Category Archives:

All posts by hilairepickett
Current Projects, For the Kids

Current Projects: Goodbye Formal Dining Room, Hello Playroom!

When a favorite client told me that she wanted to convert her formal dining room at the entrance of her house into a playroom space that her three children could enjoy, I had my doubts. Of course, I subscribe to the belief that you should live in every room in your house, but I had my concerns about the potential mess being right near the front door.

I should always trust a mother’s intuition. I love the end result of this space we designed and that our client is only a glance away from her kids at play. We kept the draperies and wall sconces but said goodbye to the other formal dining room furnishings. I designed a custom cabinet for plenty of toy storage and a place for the tv to live. The finish on the cabinet is a sophicated black and the wall color changed from a deep red to turquoise.

This room provides versatility as the play table from Restoration Hardware can be wheeled out of the room and the room can host a dinner party or bookclub gathering for adults. The Souk Rug from West Elm brings a luxourious texture for little bare feet and imaginative play.

I’m obsessed with the constellation print from Minted in an oversized scale. This project begs the question: “what room are you not really using in your house?”

-Brittany

images by Design Lines

Current Projects, For the Kids

Current Projects: Babies, Bows, & Butterflies

When my clients went to Italy on their Honeymoon, they spotted this Murano glass chandielier and had to have it for their future daughter’s nursery. Two sons and 7 years later that dream came true.

Color inspiration came from the feminine Vervain printed linen fabric featuring butterflies and flowers which we used to create blackout traversing drapery panels. The wall color is a beautiful peach hue – ICI Sun Kiss –  rather than a traditional pale pink. We painted the exisiting crib antique white. The rocker (featured in a previous nursery blog post) got a girlish makeover with a new washable canvas slipcover from Four Seasons Furniture.  This room is a perfect mixture of glam (i.e. the black accents) and sweetness. My favorite element is the Euro Sham to dress the crib from Caitlin Wilson Textiles. Enjoy a few captures of the space.  

-Brittany

images by Design Lines

Current Projects, For the Kids

Brittany’s Top 5 Tips For a Kid Friendly Space

1. By all means, choose a playful color palette!

2. Choose practical textures- here we selected a hearty stonewashed  linen for the sectional and had the furniture treated with a stain resistant treatment immediately (make haste!) Pillow covers have zippers for easy laundering.

3. Embrace the slash. Carefully consider pieces that have more than one use or could eventually go into another room. In this space- take note of the orange settee that is nearly the size of twin size guest bed and can be covered in sheets at a moment’s notice? Or the Media unit which could be a  cool dining room console? Odds are- as your kids grow their needs/ your spatial needs will change, also.

4.Don’t be afraid to leave some floor space- because kid’s love to PLAY on the floor- so why invest in a coffee table that impedes playing with cars or has to be moved when it’s dance party time?

5. Add a personal touch. In the library framed family photos are displayed. While on the tv wall- my client made fun posters of every place their family has lived- unique to the space and special to the family- something you won’t find in the pottery barn kids catalog.

images by Design Lines

Current Projects, For the Kids

Current Projects: A Durham Playroom Goes Back To School In Style

My clients in Durham had the idea of turning their big blah bonus room (you know the kind)  into a library and playroom for their seven children.

 

 

 They wanted the space to function for all – with the kids ranging in ages from 3 – 14 years;  and serve many purposes: a library, a classroom, an arts and crafts center, a movie-watching room, for dance parties on the wii,  sleepovers, and creative play.

 

We first devoted time to making the room just the way we wanted- utilizing attic access space for built-in bookshelves, adding much needed lighting, painting the walls (they went from an off- white to a warm taupe color) and installing wallpaper to one long wall to add interest.

 

 

The color palette was inspired by a whimsical and colorful linen print from Clarence House in hues of orange, pink, yellow, and green.  The selection of the furniture pieces themselves- an orange loveseat (my personal favorite part of the space)  a sectional sofa, entertainment unit, play table and chairs (existing), came naturally as they were both fun and functional.

 

 

Last week we joined up with a few of the kids for the photo shoot- it was fun to see them enjoying and using the space.

 

Check back tomorrow as I give my “Top 5  Tips For Designing a Kid Friendly Space.”

Brittany

images by: Design Lines

Current Projects

Screened Porch Living

 

We sure are ready for those screened porch days with cooler temperatures and a light fall breeze. As the Design Lines team prepares for the Fall season, here are a few shots are of Lauren’s screened porch.  Boy, what eye candy!! Love the pops of color.

Have a great weekend everyone.

 

 

 

 

images: Design Lines Ltd.

Current Projects

Current Projects: Modern Comfort

Filled with light, and accented with natural walnut details, this recent renovation creates the perfect meeting place for an extended family.

 

As part of the renovation, the kitchen and living room were combined into one big space, providing ample room for all the functions of modern life.

One of the great challenges of this design was the fireplace; we had to find a way to make it address the scale of the new room, while keeping the existing firebox the same.  We also wanted to integrate a flatscreen TV and entertainment cabinet.  The result is a unique solution, providing functionality the client needs without sacrificing her modern aesthetics.

 

To keep things looking clean and uncluttered, the cabinets integrate display alcoves for the owner’s prized art collection, and hiding places for countertop appliances.

 

We think this project is the perfect blend of clean lines and modern comfort!

– Judy and Rob

Interior & Architectural Photography by Everest Agency