A Last Fall-ra-ra-ra-ra to Autumn!

As much as I love the rich, warm and delicious colors of fall, I love the bold, striking and metallic colors of the winter season, too!  So until we say, “Hello,” to the festive colors of December, let’s enjoy one last day in my favorite season of fall.

So alas, I will reflect on some wonderful spaces from my pocket of work in shades of pumpkins, golds, reds and chocolates just once more for 2009…

The “BEFORE” and “AFTERS” below:  The goals for this first room were to create a warm and “spicy” room that was soft and inviting while still masculine and “interesting.”  My interpretation and solutions?

"DURING" In the middle of the process...we already had the stains, tiles...everything! chosen and ready to go! The client was so excited to get everything done...

"AFTER"

A tall piece of original artwork from Jean Yancey (the second piece to the series is just around the corner from the first) is a wonderful welcome into the room.  The rustic lamps, hand-thrown pottery and rich woods give the space a great look and livability.  Where do the children do their homework?  By gathering around “the-coffee-table-of-many-drawers” that houses everything they might need, of course!  The ultra plush sofa, copper table and cowhide rug give a warmth and comfort like a fresh baked pumpkin pie.

"BEFORE" On the opposite side of the room you just saw, lives the area where all pies and goodies are to be baked. You can tell by the fan, it was very hot during this point in the home's construction.

"AFTER"

Can’t you just smell the fresh cinnamon bread, stews and desserts?  The stone for the top of the counter was hand-selected to accent the warm wall color and stains on the floor and cabinets I chose. Unusual light fixtures over the bar add interest and are even more amazing in person.  The small hand carved stool in the corner? … for the children to sit on while doing homework, watching television or can serve as extra seating when guests arrive.  Bon Appetite!

"DURING" The stone hearth was beautiful, but lost amongst mundane furnishings. How to lose the ho-hum look?

"AFTER"

…by bringing the space to life with decedent fall colors, a new mantle and furniture layout.  The stone is now on stage (as it should be) adding interest and an earthiness to the space.  Just a casual, warm and welcoming invite is what this room reads.  Would you care to sit down and have a cup of coffee?  Do you take cream?  Happy fall to you!

Got a comment? Reaction? Question?  Tell me what’s on your mind!

Photos:  Jill Tran Interior Design and Co.

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A Gold Award For A Comfortable Forest

After winning the Gold for this room from Kansas City Home Design magazine’s Design Excellence Awards, I received a lot of questions so I thought I would answer some of them here!

I always try and bring the outdoors inside as it is important not only for the sake of an interior design but for good health.  Whether it be stone, trees, marble, cotton, silk, shaped woods, metals, etc., such materials promote a hearty closeness with nature and an opposition to the slick materials man has created.  Even Fung Shui encourages using those elements for a balanced life.

I always try to look at a space with new eyes and thought with this room, ‘Who said these bookshelves had to be used for books?’  With that, we ripped them out and brought the outdoors in.

"BEFORE"

The stone fireplace was a work of art hidden behind a wall, ordinary shelves and a dull palette. The unusual solution for a couple that loves the outdoors?

"BEFORE"

Bring the outdoors in!  Birch, oak and walnut trees now complement the natural beauty and colors and veins of the rock. The tree’s hand-made leaves colored in coppers, golds and silvers echo the metallic embroidered silk drapes and luxurious custom love seats. Now let it rain or snow outside all it wants.

"AFTER"

To create your own oasis plan a natural stone wall or floor for rich texture for the eyes and feet.  For placement, let the rock ‘speak’ to the stonemason.  In this room, I used soft cottons and lush silks to contrast the roughness of the stones.  For depth and a directional change, real trees, grasses and twigs add a fascinating interest and color.  If you choose to do the same, just be sure your pieces are free of any critters.  Though Fung Shui encourages live plants in all rooms, I think dried naturals can be beautiful in addition to.

