Emma & Miles - Ft. Collins Home
EXTERIOR: 1. A nice classic color combination for the exterior. Plus the green and red awning on the west living room window will really pop against the medium gray. 2. This photo also provides an example of windows painted dark charcoal with white trim. A nice look that showcases the architectural detail of the windows while still keeping it light. 3. This effect could be very interesting for your home. E - I like the idea of the charcoal windows with the white trim. I have to admit that dark colors kind of scare me just because my family never experimented with them but I am open to it as long as the house has an overall light feel. We are actually thinking about taking that awning down.
EXTERIOR: 1. Another example of an exterior neutral color pallet pulled from the interior. This time in a lighter gray. I think for the size of the home, the light gray with white and dark gray trim would be best. 2. Notice the dark charcoal windows and white trim against gray backdrop. Nice, clean, classic.
FOYER/ENTRYWAY: 1. Interior front door (and possibly other doors leading outdoors) painted black/dark charcoal adds a sophisticated look. 2. Could use some of the left over tile (or find a new tile since only a few squares would be needed) to tile foyer area providing even greater distinction and separation from living room. 3. Black bookcase finishes the look and separation. 4. If floors are good under bookcase (I'm sure they are) we could probably move bookcase back 6-12" to make the foyer a bit larger. E- I like the idea of making that space a little bigger. It seems a little cramped for more than 1 person at a time. We want to make a reading area over by the two living room windows so as long as the shelf doesn't disrupt that space, I would be totally down with this.
INTERIOR WINDOWS: 1. Example of interior muntins/sash painted dark charcoal with white frames and trim. 2. Picture against a light/dove gray wall background. E - I want the house to have a warm feel. Do you think the charcoal could still incorporate that feel? What about the grays? E - I definitely like this look. These windows are about the same size and placement as the living room windows. E - I think I like the idea of white/cream trim.
MASTER ACCENT WALL: 1. Very inexpensive way to make an accent wall behind your bed. These are merely 1 x 4"s in a grid pattern painted same color as accent wall. I'd suggest painting the dark green from your color pallet. It will make Mile's eye quite dreamy! 2. Very cool and very inexpensive providing the depth, added dimension, and texture you'll want. 3. Lighting and fixtures make all the difference. Lamps provide a nice warm glow vs. an overhead light. Notice the hard-wired wall sconce. We can do this since you have electric on that wall. 4. Lamps can be found very reasonably at antique or junk stores as well as discount stores such as Home Goods, Tuesday Morning, Marshall's, and TJ Max. E - I like this idea a lot! Very cool texture.
MASTER WALLS: 1. Another good example of a well done accent wall. Again notice it "hangs" because of the monochromatic color scheme. 2. The wall is also independent of the other walls which helps a bunch. 3. The look can be achieved with paint or a really cool paper which would add even more dimension and depth. 4. Notice the light/dove gray ceiling brought in from the balance of the home to provide coordination and continuity. Would do in the light gray/green. 5. Good for Master. E - I like the idea of a light ceiling if we go with dark walls in the master.
HALL: Emma - I really like the use of different colors and sizes of frames for this hallway gallery display. Clean but interesting. The bookshelf looks really cool too but we don't have a wide enough hallway to make that happen. MB - Perhaps the low-rise two-shelf design could be incorporated in the reading knook somehow.
HALL: Emma - This many mirrors kind of freaks me out. But .. maybe if we decided to do a hallway gallery some of the frames (and by some, I mean just one here and there) could just hold mirrors. MB - Notice how the large vase provides a focal point at end of hall? We could easily do something with the linen closet at the end of your hall to make it a focal point. A couple of thoughts... 1. Remove doors and create an open space above drawers (of course using accent colors). And, freshen up natural wood stain on drawers. 2. Just paint the drawers and doors an accent color. 3. Re-stain doors and drawers to match and paint wall around them an accent color (perhaps the charcoal or dark green). This would be super easy just a little elbow grease.
HALL: 1. Building off your idea of pictures and mirrors, this is a cool nuance bringing a bit of subliminal order to chaos. 2. Notice how the pictures are all rectangular/square and the mirrors are various ovals. Then the collection is further accented with the funky dimensional candle holders. 3. Again, just a nuance that would really make it "hang". Very fun! 4. However, it would work better in a horizontal design instead of vertical. Items get too low to the floor as displayed in this photo.
BATH: 1. Love the natural wood wall mount shelf. You could do this (or a series of three shelves) on your bath wall left of sink. A nice way to leverage natural hardwood as an accent color. 2. The shelf is also functional to house bathroom items and accent pieces. E - Yes, yes, yes! One of my favorite things about our house is the hardwood floor. If we could use that same theme for accenting elsewhere, I am all in! Great idea!
