MORE BLACK DOORS..........

I finished painting the door to my powder room and my standard issue french doors recently, and I'm thrilled with the results.  I can't say that I enjoyed painting those french doors though, yikes that was painful.

I painted the interior of my exterior door and the french door to our den last year, you can read about it here.  I've since also painted the closet doors, but you'll have to wait for a picture, because I've done even more changes to the entry.  But that's for another day!

Here's the before pictures of the powder room door - don't you just love all those thermostats, switches, central vac and electric outlets!   Geez, even the doorbell is on that wall and the fire alarm is directly above it as well.  I guess I should be happy they are all in one place.  I'm going to have to get some of those clear covers so at least some of them will fade into the wall.

And the after below:

Makes those cheap doors seem so much more expensive doesn't it?  Just like a dress that looks so, so in colour but then in black, it just looks expensive!  In case you are wondering, that little sign says "Toilette", a little thing I bought in Paris - it's so cute!

Here's the before of the family room doors.  Sorry that they are so dark and there's two of my cats who always manage to get themselves in the photo.

And the afters - 

The sun was shining brightly, so there's some glare.  But, I'm not complaining about that..... ;)

And of course, one where Milo snuck in...SIGH....

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!  

Lisa

THE BEAUTY OF NATE BERKUS’ DESIGNS

The fantastic Moggit Girls have started Nate Day in honor of Nate Berkus' new show.  So for Nate Day I wanted to share some of my favourite “Nate Rooms”.  When I look at his rooms he and I have alot in common - design style wise.
I like simple, clean, uncluttered designs – that have more texture than pattern in calm, serene colours and with some black thrown in to ground the space.  Displaying some personal objects that have meaning add to the personality of the design. So many of Nate’s interiors are done with this same method.

Nate Berkus via Elle Decor
This room has all the features that I mentioned above plus a beautiful blue to add some colour. I’m loving that cute rhino on the mantel…

Nate Berkus via Oprah website
The navy blue painted doors in this room, the distressed leather seating, textured carpet and the bare branches give it such a natural textural mood. He is not afraid to have some sentimental objects out – decorating your space is really about injecting your personality into it. 

Nate Berkus via Nate Berkus Associates
Another beautiful living room by Nate with beautiful texture and muted colours.  Of course, there is a touch of black as well!

Nate Berkus via Nate Berkus Associates
ART WALLS – I see Nate loves these too! And look at that gorgeous black door.  That animal rug is so perfect here – though I think I would have to use a faux one!
 
Nate Berkus via Nate Berkus Associates
Another fantastic art wall – adding some personal photos puts your personal experience into the space.

Nate Berkus via Nate Berkus Associates
Who wouldn’t want this bath room.  It’s soft, serene and so elegant.  The shape of this tub is too die for and you wouldn’t have to clean under the tub like a claw foot tub…..

Nate Berkus via Elle Decor
In this bedroom he’s reversed the colours by using dark colour on the walls, door frames and chair and added the light colour with the bed and bed linens.  Beautiful texture again with the wood trim, sisal carpet, coverlet and chair strapping.

Nate Berkus via Nate Berkus Associates
This bedroom has a French feeling with the elaborate gold headboard and the French night table.  The crisp, monogrammed bed linens add to the French mood.  Looks like it should be in an expensive hotel.  To check out all the other posts about Nate click here.
Don’t forget that The Nate Berkus
Show launches Sept 13th!!!

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!

Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at 613-762-0818.

Lisa

COME RIGHT IN!

Well here's another one of my transformations.  I have a typical suburban entry way that was okay but needed some style.

Here's the before:
 

So I had been debating and debating about painting the interior of the exterior door black. I love black doors, especially black french doors but I had been waffling around about this. Probably because all those mullions were scaring me off.


So finally one day I said enough take a chance and just do it - just like Nike says - though after Tiger Woods I don't know if that's a tag line they should keep! ;0
After all that's what I tell my clients -

"It's only paint!"

So here's the afters:

If you look closely in this photo - at the right bottom corner of the door you can see Milo pouting because I locked him into the den as he kept jumping on the chair!!!

Okay I let him out!!

I'm loving these faux vintage keys from Pottery Barn - aren't they the perfect thing to put at the front entry?

I am thrilled with in and how do I know it was the right thing?

No one noticed!!!

The hubby, the four children - only noticed once I said "DID YOU NOTICE THE ENTRANCE WAY?"  They all said it looked like it had been like that all along.   So there you go - all that hemming and hawing about painting and it was perfect after all!  And by the way there was no paint smell to give it away as I used Benjamin Moore's Aura paint in Black Iron (it's a dark gray black).

Click here to check out more transformations at Between Naps on the porch - Met Mondays.

I believe that every space can be beautiful and comfortable.

I'd love to help you achieve your beautiful space – email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at

613-762-0818.

Lisa