Bring in a bowl of beautiful rocks, shells, small sticks or pinecones you have collected.   Let your children add to the bowl so they can contribute and increase their observation skills while playing in the sun.

I found this head of Quin Yin while shopping with my friend in Seattle. Carried her home on the plane. She is 45 pounds and just fit under the seat in front of me.

For The Baby Book; First Steps and a Design Award

The winners from the 2009 Design Excellence Awards by KC Home Design Magazine were published in their July/August issue with the fantastic finished wood cover.  I get asked quite a bit about the projects I was honored for so thought I would share them here!

A baby’s room I designed for a sweet little girl won the Silver in the Specialty Rooms category.  I am always tickled pink to watch my clients see their homes in print. They get such a kick out of it!  The big question is, “Can we enough copies for all of our friends and family?”

One copy of the mag is going straight to a little girl’s baby book. What a lovely and memorable page that will make for years to come!

Not available in the mag are thes “Before” and “After” shots.  Wow!!!

But before you look….

It is fun to know the client wanted to bring black into her baby’s room…AND she didn’t want a color commitment on the walls!   She wanted it to sing, “baby girl,” but not at such a high volume that it would be overwhelming.  She needed a rocker, but not the typical eye-sore rocker.  Once for storage, I saw this room needed some major changes.

My design solutions?  First, I love the challenge of making black work in a baby’s room!  I brought it into rich accent pieces that my Client can use throughout her entire home in the future, but that are soft enough for the baby room for today.  For the walls I chose a glass bead wallpaper and had panels created for a bit of sparkle and elegance.   A comfortable rocker big enough for Daddy to also sit in, soft sconces on remote control so they could be turned on and off without disturbing Baby and silk and linen drapes make even trips in the wee hours lovely.  Where is the changing table you ask?  In the armoire, of course…all tucked away.

The space is now gorgeous for Mommy to enjoy and peacefully cradle a happy child.  In the future it can even lend itself to a toddler or guest room.

"BEFORE" Crib corner.

"AFTER" Crib corner.

"BEFORE" Storage corner.

"AFTER" Storage corner.

"BEFORE" Window area.

"AFTER" Window area.

"BEFORE" Empty wall, but nice legs!

"AFTER" Now a functional and pretty wall!

I just love how this shot turned out.

I really wanted to give her a special baby gift so I selected scraps of fabric from the drapes, chair and bedding after they were made, and created little clothes for these sweet bunnies I found. The one on the right foreground I added gold wings to.

I added her eyelashes and her little "coat" I made is from the same fabric as the crib's bedskirt. She may get a little toasty...

Thank you again for the awards KC Home Design and such an honorable award.

Designing Behind Closed Doors

And my question to you:  Why, oh why, can’t a closet function well and look great, too?

After working on a pair of closets in Boca Raton, Florida this past week, I thought I would share with you a few pics of them.  they were a fun transformation and you can read further to see some of the great “extras” included.

There is just nothing like an organized closet…but one that looks like a boutique, that is easy and fun to use is best!

"BEFORE" Her master bedrom closet.

"DURING" Her master bedroom closet renovation.

"DURING" Her closet hardware and lock systems being installed.

"AFTER" Her closet has been designed, installed and all of her handbags, clothes, shoes and jewelry have organized, beautiful new homes.

"BEFORE" His master bedroom closet.

"DURING" His new shelves, drawers and details have been installed.

"AFTER" His closet is now handsome with work, sport and casual wear each in their intended spots, a slick leather bench for dressing and drawers with leather pulls for orgainzation to the nines!

Some great features in this closet are the special locks.  They are Rev-A-Shelf’s brand called Rev-A-Lock.  The best thing about them (as you can see below) is there is no lock showing on the decorative front.  The locking mechanism is magnetized and internal.  You simply place the lock on the front of the cabinet in the correct spot and turn.

Lock your items up beautifully?

Poof! The same cabinet with the magnetic key now gone...fantastic!

