After: Shelly Townsend Photography Studio

For the last few months I've been working on a photo studio!  Last week it was completed and celebrated with an open house!  I absolutely LOVE seeing finished designs!  Shelly, on top of being a fabulous photographer and actor, is DIY to the core!  Did I tell you that on our first meeting she confessed to me that she fixed her leaky dishwasher!?!  I'm not sure that's something even I would attempt.  So I knew that she could handle some DIY projects for her studio.

Her goals were to turn this room that's over their garage into a working photography studio for her growing business, Shelly Townsend Photography, as well as to leave space for watching movies as a family when not being used as a studio.  One of the big changes was to put in a more durable floor as carpet doesn't hold up as well for lots of traffic.  We needed to add window treatments too, ones that would allow Shelly to have complete control of the lighting in the space.  Blackout lining was the key to that!

Her husband works in marketing so making sure that the space was consistent with her branding was key in the color selection.  We wanted all the pieces to be able to be used as props as well.  Sounds like a tall order, huh?  But I love a challenge!

Here's what the space looked like before:

And here's the finished studio:

Guess which parts were DIY?  Would you believe if I told you everything except the sofa and lamps?  Yep, you heard me!  Shelly sewed and made the cornice board, curtains (including blackout lining), circle pillows, and the rug, which might be my favorite thing in the whole space!  We worked out all the details and she made it!  (I'll try to do a tutorial to show you how to make your own circle rug!  It's easier than you think and would be great at a smaller scale for a bathroom or kitchen.)  The end tables were made by my fantastic wood worker, Russ.  (If you are in the Dallas area and need some custom wood work done for a reasonable price please let me know because I have the perfect person for ya!  I'll never use anyone else!)  They actually have removable lids so that the insides can be used for prop storage!  The flowers are vinyl decals that can be changed out if Shelly wants, or if she's doing a themed photo shoot.  Pretty cool, huh?

Thanks so much Shelly for calling us up to help you with your space!  I couldn't be more thrilled with the results!

Monday Redesign: Sneak Peek Photography Studio

I've wanted to show you this for a little while but I've been waiting because I'll be able to show you actual finished pictures soon!  I've been working on a photography studio for a very talented woman: Shelly Townsend Photography.  (Not only does she take great photos, but she does some amazing acting and styling too!)  The open house will be soon where I'll be able to show you some real live before and after pictures.  I thought I'd show you a few snippets of what we've been working on!



Can't wait to show you the before and after pictures!  You won't believe it!

Living Room Redesign: After

Remember Celia's living room from Friday?  Here is her new layout: 

I wanted her to have a distinct entry way, while still allowing space for the living room.  She needed storage for shoes and outdoor items so the bench/storage option will give her some much needed storage.  By placing it where I did, I've given her a distinct entry way.  To the right of the entry way is a practice area for her piano students while the upright piano stays where it is so that another student can be practicing there as well.  (The practice piano has headphones so two students can be practicing at the same time.)  By pulling the Sofa and Chair 1/2 into a tighter arrangement we made room for the entry and practice area, while still making room for an actual living area, all within the same room!  The best thing about this design is that most of the furniture in the room she already has.  She'll be buying a small computer desk from IKEA for the computer station and will be making the storage bench herself.  Her new color palette I gave her to work with looks something like this:



She already has the dark sage green and will be adding the blues as accent colors.  The warm, neutral will be painted on all the walls to help bring the space together even more!  Can't wait to see the finished product!

Living Room Redesign: Before

This living room was challenging and fun to work on.  Celia teaches piano lessons out of her home and uses her living room as her studio.  She's got a growing family and still needs her living room to be a living room, as well as accommodate her piano, practice piano, and a space for her students to work on theory games, etc.  Was it doable?  It sure was!  Here are the before pictures:







You'll just have to wait until Monday to see her new room layout!  Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Monday Redesign-Entry Way

I love a warm, inviting space!  The best thing you can do to make your home more inviting is making sure that the first space people see mirrors the rest of the house in it's style.  Today I did a redesign of an entry way.  I wanted this entry way to feel inviting, but modern.



