In the past few months I've started taking on some e-design clients and a few local, in-home clients, too. It's a big reason why I've recently closed my Etsy shop and stopped freelancing for Houzz. I've really wanted to pursue helping others with their homes and it has been so fun connecting with other people and spaces. If you are interested in an e-design consult, here's a peek into a real life example I recently finished and what you can expect.
Ashley wanted my help with three spaces in their home. Ashley and her husband built their home a couple years ago and while it is beautiful, she needed help finishing those beautiful spaces off, including her music room which I'll be sharing today.
First, I'll collect photos, dimensions and your needs/wants. Ashley wanted to add in personality but wanted to keep the wall color, the piano, her newly reupholstered buffalo check chairs (love those!) and the big armoire that holds their music. Here's what I came up with for this particular space:
Every design comes with a thorough explanation with links and suggestions that correlate to each number on the mood board. Here's what I sent over:
1. While I don’t think it’s necessary to hang anything above the piano, we want to add some height there. Lowe’s has some great house plants I’d pick up and set atop your piano like this. (probably to the left side with a lamp—see #2 below—on the right).
2. This
Lamp (on sale!) for the right side of the piano adds height, interest and is functional.
4. For floor covering, I envision layered rugs in here. Start with a natural light jute in an 8x10 (found on sale
here.)
5. With
a faux cowhide layered on top. I like this one in gray/ivory tones.
6. Putting
this basket right next to the piano or by the couch when you walk into the room will be an easy place to stash blankets or music, but also add a lot of texture and balance to the space.
7.
These curtains will be light and airy but will add a lot of elegance to the room. Go for the Winter White in 108” long. Hang them high (so they’re just brushing the floor) and wide. You may want to buy 4 panels for an extra luxe look.
8. This
piano bench is on sale and is a bonus piece that will go a long way in adding something special to the piano side of the room. Mixing up the seating will add some texture and color to that wall. Go with the
Shelter Blue!9. Big Art!
This piece called “Missouri” will tie in with your black and white chairs on the other side of the room. It’s an investment you’ll never regret. Go big here (54x40) to cover the width of most of the sofa beneath it. I’d love to see it framed in Minted’s natural wood frame for warmth. When it arrives, you really want to hang it so there's only about 8-10 inches between the sofa and the bottom of the art.
10. West Elm's
67.5” Rochester Sofa would look dynamite in Ink Blue Performance Velvet. Since your chairs are leggy, having a sofa that’s grounded (with no legs showing) is a good balance to that. And the deep blue is sophisticated while the fabric is kid friendly. (For an even more budget friendly option, check out
this 60” club sofa in navy.)
11, 12, 13. Your chair are rocking a great pattern, let’s bring some pattern to this side of the room. On your sofa,
pillow #11,
#12, and
#13.
14.
This blanket is on clearance (!!) and a very hot color this year. It can be tossed over the side of one of your chairs or in the basket. Throws add a cozy factor to every room and are an easy way to inject color and texture.
15. This room
needs this floor lamp . Every room needs some black and this would add a good punch of it in the corner (I’m thinking to the right of the sofa).
Ashley loved all of the suggestions and I can't wait to see the finished space. If you have a space you'd like help with, my prices average about $375-$500/space (fluctuate with size and complexity of space) and I am mindful and able to work in any budget. For a custom quote, email your photos to julia@chrislovesjulia with subject line (Your name) MOOD BOARD and let's get started! Spaces are limited.
Are you still taking e design clients?
I am! Although there is a bit of a waiting list. Feel free to shoot me an email.
Can you write another post about Ashley's other spaces? I found this entry so useful!
The mood board looks so pulled together! Love the different blues!
http://danielleandco.com/blog/2016/design-around-bold-sheets
So, Ashley...tell us about those beautiful floors...where did they come from?
Love this board especially since I have no idea how to decorate around my piano.
I am also looking for another piano bench because the current one isn't very comfortable for sitting for long practice sessions but all the benches I come across aren't the right height . The one you listed is slightly above 16 inches but most standard height piano benches are higher at 18 inches. Perhaps this isn't an issue for your clients and these are more problems of petite people or children playing the piano. :)
It's totally something to consider and my client is aware of. :) We don't have a piano bench with our piano, but luckily we're tall enough a standard bench isn't a huge issue. Haha
That rug! I'm obsessing!
The whole board is a gorgeous mix of modern, minimal, and cozy.
I want it all!
I was actually recently thinking I wish you would start doing this again! :)
This looks great! I would love to see it put together.
Also, the link for the faux cowhide is not working.
Thanks, Megan. Should be fixed.
Love what they've already got and most of the suggestions! A couple of thoughts from a musician: Those lamps are gorgeous, but I'm wondering if the brass one is really the right choice for a hardworking piano in a designated music room. Task lighting for playing a piano is a different animal than task lighting for other activities, as good lighting is essential for sight-reading and learning music, especially more complex pieces. The room appears to get a lot of natural light in the day, but I play at all hours...maybe they do, too. I have a grand piano, so I have an articulating floor lamp with a three-way bulb so that I can choose the intensity and direction of light. Perhaps their needs are different. I also wonder about putting a plant on top: Styled pianos look cute, but I would be concerned about damage to an expensive instrument, even with careful watering, the right planter, etc. I would go faux over live plant to be on the safe side, or perhaps a succulent that needs very little watering. :)
Sounds like you're amazing at piano, Amy! In my consult with Ashley, she didn't mention wanting or needing lighting for the piano and I can't speak to how actively played the piano is in their home.
I've been looking for a brass task lamp off and on for a couple months and haven't settled on anything. Does the one you link to move or is the lamp head fixed? I need something I can move a bit.
It looks like it moves, but maybe see if it says in the description?
We own the Target brass task lamp that isn't rounded and the head moves. We love them.
I have the same lamp in the floor size and the shades moves a bit, I'm pretty sure the smaller size is the same :-)
Thanks!
That's a beautiful mood board, their space is amazing to begin with (the moldings on the walls, those floors, the door), I hope we get to see the pictures of it put together! I'm glad you decided to take this step towards doing something you truly love and helping others create beautiful spaces! Congrats! Can't wait to see more!