Wednesday, July 10, 2013

BEFORE AND AFTER: WATERFRONT LIVING ROOM WALL

THIS LIVING ROOM NEEDED AN UPDATED LOOK ON THE LEFT WALL. BEFORE, A LARGE BLACK HUTCH DOMINATED THE WALL. IT WAS DARK AND THERE WAS NO SURFACE AREA FOR LAMPS.
BEFORE
 NOW A BEAUTIFUL NEW CABINET ANCHORS THE WALL ALLOWING SPACE FOR A PAIR OF LAMPS. WE ORDERED AN ENORMOUS MIRROR SO IT WOULD REFLECT LIGHT FROM THE WINDOWS OPPOSITE THE WALL.
AFTER

AFTER

AFTER


You have read this article with the title 2013. You can bookmark this page URL http://akmalilmaquist.blogspot.com/2013/07/before-and-after-waterfront-living-room.html. Thanks!
Saturday, June 29, 2013

BEFORE AND AFTER: IN THE GARDEN

I LOVE WATCHING MY GARDEN GROW.
......A FEW MONTHS BACK I HIRED NORFOLK LANDSCAPING TALENT JOHN PRINCE TO HELP MAX OUT THE POTENTIAL IN MY YARD. NOT ONLY DOES JOHN SUGGEST PLANTS THAT WILL THRIVE IN OUR AREA, BUT HE IS ALSO A PLANT SNOB...AND I MEAN THAT AS A COMPLIMENT!!!-I'M A FABRIC SNOB SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS CHARACTERISTIC!!!!..PLUS, I KNEW I WAS GETTING GOOD STUFF!! LOVING MY YARD'S NEW LOOK!!!
 HERE ARE A FEW PICS.....
BEFORE
AFTER
 THE NEW BRICK BORDER REALLY HELPS DEFINE THE GARDEN AREA-WAY BETTER THAN BEFORE!!!!

 NEW PLANTS INCLUDE THE CRAPE MYRTLE, SAGO PALM, SOCIETY GARLIC, LANTANA, GARDENIAS, AGERATUM, ETC......

BEFORE
AFTER
 THE NEW CRINUM PLANTS HAVE BEAUTIFUL FOLIAGE BUT WILL LOOK AMAZING WITH THE PINK BLOOMS IN A FEW WEEKS!

THIS AREA USED TO BE A MUD PIT......A NEW WALKWAY WAS A MUST!!!
BEFORE
NOW ITS NOT ONLY FUNCTIONAL BUT BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT FROM INSIDE AND OUT!  THE NEW CAST IRON PLANTS WILL THICKEN UP INTO A LUSH LANDSCAPE.
AFTER
 AND OUT FRONT...........

 MY ROHDEA JAPONICA IS A WELCOME CHANGE THAT REPLACED ONLY RATTY LOOKING LARIOPE. THESE WILL ALSO THICKEN UP AND SHOW RED BERRIES.

NEXT UP? ABSOLUTELY HATE THE UGLY CONCRETE SIDEWALK-YUK!!! WILL SOMEDAY REPLACE WITH SAME WALKWAY FROM BACK!!
You have read this article with the title 2013. You can bookmark this page URL http://akmalilmaquist.blogspot.com/2013/06/before-and-after-in-garden.html. Thanks!
Monday, June 24, 2013

VACATION BLISS 2013: COWBOY PARADISE

MY KIDS ARE FINALLY OLD ENOUGH FOR A DUDE RANCH!!

SO AFTER LOTS OF RESEARCH AND TONS OF GREAT REFERRALS, THE R LAZY S RANCH http://rlazys.com IN JACKSON, WYOMING WAS OUR TICKET TO AN AMAZING ADVENTURE IN THE WILD WEST!!

MY ONLY REGRET? ALL THE FOOD I ATE! BUT HOW CAN YOU NOT WHEN SOME OF WYOMING'S BEST CHEFS ARE IN THE KITCHEN?



AND WE LOVED OUR CABIN...THE VIEWS OF THE TETONS WERE PRICELESS!!

 HANGING ON THE FRONT PORCH...

