As featured in Apartment Therapy

If someone had told me that one day I’d paint two of our rooms black and white, I’m sure I would’ve said, “Not bloody likely!”.  That is, until I painted Cassie’s room white with a black feature wall.  And I didn’t stop there…

I also painted my office black and white.

Okay, let’s back up the bus a bit here. Obviously, I work from home, and I work from home A LOT, to the tune of 8-10 hrs a day.  Since my Online Color Consulting has taken off, I’ve cut back DRASTICALLY on my local work and spend most of my time drinking wine, coffee, and Bailey’s coffee, talking to myself, and typing.

However, working from home is not always good for ye ole mental health/social life, and adding to that was the fact that I was working in a lovely lil’ bat cave – one small window and three pot lights – dats it.

It took only a few months of twitching and crying in the corner for the hubs to agree that maybe it was time for a bit of a remodel – taking my office to the next level with regard to lighting and layout!

My new office had to be majorly multi-purpose, so when planning the space, I needed to make room for the following:

• Two+ desk spaces for me n’ my homies (the kids). I like company and am happy when they come down and do their homework. Tim also helps me out A LOT with my website, so it’s nice to have him sit down for a while – nice for him that is
• Table and chairs to lay projects out on or for the kids to do crafts on
• Comfy chair to watch TV from
• Murphy bed.  OH yes, a Murphy Bed
• Closet

And I managed to fit it ALL in with room to spare!

You ready?

The Hallway Leading to the Office & Family Room

This WAS the hallway leading from our new entryway into the office/family room area.

When you stood in the entryway and looked down the hallway, you saw a lovely…red…wall (the door to the office ‘was’ on the far right).

Look down the hallway now, and you’ll see a 36″ extra-wide glass door and a 6 1/2′ window. The room used to be smaller with a weee lil window. We had to steal space from the family room (which we definitely don’t miss) so that we could fit that large window in – it was kind of a deal-breaker.

While the above photo makes it look like the wall is on an angle, it’s not – it’s now a perfect 90 degrees.

And this is just a SNIPPET of what you NOW see when looking down the hallway.  And yes, the house came with a free garden gnome.

The Lighting Situation

No matter how beautiful your paint colors are, if you don’t have enough lighting, NO paint colour will save you!  The lack of natural light and tragic interior lighting pulled the room down, giving it a dark, shadowed look.

This was my office BEFORE being remodeled (again, the red gave me conniptions).

And now, the space is light, bright, and multi-purpose!

How Light Bulbs & Kelvins Affect Paint Colors

And you’d think that black would drain a space, but think again!  In the right space, black can add just the right contrast and impact. The combo leaves me feeling inspired…I tried to come up with another gobsmackingly amazing word, but really – that’s all I’ve got.

LET THERE BE LIGHT…and there was.

Where Should You Paint an Accent Wall & What Color?

Before, we had three pot lights and a 2.5′ x 3.4′ window.

NOW we have…

• six-and-a-half-foot window
• 18″ x 42″ foundation windows (x2)
• Chandelier
• five pot lights (no, not THOSE kind of pot lights – I may be from Vancouver Island, but wine is my weakness)
• Wall/task light (which you’ll see below)

Of course, the six-foot window adds a ton of light, as well as the interior lighting, but it’s the foundation windows that REALLY jack things up to the next level.  They make a HUUUUGE (pronounced HOOOOGE) difference with regard to the flow and vibe of the room, rounding it out nicely.

Look at this corner before…

And look at it now!

AN IKEA DESK HACK THAT FITS TWO

(three people if I add another extension) – right now, it’s 10′ long and just perfect!

I couldn’t find a desk I loved, so I pieced this together using Ikea Alex drawer units and Linmon table tops. I’m SUPER happy with the function of it, and when I get bored (so like tomorrow), I can switch things around.

THE IKEA DOCKSTA PROJECT TABLE

I bought the Ikea Docksta table as it’s just the right diameter. I would love a marble top version, but money talks.

The accent chairs were on clearance at Scan Designs, so I got the pair for a great price!

This stunning shade of black on the upper part of the foundation wall is Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black – it’s pretty much the most badass colour out there. Paired with fresh white trim and Benjamin Moore Cloud White on the lower foundation walls, it’s a super dynamic combo!

THE MURPHY BED

I’d always wanted a Murphy bed, but it seemed like a luxury item. Luckily I found a local fellow (Creative Wall Beds in Victoria) who does a great job making/assembling these beasties! It’s all wood and painted in Benjamin Moore Cloud White.

Benjamin Moore Cloud White Paint Color Review

I planned it so that when the Murphy bed comes down, all I need to move is my lovely golden chair – everything else can stay where it is.

