I'VE MOVED!

That's right - I am no longer blogging on this platform. I have switched over to a Wix site that will be easier to navigate and a better reflection of how I want my blog to appear. The site address is: http://www.whiteandgolddesign.com/#!blog/pg3kn (or just go to www.whiteandgolddesign.com and click on "blog") and I hope you continue to follow me and don't mind clicking this little link to keep up with White + Gold Design.

My blog will continue to be a place for me to share the "behind-the-scenes" of my business. I will always have the desire to share some of the wisdom I continue to learn about home design. I want to be a resource for you as you navigate all things home design/remodeling/decorating. And I love sharing the progress of current projects, being a part of fun blogger series, and whatever else comes my way.

Please continue to follow along and know that I am really happy you landed here! Don't be shy and make sure to comment! I love reading your words and learning more about my readers. Best to you and yours...

SELECTING TILE

I am ALWAYS on the look out for great tile at good prices. Living in Salt Lake City, we have some good options, but are lacking in some areas for sure. Online is my other source (of course). As I was scourging the internet for unique tile I can't find at the usual places for my Cherokee Project, I came across Mission Stone Tile.

Let me tell you, when you are always looking at tile options, it gets to be a little monotonous. The usual marble sizes - 12x12, 2" hexagon, 3x6, etc. Ceramics come in the same sizes. If you want something that's really stunning you go to the designer resources like Ann Sacks of Walker Zanger (there are a million) and now you are often spending at least $24 a square foot. What I was loving about Mission Stone is that they had really unique tile, that isn't cheap, but is all less than $24 a sq. ft.

When I saw their 8" hexagon tile I needed to see it in person and hopefully order it for the project.

At $18 a piece, or about $23 a s.f., this is not inexpensive tile, but for a marble mosaic, it's not bad either!

And then I saw their porcelain chevron tile and fell in love. I could use this in a lot of homes - traditional, yet modern. Score!

actual tile sample of porcelain chevron tile - 3 options

At $14.99 a s.f. this is a great option for smaller rooms (or big rooms if it's in the budget). Porcelain is really great for areas that transition to the outside - I can see this tile in an entry, laundry room, or bathroom. I would love to use this in my Cherokee project. And I really like both the gray and tan colors. The faux-marble is a little faux for my taste, but is a great alternative to real marble for areas where marble is too soft and precious.

I also really like their other 8" hexagon tile options. On the top left is their Oriental White 8" Hexagon Tile. It is GORGEOUS installed.

This tile is $18.80 a s.f. so also not cheap, but oh so pretty! And not as hard to install as the 2" and 1" hex, so hopefully you save a little on the labor to go towards the tile. I want to use this tile in a bad way - maybe in my own home some day.

And then there is the Porcelain Hex Tile. $15.40 a s.f., I love the size and scale of this tile. And it would be so great in outdoor areas as well. A pool area, porch, or bathroom. I would love to do every other tile black and cream making a checkerboard-esque pattern.

And let's talk about this honeycomb ceramic tile. Can I tell you how fantastic this would be as a kitchen backsplash? I want to use it in my 6th Avenue Project (which I need to blog about - a charmer in the Avenues).

I love how it has a slight pattern to it that adds dimension, but isn't too trendy. And I love the 4x5 size. A nice break from the typical 3x6 size. At $16 a s.f.. it's a little splurge, but if you don't have a lot of square footage in your kitchen, it shouldn't be too much. I also love this minty/blue color.

A big bonus to ordering from Mission Stone is that they offer FREE shipping for orders over $999. That is a HUGE deal for me - since shipping on tile is $$$. And $999 in tile is not very much if you are doing a few rooms.

So here's my plan - the black and white marble hex in the Cherokee upstairs bath. The honeycomb tile as a backsplash in my 6th Ave property. And possibly the Porcelain Chevron in either the master bath, or downstairs bath.

Do yourself a favor, and check out Mission Stone Tile. They really do have some great, unique tile options I have not seen online before, and I know :) And look at my Pinterest board. I'm always adding my favorite tile finds.

*I was not paid to blog about Mission Stone Tile, but I did receive the tile samples free of charge.

AN ODE TO MY CLIENTS

sweetest e-design pillow project

Oh my clients, how I do love thee...

