Before and After; Rooms and Furniture Given Some Needed TLC

Hello! Hope everyone is having a great day. It was an absolutely beautiful day today. Warm and sunny... I only hope that it is here to stay... I don't like to be teased when it comes to warm weather.

Anyway... I thought I would show you a few before and after photos.  You will surely tell right away that some TLC was definitely needed.


#1 Craigslist purchase for $10

Look how cute this turned out. This chair was completely taken apart down to the  frame. Everything except the frame is new...... Total cost of this project $609.

Compare my clients custom reupholstered chair to a new, store bought chair:

Pottery Barn $899+ shipping

Crate and Barrel $999 ( not tufted)+ shipping

#2 Craigslist purchase for $100

This settee I actually did for myself. It now sits in my family room and I love it!!!!
Total Cost of this project including fabric: $650

Compare my reupholstered 100 year old settee with two store bought settee's:

Ballard Designs: $1159.00 + shipping

Calico Corners: $1479.00 + fabric cost + shipping

So, as you can easily see, choosing to reupholster a vintage or antique piece of furniture will not only fit your room perfectly because you have customized it specifically for your space but, will SAVE YOU ALOT OF MONEY and be a great conversational piece.

Give it a try... I promise, you will be totally amazed and happy at the transformation.



I am constantly talking about how just giving your walls a new coat of paint will totally change the feel and look of your room. It can actually make your old furniture look new. Take a look at a clients house that I recently just finished.  All we did in this house was take down a lighted bulk head, mirror and a few pieces of molding and then added a fresh coat of paint and a few light fixtures. The room looks and feels completely different.

Take a look at the incredible before and afters ( remember I'm not a great photographer)

Before:

Left the moldings up behind the couch

Took the wall mirror and molding down.

That's the lighted bulkhead we took out and replaced with sconces.

Replaced the dining room light fixture.

Another picture of the molding and mirrored wall that we took down.

Front Door

The client had already renovated her kitchen and done a great job. She just had chosen the wrong shade of blue paint. It didn't go with the warmth of the back splash or cabinetry.

After:

The walls in the living room were painted in Sherwin Williams Dormer Brown with the moldings and lighted bulk heads painted in Sherwin Williams Biscuit.

The dining room and kitchen needed a darker, warmer blue to blend better with the tile, counter tops and cabinets. We chose Sherwin Willaims Poolhouse and my client couldn't be happier. Just going with a couple shades darker gave both of these rooms a totally different feel. Before you would walk in these rooms and think how pretty but just felt something was a little off. Now the rooms feel complete. It has a very warm and cozy feeling that makes you want to hang out.

Isn't it just amazing what choosing the right color paint can do to a room. It can make such a HUGE difference for not alot of money.... especially if you paint the room yourself. Give it a try. Start with one room that just hasn't felt right and I promise you you will see and feel the difference.

Take Care,

Stacy

Craigslist, Goodwill & Flea Markets ; Vintage Finds Ready for Some TLC

Hello,

I have had so much fun getting ready for the opening of the SHM Designs Studio. In between the cleaning and painting, I have actually been able to squeeze in some "Picking". Picking basically means looking for great old pieces that can be restored, refinished or re purposed. One of my favorite things to do. It is amazingly satisfying to take something and give it a whole new life. I love it.

Here are a view of my latest finds:

Craigslist

Goodwill

Estate Sale

Estate Sale

Craigslist

Flea Market

Estate Sale

Estate Sale

Antique Sale

( 2 twin beds that are amazing)

footboards for the twin beds

Antique Sale

( this would make a great top for a table)

All of the furniture pieces I plan to reupholster and refinish either with paint or stain. They will be available to see and purchase at SHM Designs Studio on Main Street in Reisterstown. If you see any pieces that you would like to customize or buy as is for a DIY project, just email me at stacy@shm-designs.com. 

Take Care,

Stacy

Wing Chair Makeover!

Have I told you lately how much I just love Craigslist.

You can find the most wonderful pieces at great deals and with a little TLC, turn them into something incredible.

Take a look at my newest makeover:

Before

After

Aren't they just MAGNIFICENT!!! They look incredible in this dining room. I will show you more pictures once the room is done. Thanks a bunch to my upholsterer, Susan. She did a great job.

Take Care,

Stacy

Outdated Couch Gets an Updated Look!

Well it is finally done and I have to say it looks INCREDIBLE!!!!

A few weeks ago I posted on a couch that I found on Craigslist for a client. Superficially, it was in horrible condition.  I told my client that since the frame was still very solid, with a little imagination and some work, it could be stunning. A definite show stopper!

I am so excited to reveal the before and after pictures for you today. The upholsterer did an incredible job and just really transformed this piece that was well on its way to the dump.

Here are a few reminder pictures of how it looked before:

Believe it or not this picture makes this couch look good.

It was all ripped up, stained and smelled REALLY BAD!

The wood was scratched and the wrong color stain so I sanded down all the wood for a new color.

After a little imagination, alot of patience and work, her is how she looks: ( Sorry, the coloring in these pictures is really bad.)

I took this one on my phone to try to get a brighter picture.

Pretty incredible even with bad pictures. I am going to their house next week and will get some good shots of it then. It is just amazing what a little TLC ( OK alot of TLC) can do to a piece.

I would love to hear what you think.

Take Care,

Stacy