Creating Symmetry with Drapes~Martha and Ash

Last week, I shared a client project for this Westin Hotel inspired sunroom...

{Please click here if you missed it}

Today, I would like to talk about the drapes in this space.  These beautiful citrus and cream color block drapes were made by Martha And Ash.  Martha and Ash have an online custom drapery shop on Etsy (click here to visit).  Not only do they provide beautiful custom drapes in many colors and styles, but they have gorgeous home accessories, rugs, shades, pillows, custom dog beds and more.  

When I designed this room, drapes were a very important design element.  I needed a specific length so they had to be custom made.  Martha And Ash immediately came to mind.  I chose their "color block" drapes, they are bold and dramatic in a tasteful way.  

These fully lined, linen drapes are timeless and elegant. 

Drapes are always a key element of a great space, but in this room, they played an important role…

The room has a pitched ceiling that is slightly higher on one side.  The windows on each of the three walls are different sizes.  To balance the room and create the illusion of symmetry, the drapes were installed at the same height.  Even on the door wall.  

Thank you, Martha and Ash for creating beautiful custom drapes for Scott and Beth's Westin Inspired Sunroom.  

For information on my affordable online design service, please click here.  I'm now accepting new clients!  Thanks for stopping by. 

**Out of courtesy to my on-site design client, I am unable to share specific product sources other than the product mentioned in this post.  Thank you for understanding. 

Crafting Soiree~Who Knew Crafting Could Be So Much Fun

When I offered to assemble 50 vintage button frames for Enchanted Makeovers' upcoming shelter makeover, I knew I would need to enlist some help.  I'm not much of a crafter, but I know some of the best crafters around.  And,  I do know how to throw a party.  

The idea of a crafting soiree was born.

Enchanted Makeovers (EM) is a national non-profit organization that transforms homeless shelters into places that are inspiring and supportive to those re-building their lives (please click here to learn more).  EM is currently preparing for a shelter makeover in Detroit.  

Last weekend, I hosted the crafting soiree where twenty three ladies equipped with our glue guns gathered together for evening of crafting and cocktails.  Our mission was to glue vintage buttons onto wooden picture frames that will be used in the bedrooms at The Detroit Rescue Mission.

Thank you, everyone that attended the soiree, donated their time and crafting talents, and craft supplies.

A big thanks to our neighborhood clubhouse for donating the banquet room.

{Thank you, Woodfield at The Captains Club }

   

I had no idea crafting could be this much fun.

Let me introduce the crowd...

Sarah, myself, Kristen, 

Jennifer, Melissa, Dana, Trish, 

Jo, Cathy, 

Delores,

Taylor, Buffy,

Alissa, Marnie, Melissa, Cheri, 

Kim, Jennifer,

Daffnee, Hannah,

Laura and Lindsay.

(Not pictured, Vicky, donated millions of vintage buttons)

Thank you, ladies for producing 50 beautiful vintage button frames and for demonstrating how much fun crafting can be...

An important part of the EM mission is that donations are made with thought, love, passion and positive energy.  Handmade and vintage pieces make up the beautiful designs by Terry Grahl, the Founder and Visionary of EM.  Terry has the cutest plan for these frames, but I will let her share at the time of the reveal.

To learn more about Enchanted Makeovers, including ways you can be involved, please click here. 

Starbucks Family Menu Chalk Art Tutorial~And Giveaway!

Today's DIY project tutorial is part two of a three-part series of holiday decor projects inspired by Starbucks.  When I think about the holidays and my family getting together, the first thing that comes to mind is food.  We are all about "our food," so I knew right away my project was going to be about Christmas dinner.

To get inspired for this post and to prepare for our Christmas dinner, I visited my local Starbucks.  Aside from the amazing smells, one of the things that always grabs my attention are the gorgeous menu boards and chalk drawings.

Family, food, and chalk art all added up to inspire my project: the Family Menu Board.  I created a decorative menu board of our Christmas dinner, giving credit to each family member for his or her known specialty.

Here's how I did it...

I started with a basic child's art easel I picked up a while ago at a local thrift shop.  I wiped it down to remove the old chalk dust.  Then, I took it outside and sprayed the wood legs black with satin spray paint.  I also gave the chalkboard surface a fresh new coat of chalkboard paint.

While the paint was drying, I hit the art supply store for the following supplies:
wax-free transfer paper (found with the sewing patterns),

bistro chalk markers (thick and thin),

and regular white chalk.

To start, I printed out a few words in a large basic font on my computer.

Using the tracing paper, word outlines and a pencil, I traced a few key words onto the chalkboard.  This helped me with spacing and the basic shapes of the letters.  

After I had a general design mapped out, I used the bistro chalk markers to embellish the sketchings.  As I went along, I used regular chalk to lightly freehand words and illustrations before using the chalk markers to add the final details.

I kept a damp rag close by to erase mistakes. 

I titled the board "Family Christmas Menu 2012." 

I included specialties from relatives who are still with us and those we remember.  

The menu board is not only decorative but it's a beautiful representation of our family traditions.

I warned you that my family was all about food.  I really could use two of these, as I ran out of room.  

 My brother's bread, my sister-in-law's salad, my daughter's chocolate mousse, my aunt's desserts and my husbands appetizer didn't make it.  Hopefully these dishes still show up on the Christmas dinnertable after they see this post.

