It all started with a tile!
After 18 years of life my kitchen and den were tired and in need of a makeover (so was I, but I won’t talk about that!)
I was buying some tile for another client when I saw this guilded travertine tile at Ann Sacks.
That was all it took to inspire me to start what I’d been putting off and redecorate my kitchen, den and dining room.
It’s called Lux travertine and it looks 3 dimensional and the tiles vary in surface texture, color shade and size. The pewter color of the stone has gold undertones which are the colors I used as the base for my new design.
But, lets go back to the beginning!
Old Decorating Style
The kitchen walls were yellow, with white cabinets & trim, and black granite countertops. The walls in the den and dining rooms were red with taupe upholstery and furniture.
It was so yesterday!
I envisioned a formal look with soothing colors and a softer feel.
Just because rooms are formal doesn’t mean they are stuffy and unfriendly. Maintaining a relaxed, inviting home is key. That can be accomplished with colors, plush fabrics, & comfortable spaces.
Looks are important, but so is comfort. I want to sink into the furniture and feel warm and cozy – create a harbor for long days and lazy Saturdays.
New Decorating Style
To get started on this redecorating project, I selected all the fabrics and furniture and from there I was able to make my paint selection. The walls of the dining room, kitchen and den all needed to be the same color to create an easy flow between the rooms. I chose creamy white Venetian plaster for the walls.
I like the way the plaster looks on the walls. It creates a finish that is all natural, and iridescent, with depth and movement. Keeping them all the same color enhanced the natural flow of the rooms instead of breaking them up like before with different paint colors.
The Kitchen Re-Do
In the kitchen, I knew the white cabinets had to go!
I considered using a high gloss black paint, but it wasn’t quite what I had in mind. I kept working with samples of paint until I found the right combination. It has a beautiful sheen that blends perfectly with the kitchen backsplash and fabrics in the den.
The granite countertops were replaced with black quartz countertops. The quartz is so easy to care for and it looks great all the time. For more about countertop selections read How to Choose The Right Countertop.
The Den Re-Do
Our den is so big that I thought I’d be able to fill it with two seating areas, but I was wrong!
Its all about scale and how the sizes and shapes of furnishings work together.
So, I bought oversized pieces of furniture and used 2 sofas for the same living area.
Placing furniture against the wall & windows was just enough to balance the room.
The large armoire served as a transitional piece between the den and dining room.
The sofas and chairs are covered with rich, luxurious velvet.
It is not only beautiful – it feels wonderful!
It has a chameleon sheen and varies depending on the time of day. The sofas have curvy backs with a tailored skirt.
The chairs are big and comfy covered in a simple geometric pattern with contrasting colors.
The large coffee table is the centerpiece of the den.
“Bigger is better” usually applies when deciding between one large piece over a grouping of multiples. The end tables don’t match – there is a round skirted table, a group of nesting tables and an octagonal wood table. Different styles and look but they fit right in.
The small ottomans have leather upholstery and serve to provide additional seating and storage.
The media center and fireplace are next to each other on the same wall. I had the media cabinets painted matte black and the old brick fireplace was redone with stone which gave me a nice contrast.
Here you can also see the bar just off the den which was updated with the same lux travertine backsplash and cabinet paint as the kitchen.
The Dining Room Re-Do
Since the dining room is so visible and open to the den, I included it in this redecorating project so it wouldn’t look out of place. The walls were plastered to match the kitchen and den. I had the dining room chairs recovered in the same fabric as the sofas.
Fininshing Touches
Any redecorating project is not complete until you add the accessories, rugs and window treatments.
The creamy white and subtle gold tones of this rug tie the colors of the room together.
I didn’t have curtains before this makeover and adding them really changed the way the den looked. I think it’s a big improvement because they add such warmth.
Silk and fashionable they accent the room and the windows.
Accessories are the finishing touch to every redecorating project.
It’s a way to display collectibles and unique, interesting pieces.
You’ll find design elements that are popular today included in the furniture, fabrics, and colors I used for my new interior style. Read about the design trends for 2019 here.