THE ORGANIZING BITS & PIECES

I bought the mother-of-all corkboards online as I couldn’t find a big enough one locally. At 3 x 5, she’s HOOOGE, and while she was ‘functional,’ she wasn’t very ‘funk-tional,’ so I grabbed my trusty staple gun and wrapped her up in fabric!

You can also see my task light from Wayfair and some smaller corkboards for the wee bits.

I also love clipboards (clearly, I throw my love around a lot). They’re a great way to tackle magazine pages, to-do lists, and more.

THE IKEA RASKOG CART

I’ve showcased the Ikea Raskog cart many times in our home – from the girls’ bedrooms to our homework closet; I can’t get enough of this handy little unit (I say the same thing to Tim on Friday nites).

THE FUN STUFF

Okay, maybe it’s all fun, but I’m particularly jacked up about my décor. And if you’ve ever tried to decorate above a foundation wall, I’m sure you feel my pain. Luckily I know what I’m doing…most of the time, anyway.

THE VIEW FROM THE FAMILY ROOM

With our remodel, we stole square footage from the large family room and reconfigured the wall to use the space better.

The photo below shows how the house was when we first viewed it. Notice that the red wall was about seven feet long and on an angle that SUPER cut into my office space (behind the red wall).

The next photo shows the in-between phase. I did have mad love for my farmhouse barn door, but knowing that trends come and go, I decided to go with something a bit more timeless with the new design.

And now, everything is light, bright, and perfectly homey!  I painted the end wall in Benjamin Moore Steel Wool so that it flows off of the entryway seamlessly, along with Sherwin Williams Creamy on the main walls.

Can I tell you how much I love this space?  Do I NEED to tell you how much I love this space??????  I’m sure my photos show how happy I am with how our home turned out!

So there you have it – this is where the magic…or at least MOST of the magic happens.

READ MORE

The Best Whole Home Gray & Greige Paint Colors

Where Should You Add an Accent Wall & What Color?

6 Budget-Friendly Home Update Ideas

The Ultimate Guide to White Paint Colors

Want some help with your home? 

Check out my E-design and Colour Consulting Packages!

Originally written in 2017, edited/updated in 2020 to make Google happy!

The post My Black & White Ikea-Inspired Home Office (Budget-Friendly) appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

One of the BEST Greige Paint Colours…

Out of the THOUSANDS of online colour consultations I’ve done, there are ALWAYS a handful of faves – there’d be two handfuls, but a girl has to hold a glass of wine ya know.

And this dining room is DEFINITELY one of those faves BECAUSE it has dark wood trim – AHHH, THE DREADED DARK WOOD TRIM (ye shall dread no more)! With Pinterest and Houzz jam-packed with white painted wood, I was excited to work with this room, to help it look modern and beautiful – rather than dated and drab…consider it DONE!

Before, this room had the right BONES, but the warm paint colour wasn’t doing any justice to the dark wood or the room itself – it looked a bit suffocating.

After, with the PERFECT new paint colour and flooring, this room looks COMPLETELY different…

That church pew SLAYS me. I had a church pew in our last home and loved it, however, Tim was NOT such a big fan and since I ALWAYS listen to Tim (said nobody ever) so I sold it.

The styling was okay the first time around, but the SECOND time around she TOTALLY nailed it!

Click HERE or on the above image to see available packages

And who is ‘she’? She is Rachel from Gingham and Grace, who’s just a lovely soul with a great sense of style! If you love this dining room, you’ll LOOOOVE her blog (and she’s a cutie-patootie).

In Rachel’s E-Design consultation, I suggested several colours for her to choose from (along with some explanations and chit-chat) and was pumped when she decided on Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray. Agreeable is a light warm gray-greige. With an LRV of 60, Agreeable Gray was the perfect choice for this space AND the perfect colour.

Let’s take a quick break to talk about paint samples…

Undoubtedly, you’ll be heading out in the near future to grab paint samples – stop right there! I want you to check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel and stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots. Here are just a FEW reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients…

• Samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, depending on location
• At $6.99, they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needing for traditional paint sampling
• If you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room

Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE

Do you have dark wood trim? Read more: The Best Paint Colours for Dark Wood Trim

I also have a colour review on Agreeable Gray if you want more info on this fab colour where you’ll learn about LRV, undertones and more! Paint Colour Review: Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

Need paint colour ideas for your room?  

Check out my affordable E-Design and E-Decor Packages! 