1. Meredith Sideboard from Ballard Designs.  I love the classic feel of the piece with the more modern shaped door fronts.

2. Custom Family Silhouette from ishootnouns on Etsy.  (You can even get it customized in different colors!)

3. Selection of glass vases from Pier 1 Imports.

4. Hand-tufted rug from Overstock.com.

Modern French Provencial Redesign

This design is based off of these fabulous plates that I found in Paris at La Chaise Longue.



I was so protective of them that I counted them as a carry-on for the plane and they didn't leave my sight until I unpacked them safely in my kitchen!  I love the modern, colorful take on a very classic design!!  This would probably be the kitchen I'd want to display them in:



1. Kitchen Island from Kitchen Island Co.  What better way to let the colors take center stage than with a mainly neutral kitchen?

2. Green Brita Water Filter from Target.  Love the new colors!  Perfect to go, straight from the fridge!

3. Fiesta dinnerware in coordinating colors from JcPenney.  Don't be afraid to mix and match the colors!

4. Measuring Spoons silhouette from OodlesofColor.  Don't you just love it?  The shop owner will also do custom colors of the print, so be sure to choose some colors that correspond with the plates too!

5. Custom chevron curtains from Nenavon.

6. White bar stools.  A perfect place to sit and enjoy all the color!  If you're really digging the color, try reupholstering the seats in some coordinating fabric!

Monday Redesign: Master Bedroom

Hello Monday!  I hope you all had a great weekend, and a Happy Mother's Day!!  I have to say, this was the most relaxing weekend I've had in some time.  Mostly due in thanks to my husband-- thank Mr. Casey.  He is seriously the best father and rolls up his sleeves whenever I need an extra hand.

We spent our weekend working on our bedroom.  Boy, has it needed it!  Look at this before picture.  A simple design, and a blank slate complete with a touch lamp on the end table from the 80s.  Love it!



After a delivery of our new bed set and dresser, a flip of the comforter, and some new lamps for the end tables, this was our progress.  Still not complete, but it's getting there.



I found this great bedding at Target, and thought it might help add some texture to the room.  Me likey!



And after sleeping in it last night, I can say that it was dreamy all night.  Fluffy goodness to the max.

Now, I need to concentrate on the walls, add some more pillows, and this room should be done!  Stay tuned for updates.

Room Redesign: Virginia's Living Room

I recently worked with Virginia and her family to redesign their living room.  They wanted a space that's relaxing and a nice comfortable place to enjoy time spent as a family.  I've kept things fairly neutral and tied in the rust/red window treatments they have now.  By replacing their large sectional with a sofa and chaise I've kept plenty of seating to relax and read while not taking up the entire room with a sectional.  I've also added in a small seating area in the corner.  This room is fairly big, and by dividing up the seating areas I've kept it easy for some of the family to be able to enjoy the TV while others in the room can still be there, but a little more secluded in the reading nook.  By painting the room a warm neutral color they'll really help the space feel more inviting and comfortable.  (Try Sherwin Williams color SW6102 Portabello.)

1. Poang chair from IKEA covered in a new chair cover from JCaroline Home with Earth Calliope.

2. One large Ottoman from JCaroline Home covered in Earth Beads.

3. Flagger lamp from Target.

4. Accent pillows in Cider and Chocolate from JCaroline Home and one floor pillow covered in Earth Calliope, also from JCaroline Home.

5. Cameron Place sofa and chaise from JCPenney.

6. Feelin' Groovy accent rug from FLOR in Brick.

7. Collage Frame from Target.

Room Redesign: Mary's Dining Room After

Did you catch Mary's room from Friday?  Here's her room layout and redesign!  She wanted a more fun, warm, and inviting space for her dining room/entry way.  They have friends over for dinner, games, and chatting and want this space to feel comfortable for everyone.  Their new furniture layout will look like this:




I've turned the table so that it uses only half the room instead of floating in the middle of the room.  If you look at this before picture you can see that the chandelier will be very easy to move and be centered over the new table position.



