Crested Butte Redo

Last June, I showed a house in Rosemary Beach, Florida that interior designer Jenny Johnston had totally remodeled.  Jenny took the beach house from the 1990s to the 2010s by using cooler colors, white slipcovers, antiques and trendy fabrics and furniture.   Most people who left comments loved the transformation, but a few did prefer the older décor more: the brighter colors, the pine furniture, and the bold printed upholstery fabrics.   Recently, Jenny showed me pictures of a condominium in ski country – Crested Butte, Colorado - that she had remodeled.    The redo took two years to complete and it was a total gut job – with a new kitchen, bathrooms, lighting, flooring, etc. – everything was redone.  I think I can safely guarantee that no one will say they like the previous décor better!    The condo is very small – 2 bedrooms and one loft bedroom with just one living area.   The “Before” pictures show that the condo hadn’t been freshened up in over 20 years, while the “After” pictures show Jenny’s dramatic transformation.   The décor is very Colorado ski country chic – rustic, yet sophisticated.    Enjoy!!!

 

 

Rosemary Beach, Florida:   the “BEFORE” living room.  Some commenters preferred the 90s décor over the new look.   Most though, liked Jenny’s updated décor more.   Me too!  

 

AFTER:  A white slipcover sectional is much quieter than the loud island printed fabric of before.  Jenny painted the yellow walls white and brought in an antique French buffet and a trendy Belgian styled coffee table.    To read the entire post on the Rosemary Beach house, go HERE.

CRESTED BUTTE, COLORADO CONDOMINIUM:

 

BEFORE:   Typical Colorado ski country condo – rock and wood fireplace, vertical blinds, bulky furniture in maroons, blues, and greens. 

 

AFTER:   Everything has been gutted and changed – soft, printed linen curtains and textured blinds replace the verticals.   The furniture is in shades of cream and ivory, with a large tufted plaid ottoman.   A textured rug covers the living area. 

 

BEFORE:   The wood and rock fireplace as it was before Jenny redid it. 

 

AFTER:   The new slate fireplace has a wonderful curve on its left side, leading to the loft floor above it.   A new cubby holds all the logs.   Notice the way Jenny handled the flatscreen TV – a nice alternative.  

 

 

Before:  Wood and stone fireplace.   You can see the front door to the right of the fireplace. 

 

AFTER:  Looking down from the loft at the fireplace – you can really see the curve on the left side and the large hearth on the right, which serves as a small entry hall.  The front door to the condo is directly to the right of the fireplace.  

 

 

 

 

The living area is very small, so furniture is kept to a minimum.  The ottoman does double duty –it’s perfect for a coffee table AND extra seating.

 

 

AFTER:  Looking the other way towards the kitchen area.  Notice the great woodwork in the kitchen – the refrigerator is almost invisible in the paneling.

 

 

 

BEFORE:  Here you can see the kitchen and living/dining area – once two separate rooms.   Jenny removed the wall between the two spaces, opening it up to create one larger, open room.

 

 

AFTER:   Same View.   The kitchen and dining area are now one big space, combining it with the living room.   The floors were replaced with rustic looking hardwoods – keeping with the ski lodge atmosphere.

 

 

 

AFTER:  Trendy nailhead armchair in the living room and an even trendier railway stops sign hangs in the kitchen area.

 

 

 

AFTER:  The dining room chairs have a log appearance, again – keeping with the Colorado vibe.  Great tin top table with curved iron base.  Notice the overhead lights and fixture.   Through the back hall, you can peek into the kids bunk room. 

 

 

 

 

BEFORE:   The spiral stairs with the brown carpeting that leads to the loft area overlooking the living room.

 

 

 

 

 

AFTER:   On the spiral stairs, the carpet has been replaced with wood.   Here, you can see into the guest bedroom.  Notice how the table looks bronze in the center – which goes with the metals in the kitchen.   And the chairs – really do resemble cut logs – perfect for ski country rustic!

 

 

AFTER:   Looking at the other side, the range has a cute hood and hexagon tiles in shades of bronze, taupe, browns and ivory make a huge style statement.

 

AFTER:   The guest room, off the dining area, has textured wall to wall carpet.

