Outdoor Retreat

These clients have such an amazing outdoor screened-in porch that it even includes a twin size bed suspended from ropes that swings in the breeze. I put together this twin size mattress cover made from outdoor material and piped in an awesome green color that coordinates with a mountain of outdoor pillows on top. The mattress cover has a velcro closure for removal.

King Size Shams

One side is a white mattelasse and the other an awesome green & blue floral. I used an upholstered button and loop closure to keep the awesome new down pillow forms together in the back. Blue piping completes the design.

Rewarded with Restraint

These clients have such an amazing remodeled basement that reflects their style and intelligence in regards to decision making. I made these custom roman shades out of white bull denim and lined them. Now they are able to allow overnight guests to sleep passed 7am or watch television at night in privacy. The reason I say they are rewarded with their restraint is the white slipcovers walls and window treatments allow each burst of color in the room to show-up so well and make a statement. It would've been so easy for these clients to paint with color and choose all sorts of materials for the windows, ect... Because they did not, the space is visually and clean.
My own personal tendency is "more is more", however when you edit a room to only include objects with a purpose, you are grately rewarded with the end result.
Roman shades like these start at $75 a piece for fully functioning and lined styles - multiples such as these with the same deminsion are $50.

Custom King-Sized Bedding

This is a King sized coverlet I made for a Georgian Rice Bed. The neutral damask is gorgeous and will never go out of style because it is so traditional. It was my client's investment piece since the construction called for almost 8 yards. They are less likely to grow tired of it and it will match almost anything in the future.I am a big fan or symmetry and balance so, the bed positioned between the windows with the 2 new lamps on either side is very pleasing to me.

Playing it safe on the coverlet, we wanted to pull some colors out of the tray ceiling above. The King size shams with a corded edge are an embroidered silk in floral.
Above you see the client's good idea to trim the sides of the bed in a gold tassel that shows up very well across the side boards of the bed. Typically Georgian Rice beds aren't shown to have dust ruffles or bedskirts. I guess that was just part of what was popular during that period. The bed does appear taller and grander without it, but where did they hide all their junk back then?

Here are some other pillows that were made for the room to incorporate the entire color scheme of the room. This striped silk was found at half price on a remnant table so, we made 3 corded 20" square pillows out of 2 yards. I love it all shown together - not too fussy and stiff.

Slipcovered Loveseat, Before & After

This is a "before" picture of a loveseat I slipcovered below in white denim. I have removed the cushions to start. Because this loveseat has virtually no curves on it, the construction is less time-consuming and therefore, less expensive.

The finished product above has no piping in the seams and no boxpleated skirt. This keeps the cost low as well. The finished look is very contemporary and clean. Each cushion is individually covered and has an inside velcro closure. Something similar to what is shown above would start at $125, but if you just have 2 seat cushions could be a lower.

Wingback Chair Slipcover

If you have an old ugly wingback chair, you should think about slipcovering it. This one has been made out of white denim that was prewashed, so whenever it gets dirty you just throw it in the washer! Very practical and refreshing when you are covering mauve from the eighties or perhaps an outdated hunter green paisley! It is therapy to hide the ugly underneath and enjoy the great shape of the chair. A construction like the one shown would run $75-$100.

Kitchen Window Valance

Simple unlined Window Valance hung inexpensively with ordinary teacup hooks

queen-sized custom bedding

An updated master bedroom with a dark sleigh bed gets new window treatments, bedding, lighting, and pillows along with their cheery new fabrics.

Slipcover Inspirations

Barstool Slipcovers are great for young messy children. Who has ever tried to clean spaghetti out of a basket weave seat? You could just clean them in the laundry and have them come out like new again.This cripy clean nursery is super practical and gender neutral for babies to come. A flouncy white crib skirt and slipcovered glider are bright white and clean.
Slipcovered couch atop a natural rug gives any room a relaxed beachy feel. With all white fixtures and trip, the wall color and plants become the focal point in a restful room.


Easy casual slipcovers adorn this furniture, almost feels like an outdoor room with gorgeous green accents. These slipcovers are not corded and have simple unlined boxpleated skirts for an unironed casual feeling.



These slipcovers are without cording or boxpleated skirt. They are the least expensive and most contemporary choice. They can really update an outdated sectional.

Dining Room Turned Study

The inexpensive curtains add texture and warmth to the room and scentimental and autographed posters are framed on empty walls.

This young couple have a beautiful home with a designated dining room like most of us have. It doesn't fit there lifestyle to entertain formally nor do they own a dining table and chairs. It was essentially a wasted room.

A small trio of paintings collected by the clients is grouped above the chair in coordinating colors of the rug and curtain panels. With mostly existing pieces from there home I pulled together a great little reading room or study. 2 leather chairs face one another diagonally for conversation when 2 sit. The window is flanked with panels purchased inexpensively. An existing rug grounds the room.
Store bought shelving houses a book collection and further reinforces the cozy reading room feel with a great lamp and contemporary end table.

Slipcovered in White Denim

This is the "Before" picture of a rather nice sofa that didn't fit the new scheme the homeowner was going for in her fresh new living space.Here is the "After" picture with a custom white denim slipcover and cording in the seams. We chose to make the 2 bottom cushions one for a more update look.
White denim runs around $6 to $10 a yard and can be prewashed so that you can remove it and throw it into the washer and dryer just like regular laundry.

Redone Bedroom

This is a guest room I redecorated using mostly things the clients already owned. The pair of lamps are essential for the bed without a headboard. Black and white is not boring or cold with an accent color on the walls.