By placing an area rug underneath the table it will keep it grounded and your eyes focused on this area.  For the other half of the room I've added a small seating area filled with some comfortable, yet fun chairs and an ottoman that can be used for extra seating, an end table, or just to put your feet up on.  I'd also love to see the wall space behind the gorgeous built in area covered with a fun paper to add a little bit of contrast and pattern to the space.  Especially since all the items currently on the shelf are very neutral.  Having a pattern behind those will just make them pop!  This is a very easy DIY project that I think Mary and her husband could handle no problem.



1.  I used the Tullsta chairs from IKEA covered in the solid chocolate fabric from JCaroline Home.

2. The Ottoman is the large 18" round one from JCaroline Home covered in Earth Fireworks fabric.

3. Accent pillows from JCaroline Home covered in Citron and Earth Fireworks.

4. Make simple panels from the Foliage Sand fabric from Fabric.com.  Use the panels for all windows in the space, it will help to pull the space together and let it feel more cohesive to the eye.

5.  Accent rug from FLOR.  This is the All Square pattern in lime.

6. Recycled Glass hurricanes from West Elm.  Fill them with natural green objects like branches, leaves, simple flowers.

7. The Italian Chocolate paper from Paper-Source would be a great addition to the alcove space behind the shelves.



8. Dress up the mirror.  Etch a quote or flourish along the bottom of the mirror to add a little decoration.  (Not willing to permanently etch the glass?  Cut out the shape or phrase with clear contact paper.  The matte finish of the contact paper will look exactly like etched glass and if you get tired of the design it's easy to take it down and switch it out!  It's also easy to switch it out for more seasonal quotes too!)

Room Redesign:Mary's Dining Room Before

Remember in October when we paired up with JCaroline Home and FLOR to offer some Glamour readers the opportunity for a room makeover?  Meet Mary, the first of the winners!  We'll be revealing her redesign board Monday.  Here's her space that she's asked us to assist her with.

Here are the answers to the design questionnaire.  We use these to make sure we do the best individual design for the family.

1. What space are we redesigning for you and what are the dimensions of that space (including the ceiling height)?

I need help with my dining room/entry way.  The dining/entry way space is approximately 15' x 18'.  Our ceiling is sloped, so the lowest wall is the west wall, which is 7'10"  and it slopes up to 12' 2" on the east wall.  It's a bit of an open floor plan throughout the center of our home (we have a typical 90s suburban home in Florida), where the family room, kitchen and dining room are all essentially the same room, so I painted it all the same color (Behr's Rich Cream).

2.What are your favorite design store/home decor stores?  They can be brick and mortar stores or online stores.  This will tell us a little bit about your style.

I tend to like modern and mid-century modern design, but also traditional when it comes to larger furniture items. I like stores like Ikea, Anthropologie (although it's a bit pricey for me!), UncommonGoods, West Elm. I tend to like bolder colors in moderation, and clean lines.

3. What 3 words would you use to describe yourself and the feeling of the space you'd like?

Well, for the room, I would like it to be warm, inviting, and fun. I suppose I would use those three words for myself too.

4. What are two of your favorite and least favorite colors?  What other colors are used throughout your home?

Anything in the bright orange and fuchsia would be something I don't like. I love reds, blues, greys, though I think I have enough red in the house! The kitchen and family room are directly and openly connected to the dining room. I have bright red kitchen cabinets with stainless steel appliances. In the family room, I have a celery green couch and chaise and a honey wood floor, so those are the colors that are easily seen from the living room. Elsewhere in the house we have a soft green in the bedroom, a pale orange craft room and a shipwreck grey office that is my husband's den. Black and white tend to be the repeated colors to tie everything together.

5. Who will be using/living in this space?

This is a space my husband and I don't use everyday, but instead is where we entertain. We have friends over for card games, family for dinners, and neighbors step inside to chat. I would love to have a little seating area by the front window. The room just seems too sterile as it is now.

6. Is there anything else you'd like us to include or consider in designing your space?  Include here if there are any pieces you'd really like to keep, or anything you'd really love to see!