READ MORE

Paint Colour Review of Sherwin Williams Repose Gray

The 12 Best ‘WHOLE HOME’ Gray and Greige Paint Colours

The 8 Best Warm Neutral ‘WHOLE HOME’ Paint Colours

KYLIE M INTERIORS E-DESIGN, ONLINE PAINT COLOUR CONSULTING AND E-DECOR    SPECIALIZING IN DIY DECORATING IDEAS FOR THE HOME AND BENJAMIN MOORE AND SHERWIN WILLIAMS PAINT COLOURS

Originally written in 2017, updated in 2019

The post E-Design: An ‘Agreeable’ Farmhouse Dining Room Makeover appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Edgecomb Gray – My FAVE Greige Paint Colour

Greige is a tricky one. SO many people think that when they choose greige, they’re going to get this perfect blend of beige and gray, but that’s rarely the case! It’s kind of like mixing red wine and white wine – you don’t necessarily get a nice rose (but hey, I’ll drink it anyway).

So, when I’m looking for a relatively well-balanced greige that doesn’t pick up the typical undertones of either taupe or green – I look at Edgecomb Gray. Sure, like any greige, it can pick up a whole WHACK of undertones as it’s easily influenced by its environment/exposure/etc…but generally speaking – it’s pretty damn greige!

I used Edgecomb Gray throughout a local client’s home as shown here in Colour Review: Edgecomb Gray, so when my e-design client was looking for the perfect colour for her home, it was one of my TOP suggestions.

Before, the room felt weighed-down and a bit drab…

After, it looks MUCH more inviting and warm!

Before, the colours were a bit heavy and flat for the treed landscaping outside the windows…

After, when paired with Pashmina in the eating area/kitchen, the palette is way softer and more organic looking – and notice how the wood floors came to life!

Read more: Taupe and Greige: What’s the Difference?

To the right of the eating nook above is the kitchen. I have a blog post dedicated ENTIRELY to this kitchen makeover, so you’ll want to check that out once you’re done here, but I’ll give you a sneak peek…

I know, I’m such a tease (ask Tim…), but the kitchen turned out so cool that it really deserves its own spot in the limelight. If you want to check it out, you can see it here (but finish this one first!)

My client ALSO wanted to change the dining room into more of a casual family room, and let me say that it’s a good thing she did…the only thing the old dining room would inspire me to do is drink more.

Ummm, can I get a HELLS YEAH on changing this into a family room?

So there you have it, another paint colour transformation – And don’t forget to check out the oak kitchen makeover!

Want your own consultation?

Check out my affordable and fun E-Design! 

Chat soon,

READ MORE

Colour Review of Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

Oak Kitchen Makeover with White Dove

Taupe and Greige: What’s the Difference?

The post An E-Design with Edgecomb Gray: The Best Greige Paint Colour! appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

When we bought our home, this was one of the spaces I was REALLY excited about – I knew it had the potential to be the hub and heart of our home (which can’t often be said about a dark basement family room). And it’s not like it was THAT bad to start with, HELL YES IT WAS (sorry, that was my inside voice screaming at me), but it definitely needed a little KLC.

Let’s start with a nice general shot of the main area before.

As you can see, the hubs is standing at the bar, which was awkward for a few reasons…

a) He prefers to sit when he drinks beer and this was more of a ‘stand up’ bar, rather than a ‘sit at’ bar. Let’s be honest, though, as long as he’s drinking beer, he’s pretty happy.

b) It was a terrible layout; even if he were to sit at the bar, the countertop was chest height (even with tall bar stools) and he would be staring at a blank wall (similar to when he’s talking to me about my shopping problem).

b) It blocked the flow of light from that window, which we needed in this dark space.

d) It had cherry cabinetry which WAS beautiful, but not really ma’ jam.

But I digress. You will be seeing more of the bar area in the NEXT blog post, as it really deserves a spot of its own.  For now, we’re focusing on the main area, which has come a LONG way from its somewhat goth roots…

Same stone fireplace, but that’s about the only thing that survived!

Also, notice the lack of bar to the left of that brown leather accent chair and the fact that the TV becomes a secondary part of the room, blending into the paint colour (it’s like I know what I’m doing or something).

And in the title, you’ll notice I called it a ‘real’ family room.

Why?

Well, I find that a lot of the magazine, Houzz, and Pinterest photos that you see are either:

a) cost prohibitive – meaning they are out of reach for many readers.

b) they aren’t all that ‘liveable,’ meaning you ‘could’ relax and put your feet up, but the homeowner may beat you for doing so.

c) there’s a WHOOOOLE lot of gray and white, which can be beautiful, but I wanted to show you guys something more fun and colorful!

I’m also going to share with you some of the highlights of this room and some of the costs, so you can see where I found my happy medium between quality, price, and looks, all without having to visit a marriage counselor.