BATH: 1. Another cool yet functional idea for the bath left of sink. 2. Allows bath linens and storage containers to be mixed with other items to be colorful accessories. This will really pop in your bath. 3. Again, some type of shelf can be easily made from scrap lumber. And can be made to a size that best fits your space. 4. The back could be left open to paint accent or show wall color.
BATH: 1. The door used on back of vanity. Here's an example of the rustic look I'm talking about in turquoise. 2. I would paint it turquoise (same as dining room) to pull color pallet into bath. But, I would finish in the rustic finish so it doesn't feel identical to dining walls. E - Miles and I were talking about that sink backdrop yesterday and we don't really care for it. We were thinking about doing something else with the sink (not sure what yet though).
BATH: 1. Interesting idea for bath enclosure. Just find an old large paned window set, paint frames black/dark charcoal, at Restore (or other salvage store), finish with "marine varnish". 2. This would look very nice with or without the door. And, I wouldn't worry about the transom window on top as steam needs to escape. This would be much less than buying an enclosure.
BATH: 1. Or, find an old metal-framed sliding door at Restore, paint it black, and install. Not hard... will just take patience and a little time. 2. Remember, it doesn't have to fit the entire width of current opening. And, if you want the glass frosted as in photo, this is very simple with a "frosting" spray paint. However, I'd leave clear to showcase shower and keep a more open feel to the room.
LIVING ROOM: 1. Check out how these folks used old National Geographic magazines as an accent. They are always timeless and have beautiful photography people love to skim. And, you can generally pick these up on the cheap by the box load at used book, antique/junk stores. The magazines create nice unification from shelf to shelf. 2. Using varying shapes and heights of accent pieces along with books creates a nice visual interest -- and they can also be used for bookends. 3. Personally I think the Gold back against the charcoal would be very rich. But, probably not with the National Geos (have to think on it)
LIVING ROOM: 1. Two of these chairs with the ottoman would be so cool in the reading area. But, I think they'd be too big. I like the chair design and the color is awesome. 2. Or, one chair with ottoman working with the sofa. I think it's the low-rise design, matching ottoman, and color that's really drawing me more than where it is used.
READING KNOOK: Photo has a lot of disparate ideas for the "reading corner". A few thoughts... 1. You'll want to keep the chairs sleek and low profile to keep the corner from looking too heavy or crowded and from blocking too much window. 2. You'll need a small table for a lamp, an accent or two, and for placing your drinks. 3. And, a fun ottoman big enough for two so you can kick back and play footsies while you read ;-).
READING NOOK: These "sling" chairs are hard to see in lower right corner, but something similar would be nice for reading nook. And, super easy to recover and refinish.
READING NOOK: 1. Using slip covers for chairs in reading nook. 2. When using slip covers, remember they fit straight lines and edges (holding their place and shape) much better than on curves.
READING NOOK: Look how these folks are using an old painted magazine rack to pull double duty as a small table.
READING NOOK: A nice and comfy looking reading area.
READING NOOK: Another fun chair style for reading area. You can find these and other mid-century on overstock.com
READING NOOK: 1. Might be a cool chair design for reading area. These are really just "Clam" style folding wooden chairs that could be re-stained. Add a couple throw pillows and you're ready to go. 2. You would want to look for new or used reproductions as the original mid-century can be quite expensive.
READING NOOK: 1. A smaller curved bookcase (perhaps only 30" or so on each side - about like in the photo) would look nice in the reading area. 2. It would still allow plenty of room for chairs on either side and double as a small table between the two chairs. 3. The curve against the 90 degree walls adds visual interest. 4. Nice paint "wash" on plywood behind fireplace. Talk about bang-for-the-buck...
READING NOOK: Another great idea for the reading area.
OFFICE: 1. Love the turquoise walls for dining room. The room's four walls are self-contained so no disruption to the eye creating a very special room. 2. Could use the dove gray for ceiling paint as it would continue to carry the color pallet through the house providing a since of flow. 3. The turquoise looks great with oranges, corals, and other colors from the pallet as the colors really pop against one another. E - I really love the idea of the dining room/office to be a fun color. I would also love the kitchen to be a bright fun color as well. I am not sure if that will work though being that they are right next to each other. One of the fun rich colors from our palette in the office/dining room and then maybe a brighter color in the kitchen. Like I said, I don't know if this will be possible given that you will be able to see both colors at once.
