Room Candy

July 27, 2016

Time for a Change! Elegant Coastal Living /Dining Makeover.


We recently finished a living room and dining room makeover for our lovely client who was feeling it was really time for a change. She said she hadn't had anything new or updated since she was married 23 years ago. We get it! Family, school sports, work, ... life... it takes up so much of our time we can forget how it feels to step back and take a break. We think she not only needed a change but also so deserved to have a space that makes her feel completely comfortable and happy. A place to relax and unwind but also to entertain!




Here is where we started. Mostly what wasn't working was the layout, and that's because the furniture didn't really fit the room- because it all came from another house! We see this all the time. The scale of the furniture really needs to fit the scale and layout of the space.


And now...



After we met and created a design plan, new furniture sourcing started. The sofa is from Costco - a great value! The dining chairs are also from Costco - all in a beautiful creamy white linen like fabric.The beautiful occasional chairs are from VanGogh with custom fabric. The coffee table is from Pier1 and the dining table is from Urban Barn.

The interior paint is Benjamin Moore OC23 Classic Gray which brightened up the space
considerably.




Many of the small tables were repurposed with chalk paint. Most were family pieces handed down and needed to stay in the space in some form. A brand new look for very little investment! All staying in the creamy white palette.





 Also spray painted was the wicker shelf unit which was a nice airy piece.



The stag art was one piece for the gentleman of the house...an avid hunter.



Dining Room...more seating was required and an update!


Sorry Stace...only before shot of the DR!

Here it is now!


New dining fixture is still being sourced...looking for just the right vintage looking piece!

Once all the big pieces were sourced and purchased we did the end shopping for all the fun bits! Lamps, pillows by the truckload :), art ,surface accessories and some greenery.We used some favourite things from the home as well.

Our client wanted the reveal to be a surprise! We LOVE this part!


The star of the show though was our fab assistant Billy...


...who absolutely needed a new chair to cozy up with!   Who doesn't ?!
LOVE all the pets we get to hang with :)


Finally we wanted to share the lovely letter this adorable homeowner 
 wrote after the reveal....

______________

Tracey and Stacey,



I can't thank you enough!!!  It's so much better than I could ever have imagined!!!  I'm over the moon giddy!!!

It's like a magazine!  I can't believe I'm in my own house!



Renovating or redecorating... it's exciting, but can be a bit overwhelming too.
Where should you start?  How much can you afford to spend?  After 23 years with the same furniture, it was time for a change, no it was necessary!
Stepping out and asking for help, how to place my furniture, with new purchases and of course painting old furniture to look like new.  The decisions, indecisions, the emails and texts, the support you showed me, through it all.
I can't believe it but now here it is...the night before the big reveal, how do I feel?  Excited, nervous, will I like it? Love it?  Hate it? 

The moment I stepped into the room, I knew... it was EXACTLY what I wished for!  I highly recommend you both, you are an amazing team together, extremely talented and gorgeous both of you! 
Thank you again, ever so much... from the bottom of my heart. <3

D, The E Clan and of course Billy too xoxo


____________

Happy Ladies all around!

Loving what we do.

~ Tracey






March 14, 2016

TLC HOUSE BEFORE & AFTER

So many requests for the before and afters of our TLC House flip here in Victoria. 4 month process from purchase to SOLD! Lots of brain churning sleepless nights planning/thinking/budgeting but surprisingly not too much stress. Great business partner Leslie ( Thank you!) - great team of sub contractors - great property...just needed some love and some sweat and lots of patience!


We tried to salvage as much as we could from 1962:) The oak floors came up beautifully with new sand and finish. Thumbs down to those ( a few!) who said we should rip it all out !! Layout stayed the same we just opened it all upon the main living and created 2 bedrooms and a small family room/den in the basement. 5 bedrooms! 
New windows and gutters, gas furnace, hot water tank & 200 amp service. 
Just about everything was upgraded! 
It still fits the neighbourhood and that made our neighbours happy!

The great after photos are courtesy of Kara Photography - the crappy befores ( that actually don't look that bad here!) and some not so good afters are mine . 
(not a photographer!) 
Staging really helped show off the positives! We had multiple offers ...it presented very well and so many people came through the open house!

Here you go... Enjoy.


In the beginning...yes there is a house in there.




After some tree and shrub removal ready for new perimeter drain tile excavation!
This is a huge messy job. Thanks Argus Excavating for making it look easy!


After with new paint and a newly seeded yard 



_____________________


Entry Before


Entry After




_______________________



 Back yard and carport Before
The wisteria although amazing was growing into the attic! 
The vines that were left here took days to unwind and detach from the carport.






Back Yard After


___________________________


Kitchen Before 






Kitchen After


___________________

Stairs and Railing Before
Although funky the starburst just wouldn't appeal to the masses.


Stairs and Railing After 
A first time prototype that turned out fabulous! ( Thanks Geoff from G&L Contracting!) 
Some steel posts, black spray paint, galvanized rope, a welder and new fir top...easy!!






_________________

Living Room Before


Living Room After



The old fireplace got the sledge hammer  ( TLC style)



And opened up to this...


We did a time lapse video of the fireplace cladding! Griffin did an amazing job drying the salvaged broken cedar fence panels that were found on the property. I'll blog the whole process soon...stay tuned if you want to DIY !
See it here: DIY Reclaimed Fireplace



____________________________




Dining Room Before




Dining Room After




____________________



Master Bedroom Before
Pepto pink had to go!



Master Bedroom After


______________________




Main Bath Before...Turquoise Treasure! 
We gutted it keeping same footprint....White is right!




Main Bath After



_______________


Basement Before
This area was split into two new good sized bedrooms. 
A great option for student rentals close to UVIC!






Basement Bedrooms After



Basement Before






Basement After
A great bright play area/office/den.



_________________


Basement Bath Before :@



Basement Bath After



__________________________

Thanks to everyone who helped us along the way. Such a positive group and incredible response. It really does take a village.... and we are grateful!
I have tried do a shout out to our crew along the way but here they are again. 
Support these local companies..they rock!

Argus Excavating
Bendle Homeworks
Kebroy Construction
G & L Contracting
Dan Aune Plumbing
New Heights Contracting
Coast Diversified
An Ounce of Prevention Cleaning & Restoration
Lannick Kitchens
Feature Floors
White Wolf Drywall


Hoping our buyers really enjoy their new home in Victoria.

And we will be looking for another one ...



Cheers!

~Tracey