Lily Ann's Bedroom Awaits

Lily Ann is in Korea and any day now her parents will be leaving to get her and bring her back to the states! Her bedroom is cheerfully awaiting her arrival with bright yellow walls and new draperies!
Three windows with beautiful arches have white rods and rings holding 2 panels each. The panels have blackout lining for afternoon naps and the valances with tassel trim were made to go right on top for some girly flair.
Her 3 older brothers will certainly know a girl is on the way if they don't already.
I love the way this look turned out. Very pretty and fills the room with soft texture and color. When Lily Ann grows a little bit older and decides the valances are too young for her they are easily removed and a green gingham panel will fit the bill a few more more years.

Baby Blanket

Here is a cheerful 30 x 45" Baby Blanket. One side is a white minky dot, the other is a cheerful Amy Butler floral from awhile back... Each side calls for less than a yard of fabric. This runs about $20-25, $30 if you are interested in adding a piping or trim.

Large Reupholstered Dining Chairs

These are some gorgeous headchairs to a long rectangular dining table. I reupholstered these 2 in a contemporary but, neutral geometric pattern.
They are super light and bright - very updated and young.

Above shows 3 side chairs lining the table. They are reupholstered in a burlap-like linen, 8 in all. Below is a "before" picture of one of the side chairs. The clients wanted to slimplify the style as well as lighten and brighten the entire room. Mission Accomplished.

Below is the gorgeous result of removing all the heavy nailhead trim as well as the two-toned fabric combination.
The lighter colored linen-like material shows off the beautiful dark woodwork on the chairs.

These chairs are definitely updated and make a huge difference in both the home and the large beautiful dining table.

Recovered Outdoor Cushions

Tufted Outdoor Cushions with Upholstered buttons add a custom look to your outdoor furniture!

Without cording a recovered cushion this size is very economical for around $40. Add the tufting and the fabric covered buttons and the cost goes up from there. Another fun "extra" would be ties made from the same material to secure to the furniture.

An extra quarter yard of leftover fabric could not go to waste. I finished the edges and made a table runner for her outdoor table top! A very cute lantern acts as a weight to keep the wind from blowing it away.

The loveseat and rocker cushions are tufted for a cushy appearance and upholstered buttons are sewn into the tufts for a very custom look.

This client has a wonderful outdoor retreat off the back of their home. It is covered and beautifully landscaped with a fountain. Existing wicker was spraypainted a dark brown and made to look updated and brand new again. Existing cushions from Pier One (circa ~ mid 90s) were recovered in a contemporary vibrant Green pattern from Brentwood Interiors for less than $10 a yard!

Staged Home on the Market

This home, staged by the Material Girl, received an offer above asking price within 30 days!! My services cost less than the next mortgage payment on this home.

These pictures show a vacant home that was staged by me several months ago. I wanted to give an example of what can be done in a couple of days for less than half of another mortgage payment you maybe anticipating. A beautiful home from the road had neutral colors throughout, but showed poorly due to dirty carpets and dingy walls.
An empty and very clean entry way hilight hardwood floors and an attractive front door. Above shows a large open living area. I laid a large jute rug to cover hideous stains and define the living room area. 2 matching chairs separate the dining area which was earlier only identified by a low hanging light fixture. A low, long neutral couch is aligned with the fireplace mantel, flanked by 2 apothecary jars filled with moss for color. A dark vertical mirror further enlarges the space and magnifies the height of the ceilings. An ordinary rattan screen blocks unattractive media cords and outdated electronics - not what buyers want to imagine in their homes. An armoir would have been a better option to show buyers where a television should go.

The inexpensive dining set defined by a rug is dark and contemporary and works because it is not too taste specific. It's only purpose is to show the area easily seats 4 with room to spare. Simple decor is careful not to turn off buyers.

Windows are enlarged with simple and inexpensive panels. They are carefully placed as high as possible and far to the outside edges give an impression of larger windows.

A clean uncluttered kitchen sells best. Had I been allowed to continue one step further, new cabinet hardware would have replaced the dated brass handles. Nickle would coordinate with the stainless steel refridgerator and stainless panels can be purchased for the white appliances for a seamless, updated impression.
Few countertop appliances are best, however buyers need to see there is room for a coffeemaker, ect...

Very appealing from the road, but would a buyer be disappointed upon entering or pleaseantly surprised?

An experienced outside eye can save you thousands of dollars and months on the market. Call me for hourly rates!

Slipcovered Dining Chair Options

Here are 2 Slipcover examples of dining chairs. I enjoy these options because they show you can slipcover any type of dining chair. These styles are great done in any material. It's like having a separate set of chairs that can be made washable for you messy kids and sloppy friends! Totally brighten the look of your room.

Traditional Recovered Chair

This chair is a great addition to the corner of any living space. It adds an opprotunity for additional seating and conversation. The original cushion was a neutral and nondescript. Adding the contemporary floral took less than a yard of material. The chair now says, "Look at Me"!

Cochran's Cribskirt and Bumpers

The Cochrans were expecting Baby Boy #1 and mama was smart to pick a colorful and gender neutral motif for future babies. A contemporary gemoetric is shown on the outside and a whimsical owl print for the inside of the bumpers - still available at Textiles in Melrose.

The owl print is shown above and so cute. A stripe was found with all the right colors that appears in the skirt but, we also used it to make the piping that goes all the way around the bumpers.

The ties were made out of the geometric print shown about 3/4 of an inch thick. They really show up well against the white rungs in the crib.

Also shown here is a little pillow shown in the glider. Remnants were left over and not to be wasted a good friend monogrammed the baby's name on the ruffled edged pillow.

Here is a close up of the box pleated skirt made custom for the crib. I love a thick vertical stripe bordered in a solid material. The seam is covered in a chocolate brown grosgrain ric-rac also from Textile Fabrics. So tailored and pulled together for a real custom look.