A few helpful tips: First, using a level, you can lightly sketch guide lines to help keep the drawings straight.  The lines can be erased when you're done.  Second, I learned quickly not to worry about every letter and drawing being perfect; in the end, the big picture will look great.  Third, if Grandma's jello mould is going on the list, don't forget the "u" in mould.
Jello mould, yum...Jello mold, ew.

What do you like best about spending time with your family during the holidays? 

Visit the Starbucks brand page on BlogHer.com, where you can read other bloggers’ posts and find more chances to win!

Contest is closed.  

Please click here for more information on my affordable online design service. I'm now accepting new clients!

© Copyright 2013 The Yellow Cape Cod

Client Room Reveal~Westin Inspired Sun Room

Today's room makeover was a really fun on-site home styling project.  

 This home belongs to Scott, Beth and Jack, a wonderful family that just moved into a beautiful, brand spanking new home...

{Family Portrait courtesy of Amy Gillespie Photography Royal Oak, Michigan}



Scott and Beth asked me to help them turn their empty sun room into a swanky (but family friendly) lounge.  When we began the project, they mentioned they liked the look of the Westin Hotel.

For inspiration, I took a field trip to the nearest Westin.  Here's a look...

 Westin definitely has a signature style,  I'd describe it as "business swank".  Business in the front, party in the back, no wait...that's a mullet!  Let's just stick with "business swank".  The Westin has a modern, clean, hotel aesthetic with pops of pattern and color.  

After visiting the hotel, I headed back to the design studio and created a design plan for the space.  Then we set out to create a high end look without the high end budget.

Here is the Westin inspired, family friendly lounge created just for Scott, Beth and Jack:

We balanced the project allowance by combining custom pieces with quality home-store finds.  

The furniture was scored at a local furniture store. 

  

The drapery is my favorite feature.

I used a top secret drapery trick to create the illusion of symmetry.  This room is not symmetrical, but using drapery in a sneaky way it appears to be.  Can you spot the trick, if so tell me in the comments.

Stop by next week for a full post dedicated to the drapes.  I can't wait to share the details, including the secret drapery trick and a direct link to the source of the custom drapery shop that made these beauties just for this space.

I'll be sharing more of this home soon.  I had the privilege of styling a few rooms in Scott, Beth and Jack's house.  Humphrey the dog and I have become pretty tight so you will probably see more of him also.    

  

Thank you Scott, Beth and Jack for allowing me to share your new sun room lounge.

I mentioned before that this was an on-site project.  Similar results can be obtained through my online design service (please click here for information).  I am now accepting new clients :).

**Out of courtesy to my on-site design client, I'm unable to share specific product sources.  Thank you for understanding.  

Christmas in The Kitchen

Yesterday was our Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Ideas photo shoot.  It was an amazing experience.   I'll never take a magazine article for granted again.  There is so much that goes into each story and each photo that I've never realized, until now.  

I was amazed by the amount of camera and lighting equipment.  It was so much fun working with the team.  Not only were they uber-talented by they were all so nice I didn't want them to leave.

Our kitchen and master bedroom were not included in the photo shoot which means I can share a little of the Christmas decor in these spaces on the blog.  This year, I didn't do much in the kitchen, just a few fresh holiday cooking herbs, my simple reminder chalkboard (click here for this trash to treasure project tutorial), fresh greens and a pair of potted faux poinsettias (Target).  

I'll be back with Christmas decor from the master bedroom.  I can't wait to share the story of the day that inspired our new bedroom Christmas tree.  

Don't forget, I'm now accepting new Online Design Projects (click here for information).  I'm also offering gift certificates just in time for holiday gift giving.  

Thanks for stopping by.

Exciting Announcement On Design Services!!

I am incredibly excited to announce that Sarah Macklem Interiors is now accepting new online design projects (just in time for the holidays, click here for gift certificates)!  My Online design service gives you the power to create the home of your dreams with simple, concise decorating advice and product recommendations customized to your budget and lifestyle. 

Thanks to the humbling demand for design services, the Sarah Macklem Interiors team has expanded.   No more waiting months for a reservation.  My team and I are eagerly waiting for new clients and projects!

The online design service has also been streamlined and fine tuned...

Here are some of the new features:

 -New multi-room discount.  Multi-room plans guarantee flow between spaces.  This is perfect for open concept homes or clients that love "builder model flow".

-Improved project turnaround time, now that our team has grown our turnaround time has improved.

-Streamlined process making it quick and easy to submit photos and information.

-A new, improved client questionnaire that includes cool, new visual aides that help us zero in on your style preferences resulting in a design that you will love.

-Gift certificates are now available, just in time for the holidays!

-All plans now include a true-to-scale floor plan.  This will help insure that new and current pieces will fit perfectly.  This illustration will give you a birds eye view of your new space. 

Here is an example of a true-to-scale floorplan:

*The true-to-scale floorplan feature was previously only available with our comprehensive design plan.  To  provide each client with the best possible design plan, we have combined the basic and comprehensive packages and now offer one affordable online design package.

Are you ready to get started?  

We are! Online design plans reserved now will be ready in January.  What a great way to kick off the new year!  New Year = New Room!!

Please click here for pricing, more details on the service and instructions on how to reserve your consultation.   For project examples, please click here to view recent online designs.

"He who is happiest, is he who finds peace in his home".