q street clients.

hey! i hope this post finds you all enjoying the last few hours of the weekend. i spent mine getting ready to depart the district for some fun in the sun. we'll be spending our 4th on the coast and i tell you what- i need it! the past week was so exciting. i finished up round one of the q street project. my clients wanted to update their bedroom and make it a warm and peaceful retreat. with two young children and super busy lives i wanted to make sure it wasn't only beautiful, but functional as well. with an eye for key pieces and an attention to budget, i am super proud of what the end product was. take a look and let me know what you think!

this was the before of the entryway/closet of their bedroom. they have this great loft space above the closet that added a lot of dimension to the space. since they share the closet i wanted to make it pretty yet accessible. they also wanted some storage spaces/laundry options-this is key with a busy family of four!

and the after:

i found these amazing window panels at homegoods and lucked out-i found two sets. this is an idea i love; covering the closet with drapes. it adds height and they can keep their closet as messy as it can be and simply draw the drapes if they like. the baskets-also a homegoods find- can double as storage and laundry baskets. i just love this view. i think it adds a lot of warmth to the room. 

before:

after:

i had to use a power drill and create knob holes for the built-in drawers. i think adding hardware to any drawer is really one of the least expensive ways to completely update a piece. i found these gems at anthro on sale from $15 each marked down to $2 each. i was prettay proud of myself. more pics:

the focal point of the room. the bed. this was the before(s):

and, the after:

i used all of the existing furniture-it was great and meaningful to the clients but needed a little tlc to make it all flow together. i spray-painted the lamps and bought new shades. i stained the end-tables which were hand-made wedding presents so i wanted to keep their intergrity. i added a fabulous mirror i found on joss and main and threw a few textiles on the bed to add some comfy layers. i wanted to make sure the room wouldn't be overwhelming or require any maintenance and i think we achieved that goal.

let me just say, however, the staining furniture in 100+degree temps was not an easy task. i do not envy people that have to work outdoors unless it's sitting next to a pool!

this was the before view when you walked into the room. while it was light and open, it needed some love. the paint alone was a huge update, but adding some window coverings and a chaise it really made the space functional and created a little cove which i'm sure will get a lot of use. 

and the after:

and my happy clients toasting the new room on their lovely new lounge chair:

 so happy to move on to the next room at the q street abode! and don't worry, you know i'll keep the pictures and updates coming. loves! 

coppertone.

sing it sista.

projects:

home-spirations:

hair-spirations:

wanting to do more of:

july 4th-spirations:

my happy place. my loves:

remember: do something creative each day. loves. 

summa, summa, summa time.

isn't it funny how history has a way of repeating itself? i don't know about you, loves, but i am pretty much always up for some beach time. i think the july 4th holiday will give us an opportunity to catch some rays. fingers crossed. in the meantime, here's a blast from the past. man i wish my granny kept her old suits-they'd save me a dollar or two! 

marc by marc jacobs. here. 

wanelo. here. 

Seea Riviera One Piece Swimsuit. here. 

saks. here. 

lolli bow bandeau. here. 

see you at the beach. until then...loves. 

i die: william sonoma home furnishings.

etsy loves: must love dogs.

 

boy. that was fun.

so. as you can see, we had quite the fun weekend down by the rivah. so much in fact that i'm not feeling all that well. i think it's been a storm coming for some time. basically, my body has said, nope, i'm mad at you and will make you pay for all the fun you've been having. so, i hope you won't be too mad at me but i think i need some r&r and will get back to you in the am with more fun details and inspirations. loves.

take me to the river.

it's officially wedding season. can't wait for the nuptials of some of our nearest and dearest. excited to share all the fab photos soon. keep checking-in for rivah updates. loves.

al fresco done right.

we were lucky enough to have a lovely dinner party with some of our favorite dc 'frateau' inhabitants. aka: five young boys living in the district who were in need of some tlc. three lasagne, caprese, and the most delicious choco cookies i've ever made and we had the fixins for a simply wonderful evening. add a little jeniver from our trip to amsterdam and it was perfect. a glimpse of the evenings pics:

i really love our outdoor space. it was a simple concrete block when we first moved-in and after a little elbow grease and a ton of potting soil we have a fabulous urban oasis. we utilize the space as much as possible. it's fast becoming my favorite place in the home. 

we have a super-long table. it was one of my love's must-keep-items. he's had it forever and i must admit that it's not only great for adult beverage games, but also for dinner get-togethers. the only downside is that it is really difficult to find a tablecloth long enough to cover it entirely. thus, the use of butcher paper. we picked up a roll for less than $10 from the hardware store and we use it to cover our table. my favorite part-you can write on it and play games. i love to scatter a few crayons on the table either as a centerpiece or on each place-setting. it's a super-cute and fun detail. 

again-the best $10 we've ever spent at the hardware store. we got three of these tins for the price and they are perfect as beverage coolers as well as cute outdoor storage for my gardening supplies.

i love making drinks ahead of time and labeling them with masking tape and adding a little rustic yarn. it makes it look like you spent a ton of time making drinks when really it saves time and most importantly, clean-up. plus, you can make sure you don't over-serve yourself...a habit i get into after a drink or two.

i hope you get to enjoy the summer sun too. i'm sure more parties are forthcoming and i'll be sure to share the love with y'all. loves!