Gilbert Gal Goes Green for Spring

Some say ‘The grass is always greener on the other side’. And how true this was when we met long-time Gilbert resident and fitness instructor, Melissa Richards… After countless years spent staring at spaces that didn’t reflect her personality or style, she was tired of day-dreaming and ready to start doing! Yet, like many homeowners that feel stuck in their space, she didn’t know where to begin. Lucky for her, she clicked on a before/after picture from the Facebook page that felt both do-able and affordable. Being a spunky, outspoken, strong woman, Melissa just needed a second opinion and another set of eyes to confirm her contemporary convictions. After all, high-style doesn’t need to feel like standing at the edge of the high-dive!

“Five years ago, I tried to decorate my house on my own. But the end result was a hodge-podge of ‘really good deals’ and a look that resembled every house on my block, but didn’t resemble ME!”  After our first meeting, it didn’t take long to identify Melissa’s style as much more contemporary than the furnishings and accessories she had accumulated over the years. She hates clutter and knew she had too much stuff and too many styles vying for center stage. So, the Tuscan and traditional pieces prepared to exit stage left as we presented her with a design board detailing an entire new look for her main spaces.         

The theme: green.  The style: hotel chic. The client: ready for change. Melissa admits, “I like things that are clean and fresh, light and welcoming. Ever since I was a child, I always had the neatest room in the house. It’s just easier for me to think clearly when things are in order.”  So our plan included clean lines, minimal accessories, simple window treatments, and trendy lighting all anchored in a pallet of fresh greens, bright whites, and a yummy buttery yellow.  We also wanted to leverage some of her great pieces of furniture that echoed the more modern style she craved. True, a few key lighting fixtures needed to be swapped out, but these were pieces that the homeowner had been admiring in magazines for months.

All of these ideas meant nothing to Melissa, however, until we could assign costs to each and then back into her budget. Keep in mind: she needed some green in order to ‘go green’! Even in this challenging economy, she had scrupulously saved and set aside monies from her own personal business venture: Total Body Fitness Bootcamps. With that number in mind, we were ready to start shopping and our workroom was ready to start sewing! Before the new paint was even dry, we scheduled our ‘Restyle Day’.

First, Melissa removed all of her accessories, art, and greenery and set them in one room. She tagged anything that had to stay and told us the other rooms we could ‘shop’ from. Because of her budget, we also provided her with a shopping list of items from curtain rods to crystal lamps. She also got busy with the spray paint and transformed countless pieces of Tuscan iron into modern metal prior to our arrival. What she saved in designer hours kept her budget in check and made her feel part of the design process.

Reusing pieces that Melissa already had was another budget-friendly way to transform her spaces without breaking the bank. Unused frames, repurposed pictures from other rooms, recovered pillows, and repainted accessories topped the list. We even took ready-made curtain panels and added grosgrain trim to the edge rather than creating an expensive custom window treatment. Talk about bang for your buck and befitting the contemporary vibe! The classic curtain rods were also off-the-shelf and hung close to the ceiling for an elongated (and also very custom) effect. A neighborly neighbor even welded one of the rods to fit an awkward angled window. Melissa paid him with a dozen chocolate chip cookies and his work paid off when the delicious white and chocolate panels were hung!

And don’t forget the eco-friendly backsplash and low VOC paint. The glass/travertine tiles were laid in a running bond pattern and they brought the oh-so-typical Arizona floor tile and the generic granite to a whole new level.  The sparkling backsplash even qualifies for LEED credits! The paint was not only kind to the environment, but fixed the mistake that many homeowners make: sticking with the paint they inherit with the home. Instead of working the style around the existing paint, we started with a fresh canvas. We chose a brighter hue to contrast the heavy furniture items and a creamy yellow in the darker rooms at the front of the house.

With the wave of a wand, some pixie dust, and… No really: with the pound of a hammer, the hanging of draperies, the fluffing of pillows, the moving of accessories, and  the squeaky cleaning of glass, our job was finally complete: on time and on budget. But at the end of any Restyle Day, the clients’ reaction to the ‘reveal’ is what we wait for. (Okay, sometimes we even cross our fingers). But we didn’t have to hold our breath for very long…  Melissa walked in and exclaimed, “This is so me! This is the kind of space I WANT to live in. Why did I ever go in a direction that wasn’t what I loved?”

