Home Exterior: Before & After...

My cute neighbor and friend had been wanting to change the rust accent color on her home's exterior for years. The color never clicked with her, she wanted to go with a more neutral color that would compliment the existing color scheme. She also wanted a different color for her front door.

I brought over my handy Sherwin Williams color deck and we tried finding the perfect color. We all know how tricky picking out the right paint color can be, trying to pick out the right color from a 2 inch color swatch is no easy task:)

We thought we had settled on the right colors and started painting. The color ended up looking like a stark white and was not blending well with the existing colors. I started painting the front door and the pretty green tone we picked out ended up looking more like a florescent, lime color. We knew that these colors weren't working well. 

Back to the drawing board. I pulled out my swatch deck and went to the color swatch of my fool-proof, go-to color...Agreeable Gray. I have used this color in so many client projects and I have yet to be disappointed. If you are looking for the perfect greige color, this is it! It works well with both tan and gray tones. However, Agreeable Gray was looking a bit too light for this project so we went with the next darker shade down on the swatch, Anew Gray. This color was the perfect balance of the right color and the right shade. For the front door, we thought a darker shade would pop more so we went with a darker shade on the same swatch, Warm Stone.

These two colors were meant to be, they blend perfectly and compliment the existing color scheme. My friend is so happy with the new look and is feeling like it is much more her style! A day spent painting with fun friends resulted in a entirely new look and feel.

What do you think of the new look?

If there is something in your home that has been bothering you and you need help figuring out what to do, contact me stacichavez@ymail.com. I work with local and distant clients and I would love to help you fall in love with your home:)

Bathroom Makeover Reveal...

I've had the bug for quite some time now to makeover my half bath. Before, this bathroom was totally plain and had no personality! Initially, I had planned on doing paneling on the bottom half and wallpapering the top. After spending hours online looking for the perfect wallpaper, I decided that I'm not committed enough to take the plunge:( I always love the way it looks but I change my mind far too often!

This bathroom is on my main floor and gets the most use so of course it makes sense to dress it up a bit! If you know me, you know how much I love wall paneling and the ability it gives to completely change the look and feel of a space without breaking the bank! We had already started the paneling in the "before" pic on the wall behind the toilet..

BEFORE

AFTER

I wanted to frame in the entire bathroom to bring the eye up and makes the room feel a bit taller. The wainscoting is a darker shade than the walls.  The lighter wall above the wainscot can trick the eye into thinking the ceiling height is higher. I wanted to go with a timeless design that I wouldn't be tired of in 5 years.  I found the artwork at Home Goods in the clearance section for $25 #score!

My sister and husband were the dream team in making this transformation happen, I am so happy with the end result! 

If you need help transforming a space in your home, please contact me stacichavez@ymail.com. You can live anywhere in the world, I do most of my work via email, phone, text etc. 

Before & After: A Sweet Baby Boy's Nursery...

My dear friend that I've been friends with since Junior High School recently had the most handsome baby boy that she named Finn:) I was so lucky to have been able to help her put together this sweet nursery for him, I absolutely love putting together spaces for little ones.

We did most of the design process through text and email. She texted me the before pics of his room. My first thought was that the paint color needed to change, she wanted the overall feel to be light and happy. She loves blues so we went with one of my favorites, Restoration Hardware's light silver sage. I have this same paint color in my son and daughter's room and I never tire of it which is rare for me! It's amazing how the paint color alone made such a huge difference, paint really does have the ability to completely change the tone of a space!

We wanted to keep the room pretty simple and non-cluttered. One afternoon, we took a trip to Target and filled a whole cart full of items for the nursery. We were able to get a lot of pieces from there for a really great price! I let her use my old crib that my huge babies are no longer using :( A comfortable chair is a must in a nursery, I had the blue aztek lumbar pillow made and the pouf adds just the right dose of pattern. The stylish x-base night stand is the perfect addition alongside the sweet, floor lamp!

The light colored dresser brightens up the space and of course I can never resist a pretty, textured mirror that bounces the natural light around the room! My friend found the darling vintage prints that she hung in just the right spots! The pretty woven basket is Nate Berkus for Target, works perfect to double as a laundry hamper.

I love how the nursery turned out, it makes my day when my client's are happy and proud of their new space, I feel so blessed to do what I am so passionate about! Please contact me stacichavez@ymail.com if you are in need of help with your home, you can live anywhere in the world and remember that you don't have to have a huge budget to make huge changes!

BEFORE & AFTER. My discounted new table and chairs...

If you know me personally, you know that I get extremely excited about a good bargain. I believe that creating a beautiful room does not have to break the bank. I love to look for images online and try to re-create that same look by finding pieces that have the same look/feel without the same price tag.

I have been wanting to get a new kitchen table for a long time now. I think we had our previous table for a good 8 years, we found it at a furniture clearance place for like $90. It has served us well but I was ready for a new look. The problem I ran into was that all the tables I was interested in were an upwards of $700, it wasn't in my budget to pay that. I also wanted to add two tall chairs to both ends of the table so I had to figure that into the cost as well.

