happy thanksgiving seattle

thanksgiving isn't really about turkey and cranberries. it's about family. my very favorite cousins reside in seattle and i've never experienced the joys of thanksgiving with them. so this year instead of sulking because the sleepless city is across the country and keeping us apart, i'm celebrating it and featuring one of its greatest architects, david neiman.
located in the sunset hill area of seattle this mid-block home was built during a post war housing boom; the neighborhood is full of small scale residences with unassuming character. neiman's clients craved square footage and charm so he created the first re-development on the block, a craftsman-esque beauty with scaled down roof-lines. it's impressive while also locally compatible. with an open floor plan, extra-large windows, boat loads of natural light and high quality, energy efficient, green construction, it's a stunner! happy thanksgiving seattle, thank you for celebrating with my beloved family!

thank you kishani perera

i'm all about being thankful this week. 2009 has been a great year; i started writing raenovate and found my creative outlet. i'm so very thankful for the fabulous designers and architects that send me stories and photos of their work. without them i would have no material.
today my big thank you goes out to kishani perera interior design. she recently wrapped up the redesign of 1920's spanish home in the beverly center area of los angeles. the home was full of charm but in a state of disrepair. with loads of TLC perera transformed the residence; she updated the bathrooms and refurbished the brick fireplace, vintage hardwood floors, and oh-so-quaint built-ins.
the decor is inspired by the home owner's favorite retreat, the parker palm springs, and his globe trotting lifestyle. by incorporating his trinkets from around the world and mixing in several craigslist, ebay, and vintage finds, his home exudes warmth and modern eclecticism. thank you, thank you, thank you!

i'd especially like to thank rebecca johnson of kishani perera interior design for taking the time to send me the goods for this before + after. i'd also like to credit jean randazzo for shooting the stunning afters.

thanksgiving kitchen

happy thanksgiving week! i'm cooking the big meal for the first time ever this year and as i'm prepping for the turkey showdown i'm simultaneously dreaming of a redesigned kitchen. i would love to be dicing and slicing in today's redone space. the denver firm NAKA designs, llc were commissioned to open up this mid-town manhattan apartment and make the kitchen a functional focal point in the process. their first order of business, demolition; by tearing down walls they opened up the galley kitchen to the dining and living rooms. the space is now a bright, light haven, made for hosting thankful turkey dinners. 

i'd especially like to thank momoko morton, principal of NAKA designs, for taking the time to send me the goods for this before + after.

23rd street loft

i didn't sleep well last night. our needy noisy boxer tyson kept me awake and it was raining so hard that i saw noah float by on his arc. this morning i needed more than my usual latte to put a pep in my step and i got that boost from rodriguez studio's loft revival.
principal carlos rodriguez and his team were given the task of transforming an outdated 3200 square foot second story loft, on 23rd street in manhattan. the homeowners ached for a space that addressed two seemingly conflicting attitudes towards living in such a prominent location. they wanted a modern and open home for entertaining and a dwelling where they could feel cozy and private. this presented quite the design conundrum, especially since the loft features 10' tall windows with a commanding view of the flatiron building. but rodriguez studio prevailed by creating a sectional progression from public to private. the front of the space is in the public eye, where you can see and be seen from 23rd street, but as you navigate towards the rear of the loft you follow stairs up to the more private spaces. lower ceilings, the spatial layout, and the finish selection make this area feel intimate; the private garden terrace on the back of the building doesn't hurt either! thank you rodriguez studio for creating the home of your client's dreams and for keeping me bright eyed and bushy tailed this friday morning!

i'd once again like to thank carlos rodriguez at rodriguez studio for taking the time to send me photos and stories about this terrific renovation! the after photos were shot by the talented j.c. paz.

ish & chi laundry room

on tuesday i featured the vintage laundry, yesterday i blogged about an australian beach house, and today i'm combining the two and raving about a laundry room in australia! sydney blogger viv mansour is a decorating and DIY enthusiast and the proud owner of her cottage-style home, betty. on her blog ish & chi she tracks betty's updates and makeovers while filling us in on life's little passions.
most recently she performed a major face-lift to her laundry area and spare bathroom. the previous owners left behind an apricot sink and toilet, unattractive floor tiles, and oodles of nondescript storage. one thing viv doesn't do is nondescript, so she went to work! with a small budget she was able to transform the space without removing the fixtures and flooring; by painting the walls and adding new hardware, lighting, and hip accessories, it came alive. fall in love with the variety of before + after photos i'm offering and then go down under and get lost in the splendor of ish & chi.

ps. want to add some aussie flair to your home? viv is also a featured etsy artist!

a beach cottage

g'day, one of the things that attracted me most to interior design is the personal side of it. you can't design someone's home without knowing their story and i love stories! which is why i cannot get enough of sarah's redone australian beach cottage.

in 2005 after having lived in a quaint english village their whole lives, sarah, her husband, and three children decided it was time for a change. they knew they wanted to trade in the chilly, damp weather for a new life by the beach, but where? after a great deal of international seaside living research they settled on the shores of australia. five visas, a great deal of planning, and thousands of hugs later, sarah and her family settled down under.

now, fours year later, they have finally embraced the aussie lifestyle and reside in a beachy cottage retreat. sarah has become a DIY and decorating master. when she isn't a busy mama and wife she writes the blog a beach cottage. it's chock full of stories about the makeovers and remodeling projects they perform themselves and her escapades in finding items for the house. please enjoy the sampling of before + after photos i'm offering and then go directly to a beach cottage to soak in the amazingness of australian seaside living.

the vintage laundry

leann stephenson's life is full of linen, tufting, and cabriole legs, and she's loving every minute of it. as a blogger and vintage aficionado, leann writes and runs the vintage laundry. her blog is full of sarcastic observations, nostalgic references and design dabblings; and her shop features unloved pieces that have been given a new life.
today's revived pieces were discovered at a flea market and a mid-century estate sale near her austin home, where leann saved them from an ugly existence. with fresh paint, modern fabric, and some major tufting these pieces have morphed into stunners! i adore her material selection and construction skills; the nail head detailing is my absolute favorite. please, heart her shop, get lost in her flickr portfolio, and add her to your blogroll because the vintage laundry is a gem.

ps. the pair of vintage octagonal ottomans are currently for sale, wouldn't you just love to welcome them into your home?