Now Here Is A Before And After

Good Afternoon!

I am officially done with the Byron Forest Preserve lobby and receptionist area.  I hope you like it..

This is when you would come into the space.  Behind that wall was the receptionist area.  Dated lighting..

After..space is opened.  Updated lighting and wall removed, new flooring (wood tile).  We also painted the walls a light grey and added new cedar to posts.

Before.. receptionist area that was behind the wall

After.. new appropriate lighting and wall removed.

brand new counter my husband and I designed

water feature to add calming atmosphere

 adding softness with curtains.

Before...sitting area

dated flooring, lighting and definitely not a place where anyone wants to sit and relax.

After.. Fresh paint, natural log seating, lighting, flooring, and art make the space more inviting to linger for a bit.

Custom wall art of the species you will find at the Forest Preserve..

 

Completely open to the receptionist area..

Before.. heading toward elevators.  Inadequate lighting and just a plain afterthought.

After.. we created an extra sitting area with brochures that you can catch up on the latest events in the area.  Lighting and a mirror were key to add more softness to this expanse space.

 No longer an afterthought..

 

Before.. restroom area and coat "closet"

After.. we thought it would be fun to add these cardboard taxidermy to the area where the kids hang their coats and on the way to the restrooms

I hope you enjoyed this before and after.  The Byron Forest Preserve was a joy to work with : )

BTW..

Thanks for all the prayers for my family in New Jersey in the path of the storm.  They are doing well.

Please contact the American Red Cross and see what you can do to help those that are suffering through this tragic situation.  God bless.

A Christmas Stroll (Living Room / Foyer)

Good Afternoon! 

I am here enjoying pumpkin chocolate bread from one of my favorite local shops here...so yummy : )

It's not fair that I can't share it with you all but what I can share is the decorating we did in our living room and foyer : )

For our family, I believe that everyone should get a hand in on the process.

Here are my daughters painting pinecones that we went and got from our neighbors yard.  (and yes, we had permission..lol)

and here are the pinecones put to good use..

On this vignette we added more candles, more pinecones and evergreen branches.

Coffee Table

The View

(see the marshmallow wreath)

Our Foyer

I try to use as much natural elements as possible and use decorations that I have been collecting in new ways.  One of the things anyone can do is to buy one new Christmas decoration every year or do a new Christmas craft and your home will feel fresh every time this season comes along.  That's what we do.

Hope you enjoyed this walkthru.  Have a wonderful weekend all!