The Coffee Table & Media Center

Best…coffee table…evah.

Coffee Table: $200. This coffee table is unreal. Coming in at a whopping 54″x 54″, it’s really as big as they get. I bought this piece 2nd hand and while it’s ginormous, it’s the perfect spot for games, puzzles, drinks, and feet!  And notice it’s not accessorized with trays, floral arrangements, and artful stacks of books. That’s because that is HIGH maintenance. I like to keep things low-key and simple for everyday use – the above is about as artful as it gets.

Media Stand: $30. Did you notice the white cabinet to the right of the fireplace? It’s another 2nd hand piece. It’s solid pine and with a fresh lick of white paint, it turned into the PERFECT media center. I’ve got the cable box hiding underneath it and the drawers hide all of the technical bits n’ pieces. For a while, I had removed two drawers to house the cable box and whatnot, but I got tired of seeing all that junk (even though you KNOW how I LOVE going without any drawers…). And you’d never even THINK it was only $30!

And I’m a BIG believer in a home that is full of love, not just ‘home decor.’ Therefore, many of our decorative bits have meaning – you’ll see my Big Grandpa there, safely tucked away in the yellow container (so he can hear the hockey game).

Now let’s look at another before photo (always the best part…).

The Accent Chairs & Gray Sectional

Oy vay, what a dungeon – it may invite you in, but you might not come out alive!

Accent Chairs: $485 Pier 1. I have MAD love for my two leather accent chairs (the other one is to the left of the fireplace). Tobacco brown is my fave leather colour and it’s a fab complement to the warm stones in the fireplace and the paint colors.

Sectional: $2200 (on sale) Urban Barn. I’ve learned the hard way not to buy a cheap couch. This one was not crazy expensive, but it’s certainly more than I’d USUALLY spend. It’s comfy, quality, and the dark charcoal is a great foundation for the room (and shows less wine spills than a lighter fabric).

Artwork: $119 Home Sense. I LOOVE my pussy willow canvas!

The Family Gallery Wall

Standing at the fireplace and looking BACK into the room, you’ll see my favorite part (okay, maybe my 2nd fave part) – the family photo wall.

Before, this wall was bright red and overwhelming (this is how it looked when we bought our home)…

And NOW, it pays homage to some of our favorite people in the world (and in Heaven too…)

A few things to notice…

The wall is now longer than it used to be. This was all part of my ‘Home Office Makeover – a Black and White Affair.’ So, we actually LOST 2 1/2 feet of space in the family room, but we don’t even miss it. In fact, the flow is way better as there’s less non-functioning dead space.

The sofa table behind the couch: $250 (custom). This is a custom piece that I had Drift Designs in Wood make for us (amongst other awesome pieces in our home). It has two stools, so come game time, we can accommodate that many more people (plus it saves extra messy meals from being eaten on the couch).

The stools: $80. I got them for $80 a piece – brand new (but bought 2nd hand; they just hadn’t been used).

The buffet: $499 Home Sense. This houses our games, candles, and gardening gloves as it’s close to the backyard.

NOW…we’re moving on to my REAL favorite part – my books.

My Ikea Hemnes Bookcases

For those of you who know me well, you’ll know I’m a super nerd and love to spend most nites with a good book. And I’m a total hoarder too. While I don’t have a problem parting with books I didn’t enjoy, I’m pretty hard-pressed to give up my faves (just a couple hundred or so…).

This wall used to look like this…

There’s Mr. Studmuffin again.

And now it looks like this – sans Studmuffin…

Artwork: $59 Home Sense. This is sitting where there USED to be a door – ALL part of the plan, my friend (and part of the office remodel).

Ikea Hemnes Bookcases: $950 for all three pieces. These bookcases saved me. I used to have a long low bookcase that I painted black, but I was in the mood for something fresh, bright, and SUPER functional – and these bookcases fit the bill. Not only do they hold my precious books (said in the voice of Gollum from Lord of the Rings), but the drawers have ALL of the girl’s artsy-fartsy craft supplies and some great display spots behind the glass doors.

Freakin’ Glorious Chartreuse Chair: $525 Urban Barn. I…love…this…chair. Tim does not; he says it’s a Grandma’s chair. However, he doesn’t even know what chartreuse is, so he doesn’t get an opinion.

Hexagon Accent Table: $99 Target. And don’t even ASK me how much I miss Target (sob sob…sip sip – ALL BETTER!)

See how all of the textures and colours jibe? This space is my happy place.

Pouf: $59 Home Sense. I have a mild pouf obsession – amongst other things.

Area Rug: $329 (clearance) Home Sense. This is a big boy at 8×11.

