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Real Design for Real Life
Blog Authors
  • Stephanie Andrews, chief designer and owner, has been working in the field for 9 years and believes that good design can fit with your lifestyle and doesn’t have to break your budget, especially when you creatively use what you already have.

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  • Irene Foran, mother of 2, is an associate designer with Balance Design. She finds inspiration in nature and brings its balance and organization to her design.

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  • Sarah Carpenter, design coordinator, takes great delight in bringing order to your home and life by organizing your closets, bookshelves or workspaces.

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  • John Hunt, Associate Designer, is a long-standing merchandising and design professional. He prides himself on a strong sense of style and the ability to make a cohesive statement out of the unexpected.

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  • Candler Park reDesign by Sarah Carpenter
    Candler Park reDesign
     
    Recently, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work on another exciting project: reDesigning a living room and office for a family residing in beautiful Candler Park. What i find most exciting about the reDesign process is that a room (sometimes rooms) can be completely transformed in JUST ONE DAY!  This usually requires a little teamwork to rearrange the homeowners existing furniture, decor, and artwork in new ways that help bring out the very best the space has to offer. 
     
     When we initially met with the homeowners and walked through their existing layout, we payed close attention to which pieces they could do without and which ones they felt best represented their taste. Then several days prior to the actual redesign, we shopped for additional items that would best compliment the already existing pieces they were most fond of. These included a red leather chair with a retro feel, a smaller black leather chair, a beautifully built antique wooden desk and bookshelves. After shopping at several different places, we came across throw pillows that tied in both red & hints of blue. Another great find was a very soft, red, woven blanket which helped to cozy up the futon & add an overall warmth to the newly arranged sitting area. By moving their bookshelves on either side of the fireplace and filling them with beautiful books and collectibles discovered throughout the home, the room suddenly felt more balanced and complete.
     
    For this particular project, one of the most dramatic changes took place before we ever set foot inside: repainting the living room from an electric yellow to a much calmer pale blue/gray. We arrived the day afterwards once the paint had dried and started by analyzing the space. We noticed that their rather large desk seemed to take up quite a bit of the living space. After some discussion, we decided that the desk could be moved to a much smaller room just off the living area that had previously been used as a spare bedroom. We then decided to also bring in some small bookshelves so that all related books & materials were neatly organized & within reaching distance. We were able to then turn the newly opened space into a smaller sitting or reading area using two club chairs which were centered by two of their front windows. Some other items purchased for our newly found sitting area were some coordinating throw pillows, a brushed bronze lamp, and an ottoman that was placed at the foot of two club chairs. An added bonus was that it offered storage for magazines or blankets. After assessing artwork hanging in the home, we found interesting places to rehang the pictures to better showcase some of their favorite pieces. Lastly, we tidied up and made sure everything was in its place for the big reveal! 
     
    This project left me with such a good feeling afterwards.  At the end of the day, I took a moment to walk through the front door and take it all in as if I were the client seeing it for the first time. I loved the finished look and was later happy to hear the clients were also very pleased with the results. Sometimes, having a fresh eye and perspective on a space helps spark new ideas that could best fit the client's lifestyle in ways they might never have thought of.  And I have to say, nothing compares to the feeling of arriving that morning to start this process and by afternoon, there's not only a whole new feel to the place but a better representation of the people that live there.
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