Color, Pattern, and Art Partay... Craft Room

A couple of weeks ago I shared a living room that was filled to the brim with all the things I love: all the colors, all the pattern and a truck load of all the local art. And this week all the attention is on that living room's like minded neighbor. Introducing the craft room/office/game room combo.  

In a prior life, this office space was the formal dining room and the now dining room that we'll share soon, was the formal living room. A common switcharoo that these older ranches are making these days. This space quickly found a new purpose. 

This family space demanding three functionalities: a homework station, storage for craft supplies, and a surface that could serve a craft or game table. So, we brought it all. A desk and comfy chair provide the perfect spot for all the long hours of addition and subtraction. The former china cabinet turned showcase of all the markers, paper, and pens steals the show a la a little paint in one of my favorite shades, Valspar Lady Ophelia, and adds some pattern with Hygge and West Tassel paper. The table provides a spot for all the game nights and school projects and textiles were where we brought all the color into the space. Panels in dreamy Citrus Garden, elevate the kid-friendly spot and make it adult friendly as well. A fun rug with a vintage vibe and bright fun fabrics on upholstery bring it all in. 

The large abstract over the desk is by color genius, Mary Ann Forehand bringing the scheme all together. The yellow jars and flowers drawings, from my girl, Glory Day Loflin bring fun and whimsy to the space. We created a mix of styles with the big peices and then we added in layers of vintage with accessories. Shop the look at the bottom of the post. 

 So here's to all the back to school homework and projects, and a place to conquer them all. 

XO, Amanda Louise 

Photos: Luke Cleland 

Back to School Vibes

Who said that back to school shopping was just for those kids who actually have to go back to school?! This time of year was always one of my faves. Absolutely not because of the return to class, but because of new markers, notebooks, sweaters and bags... and the fact that all things fall are right around the corner.

So because this time of year means a new season, I've pulled together all the things that give me those let's-get-serious-about-getting-some-stuff-done-but-look-cute-while-we-do-it feels.

So, I'm talking a blazer with fun florals, a bag that is just big enough to throw your lap-top in, all the rad desk things to create a killer workspace, and a whole lotta tassels and plaid. Now, let's do this Back to School thing.

Color, Pattern, and Art Partay... Living Room

We just wrapped up phase one of this project. A brick ranch that was stuck in the 70s, transformed to a space filled with all the color, all the pattern, all the art... and there are dogs too. So this project is basically my mantra and everything I love. Over the next couple of weeks, I am going to be sharing this homes dining room, master bedroom, office/craft room and today, the living room. In a matter of days (maybe hours at this point), the kitchen/powder room/sunroom are getting demoed and I can't wait to see how our scheme comes together in the next few weeks for phase dos. 

This room was oh-so dark, so drywall replaced dark wood paneling and the walls were painted a color that I'm sure you've heard around here, SW Worldly Gray: a soft, warm, neutral gray that plays well with any tone. The dark brick fireplace went bright white and there our canvas was made. 

We started with our base of furniture: A sofa with greek key arm detail layered on top of a sofa table creates depth in the space. This is one of my favorite tools for rooms where you feel like all the furniture needs to be along the walls for traffic flow, etc. A sofa table creates a layer of interest, a place for lighting, and a surface. A large storage credenza anchors the football season-sized television. Two comfy chairs, some occasional seating and a bookcase help to add seating, display space, and create depth. Keeping these base pieces fairly neutral gave us all the opportunities to add layers in the color and pattern depot.

These clients like color, pattern and art as much as I do, so this project was especially fun, figuring out the perfect mix that represents them. We layered in a big blue rug, textiles, art and accessories to add the personality. Client collab is always key to having a space feel representative of the people who live there and especially in the art department. Field trips to Art and Light Gallery were made to find the perfect pieces to fill the walls. The end result was a collected mix on our gallery wall, with Kiah Bellows (over the sofa) and Mary Ann Forehand (over the mantle) headlining the show. 

You can get the look at the bottom of the page or on Pinterest. 

I know this living room is getting plenty of attention this Sunday am. I can see coffee drinking and movie watching on the sofa, a dad comfy on his chair, and dogs sprawled on the rug... nice and slow, like Sunday mornings should be. 

Photos: Luke Cleland