And while I’m not SUPER anal with my books (says the girl who colour coordinated them), I do get a lot of mental pleasure from seeing all of my favorites displayed JUST how I like them.

See any familiar titles?

The top of the cabinets is also a great place for my globe collection (and dust).

Here are a few more bits n’ pieces that I love…

I love how my cool little Home Sense mirror reflects the photo gallery wall.

I love the look of this fold-up table ($99 Home Sense) with my little brass aviator-style clock ($29 Home Sense).

I love these particular books SO much; I even busted out of the color coding (deep breath) to display them on their own – topped by a clay creation that Cassie made when she was younger.

Now, after ALL of that, you’re probably thinking, ‘Well, that’s fine and dandy, Kylie, but what the HECK are those amazing paint colors?’.

You’re looking at…

• ACCENT WALL & BAR AREA (which was an EPIC way to lower the impact of the TV): Sherwin Williams Cyberspace SW 7076
• MAIN WALLS (which also run throughout the stairwell and living room): Sherwin Williams Creamy SW 7012
• BACK HALLWAY ACCENT WALL (which also leads into the entryway and my home office):  Benjamin Moore Steel Wool 2121-20

Read more: Paint Colour Review: Sherwin Williams Creamy

Now HOT on the heels of this blog post will be ‘Part 2 – The Home Bar’, which I can’t WAIT to share with you, so stay tuned – and it’s done now, check it out here!

Need help creating the room of YOUR dreams? 

Check out my affordable E-Design

Chat soon,

The post Our ‘Real’ Family Room: Budget-Friendly & Bright appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

The Great Revival of our Foyer

Sweet hallelujah!  Oh wait, it’s not THAT kind of revival, however it is kind of like God has shone a light down on our entryway and given it new life – or maybe it’s our new light fixture.  Well, either way, our entryway looks NOTHING like it did when we bought our home – which is a definitely a good thing.

When I first walked into our home (almost 3 years ago – holy moly!), I felt like I was walking into either a townhome or a home with a basement suite – NOT a 2 storey single family detached home.  The entryway was like a secret warren of walls, doors, passages and I half expected a gnome to come through one and say ‘right this way madam, to the dungeon family room’.  Okay, seriously, it wasn’t that bad – our home has always been beautiful, but it DID need a little bit of TLC (or KLC if you’re so inclined).

And while it may have taken almost 3 years it’s FINALLY done!

BTW, I want you to play the ‘Where’s Doug’ game.  See if you can find all 4 Doug’s (and one Henry).

The main entryway area

Did you notice all of the changes?

Before:  A cased doorway leading to the family room / After:  No door OR doorway

Before:  Solid drywall that hid the upstairs area from view / After:  Wood and metal curved railing

Before:  Ugly pine beam over the header underneath the curved wall / After:  No ugly beam

Before:  While you can only see it in the very FIRST photo, there used to be 12×12 tile flooring which had IMPOSSIBLE colours in it.  It also transitioned to ANOTHER ugly tile at the doorway to the familyroom /  After:  We decided to take our new flooring almost everywhere, creating much more flow

And I knew that ONE day this curved wall would be LONG gone, as would the walls going up the stairway.  It’s actually amazing that it took me 3 years to bring out the sledgehammer (who am I kidding, I hired someone to do the dirty work and sat back and drank wine by the jug…with a straw).

Before, who even KNEW what was up there???

After, the light from both the entryway AND the upstairs great room co-mingle, creating a bright, open space.  And check out what really IS up there in this post, ‘Our Living Room Update’

The paint colours are…

• Light Colour: Sherwin Williams Creamy SW 7012
• Grayish Colour: Benjamin Moore Steel Wool 2121-20

From the stair landing

From the middle stair landing, you could see that there was a LOT of air space (being a 2 storey foyer) as well as a lot of…wall.

See the changes?

Before:  Drywall on the right hand side of the stairs / After:  Wood and metal railing

Before:  Fugly pine molding capping the foundation wall on the right / After:  More traditional white molding on the foundation wall and YES I was soooo tempted to do shiplap, but I’m hesitant to commit to a trend that will require major wall-patching once I’m over it (so in like 3 months)

Before:  Top left curved wall / After:  Top left curved railing

Before:  While you can’t see it, there was a multi-armed light fixture straight outta 1996 / After: With scaffolding, a good friend and some good beer, we got a new light fixture up (and the old one is still sitting on our back deck rusting)

From the front door

Here’s the view coming in the front door…and yes, that IS a big bad ass clock.

And did you know that this armoire used to be THIS armoire below?  I painted the heckadoody out of it in about 3 hrs with Rustoleum ‘Chalked’ Ultra Matte Paint.

