Hi Friends!  Thank you to so many who voted for the blog.  The top 5 blogs with the most votes  created the short list.  They will be judged by a panel of experts for the winner. And Guess What? Segreto Secrets made the short list!  I am more than appreciative and grateful to my blog followers!  I love each of you, my friends who I connect with each week!!  Thank you , Thank you, Thank you!!  So here is your next post!!

I hope you never get tired of looking at beautiful interiors because I have a gorgeous before and after to share with you today!!

I was super excited to get a call from Lisa in helping her with her newly purchased home!  Why?  Not only do I love her personally but she is one of the founders of DASH —an amazing outdoor antique and home market in Houston so I know she has such a creative flair.  This is the second home I have collaborated with this dream team-Lisa, her designer Jennifer Rigamonte and builder Jim Bob Taylor with Doyle Construction. This project was quite the redo and such a ball!

The perimeter cabinets were all stained in an orangish tone.  Wanting to go a bit taupe we were able to maintain the stained look without stripping them first! The inspiration for color was the stunning new tile-see below from Chateau Domingue behind the range! This is not the best new color representation, but you will see the new tones further in the post.

The island received an aged textured finish  This is the paint we make from cottage cheese and beer!  Perfect for a kitchen finish don’t you think?

The stone range surround was existing to the previous design but was very, very golden in tone with a heavy textured faux on the Sheetrock above.  We changed the tone of the stone to a neutral color and  plastered the hood top to blend with the newly painted walls.

Segreto Stone was chosen for the island!!!  I was honored to have some of our new counters front and center!

Here is the before of the bar. They left the existing tile but……

……………changed the top to  the same Segreto Stone as the island and finished  the cabinets like the kitchen. An entirely different look! By having a counter with less movement the tile has been given a whole new perspective.

I had to show you the before on this bathroom.  It’s lovely but an entirely different look than what Lisa was wanting.

This is the after–I think this is my new favorite bath!! The dramatic walls are coated with Venetian plaster. This product developed in the 16th century in Italy can be tinted to dark dramatic colors and has a high sheen much like marble. Look at this cool sink architectural consultant found for sweet Lisa.

I love the vivid walls, mixed with both contemporary and old world elements!  The mirror over the mirror is brilliant.  The first one is hung on the wall and the second attached from the ceiling using fishing wire.  Now you can see why I like working with Jennifer–she is super creative and is always wanting unique!

The previous dining room had a darker gold plaster which doesn’t really show in the photograph. The iron doors are pretty but Jennifer’s vision was a cleaner look.

I has slated this home to be photographed the day before Harvey struck but cancelled due to the gray skies.  Unfortunately, this home flooded and we were not able to reshoot. So all are my snapshots before the home was complete.  The iron doors were replaced with more contemporary simple steel ones and you can see in the wine room Jennifer and Jim Bob were still working out the details. We re-plastered in a more neutral tone with a hint of blue gray. You can see they left the chandelier and added some sconces to the back wall.

This is the den which opens up to the kitchen!  We have created a whole new niche taking existing stone and altering is aesthetic to either be a different tone or have a more aged or reclaimed feel.

The mantle was replaced with this one from Chateau Domingue. The newness of the stone didn’t mesh with the aged patina of the antique mantle so its tone was soften and mortar altered to not be so precise. I hope you enjoyed this before and after today! It was so super fun working with the talented Jenifer Rigamonte, renovator Jim Bob and one of the most positive people I know, homeowner Lisa. One day we will go back and photograph it. I hope each of you have a wonderful week!

If you are interested in hosting an event or carrying the book  please don’t hesitate to reach out! Email Karly@segretofinishes.com for all inquiries! We love to visit new cities!!!