BRUCE THE MOOSE WASN'T AFRAID TO MAKE AN APPEARANCE!!

HAYRIDE FUN WITH SOME OF OUR AWESOME WRANGLERS


WE ARE GOING TO MISS THIS PLACE.....BUT WE WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE EVERYONE.......YEEEEEEHAAAAAWW!!!!










You have read this article with the title 2013. You can bookmark this page URL http://akmalilmaquist.blogspot.com/2013/06/vacation-bliss-2013-cowboy-paradise.html. Thanks!
Thursday, June 13, 2013

BEFORE AND AFTER: BAY COLONY FAMILY ROOM

I HATE IT WHEN I CANT FIND THE BEFORE PICS!
ANYWAY, HERE IS A SHOT OF THE ROOM WHEN THE TRANSITION WAS IN THE EARLY STAGES.
THESE ADORABLE HOMEOWNERS BOUGHT 2 MATCHING AND VERY NEUTRAL SOFAS ......SO WE HAD A VERY CLEAN SLATE TO WORK OFF OF!
WE CHOSE A BLUE AND WHITE COLOR SCHEME WITH A HINT OF GREEN (GREEN FLOWS INTO THE NEIGHBORING KITCHEN) WE ALSO ADDED THE SISAL-NICE AND SOFT AND VERY EASY TO DECORATE AROUND! SINCE THEN, WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY!!!
BEFORE

AFTER


 AND THRILLED A VERY IMPORTANT AND SUPER ADORABLE MEMBER OF THE FAM LOVES TO LOUNGE TOO!!
 
AND THE NEIGHBORING BREAKFAST ROOM........


 
You have read this article with the title 2013. You can bookmark this page URL http://akmalilmaquist.blogspot.com/2013/06/before-and-after-bay-colony-family-room.html. Thanks!
Monday, June 10, 2013

GUEST BLOGGER: ARCADIA HOME

Hi all! Iím Jennifer and I write for†Arcadian Home, a site that specializes in home decor and lighting trends from around the world.†I've been writing about home decor since graduating university and have loved it ever since. I'm addicted to patterned fabrics, Jonathan Adler, chaise lounges, old doors, milk glass jars, antiques, and chandeliers. There's no shortage of eye candy on Lucy Williams Interior Design†blog - her posts always include amazing inspirations that can spark new interior ideas. And I'm so excited to share a post on southern beach houses with her readers. Southern beach houses with well-thought-out interiors can make vacationing even better - having a wonderful second home that is not only homey but stylish too makes all the difference. Drawing inspiration from the sandy seaside, endless stretches of ocean and unique wildlife found under and above water, a southern beach house always looks stunning with organic colors, patterns, details, and even table decor.

Beach Houses

This calming bathroom, decked out in a blue and white sailing theme, is elegant and streamlined. The open double-sink vanity is perfect for guests.

Beach Houses

This mix-and-match casual sitting area has a number of unusual yet beachy items that look lovely grouped together, from the rattan table to the two-tone patterned couches, the framed maps and the contemporary lamps.

Beach Houses

The amount of textures and patterns in this laxed living room is incredible - stripes and solids, wood and rope-inspired furniture pieces, and the vintage tufted sofa and mod red bauble table lamp all come together beautifully.

Beach Houses

While most southern beach houses exude a more traditional feel, this modern space, with angled ceilings and skylights, is still keeping the beach theme with bamboo cubbies and a saltwater aquarium.

Beach Houses

Put head to pillow in an airy southern beach house bedroom with exposed white wood slat ceiling and floors, matching wall sconces, white canvas directors' chairs, and luxurious bedding.

Beach Houses

This beach house kitchen offers different working and eating stations not to mention an array of modern pendant lights and an inviting lattice-work window offering seaside views.

Beach Houses

A sunroom is the perfect addition to a southern beach house - the wood rocking chairs, wicker seating and telescope all take advantage of the breathtaking ocean sights.