I was thinking about work and why I continue to do interior design for clients, because there are a lot of days I think it would be a lot easier on myself, my family, and my body if I took a break. And then I think of the fulfillment I get from being creative, but more than that, I LOVE working with the people I do.

cosmetic upgrade for the nicest client

Every time I get a request for new projects I get a little giddy. Almost like a first-date. Meeting my clients for the first time, being allowed into their homes, their lives, and being privy to very personal details is an honor and privilege. And at the risk of sounding cheesy, I am so grateful for the opportunity every time I am hired to work with a new client or on a new project.

a collaboration that made me proud

I have learned so much from my clients.

I have learned graciousness and timeless style. I have seen what it really means to be sweet and kind deep down. I have been inspired by a client/collaborator who is kind and gets things done in a professional, efficient and creative way - a balance I thought was impossible. I am inspired by the humility of a client who could be anything but humble. I have found I have so much in common with a client that we even share the same birthday! I have seen how you parent your children and I leave wanting to be better. I have seen the sacrifice it takes to save the money to make your home your favorite space and the gratitude you have for all you have. I have laughed with so many of you at the comical way everything can go wrong in the remodeling/designing process. I have been a guest in your home and not wanted to leave because you made me feel so welcome (and every time I eat Skinny Girl lime popcorn I can't help but think of you :) I have seen how the various times of life creates for different needs in the home and I am fascinated by how we all live and constantly change and adjust. I have seen how redesigning a home helps some move on, and how it helps others not forget the past. We have spent many hours getting caught up on lost time since we last saw each other, talked about our families, our friends, and the people we know. You have made me laugh so hard I've almost cried. You brought me soup when I was sick and pregnant and made my week with that simple gesture when I wanted to give up. You reminded me how grateful I should be for what I have when I hear the trials you have gone through in your life. You inspire me with your personal style and great clothes. You take me to concerts and introduce me to Celine Dion (I couldn't resist that little brag) but really I am more starstruck by you and impressed by your talents and the way you live such a down-to-earth life. You are my topic of many conversations with my husband because I am so excited to tell him how funny you are, how cool I think your job is, how much I love your home, how smart you are, how beautiful your children are, and how you just "get it" and I so appreciate that.

a classic kitchen for a classy client

I have played with your children, met your parents, extended family, and been told details of your lives you haven't yet shared with your closest friends and family. We exchange Christmas cards and baby/wedding announcements. I consider you all my friends by the end of our projects and consider myself a better, more well-rounded person by being influenced by you.

a new living room for a new client turned friend

Every single e-design, one-hour consultation, and full design project has made an impact on me. I am so grateful to you, my clients, for wanting me. For appreciating my skills and talents and feeling like I am worth spending your hard earned money on having me help you create a home. I hope you know and feel the gratitude I have for you when we meet, talk, and correspond. I wish I could personally let each of you know specifically just how you influenced my life, but I hope you read this and know that I really am talking about you when I say that my life has been enriched by you.

Oh my clients, how I love thee...

NEW REMODEL PROJECT: CHEROKEE CIRCLE

If you have been following me on Instagram, then you maybe saw this post about the fireplace design/inspiration I am working on for my latest remodel project in the Foothill area of Salt Lake City on Cherokee Circle.

I think it was a close tie, maybe a slight lean toward the left image because it has more drama and modern goodness. And a lot of suggestions to do a tall fireplace like the left but in a lighter color - a win-win! So I think that is the plan - a more dramatic and modern fireplace. But right now the fireplace looks like this...

And the house looks like this...

living room
going to get some gorgeous windows soon!

retro rambler exterior

But soon enough it's going to look like this...

OR

As I am working on the design of this home I keep running into a little dilemma. First of all, this modern home is a stretch for me, as it's not my go-to aesthetic (even though I love modern design). Secondly, when I do design modern, it falls into two categories that I like to call "masculine modern" and "pretty modern". As you can see from the two exterior inspirations, one is more "masculine" and the other more "pretty". For resale, I can't decide what appeals to more buyers. Your help on this problem would be SO helpful!! I'm torn...

The kitchen is going to be a stunner with no upper cabinets and lots of bronze paned windows, kind of like this.

With modern cabinets like these.

masculine + pretty- possible to mix the two?

oh so pretty

And bathrooms like these.

masculine -with a great black chevron tile

feminine - herringbone tile in a light grayish color

modern kids bath idea

With light wood flooring throughout.

OR

dark floors?

And some cement tile.

And of course some fantastic lighting.

So what do you think? "Pretty" or "Masculine" Modern? Or try and find a good balance between the two? 