 

 

 

  I adore the lampshade treatment!!!  

 

 

AFTERL:   The guest room’s bath.   Jenny used the same cabinetry here as in the kitchen, and throughout the condo.  In such a small space, the repetition of the cabinetry and other design elements creates cohesion. 

 

 

BEFORE:  The jumbled and cramped kids bunk room.

 

 

AFTER:   The bunk room now has two sets of bunk beds in it.   An antique pine dresser sits between the beds.     The tall mirror is an unexpected touch of elegance – juxtaposed with the rustic dresser.  Bunk beds remained – just with a new, deeper paint job.

 

 

BEFORE:  The bunk room’s bathroom is small, with room for just a shower stall.    What could possibly be done to this space to make it interesting?  
Ask Jenny!

 

AFTER:   WOW!   The bronze colored tiles fit well with the bronze tiles in the adjacent kitchen.   The shower is open to the room, thus making it seem somewhat larger.   The patterns of the tiles creates an additional design element.    The  cabinetry and paneling is a rough wood.   Just wonderful!

                             

                                         

AFTER:   Close up of the rough wood cabinetry and notice the hanging light fixture.

 

 

BEFORE:   Above the kitchen/dining area is a loft room and bathroom.   Previously this area was open to the living area with a dated wood railing.  

 

 

AFTER:  In this picture – to the left of the fireplace  - you can see what Jenny replaced the wood railing with.   Instead of an open rail, she put in a half-sheetrock wall, providing a bit more privacy to the loft area, which is used as a master bedroom.   The top of the wall is finished with a piece of stained wood and there are stained rafters that Jenny added to the condo.    Notice, here too – the rustic latch used on the TV cover.     For such a small space – there is a lot of detailing that was put into it – all adding up to a more interesting scheme.

 

BEFORE:   Upstairs overlooking the living room below.   You can see the wood fireplace mantel at the very left.

 

AFTER:     The loft area is now the master bedroom – with the beautiful view outside the tall windows.  The railing is now a half wall providing a bit more privacy, while updating the look.  At the foot of the bed is a tufted bench with double ruffling.  So pretty!  Jenny installed the rafters which add to the rustic look.   And between the rafters is beadboard, just another detail that adds to the charm.

 

 

AFTER:  A slipcovered chair with similar flange edged, double ruffling sits next to a desk and the bed.   The odd shaped windows which can’t be changed out, once had dark stained molding surrounding them.  By painting the molding white – the windows tend to disappear in the background.   The carpet here is a tone on tone flat pattern. 

 

 

AFTER:  Across the bed, one long lumbar pillow adds the only pattern in the quiet room.

 

 

BEFORE:   The master bathroom is a mess, outdated and ready for a complete overhaul.

 

 

 

 

 

AFTER:   Using the same beautiful cabinetry as the kitchen and guest bathroom, Jenny put in a double vanity with a lowered makeup area in between. 

 

 

AFTER:  The tufted stool is done in the same master bedroom linen with the same flanged edge double ruffle detailing on the skirt.

 

 

AFTER:   The tiles are mixed with white marble in the bathroom.   Since this is part of the master bedroom suite, the tiles and tile patterns are sophisticated and quietly elegant.   

     

I hope you have enjoyed seeing how a dated and unattractive condominium can be updated for the new decade.   Despite its small size, the space reads large and functional, with a rustic Colorado ski lodge atmosphere that is sophisticated at the same time.  Thanks Jenny for sharing this!!  It’s beautiful!

 

Interior Designer Jenny Johnston can be reached HERE. 

 

NOTE:   Don’t forget there is a new Skirted Roundtable interview up with Meg Fairfax Fielding of Pigtown Design.  Next week – David Easton will be our guest!  Listen HERE.

The Dutch Door House

 

Last year, I was invited to tour a house by a mutual friend of the owners who thought I would like to show it on the blog.   I was all ready to go with the story  back then, but there were still a few things that had been ordered by the interior designers that had yet to be installed.   So, we decided to wait for these last few finishing touches and now, it’s all ready for its debut.    Most houses in this inner loop neighborhood are very nice, but this house stands out even among all the others.  The appeal is in its differences – it has been custom built – and it’s uniqueness is evident right at the front door, a charming wooden Dutch door with its own peep window and brass knocker.