OFFICE: Emma - rust as accent
OFFICE: Emma - Rust color office
OFFICE: Emma - OFFICE: Warm orange color with white trim. I am not a fan of the furniture but I do like the hanging frames. MB - The picture collection jumped out at me too. The uniformity of certain collections such as in dining/living room will provide a wonderful balance to a funky mirror/picture wall in the hall too!
OFFICE: Emma - OFFICE: Cool ceiling. MB -- that is WAY cool. You may have just found your dining/office ceiling. Perhaps replace existing ceiling light fixture with track light that coordinates with spot light fixture in kitchen. A very "clean" office look with the right appointments. E - I like the idea of a textured ceiling in the office/dining room.
OFFICE: Emma - OFFICE and KITCHEN Green walls with view to orange room. Makes me think we can do two different colors for the office and the kitchen. MB - Yes it would be fine. I still like leveraging monochromatic colors for the two rooms. The orange in dining/office and the cantaloup, or persimmon, in the kitchen. That would look so cool and still foster flow.
OFFICE: 1. Bookcase surround leading to kitchen. Probably need to use east wall as it provides greater support for upper shelves -- shorter span. 2. Keep it clean and simple; mixed with accent pieces to keep it simple. 3. Nice frame and contrast leading to open kitchen.
OFFICE: Bookcase surround leading to kitchen.
OFFICE: 1. This is a great slim/low-profile desk for your office. The room is going to be a major focal point due it's location between living room and kitchen. 2. Two identical desks, opposing walls, provide symmetry and continuity in such an important and visible room. Order not clutter. 3. An easy and inexpensive DIY. I have the plans. Would look wonderful with the "hub and spoke" ceiling design above. 4. These desks run $400 - $650 new. It looks like you could make it for $100.00/each.
OFFICE: 1. Must Click Pic for full view (actually two photos). Easier and less expensive DIY desk. However, no drawer but could add one if wanted. 2. I saved the plans for this one as well. 3. I'd also use cool matching desk lamps (Target or the like) and matching desk chairs can be picked up at a salvage office supply store for $10 - $15/each.
OFFICE: Desk lamp with mod style. Target-$25.00. Would also check Home Goods, Walmart, TJ Max, etc.
OFFICE: 1. Cool retro chairs and even cooler mirrored sunburst. 2. Also, the hanging pendant light look can be achieved with a series of hanging votive candles. Super easy and inexpensive to create.
KITCHEN: Black windows, white window trim, and black iron hardware makes a nice look. E - Once again I like this look. There are a lot of windows in the kitchen so this could create a nice clean effect.
KITCHEN: 1. An idea for down the road. Replace the large kitchen window with french doors. 2. These can be found inexpensive at Restore and other salvage yards. Just paint dark charcoal and install. 3. Provides light and solar warmth. 4. This is not hard, just takes patience and a little time.
KITCHEN: Example of a single windowed door that could replace the existing small window. Either with or without sidelight and upper transom window. Just paint black/charcoal.
KITCHEN: Apricot kitchen walls with white Shaker cabinets featuring apricot interiors. This would look very nice contrasting darker rust in dining room/office.
KITCHEN: 1. Apricot wall in kitchen provides great "drape" behind the orange/rust "statement" office color. Keeps a clean open and airy look while providing continuity. 2. Also remember, you can tint your own paint. For example, take your left-over bold turquoise paint from the dining room and add leftover white paint until it's the lighter shade you would want for the kitchen walls. We would do a test first.
KITCHEN: 1. Notice apricot wall on left. Another nice gradation from rust/orange dining/office. 2. Also notice use of accent color used to paint back of open cabinet. Would be a nice place to bring the home's primary wall color (pale green) into the kitchen as an accent without being intrusive.
KITCHEN: Example of open cabinets with painted back accent. This is a great place to bring the home's primary wall color into the kitchen; tying home together.without being intrusive.
KITCHEN: Notice how open cabinets are used to display accent pieces/dishes from the color pallet. Functional and decorative.
KITCHEN: 1. A nice light turquoise/blue kitchen that pops the white cabinetry. 2. Also note the "barn-style" door. These can be very inexpensive to make. You'll probably need to paint them, instead of leaving natural, as you'd want to use scrap lumber from around the house. There are a ton of pickets stacked in the back yard that could be used. 3. Might work to provide division from Laundry Room. E - I never thought about creating a division from the laundry room. Neat idea. We would have to look at how much space we have to work with on that wall where the laundry room entrance is. I don't remember much space.