Well, I'm attached to the decal dandelion and the chandelier, and the table.  Since the color ties the dining room, kitchen and family room together, I would like to keep it, although I am open to accent colors in the built in shelving area, including the ledge in front of the mirror.  This room echos like crazy, and I would love to get some textiles in to help with that. I can sew a bit and my husband and I are up for DIY stuff too.

Can't wait to show you Mary's redesign Monday!

Monday's Redesign-You Pick

Remember when I asked you to choose which color theme to use for the Monday redesign?  I had so much fun with the last one we did that I thought I'd do it again.  But let's change it up a little bit!  This time let's pick a space that we don't often see mood boards for!  For Monday let's design one of the following:

1. Master Bathroom (Image from Melanie Schmidt Photography)

2. Office (Photograph from Pinkernaute)

3. Entryway (Photograph from Metropolitan Home-Which is sadly ceasing publication with the December 2009 issue!)

Vote and let me know which type of space you'd like to see and we'll make it happen!!



P.S.  Check back Monday too for a fun giveaway!!

Monday Redesign: Cozy & Modern Bedroom

Happy Monday everyone!  Snow is falling on the ground here.  It's beautiful!  {And cold}.  I want nothing more than to snuggle with my little one curled on the couch today.  So here is a bedroom redesign with modern and cozy tones.

And now for a break down of the goodies:

1. This is one of my favorite color palettes.  It's very neutral and timeless.  And I love green.  Green is refreshing and easy on the eyes.  It promotes an energy comfort, peace and balance in a room... which is so perfect for the bedroom.  I suggest painting the walls this olive green color from Diamond Vogel.  It's called Sandalwood Tan (8479).  If you don't have a Diamond Vogel near you and would like the color specifics, just give me a shout.


2. This bed from Crate and Barrel is simple and perfect and fits the bill too.  Isn't it lovely?


3. And the bedding on top from 2 Modern fits with the color palette perfectly.


4. I love this chair from Room & Board.  It fits perfectly in this bedroom.  It adds texture and is visually stimulating.


5. This framed sea fan would be a great compliment to the room above the chair, nestled in a corner of the bedroom.


6. A set of these lamps on matching end tables on each side of the bed would help balance the room and also give extra lighting when you need it.


7. And these sheer white drapes help the room feel cozy, light and airy.

I hope you've enjoyed this bedroom redesign and have found it inspiring and helpful.  If you need a little extra help with your space, we have good news!  We are wishing you a happy holiday season......We are running a holiday special here at Fresh Nest Design!  $50 off our mood board redesigns.  We have appreciated all of our readers so much and would like to thank you for coming back day after day.  There is no way we could do it without you!  Purchase a redesign for yourself, a loved one, or a friend!  Our goal here is to help anyone and everyone love the space they are in. Click here to get purchase a redesign for $200.

Redesign After: Camana's Living Room

Remember the Camana's Living Room from Friday?  Here is their finished room design!

1. Chocolate Velvet Slipper Chairs from Target

2. Incognito Compact Desk from Crate and Barrel-This desk is great because it has plenty of storage and workspace, but when needed, can close up completely and look like an accent piece instead.

3. Modern Rock Wool Rug from Overstock.com.  This rug brings in some color and a simple pattern to pull the space together.

4. Tambe Walnut Coffee Table from Crate and Barrel-This beautiful walnut coffee table brings some of the earthy element into the space that the Camana's wanted.

5. Arlington Sofa upholstered in Caramel Twill from Pottery Barn

6. Retro Wall Canvases from Etsy seller Marie's Cosy Cushions

7. Media Stand from Crate and Barrel

8. Carmen Pillow in Teal and Chartreuse from Crate and Barrel-We'll bring in a little more color to the seating by adding these beautiful pillows.  They provide some great colors and bringing in subtle texture.

9. Gorgeous velvet window panels from West Elm.  This will warm up the walls which, since they are currently renting, cannot be painted.  (Or try JcPenney's for the same ones at a little better price.)