At the end of the day, there was simply no need to ‘scrap it all’ and start over in this home. Yet with a big picture plan and a little nudge in the right direction, Melissa (and her family) are enjoying the other side of winter in their newly restyled space.  Yes, the grass is really greener on the other side!

Fresh and bright as a crisp dollar bill, the look for spring in any home can be both eco-friendly and budget-friendly. Just ask Melissa.

Secrets to Save You Some Green… but still splurge on style

RE-duce. Sometimes it’s not what you add, it’s what you take away. Edit your accessories and you’ll be keeping with the trend of ‘less is best’. Think ‘hotel style’ not ‘Hoarders’!

Re-use. Do you like the shape but not the finish? Harness the power of spray paint to transform a tired piece from blah to voila!

Re-vive. Light up your life with hip lighting in key spaces!  Like in this home, drum shades, polished pewter,   and clean lines can help you migrate from Tuscan to Transitional.

Published in the 202 Magazine April 2010

Photos by Oh Snap by Carlee www.ohsnapbycarlee.com

To the “9″s

If a small glass slipper changed Cinderella’s life, what could a simple plum colored hat do to change a closet from ‘getting ready’ to glam and glitz? Squeeze in with us as we wave our magic wand in the personal closet of local fashion stylist, Fawn Cheng. And remember… this is not just any closet!

This closet needed to work as hard as its’ entrepreneurial owner: doubling as backdrop for Fawn’s youtube fashion channel and housing everything from high-end stilettos to little black dresses. “I want a finished set that says ‘style’ to my viewers but one that is also a smart solution for me.”

So while Fawn headed to The Apparel Show, we started on her wish list with a deadline looming like the strike of midnight. From paint, lighting and rugs to seating and accessories, this space needed to be about function as much as fashion.Already, the closet (formerly a bedroom) was well-dressed with one wall of gorgeous metallic damask wallpaper. Using the inspiration of her signature color, we immediately decided that the ceiling would be perfect painted in plum.  This would help with the issue of ‘glare’ during youtube filming sessions, but we still needed to find an alternative lighting fixture to completely solve the problem. In spite of the fact that we liked the look of the existing cappuccino-colored crystal chandelier, it was a bit oversized and Fawn was simply not in love with it.  It was also not placed correctly in the room so when the new pleated drum-style fixture was installed, our handy electrician moved it to center stage!

Closet Before

With two major design decisions done, it was onto the big props. But first we needed to fix a minor eyesore: two back-to-back tall shoe organizers with an exposed seam currently covered up by an unnecessary mirror and an empty black dresser. Thankfully, we noticed a smashing silver silk drapery panel folded up on the floor. Voila! With three simple screws on top of the shelving units, we hung the drapery panel on a ready-made rod and turned it into a focal point fit for the silver screen. Stylist Heather Sanders says, “It’s always our first inclination to say to our clients, ‘How do we make this work with what we have?’ Rather than scrap it all and start over, we try to re-use items from the room and re-purpose items from other parts of the home.”

Closet After !

However, we did need to purchase some key furniture pieces and Fawn had a defined idea of exactly what she wanted. After a quickshopping trip, the room began to take shape. A mercury glass mirrored dresser is accented by the luxurious grey leather chair is where she’ll sit for youtube film sessions. The white cocktail table aside the chair is ideal for small props, and in front of our lovely puddled drapery panel is Fawn’s ever-present assistant and model, Prada G., (appropriately named by her 12-year old son, a local chess wiz). Prada G. is used by Fawn during her fashion filming– educating viewers on personal style and trends.

But what would any stylish outfit be without the perfect jewelry? Accessories are the finishing touch of any room and without them, this film would fall flat! So we brought in fantastic artwork of sketched silhouettes, crystal candlesticks, silk flowers, white lacquer shelving, glossy ceramics, layered rugs with texture and prints, and mounds of mercury glass.

In spite of all the sparkle, we kept the color palette simple in this space: high-gloss white, grey, black and accents of the signature plum. With some easy changes and without a lot of cost, Fawn can change out her set seasonally. She’ll just pull the flowers, swap the shoes, and replace the handbag as quickly as an outfit change from day to evening.

