"Feathering the Nest" defined....

Feathering the Nest - as defined by an online dictionary...

1. Fig. to decorate and furnish one's home in style and comfort. (Alludes to birds lining their nests with feathers to make them warm and comfortable.) 

I just love this definition! And I love what I do....helping people feel "warm and comfortable" in their own home utilizing their own furnishings & collections. Keep that in mind when looking at the before & after pics below...the style may not be what you would choose...but that is the beauty of it all...everyone has their own "taste"...and my job is to make the most of what they have...not judge and tell them they need to start over. Hello...small BUDGET anyone? However, if someone does desire a fresh start - I can help with that as well!

BEFORE

AFTER 

 

we also added beautiful sconces in the recessed areas on either side of the mantle.

BEFORE

              

                  AFTER

     The table in the window was under the window to the right of the fireplace. (you can barley see the corner of it in the very first before)

Always keep in mind, "what can be seen from the curb?" Put the lamps in the window on a timer to provide a warm glow at night...specially nice here in Chicago when it gets dark at 4pm in the winter!

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AFTER

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AFTER

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Moving the art work above the buffet and flanking it with 

lamps creates a beautiful focal point. 

BEFORE

Need some finishing touches? Look at what new artwork, window treatments, rug & a lamp does for this space! Warm & cozy :)

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Small changes make a big difference...pulling sofa off of far wall and adding sofa table with lamps warms up the space with minimal cost. 

 What about you? Do you have enough "stuff" to warm up your place or do you need to run to Homegoods? What are you waiting for? Get going!

I Heart Arranging

One of the biggest joys in my life is making others happy...I believe this is why I have such a huge love of "one day room makeovers"...arranging Your Stuff...it is all Your Style...however it is Only Better when I have finished! And clients are so HAPPY...your happy, I'm happy...the world is a better place. (well maybe not that big of a deal...but there is a little more Joy for sure!)

BEFORE

AFTER 
The homeowner specifically requested all existing furniture be used and she liked having two distinct seating areas. Which is a good thing given the amount of furniture and space!

BEFORE - Right of fireplace

Obviously, all of the artwork on the coffee table was not normally there.

The homeowner had her foyer and living room painted (bye-bye stripes)

She had already started preparing for the painter when these pictures were taken! The rug originally anchored only this side of the room. Placed in the center of the room – it marries the two seating areas together. Now the room is unified, yet distinctly 2 groupings of furniture.

AFTER

Notice her sons award plaques found a new home on the coffee table VS the fireplace mantle...now mama & sons are happy :)  

 Another AFTER

The beautiful candelabra's came off the mantle to create a beautiful tablescape on the right. This also creates some visual weight to help balance the book case at the other end of the room. 

 

BEFORE - left of fireplace

 ANOTHER BEFORE - left of fireplace

I had to breakdown this book case...good thing I have an assistant! 

See the doors (intentionally) blocked by the sofa?

AFTER - left of the fireplace

the doors are now concealed by the bookcase as well as creating a stunning focal point

See...aren't you happy now? Imagine how happy this homeowner is and how much fun I had arranging! I heart arranging :) Do you?

"Don't Cry Mama..."

Heading out for the first day of school...they are both in "big boy" school now :(

 Pops & Peaches have made a special trip from GA to celebrate Michael-Talbot's 7th bday tomorrow! and the timing is perfect for the first day of school as well :)

When seeing me get all teary- eyed.... "Don't Cry Mama...This is just how it goes...It is just a part of life" says my precious Michael Talbot...from the mouths of Babes....and then I was SOBBING!

Brooks with his kindergarten teacher...is she a doll or what? Seriously...is she old enough to have an adult beverage???

Lipstick on a Pig!

So much for me being a "blogger"...Where does the time go? Finally, at long last - here are some before & after pics of our Home SWEET Home! I still pinch myself when I walk thru...it has great bones and plenty of room for our growing boys :) Of course, I am not "finished"...but we have completed lots of hard work and it we are loving it!

Before...bye bye runner with pink flowers & terrible chair rail.

Hello refinished hardwood floors and Great grandmothers Chandelier 

(circa 1920) Grandmother Lucile Talbot's mirror that once lived over her fireplace for years & years...love that mirror! I just ordered a new runner for the stairs :)

Does he come with the house? Moved original light fixture into the small vestibule area.

