Hi Friends!  I hope you have all had a wonderful week! I wanted to share with you a few transformations we have been working on. I need to get better on the before we start pictures! But… here are some durings and afters!

Metal range-hoods are all the range but can be super pricey and have a long lead time to manufacture. In this kitchen we finished for designer Sarah Eilers, the range  was built from wood, and finished to read like real metal.

I love the two toned look!

Even these grommets are painted on to look dimensional! Segreto’s Alex did an amazing job–its prettier in person–when I went back to do more work in the home I had forgotten we painted this hood and honestly thought it was really metal.

This was a fun project for me as it was for designer Maggie’s personal home.  Although in this picture we had already stained the middle herringbone patterned insets darker-originally the floors were all one tone.

Then we drew out, taped off and used lacquer thinner to remove the stain we had applied the day before creating the octagon pattern.

The finishing touch was to create a border that connected the three inset panel designs.  What a difference it made in this corridor!!

In the same home we added a bit of gold just to the upper band of her crown molding. Just this little bit made such a huge difference in the room. In this instance less really was more!

It must have been designer week for me as I was so excited to go back and photograph designer Ellie Bale’s new home. She is a very talented Houston designer and her works have been featured in all three of my books. I loved the fact that she remodeled the home that was there rather than tear it down and built new. Here is the home when she bought it.

You can see that it is quite a transformation!  She hired Architect Josh Jones and Goodchild Builders, to implement her renovation!  I was thrilled to be a part of the team!

Here is Josh and Ellie.  We were all together for a photo shoot of her home! See the bar stools?  They were previously chrome, and the Segreto team altered their finish to aged brass.

Trusty Wade behind the lens, I loved the transitional aesthetic of her living room!  Her last home was featured in Segreto: Secrets to Finishing Beautiful Interiors and had more of a French vibe. I wrote a post on it here. Check it out and see how her own personal style has changed.

We just got word that Southern Home will be publishing her house so I can only show you little snippets. The dining room is marvelous with a soft gray plaster on the walls and ceilings inspired by the gray in the tree trunks of the drapery fabric.

Ellie is a master of mixing styles, she loves the French, the traditional and the modern.  You can see all the styles in this vignette!

Look how fun this pop is–and loved seeing the trilogy of the Segreto books all in one place! Ellie even if this was staged for me, thanks it made me smile!!!

Like many homes, mine included, there is a step down into the living room area. Only living there a month, Ellie saw an accident in the works, so we were called back in to create a design which would serve as a warning–“Watch Your Step!” We first looked at this design…then wanting to see more…

We put up a different sample for her.  Which one was chosen?

The first!  With steps on two sides of the room, the simpler design was less busy while still cautioning the step down.

Her stunning kitchen will be featured in the  magazine, and I spied this clever use of an antique fire screen to hold her kitchen oils and utensils.  What a great idea!

A bit of Colorado!

Over the 4th we were able to sneak away to Colorado! I wanted to share the highlights with you. Hubby John and started out the day with a hike at Beaver Creek. Although I made it I was certainly huffing and puffing. The views were spectacular!

My sweet Dad, drove in from Santa Fe to join us later that day!! Look how great he looks.  Battling prostate cancer he is such an inspiration to me. He is beyond positive, grateful and appreciate for all life has to bring! He has taken a holistic approach to the disease and is really doing well.  Our favorite activity was to visit the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, located in Vail.  We were so lucky that the Dallas Symphony was there performing outdoors while we were there. Strolling, listening to the music and looking at the beautiful gardens was just the perfect day! I wanted to share these beautiful flowers with you.

Whe

When we got home the guys relaxed and I decided to cook!  I wanted to use my Colorado chic dinnerware.

Inspired by the gardens we saw, I picked these right outside or door!

We had a lovely dinner! By example, Dad reminds me to stay positive, and be grateful for all the blessings that each day brings.  I so hope you all enjoyed this post and have a truly wonderful week!!!