So what did this style expert think of her restyled closet? Not only was she tickled ‘plum’, but she said it best. “I just want to live in here now! I am so delighted that this space is finally finished.” With a dressing room that is styled to the nine’s, it’s time to turn on the chandelier and let the cameras roll.

Photos by Oh Snap by Carlee www.ohsnapbycarlee.com

“9 Ways to Steal this Look”

(Too bad we can’t steal some of those fabulous shoes!)

1. Paint your ceiling. Decide YOUR signature color and put it up top!
2. Fun with fabric. Use it as dividers, doors, or to hide an area in distress.
3. Glam it up: Add shiny mirrors, hanging crystals, or even rhinestone bling for some sparkle in your space.
4. Say it with words: Vinyl lettering is inexpensive AND customizable. Think ‘Dressed to Impress’ or ‘You’re Gorgeous’!
5. Re-Use: Before you toss anything, consider where else it can be used in your closet or another room in your home.
6. Layer area rugs. The floor is your canvas so introduce texture and color in an unexpected place.
7. Sit pretty. Why not sit down in a compact chair or comfortable ottoman while strapping on your sandals?
8. Light it up. Ditch the fluorescents for classy chandeliers or pendants and gain a flattering  dressing room glow.
9. Wallpaper one wall. This is not a duck border from the 80’s. It’s damask!

“Take 2… Behind the Scenes with Fawn Cheng”

For Fawn Cheng, fashion and style has been a passion as long as she can remember. “Ever since I was little, I’ve loved playing dress up. I was always the ‘girliest’ of girls—the one who made clothes for their Barbie and changed outfits endlessly.” But growing up in a family with a strong focus on science rather than the arts, she opted for a business degree and built a high-powered career over the years as a Vice President in a relocation firm. Here she honed her marketing, branding, and sales skills during the day and her fashion and style sense after hours.

After attending image consulting school, Fawn’s personal styling business began to thrive during the evenings. “Often people ask me what a personal stylist is,” Fawn says, “But it’s not just about fashion. It’s about what looks good on a person based on their career or goals. I educate my clients on how to dress appropriately for their proportion, scale and body type. I start in their closet and we work with what they have: making new outfits, working with balance and scale, and creating a list to shop from.”

During a company re-organization last year, she made the decision to pursue her dream full time and she hasn’t looked back since. Fawn muses, “Regardless of your title or position, the time you spend with your family is the most important. The freedom in working for myself and the flexibility to office from home has been pivotal in my relationships, especially with my son.”

From working in the corporate world to styling women in the corporate world, Fawn sees a typical client twice a year and empowers them to shop stylishly and effectively without making buying mistakes. She has already been featured in style segments for local television stations and many consider her to be the go-to girl for local style and fashion.

Even if you’re not a current client, you’ll be able to grab some of style tips and fashion insights during her youtube segments, all from her newly styled set.

We {HEART} Bold Biz Chix!

As female entreprenuers, we know the fun, flexibility, and freedom of owning your own business. Those who know us well remember that this is one of many business ventures we’ve launched together… (The third time is the charm, we like to say!)

But we are not alone. All over the East Valley and beyond, there are bold, creative, and vibrant women that started ‘something from nothing’ and are seeing it through.  In spite of the economic times we are so tired of hearing about, they are focused on what CAN be done with a little ingenuity, instinct, and inspiration.  These Bold Biz Chix represent the entreprenuerial savvy that we love to support–  and we know you will too!

In the middle of color week, what better time to feature the ‘space behind the face’ of a fellow female entrepreneur that is no stranger to bright color. With a business model as bold and innovative as the hue of her walls, this Bold Biz Chix is poised for growth—faster than the spring grass can sprout! Join us as we meet the Savvy Socialista ( www.thesavvysocialista.com ) Jami Lindberg…

The Space Behind The Face: The Savvy Socialista  @ Home

A little birdie told me that sitting down with the Savvy Socialista would be a smashing and sunny soiree… and they were right! From her bright colored jewelry and unforgettable hair bows, this local entreprenuer and longtime Chandler resident has made a business out of chatting and connecting. For small business owners who may not have the time or know-how to build a ‘social media’ presence online, Jami Lindberg  (a.k.a. The Savvy Socialista) sets them up with a simple strategy and chic connections that help build their businesses and improve their bottom line. “My passion is to connect business owners that I believe in so that they can propel their brands and ultimately pursue their dreams.” But she doesn’t work with just any company… “The businesses that I choose to partner with all have products that I would use, put in my home, wear, or suggest to any of my friends.”