Now the interior shutter doors are painted the same as the interior trim of windows in formal living & dining room...The interior front door is now painted the same color as the outside of of the front door & exterior shutters.Thanks to my friend Shay for convincing me to do that....LOVE IT

                  Before...the Chinoiserie wallpaper and little light fixture

After...the lantern moved from the foyer area...one day I would like to add a fresh new wallpaper in the vestibule again.

Before...green dining room with top of the line custom swags from the 80s! Chair railing too low...had to go!

After...dining room painted Ben Moore "wickham gray"...ceiling painted gold metallic...light fixture from the Randolph Street Market in Chicago $160 dolla make you scream & HOLLA! ...window treatments are ready made panels with silk large check added to top...thank you Peaches :) I took a risk and painted the interior trim of windows a dark blue/gray...I think it paid off! 

Before...the ever so popular red from the late 80's...notice fireplace surround is shallow & dainty...mantle was hardly 4" deep. 

After... room is painted "revere pewter" (cut in HALF) ...new FP surround & hearth with honed black granite and sconces added above FP. 

close up of sconce...I had to add a mirror in the open area of the metal scroll work to conceal the junction box...BARGAIN :) they cost only $85/sconce!

                          Before...custom valance in formal Living Room

After....ready made silk panels from Tuesday Morning with additional fabric from Calico Corners added to the bottom...and the dark window trim :)

                      Before...Looking back into the foyer & formal living

 After...notice the hardwood floors have no sheen on them...it is a "hard wax oil finish"...I wanted a warm & old feel to them...low maintenance and NO polyurethane!  

Before...anther look at the fireplace

After...Fireplace

                 Before...looking from family room into the formal living room

After...looking back into the formal living room...notice the 2 mirrors...picked those up at an estate sale...the dressers below were my dad & aunt Lyn's when growing up...

                    Before...Kitchen with cherry wallpaper & terrible faucet

After...gotta love putting "lipstick on a pig!"

                               Before...isn't that paper so cute??? ;)

After...my wine cellar window was the first thing I hung up! It was a gift I had made for Steve that says "Armstrong Vintners" on the bottle

 Before...as you can see the space is great! One day we will gut the kitchen...but for now it is ok...this breakfast area & family room were added in the 80's...above this on the second floor are 2 large bedrooms, bathroom and 3 huge closets.

 After...ceiling fan had to go...at last you can see refinished floors! LOVE THEM!

After...close up of floors...no bargain here...$130 for one can of the stain (obviously used 2 different color$...but well worth the upgrade!)

Before...door going into the mudroom

After...another good look at the floors...and my Restoration Hardware knockoff chandelier! A great aunt of mine painted the tea pot. The little pie safe was purchased while on an antique trip with my aunt Lyn when I lived in NYC in 95 (she was living in Stamford CT...what a blessing to be close to her at that time!)

        Before...mudroom...HUGE bonus living with surviving Chicago winters!

After...removed hooks and painted it "kentucky haze"...love this color!

                              Before....mudroom closet & small pantry

 After...Homegoods scatter rug

                               Before...carpet & black can lighting sleeve

After...new hardwood floors & updated white sleeve for recessed lights -

that is the side of an armoire...

 After...looking back into the kitchen...I don't have a "before" from this angle.

Before...old carpet again...paint in back of book cases

After...lots of room for our sectional..."seagrass" wallpaper in book case (it is vinyl people.. 1/3 of the cost of the real stuff!)

 Close up of the "seagrass" wall paper...$30/roll vs $100/roll ...lipstick on a Pig!

 Before of the powder room...when the addition was done in the 80's...they left a window in (on the other side is now the family room)...charming - NOT

After...the window & wallpaper are gone...replacing the wallpaper is this amazing high gloss "Fine Paints of Europe" product...new toilet, sink & floor...still need to get a light fixture & mirror...I am looking for a mini-chandelier and a venetian glass mirror. 

                                Before...last - but not least- the library

After...the only room that remained untouched (removed the curtains)

 Before...trust me...I would have loved to touch this...paneling & book cases are terrible...and behind these book cases are windows! One day we will open them up...for now - this is my office.

After...thankful to have an office! I have never had one before :0 

Well that is all for now! More to come with the upstairs before & afters!