Now let’s take it from the top!

Before, this is really where I felt like we were in a narrow townhome, which would obviously be fine…if we lived in a narrow townhome.

If was a pretty dark, dense look – which I like in some rooms, but I wasn’t feeling it for this large, bright area.

After, you can REALLY see how things opened up and brightened up.  And you can probably see a flash of my lovely chartreuse doors in the top photo, which will soon be changed to Hale Navy (can’t wait!).

Ahhhh, there she is – my beautiful 1990’s light!  Epic photo quality, I know.  At the time I wasn’t planning on becoming world famous with these photos…

Doug alert!  And seriously, he’s such a poser.  I’m not sure if this was before or after he ate 5 granola bars from the pantry.

Before: Again, epic photo quality by yours truly…

I love this view, and while it was a close one (thanks to a messy contractor), we managed to keep the carpet on the stairs, helping to keep the budget in line!

Before:  Wall on the left side of the stairs / After:  Wood and metal railing

Before:  Disturbingly black railing on the right side (I like black railings…just not this one) / NO hand railing

Before:  No dogs / After:  The installation of a dog/pig and a Muppet at the top of the stairs.  And yes, the poor lil’ bugger has a skin condition that he takes prednisone for, hence the pinkish tone.  The other one had a golden retreiver Mom and Animal from the Muppets as a dad.

So there it is!  Want to see how it jives with the rest of our home?  Check these out!

Our Maple Bathroom Remodel

No More Maple Kitchen Update

Our Family Room

Do you want some personalized help for own home?  I have some great customizable packages for you to check out here!

The post Our Entryway Makeover – A 2 Storey Revival! appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Featuring Single Room Paint Package with Add-Ons

I love to see a project when it’s complete and NOTHING tickles my fancy more than ‘after’ photos (well, other than Tim, I let him tickle my fancy once in a while).  So when one of my online clients, Cherie, sent me the photos of her completed theatre room I was snortin’ wine out of my nose in excitement!

She was starting from scratch with the space, which means that the only elements I needed to consider were her black leather recliners and personal tastes.

Before…I know, before photos aren’t as exciting when it’s down to the studs – but you’ll survive.

After– BOOM!

I’ve done a mix of media rooms, ranging from clients who prefer dark grays and blues, right up to the white range. Cherie was looking for a warm, neutral, but not claustrophobic colour palette that would off-set both the black recliners as well as the awesome movie poster collection.

Check out that textured ceiling tile, a fab way to get some visual interest, warmth and depth, without having to weigh the room down with a super dark colour.

From the palettes I suggested in her Online Color Consultation, she chose Lenox Tan HC 44 (lightened by 25%) and Tyler Taupe HC 43 for the walls/beams and Davenport Tan HC 76 on the ceiling.  I also suggested a neutral, slightly warm beige carpet to ground the space and keep the contrast from wall to floor low and subtle.

Want to know some of the AWESOME features of this customized theatre room?  Ya, I know you do…

Notice the double-door entry and the TOP SECRET closet hidden behind the Star Wars poster.  All of the guts n’ glory of the room are hidden behind that door and it’s also an entrance to both Narnia and Wonderland.  The artwork is hinged and the door is a push latch.

What you’re looking at there is a Stewart, 169″ screen – that’s right 169 glorious inches of microperforated screen which lets sound through, which is important as there are 4 speakers BEHIND it.  The screen itself is surrounded by black acoustic fabric.

And get this, the posters are actually printed on special fabric that lets sound through.  They were then stretched onto frames that cover acoustic walls panels and speakers (find out where to get these posters below).

Here’s a little glimpse at the lighting list for this room…

• 7 different controls to set the mood
• Stair lighting
• Rope lighting
• Poster can lights
• Ceiling can lights
• Stage can lights
• Wall Sconces

And who designed this awesome floorplan?  3D Squared.  They jacked this room right up for light and sound and also provided the printed poster panels.   If you need a theatre room that looks purdy, you talk to me.  If you need a theatre room that is completely pimped-out with regard to sound, lighting and layout – these are home theatre gurus you need to talk to.

Want help with your own theatre or media room? Check out my Online Decorating and Design Packages!

The post E-Design: A Home Theatre / Media Room appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Before, you can see how the golden oak flooring looked date with the yellow toned wood furniture and walls…

After, it’s still warm and earth-toned, but much more updated!

The glorious cream shag rug and beautiful stone fireplace surround add texture without pattern and the mantle – painted Benjamin Moore Willow , sets a solid focal pointwhether you’re living or dining!

