Amazing Before and After~And A Secret That Could Completely Transform Your Home

Today, I am going to reveal a big decorator secret along with an example to back it up.  It's one change  that will make everything in your home look amazing.  Seriously.  By using this theory, you may quite possibly fall in love with what you already have.  Decorators use this approach for dramatic results without blowing the budget.

If you would like to give your home a completely new look without purchasing a lick of new furniture try this...

...instead of changing what is in a space, change what surrounds it.

Case in point, Chuck and Kim's home office before:

 {actually the halfway point, I didn't catch them in time for actual "before" shots}

{before/during}

And after:

{After}

A few weeks ago, I shared Kim and Chuck's amazing staircase makeover.  If you missed it, you can see it here.  This is another project they tackled in their home.   They transformed this space from a builder-grade, home office into a stunning, sophisticated, custom-home-looking den.

The biggest change was the addition of crisp, white decorative molding.   

Whether it's picture frame molding, board and batten, wainscoting, bead board, chair rail, crown molding, or extra tall baseboards,  decorative molding enhances every living space. 

Especially if you choose a style that compliments the architecture and style of your home.

Beautiful moldings create architectural interest, character and refinement for minimal investment.  

Moldings have a way of showcasing the contents of a space making everything in it feel special.  

Their new hardwood floors added to the effect.  By replacing beige carpet with beautiful hardwood floors, this space went to another level of gorgeousness.  This change was not cheap however, these hardwood floors were a great investment.  

If you have a space that really bothers you, but you are overwhelmed by the idea of replacing everything, try adding decorative molding.  You may find that's all it needed. 

Chuck and Kim, thank you for letting me share your beautiful home, again.

Carpentry in this space completed by Eric Jaskowski with Complete Construction.

This post is part of my decorating advice series titled, "That's what she said".  Click here for more simple, uncomplicated decorating advice and solutions for common design dilemmas.

How To Make Doors Appear Taller

 I recently had the honor of working in this amazing home.  It is truly stunning.  I wanted to share with you, a genius trick the clients used in their foyer. 

The home has a large foyer that provides a grand entrance. 

Since it is such a large open space, there are a lot of doors in this area.  French doors leading to the den, two closets, the front entrance door and an opening into the formal dining area.  Each door was a different height.  To create one eye-pleasing, level visual plane, they came up with this solution:

They hired a Detail Carpenter to install moldings above each door.  Even though the moldings are varying sizes, it creates the illusion that the doors are all the same height.  While they were at it, they also added a transom window above the french doors.  Symmetry, character, architectural interest... ahhh.

Thanks for letting me share your beautiful home, Allison.

31 Days of Character Building: DIY Basement Poles Into Columns

Welcome to Day 29 of my 31 Day Series Building Character.  Yesterday, I introduced you to our builder basement makeover and I shared our Aged Brick Basement Wall.  

Today, I am going to continue in the basement with another simple way we kept the basement makeover costs down while adding character at the same time...