Dining Room Before

PARK RIDGE, IL – Almost four years after moving into her home Mrs. Jones* had not gotten around to updating the dining room. Despite the change in furniture, the room still reflected of the style of previous homeowner, not this busy working mom. With an upcoming family celebration on the calendar, something needed to be done!

It all began one Saturday simply with help on color selection but what resulted later was a beautiful room transformation.  Despite an overall vague idea of her stylistic desires, one thing Mrs. Jones did know was that she was tired of the cranberry red color and wanted anything other than red.  She really wanted a color that was interesting and different from what everyone else was choosing.  Inspired Interiors delivered by using Benjamin Moore’s “Mink Violet” on the walls.

Dining Room After

While the room was receiving a paint makeover, Inspired Interior designers came up with a window treatment sketch, which was sent to Mrs. Jones for approval.  Inspired Interiors found the perfect neutral fabric and coordinating trim –both sent off to the workroom for completion- in addition to emailing Mrs. Jones a variety of wall sconce selections.

Once the painting was complete Inspired Interiors returned to finish and style the room.  They requested Mrs. Jones to leave out any artwork they could use, also asking for permission to “borrow” accessories from other rooms in the home.   Finally, after exhausting the resources at their disposal, they asked the client for an accessory budget and the shopping began!  While her room was being completed, Mrs. Jones was able to keep her normal Saturday routine of shopping and shuttling kids to their sports activities.

To stay within budget, but also keep the project moving along, the team provided the homeowner with fabric samples & re-upholstery quotes for the chairs.  Chandelier suggestions and quotes were also given in case the client wanted to replace the chandelier at a later date.

Dining Room After

In the end, an uninteresting everyday room transformed into a stunning, elegant dining room that was calling for a celebration!  Wedding crystal was brought out of hiding and shone brilliantly against the new ”Mink Violet” walls.  Tall vases with foliage were added to give some interest to the space but would required little homeowner maintenance.   Inspired Interiors even drew from the colors in the homeowner’s china, incorporating them in the room’s accessories. An adorable crystal cupcake holder, used to hold votives and surrounded with a seasonal wreath, provided a stylish and maintenance free centerpiece on the table.  Inspired Interiors even found coordinating table linens to help preserve the table’s beauty.  In addition, the team created a gallery wall to highlight the family’s photos through the generations – perfect for a room that will be used to gather family together for birthdays, graduations and holiday celebrations.

What was once an unused  ‘pass through’ room is now an elegant gathering space admired by all.  It is a room that Mrs. Jones plans plans to use not only for parties, but also as a quiet and beautiful setting in which her children can do homework during the week.  Mrs. Jones loves her new dining room – especially the color.   “It’s something I would have never thought of.  It’s gorgeous! …To have someone come in, use things that have meaning to my family and add some fresh accents all while being mindful of my taste & style was definitely worth it!”

Dining Room After

*Name changed to maintain client privacy

KITCHEN BEFORE

KITCHEN AFTER

Upon entering this existing kitchen I felt as though Mike and Carol Brady had asked me over to update their kitchen.  Many interior details illustrated a ‘Brady’ décor: wood spindles dividing the rooms, chunky stone work around the fireplace, oak cabinetry dividing the breakfast rooms from the kitchen, an, of course, floral wallpaper!  When I began to draw a floorplan of the existing conditions, I realized that the square footage of the breakfast room was almost EQUAL to the kitchen.  I had to create a secondary space for the homeowner to use that would absorb some of the square footage in this oversized breakfast room.  A built-in hutch area was just the answer!  However, the client was budget sensitive.  We used an inexpensive cabinet line but added thoughtful details to all of the cabinetry that created harmony between the rooms.  Like most homeowners, the client really wanted an island.  However, due to the limited overall size of the kitchen, an island was going to be difficult.  We compromised by creating a visually light furniture-type island.  This allowed the circulation to be ergonomically correct while adding the ever popular island for future resale value. Additionally by eliminating the soffits and existing peninsula the room instantly looked larger. Finishes were selected that gave a transitional look to the kitchen.  The color palette is simple, elegant and well refined.  What an amazing transformation of space!

KITCHEN BEFORE – VIEW 2

AFTER – VIEW 2

This kitchen is a perfect example of allowing a professional to guide you through a renovation process.  Thoughtful details and assistance from an expert can save you money, while gaining a gorgeous space!