Also, you’ll see a LOVELY maple table in the dining room – this is the original maple table that they had.  We swapped out the chairs with more modern leather parsons chairs and the homeowners refinished the table with guidance from yours truly!  They did an amazing job and were smart to put a glass top on it to protect it.  To view the maple table project please click here…”How to Update a Maple Table”

Want help with your own home?  Check out my fun and affordable E-design and Online Colour Consulting Packages!

Chat soon,

The post Warm and Welcoming Living Room and Dining Room Design appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Open Layout Remodel with Gray Owl, Wood Walls and More…

My client Jen had a beautiful home with great bones and furnishings we could work with – all it was missing was the right paint colour and a personality that better suited her young family.

What They Wanted

They loved the open layout main floor of their home, but felt it didn’t really speak to their personal tastes.  With a love of blue and gray, they wanted a space that was bright, rustic, inviting and simple.  In a decorating world where mantels are crammed and bookshelves are overflowing, it was fun to work with a client who just wanted a ‘simple, classic and clutter-free look’.

Old vs. New

While the entire space got a fresh coat of paint, artwork and lighting, we kept all of the main furniture pieces, drapes, flooring and fireplace stone.  This made it easy to keep things within the budget and really, what she had was good, it was the details that needed a lil’ love!

The Paint Colour

Benjamin Moore Gray Owl was the PERFECT paint colour for this home.  Fresh and clean looking, yet not washed out, Gray Owl worked well as it transitioned from living room and dining room to kitchen and hallway.  The space had a mix of exposures including North and East, which made Gray Owl lean slightly more toward the blue side of things, rather than the gray/green end of its undertones.

Read more:  All About Benjamin Moore Gray Owl

The Living Room

Before.  They had the foundation in place – couch, drapes, flooring and fireplace – it just needed to be pulled together.

After.  Pulling this room together was made even EASIER with the beautiful photography Jen owned.  The photographer, Adrienne Madill of Vital Imagery ALSO happens to be her sis-in-law, giving even more meaning to this simple, family-friendly space.

The Fireplace

Before.  I had a massive stare down with the fireplace.  I couldn’t figure out what felt wrong, but I knew something wasn’t quite right and the solution had to be budget friendly and complementary to the stonework – which wasn’t going anywhere.  I decided that we needed to balance off the look of the top and the bottom.  With the small scale ledgestone and high contrast wood trim, the balance was off and the result was a cluttered mish-mash of products – all high-lighting the TV (which is not a good thing btw).

And after.  All it took was some wood and stain to pull this bad boy together.  Oooookay, maybe it wasn’t that easy – there were a few install issues, but in the end it turned out beautifully on a budget!

The Chandelier and Wood Beam

Before.  This chandelier looked like it needed a full dining room suite from 2002 underneath it – not a living room.

After.  The drywall beam was clad in wood and a new chandelier was installed, creating a stunning focal point.  It’s a visual link not just to the fireplace wall, but to the alcove in the entryway as well.

The Dining Area

While they loved their feature wall, it was just a bit too overwhelming and they were tired of it.  So instead of using a statement colour, we used a statement piece on a background of Benjamin Moore Gray Owl.

The Hallway and Stairwell

The 3 sided fireplace faced the living room, dining room and the hallway, so it was important the we pulled the look all the way around.  And with a nod toward their love of everything blue, we painted the pantry door Benjamin Moore Wedgewood Gray, a soft blueish gray.

Before.  The back of the fireplace was underwhelming and uninspiring.

After.  The flow is more seamless from space to space, using the fireplace as the Focal Point for all sides.

Before.  Nice wall – said no one ever.

After.  Fresh and fun!  The hallway is no longer just the transition area to the bedrooms.  It now plays an important decorative role in their home!

The Entryway

Before.  The entryway felt dark and disconnected from the rest of the home, even though it was in full sight-line from the rest of the home.

After.  By installing the same wood feature as the fireplace, we established a visual connection between the spaces and added some interest and texture.  Jen sourced out an awesome mirror that finished it off perfectly!

And of course ALL of this had to be run by her furry soul-mate Charlie – handsome lil’ devil…

So there it is!  Jen had great style and ideas, all she needed as a bit of moral support and brainstorming to create the home of her dreams!

Does your room need a facelift?

Check out my affordable E-decor and Online Colour Consulting Packages!

The post Open Layout Makeover – Budget Friendly and Beautiful! appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

I love it when a plan comes together (is that Shakespeare or the A-Team?). Anyway, this 1990’s great room was GREATLY in need of a facelift. My clients were over the white thermofoil cabinets, burgundy accents and dated brass fixtures – they were ready for a change and a little KLC (Kylie Lovin’ Care).