KITCHEN: 1. Notice the simple boarders on the kitchen cabinets. This can easy by done to your cabinets using 1x2" scrap lumber from the back yard glued to the face of the existing cabinets. And, with new hardware -- WOW! 2. The cabinet door recessed center could even be painted the pale turquoise/blue to match the walls. The added trim on the doors and base cabinetry painted white. E - Yes. I absolutely love the boarded look in every photo that you have put in this ideabook. Maybe it could be something that could be implemented in multiple areas throughout the house to bring it all together. I do like a solid color rather than a two-tone design of the recessed look. E - Is it easy to create open cabinets, like the ones on the R side of the fridge in this picture? If so, maybe we could incorporate this into our kitchen.
KITCHEN: 1. Another example of Shaker-styled cabinets. But, picture painted white except the insets which would be light blue or another light color from your pallet. 2. Also notice the simple shelf. This could be attractive and functional above your stove, or on the back wall... or both. 3. But, at some point I'd add a hood above your stove. If you keep an eye out, you can find very inexpensive hoods at Restore Habitat for Humanity.
KITCHEN: 1. Iron hardware centered provides a very nice balanced look. 2. I'd look at junk stores and Restore for these items.
KITCHEN: Iron hardware. I'd look at junk stores and Restore for these items.
KITCHEN: I think black iron would look really cool for the hardware. E - I agree. Miles told me yesterday that he liked that idea as well.
LAUNDRY/PANTRY: 1. Love the color combination. The apricot kitchen provides a nice light accent between the rust/orange dining room and charcoal Laundry/Pantry. 2. Coat hooks in laundry room would be a fun accent too. An idea might be to make your own coat rack from a piece of old lumber, stain it natural wood color, use the two hooks on bathroom vanity door and pick up a couple more hooks from the junk/antique store.
LAUNDRY/PANTRY: 1. To create additional storage and visual interest, use the north wall of the laundry room for shelving for food and other bulky items such as crock pots, large pans, colanders, etc. 2. Use charcoal (preferred) or white shelving with back open so the wall behind can be painted an access color. 3. Use door from bathroom vanity (painted charcoal and repurposed of course) attached to barn-type hardware to create sliding door -- which of course saves space. No room for swinging door needed. 4. The hooks on the door now could be mounted in the laundry/pantry and used for coats.
LAUNDRY/PANTRY: Chalkboards are fun, inexpensive, and easy to make. And, the colors of chalk you choose can match your color pallet. E - Fun idea! I don't think I would want a large space to be covered with the chalkboard but it could be fun to have it somewhere for notes and things.
LAUNDRY/PANTRY: 1. The window portion of the bathroom vanity door (now used to separate kitchen/laundry/pantry) could very easily be repurposed on either side as a chalk board. 2. I even like the Cafe sign, or something similar, on the top shelf. You can find over-sized natural wood letters easily and inexpensively.
LAUNDRY/PANTRY: 1. A look into your new Laundry/Walk-in Pantry. 2. Walls behind shelving would be painted accent color. Perhaps kitchen color. 3. Another old door repurposed. E - I never thought about creating a division from the laundry room. Neat idea. We would have to look at how much space we have to work with on that wall where the laundry room entrance is. I don't remember much space.
LAUNDRY/PANTRY: 1. Another look into your new walk-in pantry/laundry room. 2. I would use the south wall for laundry supply shelving as well as for hanging a rod to hang clothes as they come out of laundry. Or, for items not to be dried by dryer.
LAUNDRY/PANTRY: 1. Use old mason jars with homemade decorative labels to organize dry goods such as pastas, grains, etc. 2. You can always find cool old jars at thrift and junk stores on the cheap. Form and function!
LAUNDRY/PANTRY: 1. Chalk board labels are super easy and inexpensive. Plus you can use whatever color of chalk you like... accent, accent ;-) 2. I also like the traditional lid/ring for sealing the jars. 3. Jars can also be died clear colors such as blue, green...
LAUNDRY/PANTRY: And, jars come in all sizes meeting a variety of needs.
LAUNDRY/PANTRY: Old wicker baskets are also nice for pantry organization. Wicker baskets are easily spray painted -- provides even greater organization while incorporating accent colors. All thrift stores have baskets for only quarters and dimes.
LOOK... IT'S EMMA: While looking for cool shades of a lighter/backed-off orange/rust (we can call cantaloupe, persimmon, or apricot) for the kitchen I came across this photo.... click for full image. I could see Emma pulling this off very nicely. And, when you get home from a hard day of shopping you could lounge about in this lovely ensemble and coordinate with your home's pallet. Again, another example of a monochromatic color scheme in different layers and textures achieving a very sophisticated look ;-) And some nice shades of orange to boot!!!
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