Also, if you or someone you know is looking for a great home in Salt Lake City - email me. The home is about 3800 sq. ft. and will be selling around $860K and it's going to be a stunner! (or at least that's the idea :)

FAMILY HOME FACE LIFT - KITCHEN/DINING

PROJECT NEEDS:

The kitchen and dining room area was like the family room, a purely cosmetic update. In the photo below you will see that the cabinets were the outdated honey-color with lack luster hardware and beige tile that was "meh".

DETAILS OF KITCHEN BEFORE

We needed to update the kitchen, but we had the countertops to work around. With the black/brown speckled warm-toned granite I thought black cabinets would look the best, but we didn't want to make the space too dark and dramatic, so we went with white upper cabinets and black lowers. As for the dining area, I unfortunately didn't take a before picture, but you can imagine the changes we made by looking at the photos.

These are the updates we needed to make:

• paint kitchen cabinets
• new tile backsplash
• new floor tile
• new hardware
• new barstools and dining chairs
• new wall paint
• dining light
• window treatments
• create computer space in dining 

(all photos are by the talented, Sara Bateman)

FINISHED DESIGN:

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:

• The dining light is a favorite of mine - and it fit the space perfectly! 
• And who doesn't love some classic bistro chairs?
• Isn't the white wall color classic? It's my favorite go-to Benjamin Moore 50/50 mix of White Dove and Glacier White. Hasn't failed me yet!
• The earthy/industrial stools are a great value and a must-have.
• The white beveled subway tile and black slate tile really complete the room. (locally sourced)
• And I am loving the cabinet hardware. The knobs and pulls are perfection.
• The kitchen roman shade is custom, and I love how it ties together the green accents and black in the room. It finishes off the space in just the right way. 

Hope you enjoyed this project as much as I do! It's a great example that you don't have to gut your home to get the look and feel you want. 

FAMILY HOME FACE LIFT - FAMILY ROOM

I was saving this project for a special day, and it turns out that this ordinary Wednesday, is that day. I actually finished this project almost a year ago, but it remains one of my favorites to date.

PROJECT NEEDS: My clients are one of those beautiful couples with even prettier children who needed a home that matched their great taste and good genes. They had a good budget, but didn't want to tear down any walls but rather work with the space that they had. In the kitchen they simply wanted a face-lift, not new cabinets and appliances, etc. So we were going to do a cosmetic overhaul on this family room, dining room and kitchen area. Today I'm going to focus on their family room.

STARTING POINT: 

BEFORE

The bones of the room were good: the floors were nice original wood floors and the fireplace mantle was pretty and original. But the room was missing the finishing touches that makes a room feel sophisticated and interesting (without furnishings). What they needed was finishing work:

• Crown Moulding
• Casing the Windows
• Wainscot

And let's talk about the furnishings. They had inherited this furniture and while it was comfortable, the sofas were way too big for the space. The earthy tones didn't fit their design aesthetic anymore. This beautiful couple also happens to travel to New York and London often on business and wanted furnishings that you would find in the chic spaces of these cities. We wanted to go from earthy to glamorous and traditional. 

• family friendly sophisticated seating
• art on walls (they had great art they had accumulated over the years)
• new fireplace tile to match the new furnishings

And this is what we created.

(all photos by the talented Sara Bateman)

FINISHED PRODUCT:

HIGHLIGHTS: 

• The English Roll Arm sofa is made of a beautiful extra-durable fabric that cleans beautifully but looks high-end and comes in the best colors. (sofa available through White + Gold) 
• The Chaise/Bench sofa was a custom design to allow the light from the front window to come through without a back of a sofa blocking it. It is also extremely comfortable to lay on while watching TV or reading, which is what they wanted for the kids. 
• The blue Madeline Weinrib rug added the color we wanted for the room. My client was in New York and spotted this rug I had shown her, in person, and fell in love. It's the hero of the room for sure. 
• The slipper chair is upholstered in a bright graphic pattern that they wanted to be the hint of glam and trend in our traditional room. It's also as comfortable as it is pretty. (slipper chair available through White + Gold)
• The marble coffee table is from Wisteria and it's a total love for me. A great piece for any room.
• The mirrored sconces added style to the fireplace mantle and made the TV not feel too techy and more artsy. (sconces available through White + Gold)
• The fireplace tile is my so great! I love how it's reminiscent of a honeycomb since Utah is the "beehive state" and the marble surround and threshold is so pretty. 
• The velvet blue piano bench was a lucky find and fit perfectly! A great way to glam up your piano. 

Can you believe the transformation?! It was such a satisfying project and so much fun. Tomorrow I will post the dining/kitchen. You have to see it! Such a great relatively inexpensive update that made the biggest difference.