With a handy hubby named Doug and a handsome dog named Gary, my client Erin was SUPER excited to add some more modern, but family-friendly touches to her open layout space. Using Doug’s building skills, Gary’s charm and Erin’s style, we were able to save THOUSANDS of dollars in labour and managed to infuse a bit of hunter-chic decor, along with natural stone, quartz and reclaimed wood accents.

Ready Betty?

Fireplace and Family Room Update

Before, the fireplace was a hot mess of wallpaper border, burgundy, brass and a weee dash of fugly – nice boots though…

After, the fireplace looks FABULOUS in charcoal ledgestone. Notice that the TV and fireplace are both surrounded by a border of rustic wood – good job Doug!

With a few old pieces and new pieces, the room has character, charm and warmth…and an antler.

Notice the reclaimed wood window ledge and how it relates to the wood around the gas fireplace insert…lover-ly.

The Big Empty Wall…

To the left of the fireplace was more epic wallpaper border.

We needed a large furniture piece to balance out the weight of the fireplace and the gray sectional on the other side of the room. Erin had a great big buffet in another room which was just ITCHING for some black paint. It turned out to be the perfect piece for this big empty wall and was a great way to save money.

With some fabulous decor, the room has subtle farmhouse country charm!

The paint colour we chose for the walls was Benjamin Moore Grant Beige. See its colour review HERE!

Ready for the dining room? It’s moose-ic to my ears!

The Dining Room Update

I don’t have a before photo of this space, so picture this: drywall, flooring, table, chairs – yup, that about covers it.

And here it is now!

Read more: The 8 Best Whole Home Warm Neutral Paint Colours

Well, hello there handsome…

For light fixtures like this, visit Casthorn Designs!

The table used to have lighter wood legs and a wood top. We painted the base black (I say that like I actually did the work) and restained the top in a finish more suitable to the room.

The doorway used to be single-wide, so we opened it up to be double-wide and framed it with reclaimed rustic wood – MAD love…

Here’s how the dining area relates to the family room and part of the kitchen…

The Kitchen Remodel – From Guts to Glory!

Oh, the kitchen. I had a HECK of a time getting photos of this space – the natural lighting made it hard to get a good clear shot. Thankfully Doug handed me a glass of wine and things really improved from there, as they usually do when I have wine.

Before, the kitchen had peeling thermofoil cabinets, white appliances and a tiled island countertop…

After, the kitchen looks like a whole new space with painted full height cabinets (Benjamin Moore Amherst Gray), white quartz (similar to Cambria Torquay) and polished marble backsplash.  Believe it or not, the stools are a budget-friendly find from London Drugs – there are ALWAYS ways to save on the budget!

The full kitchen and how it relates to the dining room, which was partially done in this before photo…

And of course Gary, this is his after photo – AFTER I’d taken over a dozen photos and he was tired of looking at the camera.

Are you ready for some changes in your own home? 

Check out my affordable Online Consulting Services

Chat soon,

READ MORE

The 12 Best Whole Home Gray and Greige Paint Colours

A Dining Room Makeover in Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

4 Budget-Friendly Ideas to Update Your Kitchen

Originally written in 2016, updated in 2020

The post An Open Layout Renovation: Antlers and Modern Farmhouse Charm appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

This is an older blog post but has been updated! 

Our dining room is like a revolving door of colour and furnishings.

You are now entering the madness…

When we bought our home (3 years ago) it had a ridonculous layout with a ridonculous wall between the kitchen and dining room with a pass-thru in the middle – great for puppet shows but that was about it.

This is what it looked like when we first saw it. And yes, that is probably the smallest picture that has ever been hung on a large wall – WHO WERE THESE PEOPLE!

The idea was fine, but the function was terrible. Once we moved in, we put a larger table on the kitchen side of things and never used the dining room.

So, after a bottle of wine (or 2) and some sweet talk ‘we’ decided that it was time for the wall to go.

Of course, you know that Tim just loooves doing this kind of stuff…ya right – I lent him my tools.

And now, the grand reveal!

I was in the mood for something warm when I painted the end wall Tawny Rose by Benjamin Moore. It’s been there for about 6 months and is still going strong – IT’S A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!

By removing the wall (which really wasn’t that hard – says me, who didn’t have to do it) we were able to create an open layout kitchen, dining and sitting area with an open office space – yahoo!

Here’s another before photo, looking from the dining room to the kitchen…

And after…

Read more: A $3500 Kitchen Update with Oak Cabinets

Professional photos by Artez Photography.

Need ideas for your own home?

Check out my affordable E-design! 

Chat soon,

The post Open Layout Dining Room and Kitchen – Budget Friendly appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.