 

 

Looking down from the staircase, the front door is a wonderful Dutch that opens at the top – a real plus on Halloween!   Here you can see the brick arches that run down the entry hall, separating it from the living/dining room.

 

Once you enter the house, the interior details that make  it  unique became evident immediately:  the floor is a stained concrete, the ceiling is beamed, and a series of brick arches run down the long entrance hall.   The wet bar sits behind its own brick arch.     The current owners bought the house from the couple who had it built and who have now built another house nearby.   Since moving in, the couple have spent their first few years here changing up the decor, making it their own.   They enlisted the design team of Lyndon West to help with the interiors: Charlotte McFadin and Traci Thompson headed up the project.    These beautiful photographs were taken by Julie Landreth who specializes in both family and design photography.   Enjoy!

 

 

Looking down the entry hall towards the front Dutch door.   The living/dining room are to the right behind a series of brick arches.   The bar sits next to this chinoiserie desk behind its own brick arch.   The stairs are next to the front door.   Here you can see the unique flooring – a stained concrete. 

 

 

A beautiful English antique chest sits in front of the stairs.  The furnishings are a mix of antique and new, some pieces are even a soft contemporary.   On the stairs, a new patterned carpet runner has recently been added to the décor. 

 

 

Across from the entry hall is a large living room/dining room combination.   Above it is a beautiful wood beamed ceiling in a grid pattern.   The furnishings are a mix of antique and new – here two  French chairs sit next to a more contemporary side chair.   The large bookcases are painted to blend in with the walls.    The owners opted for textured blinds instead of curtains on this side of the room.  Underneath is a muted, light colored area rug. 

 

Looking from the living area towards the dining area.  Here you can see on the very right – the wet bar behind the brick arch.   The entry hall leads back to the family room/kitchen area.  

 

 

Dividing the living area and the dining area is a trio of windows up high.   Each side of the room has its own built in bookcase.   Here, a contemporary chair sits next to the antique styled coffee table. 

 

 

A zinc topped arched element console table sits behind the sofa which divides the living area from the dining area.   The arches in the table repeat the brick arch motif found in the hallway.    Aidan Gray sells a similar tin top “Arched Cathedral” console.   HERE.

 

 

Looking towards the other direction – I love the juxtaposition of the classic English console with the more trendy console!   So pretty!  And I love the contemporary, simple glass lamps on the console.    This space is between the living area and dining area.

 

 

The dining area has its own matching bookshelves, minus the closed cabinet doors.   I like the way the shelves were designed with the heavy “foot.”   The light fixture is wonderful – again a more trendy, contemporary style to mix with all the antiques.   The light fixture really makes the room – I just love it.   Similar ones can be found at Brown and Restoration Hardware.   The wood table is antique looking, while the chairs are more transitional or classically styled  – notice how the heavy chairs weigh down that side of the room – perfect!!!

 

 

In this view, you can see out the window to the back  yard.  Here, there are curtains to soften the dark, wood stained French doors.  In this picture you can really see how perfectly proportioned the light fixture is to the table and chairs.   

 

 

Here, an antique clock with a trendy white wash finish looks wonderful against the brick arch.  I adore the pitchfork in the corner and then, following the eye, lower still, the corner Oriental cabinet.   I love how the eye goes from high to low here with a mixture of the fine and the rustic.   The bar is seen here through the arch – the kitchen and family room are at the end of the entrance hall. 

 

 

 

The large kitchen/breakfast/family room sits at the end of the entrance hall.   Behind the sofa through the door is a screened in porch.   The kitchen cabinetry is painted a soft blue gray.   The grid ceiling is continued through into this area, as is the concrete flooring. 

 

 

 

The countertops are a combination of white marble and wood.  

 

 

The breakfast room is in the corner – a screened in porch is on the right side behind the windows.   So pretty!

 

 

Going up the stairs is a window seat and here you can see the patterned carpet that runs up the stairs and down the hallway.

 

 

 

I really like flat weave patterned carpets like this – in a trellis pattern especially, or in a small dotted pattern.  So much better than just plain carpet.  I also really like carpet when it is two-toned as opposed to tone on tone.  Just my opinion, for what it’s worth.   The guest room is to the right.

