.

Please forgive the blurry iPhone shots. (I promise, one day I will get a big girl camera and learn how to use it.  But really the iPhone is just so darn convenient!) 

And a closeup of the gorgeous beveled edge/slightly crackled subway tile, with a recycled glass and stone mosaic inlay:

 

Across the way we used only the mosaic tile in the small amount of space we have behind the stove,  below the bar.

Can I say that it is all just unbelievably gorgeous with the warm rich chocolate tones of the concrete counter top!

As soon as the construction dust has cleared, I will definitely get someone who knows what they are doing up to the house to help me record all of the details (just wait till you see what we did in the bathroom!)

Progress:

The countertops are being installed as I type, soon to be followed by the backsplash (tile is always my favorite part!). Draperies are being installed in two weeks, and then the homeowners get to move back in.  I am so excited to see it all come togther!

And over at my other client's house (remember their living and dining rooms?) this has happened in the bedroom:

Custom bedding, a mix of vintage and custom art on the walls (with room for the collection to grow).   We are still working on properly scaled bedside lighting, and a seating area across from the bed.  For now I'll just give you a sneak peak at the gorgeous draperies (blackout lined for ideal sleeping conditions).


I love my job!

Happy Anniversary to my love!

We've known each other for 13 years (and have been married for six) and spending time with you is still my absolute favorite thing to do. 

I am SO excited for this book.

The blog has been a longtime favorite of mine, and I have a sneaking suspicion that the book will also be a favorite.

Its hard to believe that in a few short months this:

 

will look a whole lot more like this:

Of course that is just my sketch-up rendering to show the clients what I see in my head!

There has been much debate over the island pendants... the plan originally called for three pendants evenly spaced over the bar.  However, becuase the stove is not centered (this is a Chef's kitchen, and he was adamant that he get a full 48" worth of prep space next to the range) three pendants seemed wonky.  As you can imagine, we played around with a lot of options - having three but not evenly spacing them, only having two, removing then completely - and ultimately we are happy with how four pendants evenly spaced looks.

The pendants themselves are especially lovely, and fulfill all of our requirements which were 1: to bring a sense of femininity (and even a hint of traditional) into the very masculine and modern space 2: fully enclose the bulb 3: diffuse the light and 4: not look too "restauranty" (since my clients are indeed restaurant owners, and they would like their home to be a haven from their busy and all encompassing life! )

  

Pretty aren't they??

And a sneak peak at the materials...

 

(picture taken outside under direct sunlight during a planning session with the cabinet maker)

...which includes a poured concrete counter top in a lovely Kahlua/Mocha color, recycled glass and tumbled slate mosaic tile, a mix of painted and wood cabinetry, and a hint of crackle in the finish of the ceramic 3x6 field tiles.

I am so excited for all of the elements, and how we are paying homage to the age of the home, but definitely allowing a much more modern feel to creep in!

*******************

And in other news - I finally managed to design and print my business cards!!

 

The folks at Moo did an amazing job, and their quality has impressed everyone so far!  The paper is nice and thick, and the colors are rich and beautiful.

The chair sketch is one I did based off of the Astrid. (It has always been one of my favorites for its whimsical shape and how versatile it looks in either a solid or a fun pattern)  I scanned in my sketch, and then manipulated the depth of my sketch lines to make the shape really stand out.  I ended up having five different colors of chairs, and I like how they all relate to the front of the cards in pattern and curvaceousness! 

I love handing out my cards!