Call us today to schedule your complimentary in-home consultation. 773-728-0419

Article written by: Emily Norris ASID

visit www.inspiredinterior.com to view the entire portfolio!

Kennedy Green House Project

With the utmost dedication to the preservation of our planet, environmental leaders Bobby and Mary Richardson Kennedy embark upon a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified renovation to transform their 1920’s home into an extension of their personal environmental commitments. The Kennedy Green House focuses on maximum energy and water efficiency and improved indoor air quality to benefit the future of our planet and health of our children. The house will also showcase the latest in green technologies, sustainable building practices and healthy home initiatives to become the new model for green building and healthy homes nationwide.

Hoping to inspire others to take action to improve the quality of their environment and health, the Kennedy Green House will be completed in Winter 2009/10 and become an educational tool for homeowners, builders, and interior designers beginning in Spring 2010.

Source:  www.kennedygreehouse.com

Inspired Interiors works with many of the green products featured in the Kennedy Green House Project in its own designs.  Contact Emily Mackie Norris, ASID at 773.728.0419 or www.inspiredinterior.com for a free in home consultation to create a “green house” of your own today.

Each month we’ll have some helpful information to assist you in your kitchen remodeling plans. Print out this page and keep it for future reference. Also, for more information, please see our
frequently asked questions and
Kitchen Remodeling Checklist

This month’s Feature ……

“Getting Started”

Planning to remodel your kitchen ? Here are some thoughts on getting
started: First – get these items. You will need them:

* file folder – multi pocket type (for organizing ideas, magazine cut-outs,
photos, etc. that you might like to incorporate into your new kitchen)
* graph paper – for sketching your kitchen layout ideas (you don’t need to
be an experienced draftsperson!)
* measuring tape (25′ recommended but most any kind will do)
* notebook (the kind with several subject sections is the best)

Then think about answers to the following questions: Write down the
questions and your answers. Keep it in your file for later reference. You and
your kitchen designer will need to address some or all of these while
designing your new kitchen.

1. What is my primary objective? Such as – Do I want a new look, more
storage, more counter space, upgrade for resale, etc. ?
2. What do I like about my present kitchen? This is very important! You may
want to keep certain features in your new kitchen. Don’t give up what
works !
3. What features of my present kitchen do I most want to change? Such as
- I don’t like my current cabinet style, countertops, appliances, floor,
lighting, etc.
4. What is my budget for this project? You need to “qualify” yourself and
what you can reasonably expect to complete. Kitchen remodeling is one
of the best investments you can make in your home! It is possible to get
nearly 100 % return on your kitchen remodeling investment.
5. What are the most important functions of my kitchen? It may simply be
such things as cooking, family dining, etc. But it may also include
homework, budget planning, entertaining, watching TV.
6. When do I want to have my remodeling project completed? You need to
allow a minimum of 3 months. More realistic, 4 to 6 months. Most
custom cabinets take two months to arrive after ordering. This does
NOT mean your home will be “torn up” all this time. But it allows plenty of
time for planning, order processing, shipping, demolition, installation,
moving back into your kitchen and re-organization.
7. What kinds of things will I need to make room for in my new design? You
might include a toaster, food processor, blender, coffee maker,
everyday dishes, china, bulk groceries, cookbooks, trays, etc.
8. What other special accommodations might I want in the new kitchen?
Things such as a desk/computer/printer space, eating bar, washer/dryer,
baking center, hobby or craft area, etc.
9. Will I need to upgrade existing electrical or plumbing? The answer here
may depend on whether you change the layout of your sink, cooktop or
oven. But it also may depend on the requirements of the local building
codes for remodeling.
10. Who will be the primary user? Is this person left or right handed, very tall
or short, does this person have any special needs?
11. Who else will be using the kitchen? For example, will this become a “two
cook” kitchen.
12. Do I want double or single ovens? Two Dishwashers? Two Sinks ? Will
children be using the kitchen and what are their ages? Answering these questions are an important first step in remodeling your
kitchen. Don’t overlook them! The more detailed you can be with your
answers, the easier it will be to develop a design that will make you
happy and will serve your family for many years to come.
Make an appointment today to plan your new kitchen www.inspiredinterior.com