10. Aspelund Wardrobe from IKEA, Painted Espresso Brown.  They don't have any storage space for jackets and boots, so this will give them a nice piece that can double as a coat closet.

11. Sphere Table Lamp from West Elm placed on the circle end tables they already have.

Overall, the space accomplished all their goals AND stayed under their budget!  Thanks so much for letting us assist you in your living room design!

Redesign Before: Camana's Living Room

The Camana's contacted us to help them with their new apartment living room.  Currently they have a few pieces but are unsure as to how to arrange their space and what new furniture pieces are needed for their room:

Here are their answers to our design questionnaire:

1. What space are we redesigning for you and what are the dimensions of that space (including the ceiling height)?
If you could sketch a simple floor plan with wall lengths and locations of windows and doors it would be helpful.
I need some serious help with the living room.  As you will see in the photos we just moved in and things are in need of a place to go.  Roughly the room is 18' 6" by 13' 3" with 8' ceilings.

2. What are your favorite design store/home decor stores?
My favorite home stores are Crate and Barrel, West Elm, CB2, Pottery Barn and Anthropology.  I also love quality finds from Ikea and Target.  I like modern mixed with what I describe as earthy.  Earthy to me means natural elements like stone, pretty woods like walnut, shells and fossils. I like polka dots.  I like a neutral base with colors and patterns used as accents throughout the room.

3. What 3 words would you use to describe yourself and the feeling of the space you'd like?
Me: friendly, relaxed and kindhearted
Feeling of the space: inviting, chic and cozy

4. What is the most important thing you'd like to accomplish in your redesign?
Update the colors, new furniture arrangement, etc.
Finalize the room layout, have a set color palette and have a shopping list of set items to buy and where to get them.

5. What are two of your favorite and least favorite colors?  What other colors are used throughout your home?
Favorites: blue and green
Least favorites: yellow and purple
Other colors in home: the kitchen is yellow (not my choice), the bathroom has white walls with spanish tiles (I pulled blue and burnt sienna as the accent colors), the bedroom is neutrals (cream, white and khaki), the office has no color scheme (dark brown woods, tan walls and black chairs) and the dinning room is outside (modern square glass table and coral colored chairs)

6. Who will be using/living in this space?
My husband and I live in the house (no kids and at this time no pets).  We want to space to be useful for entertaining friends and family.

7. What type of lighting do you have in the space?
The only fixed lighting in the space (see photo) and it uses an incandescent bulb.  I prefer incandescent bulbs too.  Most of the electrical outlets in the room tie into a light switch (I will note these on the floor plan sketch).

8. Is there anything else you'd like us to include or consider in designing your space?
I need a desk in this space.  I was looking at the Incognito compact office from Crate and Barrel.  I really liked way that it closed up and the file drawer.  We could use some storage solutions as well.  We are keeping the TV (we don't have cable so it does not get used too much, just for movies) and the side tables.  We are renting this house so we need to keep the walls the same color, tan.

Check back Monday for their redesign.  If you'd like help with your space see here for our full list of services.

Monday Redesign

Wow!  It looks like #2 won so here it is!  Although the colors look masculine, details like the embroidered ottoman and flower pillow give it a light feminine touch.

1. Nova Sofa from Bo Concept.  Love the light grey fabric that provides some texture to the room.

2. Main Wall Color:  Benjamin Moore Cloud Cover, Accent Wall Color: Benjamin Moore Flower Power.  This is a nice warm grey and the accent wall will add a bit of color to the room!

3. Blooming Pillows from Two Yellow Shoes on Etsy.  Love these simple graphic pillows and they help to pull our color palette together.

4. Sellersbrook Blue area rug from The Rug Company.  This rug has a great pattern and helps to compliment the light texture of the sofa.

5. Jeannie lamp from Schall Studio and Design.  Add a little pop to the room with these handmade lamps.

6. Fatboy Avenue Ottoman.  Available at Zwello.  Awesome white ottoman with a embroidered top that brings some of the flower motif from the pillows onto the ottoman.

So what do you think?