great big job (tale #5)

Fantastic news! My client got the keys to his brand new house last week…right on schedule.
The real “moving day” was yesterday, but rouge got to see it earlier, so I’m giving just a little rouge readers a big sneak peek too…especially since you’ve been following along with my “great big job, great client” series of blogs from the beginning.

In my opinion (ok, so I am a little biased here), the house turned out great. Like, really, really great. As in, EXACTLY as planned in almost all instances. As in, even better than planned in all the rest.

There is nothing better than thinking about things, making a solid and specific plan, agonizing about every detail, staying on top of it all while it’s implemented, and then having it turn out this way. When does that ever happen?!
One small thing to do differently next time? Pay more attention to where the electric baseboard heaters are being placed. Obviously, it’s important to make sure you will be able to properly heat the room, but it’s important to consider (and ask) the installer for options. Generally speaking, they will put them on the longest, cleanest wall – wherever is easiest. But, let’s be honest, they are not pretty. And they always seem to be precisely in the same spot you want to place a dresser, a table, or a couch! It’s something that definitely comes into play and can be a challenge when you consider furniture placement.

Oh, what a house! What a home!

I think the kitchen might be my favorite room. But it’s a toss up with the master bath. The second floor bath is pretty sweet, too. Oh...the wood stove in the living room is going to be amazingly cozy. And the mosaic tile in the powder room is simply stunning. You should see the floor in the laundry room. And….don’t get me going on the fabulous light fixtures…and…

I’ll let the pictures speak to the rest…and at some point, in a future blog, I hope to have more pics when there is furniture, artwork and more…

great big job (tale #4)

Here is the latest update on the “great big job, great client” (see blog from November 28th)…

My apologies for not giving faithful just a little rouge readers and update on this for so long! I guess the holidays have a way of overshadowing other things…but now, back to business.

Move in date is in FOUR DAYS.

And I’m really happy to report that everything is on schedule. It has been a crazy house of activity! Electrical, plumbing, drywall, cabinet installation, floor installation, lighting installation, wood stove intstallation, sinks, taps, toliets, tubs, showers, tiling, trim, painting...and on and on it goes.

It’s actually quite amazing to think about how it’s all coming together. The last little bits are probably the most exciting (and anxious) moments of the entire project build. It’s when you get to start seeing the finishing touches that will make or break the client’s satisfaction with the house.

You know all those “little” things that may drive you crazy about your home? A slightly off centre tap, a not so level sink, the handrail in the stairwell that you thought would look a bit different…potentially some of the charming quirks that give a home some character.

But, even bigger potential to make you insane when you move in. Again, the key to not having to “just live with it” after the fact is the diligence it takes to be at the house all the time to check in on what’s happening. At this stage, it was necessary for the client to be at the house as often as twice a day!

The key learning here is that it’s much easier to have a tradesperson fix something they’ve just done, rather than try to get them to come back to fix it after they’ve gone. Luckily, the builder in this project has been great. Because the client doesn’t actually get the keys until after the final inspection, there is very little argument to getting something adjusted, if it’s not what he wants.

Rouge will be onsite next week, after the official move in, to help out…furniture placement, reassessing décor plans to adjust for the unexpected, and of course helping pull it all together.

I can hardly wait for the big reveal to just a little rouge readers!

Tune in next week to see more…

luxe for less

My friend Ellen has just moved into a new place and wants to give her living space a luxury look, without the expense.

Here’s my advice on new paint colors, along with a few other tips and ideas, that will help give her this look.

Greys and lavenders lend themselves beautifully to a luxury look. A smoky lavender is calming, sultry and elegant. A grey that’s not too blue, not too green and not too brown is a classic color that works perfectly with many shades of purples – and especially lavenders.

Here are two color options:

Option 1 – Benjamin Moore
Coventry Grey (HC169)
Amorous (AF600)

Option 2 – Debbie Travis Paints
Amethyst Hour (CM29H)
Castle Stone (N26A)

Mousey grey with splashes of lilac come together for a look that’s got that luxury feel, while being very hip.

Ellen’s soft grey couch will work perfectly with this color scheme. I recommend she sort through her accessories and choose accessories made of clear glass and solid white to pull the look together. Accessories with hammered silver finishes will also add to the glam.

A touch of black is key to ground this look and will also add some depth to the design. Adding a well placed accessory with a sharp graphic element will make sure your room has a modern feel. Use ornate, textural and glamorous elements to give you the luxurious styling you are going for.

Once you’ve got all that in your new deluxe room, make sure to add in another pop of color in small doses – show off that personality! Perhaps a little lime green??

Good luck….and be sure to send me a couple of pics of the finished room!