Hi Friends! It seems like from all the sweet comments on the blog that everyone loves seeing transformations! Maybe it’s on my mind with book signings on the horizon and a wedding coming up meaning I will have to fit into a dress. So as I share all the transformations in our client’s homes, I think maybe I can do a little transformation on myself.

With home’s moving from dark and Mediterranean to a lighter brighter look, many of my clients are starting from the outside in. The color samples this homeowner had chosen were very bright white and looked stark next to the slate walkway–something she wasn’t planning on changing. I was called in for a color consult to transform this home from dark to a more modern translation.

First looking for the right white for the home, we put samples up on all 4 sides. This is an important process as sunlight plays such an important part of how we see color and selections will look very different on each side of the home. We settled on Benjamin Moore HC-173 Edgecomb Gray, which happens to be what I painted my office exterior with. What a difference already!! One of my expert artisans, on the front porch, is working on samples for phase two of the project–altering the stone!!!

A totally different home!! We have tinted a lime wash to mask the undertones of the stone without changing its natural appearance. Getting the color and the perfect coverage just right is the tricky part, but well worth the effort!

Editing is one of the most important elements of today’s design. If you notice on the before pictures there are lots of color changes. The dark stucco color, the lighter outline of the windows and doors, the dark windows, the contrast of the stone and the different material on the walkway. By simplifying finishes, this home’s existing architecture is brought current! Next phase–refinishing the front door.

Something aged with a bit of color might be nice…or stripping and bleaching is always a pretty look! Which would you choose?

I wish I had the before shots for the entry hall floor we did with Floor Designs of Houston for Designer Cindy Witmer. What a difference it made in this entryway

The floors were painted white, to begin with, and then we laid out 18 by 18 squares on the diagonal with pencil, taped them off and began to paint. Who said you never use the geometry you learned in high school?!

We were on a deadline to finish these beauties before the homeowner arrived back in town. Doing the rest of the stained floors in the house, Floor designs of Houston sanded and put the base coat on these for us. When we finished the design they put two coats of an acrylic polyurethane on top so they would hold up to wear and tear over time. Acrylics topcoats are non-yellowing so I prefer them over an oil top clear when you are going over a white painted surface.

I love transforming spaces as I fee they give people a new outlook on their daily lives. Collaborating with designer Patty Hemingway, this client/friend is at the hub of creating so many of all our favorite cookbooks. She uses her office ALL THE TIME and wanted a lighter softer feel, which speaks to her happy place, giving her strength to push through all of her many publishing deadlines. Heavens………… I understand that.

Oak is making a huge comeback, so why paint? Its natural grain is so pretty so all we had to do is lighten it up and change the tone!! We applied a series of transparent glazes, first ones were to mask the orange color and the last ones were to tone the wood to her favorite color. Ready for the transformation?

My friends at Organized Design sent me this picture after they had styled her shelves, and neatly organized her files and papers. What a major difference. To make her room feel larger, we plastered the walls and ceiling in the same tones as the wood. Beautiful, and a lovely place to work!!

I constantly seem to be working on personal transformations which will enable me to live the life I want to the fullest. For me, it seems to always be taking better care of myself so I sleep better, look better and have more energy to accomplish things, be in the moment with family and friends and truly enjoy each day. Anything you are thinking about?

EXCITING NEWS! Because of all your love and support, we did it again. This year we were nominated for Best Interior Designer Blog – International. I just can’t believe Segreto Secrets made it amongst this talented bunch. The next step is to vote so we can make the top 5 to move into the final reveal in London. Vote Here . I would be ever so grateful if you would spread the word! While visiting the voting site, take a look around at all the amazing blogs from across the globe. I have found some of my best inspirations, and favorite bloggers from this incredible group of design bloggers!!

What transformations would allow you to truly enjoy and embrace your best life? We can do it! Till next week! xo Leslie