There are many ways to upgrade the spaces in your home. The design possibilities are as varied and diverse as the homes and clients that we serve.
But all transformations have the same goal: Your home should make you smile. It should be both a refuge and a welcoming and comfortable space that reflects your personality and lifestyle.
If I had to pick just 3, here are the top ways to upgrade any space and make it uniquely yours (click on highlighted text for more images):
Transform you Home with Millwork
Whether you just add moldings or go all out with built-ins, millwork can solve all sorts of problems and add personality.
We added millwork to create panels in this bland builder foyer and completely transformed the long narrow space into something elegant and reflective of the homeowners gracious style.
Foyer transformed from builder bland to elegant. Design JRL Interiors
In this vaulted family room space, we added built-ins flanking the fireplace and a window seat to increase storage, seating, and display space creating a comfortable and functional destination space in the home.
Family room BEFORE
Vaulted family room transformed with built-ins and paint. Design: JRL Interiors
In this very tall condo great room, we added millwork to both highlight the fireplace and humanize the scale of the room. This transformed it from a cavernous box to a comfortable gathering spot for family.
Great Room BEFORE
Great Room with added moldings. Design: JRL Interiors
In this antique farmhouse great room, we designed new built-ins to contain and corral the media components and gained a cozy windowseat in the process.
Great Rom BEFORE
Farmhouse Great Room with built-ins. Design: JRL Interiors
Farmhouse Great Room Built-ins
Transform your Home with Paint
Paint is one of the fastest and least expensive ways to transform a space. Bold choices can make for extraordinary spaces.
In this elegant ladies home office, a glossy tropical pink ceiling adds the perfect finishing touch to this complete makeover.
Office BEFORE
Ladies office with pink ceiling. Design: JRL Interiors
In my own dated kitchen transformation, gallons of black paint (and some strategic millwork) made a striking difference for a fraction of the cost of a complete kitchen renovation.
kitchen BEFORE
Kitchen transformation Design: JRL Interiors
This home office in an antique farmhouse went from blah to cozy and deliciously chic with a color drenching of chocolate paint.
This mezzanine library’s new cabinetry is drenched in red to create what our clients affectionately refer to as the “snug”.
Transform your Home with Wallpaper
Wallpaper is perhaps the biggest bang-for-the-buck from a design perspective. I especially love using it to elevate powder rooms. It requires so little material in these small spaces and the results are always spectacular.
This tiny powder room tucked under the stairs in an antique colonial is totally transformed with a bold wall covering.
Pocket Powder Room BEFORE
Dramatic pocket powder room . Design: JRL Interiors
And these bathrooms in our antique farmhouse project were all dramatically updated with wallpaper.
This coastal antique powder room gained a whole new life with wallpaper and some bold paint.
Powder Bath transformation with wallpaper and bold paint. Design: JRL Interiors
This basement guest bath has whimsical charm because of the addition of a blue and white wallpaper.
Whimsical Guest Bath. Design: JRL Interiors
And this primary bedroom gained a quiet sophistication with the addition of a subtle branch patterned wallpaper.
Primary Bedroom BEFORE
Primary Bedroom with subtle wallpaper and painted paneling. Design: JRL Interiors
I should be photographing a few newly completed projects in the next month that further illustrate the transformative power of these three design tools. I can’t wait to share them.
In the meantime,
stay safe, stay warm, and create a home that inspires you to smile!