Another great detail in this closet? The beaded hangers that are amazing.  Made for all types of garments, they hold straps in place to keep them from sliding off, are less likely to leave those annoying pucker marks on shoulders and are beautiful.  The only downside in my opinion, is they cannot hold pants, skirts or a set.  Worth it!

I just LOVE these beaded hangers from Only Hangers!

They are also available in clear.

Just like with any room in the house…it is in the details!

Make it fab!

-Jill

Click here to view Jill’s newest tips, advice and inspiration

Got a comment?  Reaction?  Question?  Interior Design question…WWJD? (What Would Jill Do) Tell me what’s on your mind.  I love hearing from you!

Photos:  Jill Tran Interior Design and Co.

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Naturally Unexpected

It is wonderful to share design tips with readers…the possibilities seem endless.  KC Home and Garden magazine asked me for a few to accompany their shot of my living room (see their page below) along with other designer tips.  It was so fun having the editor-in-chief, Andrea Darr and the photographer, Matt Kocourek over to shoot it.  She and I had a lovely lunch before hand at the Blue Koi, chatted about organic gardening and her saving a very special kitten.  She is such a doll!

"BEFORE" How the room looked the day it was bought.

“AFTER”

I believe in pushing envelope when designing a home for a truly memorable look.  I am a rule-breaker by nature so I bring Nature in.  Won’t you join me?”

Thank you KCH&G!

Our Before and After Shots Not Included In KCHandG Mag for NARI Homes Tour With Our Featured Project

Andrea Darr of Kansas City Home & Garden magazine chose my work and the construction work of Clay Lyon of Lyon Construction to feature in her beautiful magazine announcing the NARI Homes Tour. So great to see my designs on their pages once again. The home really did turn out famously. The homeowners were absolutely spectacular (see the pic) from start to finish and couldn’t be happier. It was exactly what they wanted! They communicated their wishes to Clay and I and then let us perform the magic we do best.

The article in KCH&G, titled “Family Ties” (April 09′) shows the ‘after’ shots, but I am going to give you the insiders look at the ‘before’ shots below!

We blew out the back wall in the kitchen and added the room with the arched door out on to the new deck. Downstairs, we blew out the back wall to add the indoor pool. Clay and I had such fun designing the fireplace, pizza oven and placing the Green Egg.

Thank you Andrea, Brooke Pearl and Keith Sauro!

"BEFORE" Eating Area, Hearth Room, Family Room

"AFTER" Eating Area, Hearth Room, Family Room

"BEFORE" Hearth Room fireplace

"AFTER" Hearth Room fireplace

"BEFORE" Looking through the window at the new family room

"AFTER" The windows have been removed and the new family room is complete. The chair at left is for their daughter to snuggle and read. Notice the client's beautiful new desk...and her views!

"BEFORE"

"AFTER" For the outdoor gourmet! Notice the all-season fireplace and pizza oven on the far right.

"AFTER" Such a fantastic, relaxing and energizing room for the whole family.

Myself, our wonderful clients and Clay Lyon of Lyon Construction.

Our Interview on KCTV5 News

What a fun morning! I had such a great time watching Matt Stewart and Gary Amble of KCTV 5 News work their magic while waiting to be their featured guest. They are amazing! Matt was so fantastic at making me feel comfortable and was just as sweet as could be!  Such professionals. I have a whole new respect for their craft as they are fast on their feet.

I want to thank them, too, for their compliments on all of my “before” and “after” photos. One transformation that was on the show by Jill Tran Interior Design is below.

They are right – there are so many possibilities for all rooms…it completely depends on who designs them and that person’s resources.  Thank you again to KCTV 5….and that’s a wrap!

"BEFORE" How I found the room originally. The client said, "I just don't know what to do with it and hardly like a thing!"

"AFTER" She now calls the room, "absolutely perfect," and says it makes her FEEL amazing every day!