Beach Houses

A casual den is infused with beachy elegance by showcasing organic pieces, like starfish and driftwood - hanging outdoor lanterns complete the look. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 Which of these spaces do you love the most? Let us know in the comments below, and stop by our website for more lighting and interior inspirations!
You have read this article with the title 2013. You can bookmark this page URL http://akmalilmaquist.blogspot.com/2013/06/guest-blogger-arcadia-home.html. Thanks!
Sunday, June 9, 2013

BEAUTIFUL HOMES OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA

THIS PAST WEEKEND I REALLY ENJOYED DRIVING AROUND THE FARMINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD IN CHARLOTTESVILLE- HANDS DOWN ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL NEIGHBORHOODS IVE EVER BEEN TO!!

IT'S LESS THAN A 5 MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA....AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE IN THE COUNTRY............AND THE GORGEOUS VIEWS OF VIRGINIA'S APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS-TO DIE FOR!!!  THE FARMINGTON COUNTRY CLUB GOLF COURSE MEANDERING THOUGHTOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD....  LOVE THIS PLACE!!........AND BEST OF ALL....THE ARCHITECTURE!!! INFLUENCED BY CHARLOTTESVILLE'S VERY OWN, AND MY DESIGN IDOL THOMAS JEFFERSON!!!

AND BY THE WAY, THIS IS JUST A TINY GLIMPSE INTO FARMINGTON-YOU SHOULD SEE THIS PLACE FOR YOURSELF. MY HORRIBLE PHOTOGRAPHY DOESN'T EVEN COME CLOSE TO HOW BEAUTIFUL FARMINGTON  IS IN PERSON!!
FARMINGTON COUNTRY CLUB










You have read this article with the title 2013. You can bookmark this page URL http://akmalilmaquist.blogspot.com/2013/06/beautiful-homes-of-charlottesville.html. Thanks!
Monday, June 3, 2013

DOGGIE DOOR TO DIE FOR!!

AS I WAS WALKING THRU MY CUSTOMERS HOUSE TO CHECK ON SOME CHAIRS WE JUST RECOVERED....I STOPPED IN MY TRACKS WHEN I SAW THIS........AN AMAZING DOGGIE DOOR THEY JUST HAD MADE!! STUNNING!!!!
OKAY, NOT TO GET SIDETRACKED (BUT HARD NOT TO WITH THAT DOGGIE DOOR!!)....NOW ITS TIME TO CHECK OUT THE NEW KITCHEN CHAIR FABRIC!!
THANKS TO KELLY WEARSTLER FOR LEE JOFA, I HAVE TO SAY I THINK THEY TURNED OUT AMAZING AND LOVE IN THIS COLOR SCHEME!


BACK TO THE DOGGIE DOOR-I CANT HELP IT!! AND HERE'S THE DOG IT BELONGS TO- "ZEEK"-THE ADORABLE 88 LB PUP SHIPPED IN FROM MONTANA...OR WAS IT WYOMING? ANYWAY, THIS GOLDEN IS ABSOLUTELY THE CUTEST THING EVER!!!!

You have read this article with the title 2013. You can bookmark this page URL http://akmalilmaquist.blogspot.com/2013/06/doggie-door-to-die-for.html. Thanks!
Thursday, May 23, 2013

ART ART ART!!!

I WAS SO EXCITED WHEN ART DEALER AND FRIEND WIZZIE BROACH ASKED ME TO CONTRIBUTE SOME OF MY ART TO ONE OF HER ART SHOWS RECENTLY. 

QUITE AN HONOR BEING IN THE MIX WITH DUANE CREGGER, CHRISTOPHER BAER, SUNNY GOODE, SONDRA ARKIN, AND KATHY WALMSLEY JUST TO NAME A FEW!!

THIS PAST WEEK, OUR LOCAL SCOUT GUIDE BLOGGED ON WIZZIE'S ART THAT SHE REPS......PRETTY PSYCHED THAT MY PAINTING MADE IT IN THE MIX!

SEE LINK BELOW IF YOU WANT TO GET YOUR HANDS ON SOME OF THIS STUFF!!!IT WONT BE AROUND FOR LONG!!!















You have read this article with the title 2013. You can bookmark this page URL http://akmalilmaquist.blogspot.com/2013/05/art-art-art.html. Thanks!