 

 

 

Lyndon West had just completed the guest room when I had been in the house and this was my favorite room  - I loved the doors!  These were found at an antique mart and the colors of the room were taken from the turquoise blue found in the doors.   I love the mounted sconces.   So clever!  The headboard was custom made for the spot and the proportions are perfect, which is why one hires an interior designer!

 

 

 

Here is a close up of the vintage doors with the mounted sconces.   The old drop leaf tables are the perfect choice – a nice contrast between smooth and rough.

 

 

Leading into the master suite is a series of oriental watercolors – all framed alike.    Framing anything alike makes so much more of a statement. 

 

 

The master bedroom is large and includes a fireplace and a seating area.   The bed fits into the niche between the bookcases.   Do you remember when I discussed my love of the Robert Allen fabric Eleria HERE?    Well, this is where I first saw the fabric!   The homeowner has it in the other colorway, Biscotti.   The Biscotti has a lot of deep aqua in it – the exact color of the walls here, plus there are touches of orange that run throughout it.   I just ordered 80 yards of the Eleria in the Green Tea colorway for a client’s curtains.  I only pray they turn out as pretty as these did.    Cute dogs!

 

On the other side of the bedroom is the sitting area – with a great French chaise, half burlap-y, and half linen.    More Eleria curtains.  Notice the beautiful highboy behind the chaise. 

 

 

And across from the bed is this large French armoire, painted.  

 

 

 

Here’s a peek at the daughters bathroom – all in purple paneling, with white marble and tiny black and white tiled floor. 

 

 

 

The curtain shower and towels were coordinated in bright colors.   So cute.  I wish there were pictures of the kids bedrooms – there is a loft area above the rooms.  Oh well – maybe next time.  

A HUGE thank you to the homeowners for sharing their beautiful house and a thank you to the designers from Lyndon West and the photographer Julie Landreth for sharing these pictures.  I hope you enjoyed the tour!!

WAIT - There is More News:

 

 

I recently told you about one article I wrote, Updating Your Décor,  for the new issue of Antique Shops and Designers HERE, but I also wrote another article about the house owned by Ruth Davis of Found for the Home fame.  HERE.  The house is an original in the classy Old Braeswood neighborhood, dating back to the 1930s. Davis and her business partner/interior designer Aaron Rambo have filled the house with a mix of Swedish and French antiques along with contemporary art work and iconic furniture pieces. 

 

Ruth Davis’ living room – filled with antiques and contemporary furniture and artwork.

In the article, Ruth confesses she is thinking about moving on, so it wasn’t a complete surprise when last night I got an email from Houston real estate superstar Cathy Blum.   Cathy informed me that the Old Braeswood house is now up for sale!   Just thought I would pass this info along to anyone who read the story and might be interested in buying it.

 

Davis’  dining room overlooking the back yard has a large French table surrounded by antique French chairs. 

If you are interested in touring the house with Cathy Blum, this is the link to the listing with all her information on it:   HERE.

 

 

AND, finally, one more piece of business for Skirted Roundtable listeners:

 

Blogger Meg Fairfax Fielding on the Nate Berkus show.   Nah – we’re not jealous, NOT at all!!!  ahahah!!!!!

 

We have a new Skirted Roundtable up!  It’s an interview with Pigtown Design’s Meg Fairfax Fielding.  Meg, who has written her blog for almost 4 years now, recently found a new vocation.   Nate Berkus, former Oprah interior designer, discovered Meg and he recently had her on his show – twice, with more appearances scheduled in the future.  Calling her The Junk Whisperer, Nate talks to Meg about her flea market finds, like the $2. Hermes scarves.  Yes.    It’s not everyday that a blogger ends up on national TV, so we just HAD to find out how she did it!!!  Tune in to listen to one of Baltimore’s most famous daughters – Meg!   HERE.

BTW, this past Monday, we had interior designer David Easton on the Skirted Roundtable.  Let me be so bold as to say – it was really, really interesting!  He is such a character – warm, friendly, charming, and funny.  We had a great time.    The Easton interview should be up next week.  And that’s all, finally!!!