Before And After: A Dated Georgia House Gets The Scandi Treatment!

Oh, how I love to see before and after shots. I find it so inspiring to get an idea of the complete transformation - and the feeling that anything is possible with a little imagination and hard graft (and depending on the scale, some cash, of course!) - how about you? When my amazingly talented friend Valentina Fussell acquired her home in Georgia, Atlanta it was dated and a sea of beige, beige and more beige. But the moment she and her husband Jack and their three children stepped through the door they were in love. Looking at the bones, I can totally see why! Valentina had the vision to turn the house into a striking, contemporary, light-filled home inspired by their years abroad, including a stint in Copenhagen. You might recall a previous feature of the house here (and a tour of their Danish home here) but I couldn't resist revisiting the space today to share a little more about the transformation and show some of the before pictures. Drumroll, please! 

KITCHEN (BEFORE)

AFTER 

Valentina and Jack completely gutted the kitchen and decided on dark grey cabinets (from Bell Cabinetry & Design) to add energy and a sense of drama to the space. Dark colours also help to mask appliances. 

VALENTINA'S OFFICE (BEFORE)

AFTER

Perhaps the most dramatic room in the house, Valentina's office has been painted entirely in dark grey. the large windows help to bathe the space in light. It reminds me a little of the lovely home of Lotta Agaton - what do you think? 

LIVING ROOM (BEFORE)

AFTER

Valentina stuck to her monochromatic scheme and added warmth with details such as books, figurines, photos and plants as well as cushions and blankets. The wood floor is from Authentic Reclaimed Hardwoods and selected due to the imperfect 'alive' nature of the grain which adds texture and a relaxed feel to the monochrome space. I have to say; this room is BEYOND...!!! 

JACK'S OFFICE (BEFORE)

AFTER

This bedroom was transformed into Jack's office. A work in progress (although I struggle to see how it can be improved!), the office has been decorated with a black and white scheme with added texture and interest from a large, patterned rugs, art other personal possessions. 

MASTER BATHROOM (BEFORE)

AFTER

The master bathroom was the first room in the house to be renovated. The pair opted for a more classic look so it would stand the test of time. 

VALENTINA'S DAUGHTER'S ROOM

Valentina's daughter was given free rein to decorate her bedroom. And judging by the results, it seems an eye for design runs in the family! My eldest daughter also loves to personalise her room with pictures - usually ripped out without scissors and haphazardly stuck to the wall using copious amounts of Sellotape! I am feeling particularly inspired by the way the pictures have been displayed in this teenage bedroom! Great inspiration! Thank you! 

What an incredible transformation, don't you think?! Valentina is just so clever!! 

If you're curious to hear more about the renovations and see more of the home (including 'the catwalk' and amazing conservatory, take a peek at her films here and here. 

Valentina recently relaunched House of Valentina stateside and helps others buy, sell, renovate and decorate. One day she dreams of opening a shop loaded with all the items used to stage and decorate homes. If she does, I'll be the first in line, how about you?! 

See more fabulous 'before and afters'! 

Have a lovely day! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Valentina Fussell with thanks. 

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Before + After: A Welding Plant Becomes an Incredible Home and Wedding venue!

It's not like me to begin with a less than picturesque shot, but I didn't want to ruin the surprise! I mean, there are before and afters and there are BEFORE AND AFTERS! Today's post is for all of you out there who like to dream big! WOOHOO! Meet Seth, "the bearded carpenter who doesn't say a lot but dreams as big as the stars", and Jenna Wright, "a tiny person with more to say than anyone could ever have time to hear!", who live with their five children in Utah. A year and a half ago the Wrights bought a derelict, industrial 1930s welding plant with the idea of using it as a carpenter workshop. Little did they know that the top floor (comprising 3000 square feet / 278 square metres) would eventually become their home and the lower section an incredible wedding venue. Sometimes pictures say more than a thousand words - and you've really got to see the space to believe it. Let's dive sin!

The exterior

The kitchen

Sitting room

Library

Children's bedroom

Master bedroom + ensuite

Wedding venue

*Speechless*!

Is anyone else now wondering which old garages / warehouses could be transformed in your neighbourhood?! There are some derelict spaces just near Limhamn in the outskirts of Malmö.... hmmm (*Per suddenly feels uneasy across town without knowing why*).

The family have since carried out a new renovation project called 'The Orchard House' which will become the family of seven's fixed abode. It was with mixed feelings that they moved on from what they affectionately refer to as 'The White Shanty' (although they will continue to spend some weekdays here). Jenna had this to say:

"Now, this old place serves so many purposes as if to resurrect and come back, teaching me that all things, with Love, and a lot of hard work, can be made whole and beautiful again."

Inspiring words to live by!

You can read more about the renovation and see what they're up to next over on their blog and instagram.

Niki

PS There's a load more before & after projects to feel inspired by in this archive. Just saying!

Photography: Seth & Jenna Wright - shared with kind permission. 

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Before & After: A Beautiful Handmade Kitchen On A Shoestring Budget

The creativity of some couples is just mesmerising. I've featured a few spaces by Jeska and Dean Hearne, who live on the South coast of England, before (remember their bedroom, bathroom and garden retreat?). And now Jeska, creator of blog Lobster & Swan and founder of shop The Future Kept, and Dean, a photographer have turned their hands to the kitchen. Literally. Everything you see (except the appliances, hardware, and base units) have been made by hand using reclaimed wooden floorboards, recycled crates, old pipes from under the floors for hanging rails and oak laths from a local restoration centre - and the result is truly inspiring!

To get an idea of the transformation - here are a couple of pictures from before they started the renovation.

Before

The pair ripped it out and did a complete overhaul from the ground up. And today it looks like this: 

After

The bulk of the back wall has been painted in Annie Sloan Paris grey, with smaller tins of Old White and Graphite accents thrown in (read more about how to get the look here). The wall by the window has been painted in calming Dimpse by Farrow & Ball. 

The worktop is made from elm wood and the fan has been covered with a custom built box and clad with oak laths. The sides are made from ply off cuts which have been stained to match.

The pair found the beautiful farmhouse table at a local nursery and the chairs have been picked up over the years (source similar vintage bistro chairs here* - and actually, if you're super quick and live in the UK - there's a set of four original vintage Thonet chairs* exactly like these available on Etsy right now!). 

I love the Fowey pendant light over the table, it fits perfectly in this space, don't you think?

The shelves are made from a fallen eucalyptus tree that fell in their garden. They took the wood rot a local sawmill who cut it into planks. It was then stored for three years to dry. The rail underneath is made from a disused pipe.

Source made to measure linen curtains here* (I can highly recommend these guys - all the curtains in my home I made by them!).

What an incredible transformation - so imaginative and unique, and I love how so many elements have been made from reclaimed items. 

Could you imagine taking on a similar project?

You can reads more about the kitchen renovation here. 

I do love a great 'before and after' don't you? If you'd like to see a few more today, take a peek at:

A danish house gets a fabulous make-over

A Miami penthouse before and after

A dingy garage becomes a bright guesthouse

Is there one that caught your eye?

Ha så bra! 

Niki

Photography and design: Jeska & Dean Hearne

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