So what does the home of this famous ‘Facebooker’ look like? Not surprising, The Savvy Socialista’s main spaces are vibrant  and unique with sparkle and bling throughout. Very few gals pick such bold colors for their walls. “So why bright green,” some would ask? With confidence, Jami explains, “Easy! Because nobody else does it… Besides, who could pass on a paint color with a name like ‘Crocodile Tears’”? If walls could talk, the bright walls in this house would hop online and start tweeting just like their savvy homeowner.

The mix of textures, glass, clean lined furniture and pops of color are what makes her space so sophisticated. The same is true of her work style. “My business sense is reflected in my no-nonsense, no fluff large pieces. I get to the point and work hard for my clients but like the pops of color and chic twists on the traditional, I like to have some fun as well.” After all, what’s more fun than bright orange chairs centered around a table covered in crystal, books, and birds?

But this social butterfly doesn’t just flit around the house on her iphone… “With the Savvy Socialista I get to bring awareness and buzz to new products. I think this brings people together in the same way my home and accessories do. At home, I am always changing my decor out, whether it’s from a local boutique or artisan. My pieces are great conversation starters allowing me to support women and show off great stuff.”

Relationships and connections are her business but it’s not all about work.  “Our front door is always open so I love when neighbors pop over!  I grew up in a home that was always picked up and clean. Therefore mine is too.  I like things to be in order and look nice every day.  I thrive on things being organized so I never worry when my doorbell rings!” From a built-in wine bar with funky crocodile trays to a large furniture-style island ready for guests and glasses, this home is a launching pad for laughter and learning. “I absolutely love the concept of joining people together to have fun, to network and share ideas or favorite tips and haunts. The more the merrier! I am the consummate social butterfly who thrives on being with others. I just love big groups and creative women.”

In her delicious dining room (that actually gets used), The Savvy Socialista has a fabulous painted ceiling and a contemporary drum-style pendant that contrasts with a more traditional table. A round sun-shaped mirror and unique glass accessories brighten a space that most homeowners would design as formal rather than fun! This approachable and atypical style intrigues many of her guests and friends. “By intriguing I mean I am constantly hearing ‘Where did you get that?’ My space and style seem to get a lot of inquiries.” And as it should…

But the fun doesn’t end where her kitchen begins… Burnt orange pendant lights hang over a cappuccino island and the backsplash mixes glass and travertine like the perfect cocktail.  Bright green and yellow accessories atop varied height cabinets are the jewelry in this space: just the right amount to finish off the outfit! Jami doesn’t disagree that her kitchen in particular gives a hint at who she is. “In general I am a very vibrant person. I am almost always in a sunny mood, constantly chatty and filled with enthusiasm. I also love bright colors in my accessories: bows, bling and pops of color are my trademarks, much like you see in my home.”

One might think the fun never ends, but even The Savvy Socialista needs some downtime. “After a long work week, you might find me lying in bed (sans hair bows) with my laptop (on Facebook of course), and remote in hand watching my favorite shows.”

Although her home and job may seem glamorous, this east valley resident is all about rolling up her online sleeves and helping small businesses thrive locally. “Much like my home, my door is always open, my computer is always on. I’m here to chat.”

Photos by: Carlee Komar of Oh Snap by Carlee ( www.ohsnapbycarlee.com )

Boys Bathroom: Builder Basic!

This hall bathroom was the perfect example of ‘builder-basic’… okay, let’s just call it BORING! White cultured marble countertops, white walls, white laminate flooring, an unframed mirror the size of Texas, and (gasp!) the dreaded oak vanity. Though the homeowner had upgraded the faucets to oil rubbed bronze, raised the countertops to a more modern height and added double sinks, this space was seriously lacking character and charm.

And the other challenge: how to add this when three school aged BOYS were going to be using it day in and day out? Since we knew their family summered often at the ocean, we opted for a distressed nautical theme that would be both kid-friendly and timeless… However, these active boys offered us other suggestions, ala  ’The BMX Bathroom’, ‘The Sports Page’, etc., but we stuck to our guns, rolled up our sleeves, and got started!  