I went to World Market looking for something unrelated to a kitchen table. I took a wander over to the kitchen table area and fell in love with the Greyson table. Being the cheapo that I am, I wasn't willing to shell out the $700. I looked at the floor model and the corners of the table were pretty scuffed up but it didn't look like a hard fix. I asked one of the workers if they would discount the table because of the repairs, she asked her manager and came back and said that they would sell it for $250. It was pretty much a no-brainer, I was more than willing to pay the $250.

I was still on the hunt for two tall chairs, I thought that I wanted to do upholstery but in reality, I know that the fabric wouldn't look so hot after a couple weeks with a couple kids:) Overstock has an outlet not too far away from my home, I ventured out there and found these amazing solid mango chairs. I love the high back and the quality is great! I wasn't sure the price on the chairs so I took them up to the register, my total for the two was $45. I looked them up on the Overstock website and the price is $225 for the pair.

I got a major discount and have been thrilled about the new look. I took a little trip over to my Mom's to cut off some of her "popcorn" tree as a centerpiece, I don't ever want them to die, they make me happy!

BEFORE

AFTER 

If you need help giving your home a new look, please contact me stacichavez@ymail.com. You can live anywhere in the world and we can makeover your space via facetime, email, and phone. Let's make it happen:)

Powder Bath Love...

What bathroom in your home would you say gets the most use? For me, my half bath on the main floor gets used a ton by my family as well as guests, so it makes sense to spend the time and money making this frequent stop look attractive.

I have yet to accomplish the goal of dressing up my powder bath and taking it from boring to inviting. I think about changing the look all the time,  I just need to get it done! I found some inspiring images that have given me motivation to get moving on this project!

Via

There is something about dark paint tones mixed with gold that makes for a stunning combo! Don't you think?

Via

Love the mass amount of personality in this half bath. I really could go for this wallpaper in my home!

Via

I guess there is a common theme going on so far. I am really digging the dark tones for the powder bath. I usually prefer light tones but for a small space like this, I think it works well!

Via

This last pic is a stunner! From the printed grasscloth wallpaper to the board and batten walls, I'm totally in love with this combo!

What about you? Which powder bath are you most attracted to?

Do Good/Warby Parker

“Architecture for Humanity is
proof that good design can be
an impactful (and long-lasting)
resource in the most critical
situations. We’re happy to
celebrate the organization and
its 15 anniversary with this
collaboration.”
–Neil Blumenthal, co-CEO and co-founder of Warby Parker

“Warby Parker and Architecture for Humanity are like-minded organizations using good design to help many. Through these sales, we will be able to bring more design, construction and development services where they are most critically needed.”
– Matt Charney, chair, board of directors, Architecture for Humanity 

Warby Parker's signature retro-hip frames, excellent customer service (free shipping/free returns), stylish website, and their home try-on program that allows you to try on 5 of your favorite pairs for 5 days 100% free is genius!

When the marketing department from Warby Parker contacted me about writing a post to help spread the word about their collaboration with Architecture for Humanity, I was more than willing to help a company that does so much good in the world. I have always admired the Warby Parker look and any business that gives a portion of their proceeds to help others in need, has my vote and as always, when you purchase a pair of glasses from Warby Parker, they provide a pair to someone in need.

For over 15 years, Architecture for Humanity has helped millions of children and individuals that live in vulnerable communities have a safe place to learn, live and play. I believe that those who serve to give aid and relief to people in need will be blessed in immeasurable ways!

Two new frames have been designed for their collaborative efforts with Architecture for Humanity. The Aslin and the Fowler have streamlined angles and are built with materials that are meant to last. Created with Japanese titanium and Warby's signature acetate, you can depend on these glasses to last you through the years.

Starting today, the collaboration between Warby Parker and Architecture for Humanity begins. You can order your stylish glasses at Warby Parker stores and online at WarbyParker.com/Architecture-for-humanity. The cost is an affordable $145 per pair.

Below are the stylish new looks. My favorite is the Aslin in Oak Barrel, at first sight they won my heart over with the clean lines and darker shades.

Aslin in English Oak

Aslin in Oak Barrel

Fowler in Jet Silver

I hope you will go check out the Warby Parker website and comb through the stylish selections they have to offer, you will be sure to fall in love! 

New Artwork For My Entry...

Sorry I have been delinquent on my blog posts. I would give you a million excuses but instead, I'm not going too:) So this mirror has been on my mind lately. I was carried away by the design when I first saw it so I purchased it and hung it on this very tall wall that you cannot see in its entirety. It was love at first site and then the love started to fade as I realized that this mirror was not the right scale for this very tall wall. 

The plan was to buy a larger size mirror until I went to Home Goods and this over sized piece of artwork caught my attention. I didn't purchase the piece and had regrets all night. The next day I called first thing and they still had it. I was beyond excited to bring this beauty home! I thought it would for sure fit in my car and couldn't believe how big it really was, I had to make some calls to get this pretty a ride home.

It fits the space so much better and the colors are all of my favorite combined. I really didn't think about it matching my front door but it just so happens to. 

I felt justified in my purchase because I listed and sold the mirror online and some of the proceeds went towards my new purchase. Out with the old and in with the new, I think that might be my new slogan:) So that's my story about my new artwork...