 The first step: redeeming the oak vanity since it was the largest eyesore… Because the oak cabinets were flat and recessed, our cabinet maker worked magic by adding beadboard and thick molding to the doors and the drawers. Then our decorative painter (we call him DaVinci) used a five-step painting process that gave the cabinets the feel of an old ship docked in Nantucket: EXACTLY what the homeowner wanted. As an aside, distressed finishes are incredibly durable and useful in kid-spaces because they already have the nicks and imperfections that young children will bestow on them anyway!

Boys Vanity: Oak-a-Rama

We used some extra base molding from another project to frame the mirror and had it finished in the same look as the cabinets. Voila! Now we were onto lighting… Those Hollywood light bars only belong in a backstage green room, or it would have made for a nautical nightmare! We chose outdoor sconces from the clearance rack, but they were the wrong finish. No matter! With the touch of a paintbrush (okay a few touches and a couple of layers), our pewter lanterns soon became tarnished bronze shiplights.

We kept the accessories and artwork to a minimum for obvious reasons… boys and breakables just don’t mix! A simple metal basket with fun striped towels, painted red metal stars, and a pair of lighthouse prints finished things off. After the neutral porcelain flooring was finally installed, we all agreed that in this space, the ship had finally set sail from nowhere to Nantucket… 

Ahoy to our three mateys: enjoy your space!

Ready to Set Sail: Boys Bathroom After!

Distressed 'nautical' cabinets. Ships ahoy!

We believe that using what you have—or what someone else is no longer using, is just as ‘green’ as separating your aluminum and glass from your trash! After all, why buy brand-new when there are treasures to be created by recycling something used?  

Enter the story of the ‘old country buffet’ turned ‘french country built-in’. It all started with a design dilemma we see so often in Arizona homes: the infamous ‘niches’ that Arizona builders just love to insert at every opportunity. These niches don’t add visual interest as much as they add angst for homeowners! In this particular home there was a large entertainment niche intended to house a television. When pricing out built-in options, we gasped at the $5500 price tag for a custom unit (not including additional monies to have it painted and distressed.) Yikes! We also investigated the possibility to remove the niche entirely but structurally it did not make sense. So it was time for Option C: hunting for a piece of furniture to fit exactly in the ‘black hole’. This is like looking for a needle in a haystack if you hadn’t gathered that already… After hours on Craig’s List and numerous trips to our favorite furniture haunts, we finally stumbled across a whitewashed country-style buffet circa 1985! It was only missing the ceramic ducks and geese and we were certain that its’ many drawers were used to house mountains of mauve napkins and baby blue tablecloths over the years.

 Without even measuring (because we knew this was ‘the one’), we had the piece delivered and then quickly put on our thinking caps about how to make a too-small buffet fit into a space about 15 inches too big. We stared and measured and stared some more. Finally we got out of the box and decided to build the wall AROUND the buffet rather than try to fit the buffet INSIDE the silly niche. This was a much less costly option at only $275 for the framing and drywall and our contractor was already on-site. Perfect! The size issue was fixed but now for the ugly issue: how would we bring the 8o’s buffet up to date? Simple: paint and paint and more paint! Our favorite decorative painter was up to the  task and she spent a week on-site performing a three-layer paint treatment that gave us the distressed and aged look that was befitting to this home. Layer one was a deep purple eggplant color followed by deep mustard and topped with a  crackle finish. And don’t forget the flogging—if buffets could cry, this one might have. The ‘aging process’ used metal chains, knives, and coarse brushes. Ouch! And then the inside and shelves were painted a dark chocolate brown. Yummy! A bit of shelving re-work from our favorite snowbird handyman, Tom, and this unit was ready to house a 54” flat screen television and some favorite French accessories . The final touch was lighting the upper shelves; it felt like putting a star on top of the Christmas tree!

 All in all, mission accomplished:  a tacky but useful buffet completely transformed into a functional built-in entertainment center with a bit of ingenuity, paint, and a passion for RE-cycling! Who knew that going green could be so fun and so French?!

Total Project Cost: Used Buffet: $399, Paint treatment: $400, Shelving re-work: $100, Electrical and lights: $95, Wall Re-work: $275